Help! - SJTAC or ASH-1 for Mid-Size Camping Knife?? (The Search Is Over!!)

[joshuabl]

fat ash-1 and a pair of gloves when chopping.

 

[DowntownDM]

I've used my ASH extensively ooutdoors, and have done a bunch of chopping with it (it was my only Busse and my only big knife for a while), and while I love it for many reasons - I wouldn't suggest it for what you're looking for - and I definitely wouldn't suggest a SJTAC. Both are half-ass choppers at best, and neither are truly great all-arounders IMO.

An SFNO/NMSFNO, or a Sarsquatch, or even a DSF would be much better suited and much more comfortable to use for the tasks at hand.

I suppose if I had to choose amongst those two I'd pick an ASH.

 

[idahoskunk]

steelheart for me :thumbup:

 

[fbusmc]

I've got quite a few Ash1s in different variations, and a quite a few Tankbusters.. have 2 sjtacs. If you don't like the encased style of the Ash1, "which I actually like" I would go for a tankbuster. same handle design with a much tougher blade than the sjtac. Tankbuster is one of my favorites for carrying and utility use. All are good cause their Busse!

 

[LightGuy]

I've used my ASH extensively ooutdoors, and have done a bunch of chopping with it (it was my only Busse and my only big knife for a while), and while I love it for many reasons - I wouldn't suggest it for what you're looking for - and I definitely wouldn't suggest a SJTAC. Both are half-ass choppers at best, and neither are truly great all-arounders IMO.

An SFNO/NMSFNO, or a Sarsquatch, or even a DSF would be much better suited and much more comfortable to use for the tasks at hand.

I suppose if I had to choose amongst those two I'd pick an ASH.

Thanks for the input. For what I want to use and carry, a 6 inch blade is the absolute largest size I want to go with. Of the 6 inchers, I liked these two the best.

So if the ASH1/SJTAC aren't good choppers, or good general purpose blades, what are they good for?

 

[LightGuy]

I've got quite a few Ash1s in different variations, and a quite a few Tankbusters.. have 2 sjtacs. If you don't like the encased style of the Ash1, "which I actually like" I would go for a tankbuster. same handle design with a much tougher blade than the sjtac. Tankbuster is one of my favorites for carrying and utility use. All are good cause their Busse!

Thanks - that's what I wanted to hear. I've not heard too many people say they like the encased style of the ASH1 handle, I've only heard negatives in that regard. But I love the look of it, and I like the idea of the secure grip it provides. I was just talking to a friend of mine, and there are actually a lot of benefits to this style of grip both in the areas of safety as well as in combat use. The problem is, I don't have the benefit of "trying it out", so I am relying on your experience to tell me if it is comfortable or not. If it is reasonably comfortable for most owners, that helps me make my decision.

 

[LightGuy]

steelheart for me :thumbup:

Are you kidding me? Got an extra I can have?

BTW - are you the owner of the Bussie Company Store? If so, I just bought my first Busse from you - SAR-3. This knife is the bomb, and is the one that began my new addiction....

 

[DowntownDM]

So if the ASH1/SJTAC aren't good choppers, or good general purpose blades, what are they good for?

To be honest, I've often wondered the same thing.

My ASH was my first Busse. It's a fatty (.32). And it's generally something to behold in one way or another, there really is hardly anything else like it - in both design and execution. That said - after using it a ton - I just can't think of anything it does better (or as good) than several other knives of a similar length/size, other than perhaps dispatching Zombies or the like.

I mean, if it was the end of the world and all I had was one 6" knife to work with - and it had to withstand "anything" - I'd probably use an ASH because there's hardly anything tougher on the planet, but for real-world actual use it's just not the best choice IMO. The handle, and really the pommel, is just odd and not that comfortable in regular use (to me), though I admit it took a couple of years for me to reach this conclusion (I was an ASH cool-aid drinker for a long time).

Not to be repetitive, but a SFNO is basically an ASH with a (more) comfortable handle... and if I wanted a beast of a knife, that was intended to be a user, in that size - I'd pick an SFNO.

No matter what, they're all "great knives" in many regards, but I'd be especially careful in choosing if you're only planning to have one or two rather than a whole collection to sift through.

Good luck.

 

[resinguy]

Are you kidding me? Got an extra I can have?

BTW - are you the owner of the Bussie Company Store? If so, I just bought my first Busse from you - SAR-3. This knife is the bomb, and is the one that began my new addiction....

Yes, he is.

You shoud see the rest of his drawers. Skunk can't even remember all that he has.

And it's OK to to hate him. We are all jealous.

 

[LightGuy]

To be honest, I've often wondered the same thing.

My ASH was my first Busse. It's a fatty (.32). And it's generally something to behold in one way or another, there really is hardly anything else like it - in both design and execution. That said - after using it a ton - I just can't think of anything it does better (or as good) than several other knives of a similar length/size, other than perhaps dispatching Zombies or the like.

I mean, if it was the end of the world and all I had was one 6" knife to work with - and it had to withstand "anything" - I'd probably use an ASH because there's hardly anything tougher on the planet, but for real-world actual use it's just not the best choice IMO. The handle, and really the pommel, is just odd and not that comfortable in regular use (to me), though I admit it took a couple of years for me to reach this conclusion (I was an ASH cool-aid drinker for a long time).

Not to be repetitive, but a SFNO is basically an ASH with a (more) comfortable handle... and if I wanted a beast of a knife, that was intended to be a user, in that size - I'd pick an SFNO.

No matter what, they're all "great knives" in many regards, but I'd be especially careful in choosing if you're only planning to have one or two rather than a whole collection to sift through.

Good luck.

Thanks for taking the time to give me such detailed insights. It really resonated with me because I'm already stressing over the handle of the ASH and I don't even have one yet. I think if I'm that worried about it, I need to move on..

So if not the ASH or the JSTAC in the 6 inch or less size, then what? I like the looks of the SFNO, but it's just too big. I don't consider it a medium blade knife. Believe it or not, I like the feel and design of my SAR-3 so much, I'm almost considering just getting the SAR-4 as my "medium" knife. I was also considering the BATAC, but I thought I might as well get the JSTAC to get the extra inch, and it looks identical to the BATAC to me..

This decision is turning out to be much harder than I thought...if I could spend $400 twice, it wouldn't be such a big deal...

 

[BBQ BOY]

steelheart for me :thumbup:

Dang dude. Any Skinny Ash's in there you want to part with?

 

[DowntownDM]

Thanks for taking the time to give me such detailed insights. It really resonated with me because I'm already stressing over the handle of the ASH and I don't even have one yet. I think if I'm that worried about it, I need to move on..

So if not the ASH or the JSTAC in the 6 inch or less size, then what? I like the looks of the SFNO, but it's just too big. I don't consider it a medium blade knife. Believe it or not, I like the feel and design of my SAR-3 so much, I'm almost considering just getting the SAR-4 as my "medium" knife. I was also considering the BATAC, but I thought I might as well get the JSTAC to get the extra inch, and it looks identical to the BATAC to me..

This decision is turning out to be much harder than I thought...if I could spend $400 twice, it wouldn't be such a big deal...

are you sure you aren't confusing the SFNOs with the NMSFNOs? The NM version is longer, by 2" or there about. The "regular" SFNO is, IIRC, nearly the same size as an ASH - just with a different handle. Like 6" vs 8" blades. anyway, in the event you're mixing them up - don't be hasty to write off the regular SFNO if you are/were considering an ASH.

in either case - a SAR4 is an excellent option. I actually forgot about them. I haven't handled one, but I remember the threads, and the size comparisons, and as I recall - that's (amongst, if not) the "biggest" you'll get in that range. "Bigger" in feel and use, it was said, than they look. As I think about it now, that would be a great user, all the more better since you like the 3 so much.

 

[kmurray72]

This was a VERY informative thread for me, and scary in it's timeliness.

I too and looking for general purpose woods blade in the 5" neighborhood and have been strongly considering making an ASH my first ever Busse. Much like LightGuy I've been pondering over the BATAC and similar models. I've even been giving a strong consideration to the Boss Jack Proto.
THe Boss Jack Proto has strong over tones of common military field knives, and I have to say I love the fuller and the large choil allowing one to choke up. It looks like it would make a decent general purpose field knife. I've used the search engine and cant find any threads where someone was actually USING one in the woods.... but then that is kind of a trend with Busse's I've noticed.

Never did consider the SFNO, for the same fear of it being too big.

Humm... LightGuy, you any closer to finding your knife? I'm just a tad bit further now

 

[Andros]

I have the SJTAC, the ASH-1 and the skinny ASH-1. The skinny ASH-1 stands in between the ASH-1 and the SJTAC. I find the SJTAC an excellent knife. It doesn't have the chopping power of the ASH-1 or, even the skinny ASH-1; nevertheless the SJTAC is an excellent all around knife. You won't be afraid to baton with it either.
Concerning the "pinky soreness" that may be an issue with knives that have closed-type of handle. For that I think that a paid of leather working gloves would be of great help.

I believe that for what you are looking for you'd be better off with the SJTAC, mostly if weight is also a concern. However, I strongly suggest that you try to actually hold both of them so that you can personally assess which one might be better for you.

 

[gk4ever2]

Rich,

Preferences in handle size/design vary based on hand size and personal choice; in other words, what feels great to one person might not to another. Here are blade/handle choices in the ASH-1:
- skinny (.187&#8221 – magnum only, canvas micarta or G-10
- mid-size (.225&#8221 – usually magnum (LE & others), a small # of regular size (ex. – 2007 SE)
- thick CG (.320&#8221 – magnum and regular, canvas micarta or G-10
Handle material can also influence comfort, especially when the knife is used hard. The LE's have only magnum size linen micarta, the 2007 SE has regular size G-10, although there have been some mid-size limited-issue ASH-1 blades (from ganzas and shows) in G-10 and paper micarta (and possibly canvas and linen micarta).

I'm a big fan of the ASH-1, partly because of the security and overall comfort provided by the handle shape. You mentioned light chopping as one way you would use it – the ASH-1 handle should not be a problem for this. The ASH-1 CG would definitely chop better than a SJTAC. I like the SJTAC handle, but if I had to choose only one it would be the ASH-1 handle.

Maybe we could meet so you can see how the different models feel (send me an e-mail, or turn on the e-mail feature in your profile and I will contact you).

Gene

 

[ceiw]

If you're going to use it for light chopping...I'd say go with the ASH-1. Otherwise, the SJTAC will serve you well and might be a little cheaper.

 

[steeljhp]

The CGAsh1 is a Juggernaut of a knife . Its not too big and its not too small but it is a very "substantial" knife. I wear mine in a modified nylon spec-ops dropleg sheath and my pinky has never had any problems,I use gloves though...mechanix to be specific.

 

[LightGuy]

This was a VERY informative thread for me, and scary in it's timeliness.

I too and looking for general purpose woods blade in the 5" neighborhood and have been strongly considering making an ASH my first ever Busse. Much like LightGuy I've been pondering over the BATAC and similar models. I've even been giving a strong consideration to the Boss Jack Proto.
THe Boss Jack Proto has strong over tones of common military field knives, and I have to say I love the fuller and the large choil allowing one to choke up. It looks like it would make a decent general purpose field knife. I've used the search engine and cant find any threads where someone was actually USING one in the woods.... but then that is kind of a trend with Busse's I've noticed.

Never did consider the SFNO, for the same fear of it being too big.

Humm... LightGuy, you any closer to finding your knife? I'm just a tad bit further now

Well - the search is over. I pulled the trigger on some new mid-size INFI this morning. And my new mid-sized beauty is......the BATAC LE!!

So, I know many will be scratching their heads on this one, but I must say although I was all over the board the last couple of days and thought I had narrowed it down to the two in the OP, I ended up with the BATAC.

Why? Well, I found that I really did want to stay in a knife that was truly a mid-sized for me, to increase the carry-ability of the knife, and therefore increase the usefulness to me. I am new to using fixed-blade knives, and ASH-1 and even the SJTAC will be a little beyond mid-sized to me. The more I researched and looked at images, and thought about it, the more I knew I wanted something a little more compact.

I leaned away from the ASH-1 due to the handle, but also partly due to the big and heavy nature. But at the same time, the SJTAC was not the best for chopping and such because of it's smaller size. So, I started thinking smaller since anything smaller than the ASH wouldn't be the best for doing much chopping. Which led me to think about getting a SAR-4.

I love my SAR-3, which made me think I would really like a SAR-4 for a mid-sized knife. Actually, I'm sure that I would love a SAR-4, but since I can't afford a bunch of Busse's (this one's going to be it for a while), I really didn't want to get two identicle Busse designs in different sizes. I really wanted to be able to experience the true Busse combat look/feel in a different way. So, in the 5-inch blade size, the BATAC was staring me right in the face.

The BATAC had all the appeal of the SJTAC to me, but in a more compact size which was additionally appealing to me. Since neither was really a chopper anyway, the BATAC had more appeal as an all-arounder to me. Also, the LE that I purchased has a .27" blade. That thickness on such a short, stout blade makes it virtually bomb-proof. It will be great for batoning due to the thickness, and should be great for limbs of a smaller diameter. Prying, etc. should be no problem for this short, thick little blade.

So, I think the BATAC LE will definitely meet this need. When I want to get a knife to pick up the heavier chopping, it will - without hesitation or discussion needed - be an SNFO. Period. But, I have a long while before I'll be holding one of those in my hands....

All of the discussion and open honest responses helped me to work through this $460 (total) decision for me (with a happy conclusion), and for that I am very appreciative to all of you!!!

So, without further delay, say hello to my little friend...

Thanks again!!

 

[Bigfattyt]

Thanks - that's what I wanted to hear. I've not heard too many people say they like the encased style of the ASH1 handle, I've only heard negatives in that regard. But I love the look of it, and I like the idea of the secure grip it provides. I was just talking to a friend of mine, and there are actually a lot of benefits to this style of grip both in the areas of safety as well as in combat use. The problem is, I don't have the benefit of "trying it out", so I am relying on your experience to tell me if it is comfortable or not. If it is reasonably comfortable for most owners, that helps me make my decision.

I love the handle of the Ash1. For the size, the CG ash1 chops decent for a mid sized blade.

The positive of the handle on the Ash1 is the super secure grip it gives you.

The down side is the fact that it keeps your hand in that one spot. You can't choke back very comfortably to extend the chopping power. A ton of Ash1 lovers on here! In a poll, you would probably get more votes for the Ash1. It i s a classic design.

The SJack is going to be much lighter. It will be good for a lot of stuff. Thin enough to be a decent slicer. Strong enough for it's thickness that you will have to get stupid to break it. It won't excel at chopping, due to the thickness and weight. If you were going for an all out chopper, though, you would be looking at a bigger longer knife.

The Ash1 will do what ever you need it to. Build fires, shelter, bust concrete.

Heck, I butchered an elk with mine. It will chop decent for its size. Baton well for the size.

The Sjack will be a better slicer. It has a more acute point. The blade will likely do a bit better at "bushcraft" tasks, just due to the thinner blade. It also has less blade height (from edge to spine). It will also have more room to move your hand back on the handle.

The best answer is to hold both and see which fits your hand better.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Ooh, nice Btac. Love those too. Bit smaller blade. I think you will love it.

Also a great sheath there!