hiking the appalachian trail.

Srtr

Srtr

Joined
Feb 9, 2016
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Buddy and I are going to hike the Appalachian trail in a few weeks.

Its gonna be a long trip, ive already got most of my gear decided and im pretty sure i want to take my ASH2 with me.


SO...that being said, ive been a lazy idiot the past year+ that ive owned it and ive just been using the busse cardboard its come in and sliding it into a pocket for around the farm work.

Somehow i doubt that will cut it for the trail.


So, any recommended sheath makers that could make a sheath for an ASH 2 on short notice? 2-3 weeks, maybe 4.


The other option is to take a team gemini crusader if i cant get a sheath in time.


Or ghetto rig a sheath and see how that does lol.
 
http://www.pirtlemade.com/?page_id=62

Chad Pirtle has been my go to guy and he has the ash2 so you don't have to send him anything. he also will give you almost any style you want. he is a leather guy. there are a lot of kydex people out there if you want to go that way. i have never bought a kydex new from a maker so i cant speak for anyone but chad has been the best in my opinion and you cant beat his service.
 
Chad is awesome. And don't forget Mark Condos for leather as well. They both may be able to get one to ya in time, shoot them emails. I'm positive the Kydex makers here can get ya one asap.
 
Pritle for leather David Brown for kydex. For weight and weather I would go with kydex for your trip. Every ounce counts on the A.T. The TGC will process firewood and save weight. After 4 days on the Trail I was cutting off and dropping everything that was not absolutely necessary. Enjoy and be safe.
 
Ditto Flar on the weight aspect with kydex. I was into hiking long time ago and remember guys talking about saving grams by trimming the blank edges off of maps. Today I imagine it's all GPS but they didn't exist in my day doing it.
How big is the trip? where to where? I grew up between the trail and the Shenandoah and used to hike it in one direction and camp then hike back home by myself when I was 8 and 9yo but that was a different time HAHA! I remember meeting some really dirty smelly people. There was a place where the trail crosses a hwy and a general store next to it. There was a big picnic area set up and there was always hikers there, it was really cool to talk to them as an impressionable kid.
It sure seems like a trip for that TG though :thumbsup:
 
The ASH2 is a big, heavy knife for that trip (if you're doing a through-hike). A friend of mine is doing it now...started in GA, last check, he was in PA. He was going to carry a Leek as his only knife. I gave him his choice between a Fallkniven F1 and a Bravo 1-LT, to make sure he had a fixed blade with him (he chose the F1). I didn't bother offering a RMD because I knew he was counting ounces.
Best of luck on your journey - I wish I had the freedom to do it myself.
 
Honestly it seems like the perfect excuse to pick up a skeleton key, or that field grade dagger off the exchange.
 
If I was worried about weight and wanted to carry a Busse or Kin, Res C would the way to go. My vote would be for a FFG Regulator

I might have missed the point of the OPs post. Somebody mention yesterday that David Brown was able to get them a sheath quickly. I wouldn't hurt to email him and find out what he can do. My ASH2 is easily my favorite piece of Infi & its thinner stock makes it a great all around blade. Its a great chopper and easier to carry than a Mountainmandu or BM.
 
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I have to echo the few above as far as counting LBs or even OZs. The ASH2 is a great knife and I take it on day hikes all the time. But it's more knife then I ever really need and I always take something much lighter for high altitude muti day hikes and camping trips when I'm packing it all in and out. That being said if you still are determined to take it, then you can't go wrong w a kydex sheath from Eric at Mashed Cat. I have mine set up w a four position Velcro drop loop and it works with anything I ever wear.

Safe travels to you sir!

-Cheers
 
idk why but the ash2 feels lighter to me than the team gemini crusader.

dont know if its just in my head or what.


I got a mean street ergo, ratmandu and AXE HAMMER i could also take if weight does become a concern.

Originally was going to take a smith and wesson 629-1 as my carry piece but decided 44oz of stainless was wayyyy too much.

gen 4 glock 20 will do.
 
kydex probably is more practical, whichever knife you bring but really it's whatever you're comfortable with. I really do count oz's on most of my gear, maybe because I know I could end up bringing a one pound knife. When the fantasies of quitting my job and throwing my phone in the east river take over, I always picture hiking the trail with a skinny ash. Not to hijack the thread, but i'd be curious what everyone's ideal blade would be for the A.T.

Oh, I've also got great Kydex from Azwelke. So there are a few options in case someone doesn't have the blade or the time.
 
Srtr said:
idk why but the ash2 feels lighter to me than the team gemini crusader.
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Can't speak for those two blades specifically, but I've a thick as $%# NMFSH that feel's lighter than a lot of other blades I think because there's weight in the handle and the balance is so good, it just sit's in your hand. That may be what you're feeling with the ASH2.
 
nydude said:
kydex probably is more practical, whichever knife you bring but really it's whatever you're comfortable with. I really do count oz's on most of my gear, maybe because I know I could end up bringing a one pound knife. When the fantasies of quitting my job and throwing my phone in the east river take over, I always picture hiking the trail with a skinny ash. Not to hijack the thread, but i'd be curious what everyone's ideal blade would be for the A.T.

Oh, I've also got great Kydex from Azwelke. So there are a few options in case someone doesn't have the blade or the time.
Click to expand...

wouldnt mind hearing this as well. I pretty much have my answer for the OP so we could turn this thread into the suggested above instead of starting a new one.
 
Something like a Basic 8, B10 or B11 would be perfect, if you think you might need to chop / baton wood. Extremely light for the chopping power. B11 is my go to blade for hiking. Not sure how they compare to an ASH-2
 
I have found that unless I am base camping in the BWCA I don't make many fires that require splitting or batoning wood. I started off with a Team Gemini Light Brigade, found it wasn't big enough for batoning large wet wood, so switched to a NMFSH. It worked, but I only used it to baton wood. It was heavy and not as effective as an axe. I have since switched to my SOB which is sufficient for batoning while excelling in camp chores. I plan on swapping the SOB out for the new mini mean street. To reiterate, I have found a small fixed blade Busse to be all I need for hiking, and the weight saved was well worth it. It is also very comforting to know that I can baton with it, pry etc unlike my Benchmade edc folder if I need to.
 
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