Deciding on a "midsized"user...

GregB

GregB

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2000
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Trying to decide on a mid sized user. Some candidates are:

Skinny ASH
ASH SE '07 (.22)
SFNO
FSH (1/4")

I've got the NMFBM on order, but don't see me carrying it as much as one of those mentioned above. I've tried the JH and SJTAC and while I like both (prefer the JH), I'm looking for something that'll handle a little more chopping and doesn't have quite such a "neutral" feel. I like blade heavy. I had a HH and felt for the weight difference I might as well go FBM or FFBM. I had a skinny ASH and wasn't crazy about the mags, would probably sand them down or have them replaced if I bought another. Thought the ASH CG was way too heavy. Have a 08 SE SFNO that I like, but wish it didn't have mags. Considering hunting down a 1/4" FSH. Really want to give the .22 ASH a try, but think that the SFNO or FSH handle will be more versatile (i.e. will allow me to choke back more when/if chopping). I plan to have the NMFBM and/or FFBM in the stable as well, but this will be the one that travels and I carry more often than not. Cost is a factory, so I'm not sure the SE ASH or FSH is worth the extra $200 over the skinny, ditto on the extra $200-$300 for the SFNO. If price weren't a concern (i.e NMFBM & FFBM to buy/pay for), I'd probably go with a Uncle Mofo, if I could find one.

Suggestions?

GregB
BaconBeavers
 
I recommend a SHSJ even though it is not on your list

Picture657.jpg
 
Another option might be a SFNO, especially if you can get to Blade West or Knob Creek, or get a proxy for either. They've been known to pop up at shows lately. I got this one from the last KC. The older saber ground versions are better choppers than the flat ground versions (more weight at spine of blade), but even a flat ground SFNO is also somewhere in that middle ground between SJTAC and FSH.

CGSFNO.jpg
 
Uncle_Jarvis said:
I recommend a SHSJ even though it is not on your list
Click to expand...

Gerberblades said:
SHSJ, an awesome midsized knife...
Click to expand...

he did say cost was a factor . . . not mention those are pretty hard to find anyway.

i'd recommend the skinny ASH and sanding down the handles if you like the blade enough. or get somebody to do it for the SFNO SE.
the ASH 07 SE is pretty neutral in balance and is not great for chopping. and the crazy thin edge just feels weird when doing it too.
have you considered the HR? it's decent at chopping and is still nice and light.
 
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To me it seems that the Sarsquatch might be the knife you want.

While the old SJ is a great knife it isn't going to chop well.

Here are some sarsquatches (#4,5,6 from the right) next to two SFNOs and on the far left end is a old SJ... which isn't really a SH although a lot of guys call it that.

2829419206_900217e790_o.jpg


The other really GREAT mid-size chopper is the SHSHII (#4&5 from the right)
2828582869_57130eec36_o.jpg



GregB said:
Trying to decide on a mid sized user. Some candidates are:

Skinny ASH
ASH SE '07 (.22)
SFNO
FSH (1/4")

I've got the NMFBM on order, but don't see me carrying it as much as one of those mentioned above. I've tried the JH and SJTAC and while I like both (prefer the JH), I'm looking for something that'll handle a little more chopping and doesn't have quite such a "neutral" feel. I like blade heavy. I had a HH and felt for the weight difference I might as well go FBM or FFBM. I had a skinny ASH and wasn't crazy about the mags, would probably sand them down or have them replaced if I bought another. Thought the ASH CG was way too heavy. Have a 08 SE SFNO that I like, but wish it didn't have mags. Considering hunting down a 1/4" FSH. Really want to give the .22 ASH a try, but think that the SFNO or FSH handle will be more versatile (i.e. will allow me to choke back more when/if chopping). I plan to have the NMFBM and/or FFBM in the stable as well, but this will be the one that travels and I carry more often than not. Cost is a factory, so I'm not sure the SE ASH or FSH is worth the extra $200 over the skinny, ditto on the extra $200-$300 for the SFNO. If price weren't a concern (i.e NMFBM & FFBM to buy/pay for), I'd probably go with a Uncle Mofo, if I could find one.

Suggestions?

GregB
BaconBeavers
Click to expand...
 
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A skinny ASH-1 and a FSH are a dead tie for me. If I could figure out a way to EDC either one around town without getting busted I'd have it close all the time.
 
you'd have to take the handles off and sand them down for the SARSquatch. if you weren't crazy about the mags on the skinny ASH i bet you'd loathe the ones on the SARSquatch. i personally hate mags, but have found the ones on the skinny ASH to be the most tolerable.
 
Uncle_Jarvis said:
I recommend a SHSJ even though it is not on your list

Picture657.jpg
Click to expand...

I knew that was coming. There is no question for UJ that a SHSJ can't answer. Not that I blame him. I'm actually quite jealous.

There are a lot of good Busses in the "midsize" category. I like the BATAC and ASH-1 myself, but I think the SJTAC is a pretty good choice too. Nothing wrong with a Jackhammer, either.

Out of my midsize Busses, the HOGASH and BATACLE have seen the most action. Both work great. Both are fluggin' boat anchors to carry, though.
 
Sarsquatch. It will out chop the skinny ash, its not much heavier/larger than the skinny and they're are almost the same price... for now.;)

I dont have a FSH, but the .25" ones are sweet. But still larger/heavier than the squatch and not as useful around a campsite.

Get both and piggy back'em.:thumbup:
 
UJ needs to change his forum name to Uncle SHSJ. ;)

I am inclined to agree with Guyon that a CG SFNO (I think that is what they are called) might be the way to go. They do occasionally pop up at the shows and if you can get one in your sights, you'll find that they are very reasonably priced when offered directly from Busse. IIRC, they are not that much more than a skinny ASH-1.
 
Squatch. No question. Price is right. Balance point is just in front of hte micarta and it's already convex'd.
 
I actually have a black on black Squatch that I've been using, and the scales feel like a golf ball in my hand. I've used it enough to know that I want something else or thinner scales.

Good to hear that the ASH LE is neutral, kind of rules it out for now. I've tried all of the E handles and never really took to them. I prefer the fusion handles. I've had old school SJ's in 3/16 & 1/4". Neither is enough of a chopper for me. Knob Creek is 8 hours each way for me, might try a proxy. Can't bring myself to modify or abuse the 08 SE SFNO.

Has anyone modified the scales on their Squatch? I figure the Squatch will outchop the Skinny ASH, but the FSH would outchop both, correct? Where does a Unlce Mojo fit into the picture? When it comes to the FBM's, I prefer the FFBM, so I'm looking for something a little smaller, a little lighter to carry.

Thanks,

GregB
 
Get ye the sandpaper! Thinned scales on a Squatch would do nicely.

Also consider a Mud Razor. I just picked mine up last night for the first time in a long time. Wow. I'm glad I didn't consider selling it. WOW! I might have to go find a CE-HR and do some handle-work on it. (Not a SF/Mag fan. But hand-shaped??? Ooooooh!)
 
I put an Uncle Mojo and HHFSH against each other a while back. Uncle Mojo, IMHO was a much better chopper even though the HHFSH had more grunt.

But both are not going to come cheap. Not sure if you have tried them, but the CG ASH-1 have grunt and chop amazingly well for a blade that size. But if you don't like the swell on the SARSquatch, you may not like the swell in the MAGS on the CG-ASH-1 so I would try a CG ASH-1 with standard handles. Skinny ASH w/ the Mags sanded down may be ok, but for chopping, I would think the NMFBM would pretty much rule the planet...

If you know you are going to be chopping something, make sure you bring the NMFBM or FFBM...
 
I forgot to consider price as a factor..

Sooo, What Tony said... Sarsquatch is the way to go if your on a budget :thumbup:





Tony G said:
To me it seems that the Sarsquatch might be the knife you want.

While the SHSJ is a great knife it isn't going to chop well.

Here are some sarsquatches (#4,5,6 from the right) next to two SFNOs and on the far left end is a old SJ... which isn't really a SH although a lot of guys call it that.

2829419206_900217e790_o.jpg


The other really GREAT mid-size chopper is the SHSHII (#4&5 from the right)
2828582869_57130eec36_o.jpg
Click to expand...
 
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