intended purpose(s) of the ASH1 design?

DowntownDM

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I have one, a chunky .32 one, my only Busse at present, and I love it - tremendously; however, I often look at it and think - what is/was this thing for - practically speaking, utility-wise and such?

I mean, to me, it's simply an amazing and nearly indestructible fighting knife (whatever that means), in an ass-beating in a multitude of ways sort of way. But that's just me...

I'm curious, though, what problems (or opportunities) was it designed to address, if any? It is rather unique in design after all, but why is it what it is? Too much JWB, or is there more to it?

;)

Thanks.
 
It reminds me of a "Good Grips" kitchen knife I use for cutting/chopping vegetables, meats and such. Blade shape looks similar (at least to me).

I saw the testing Noss did for the Skinny Ash and ended up buying one from Will York a few weeks ago (excellent transaction I might add). Might get an Ash1 when I get the funds.

I know it doesn't answer your question but I'm sure someone who does know will chime in.

I'll try to post a pic later.
 
I am no Busse expert, but I have two ASH1s. I think of them as combat/utility knives. The blade shape is similar to some of the old Spanish fighting knives, useful for slicing, pointed enough for sticking, wide enough for chopping. There were even some historic knives called Bowies that had that blade shape.
 
it is a fail safe bushcraft knife once you learn how to handle it. i have 2 le's and 4 cg ash1's there the best IMO for greneral trap,fire,and shelter constution. they have heft to chop width to soak up vibration from batoning and infi steel to stay sharp will yur out there. they makegreat infi potato soup to:D:thumbup:
 
Personally, I think it's one of Jerry's all around best blades. It's not too long to be impratical to carry on your hip but it still has plenty of length to make good at almost any camp choirs. Has a real nice wide blade and plenty of belly, which from my understanding would make it a excellent choice for skinning. The handle for me is just a tad tight (small) due to it's design (Birds Beak & Talon Hole) and the fact that I have large hands. It almost traps my hand in there, but it the right situation this isn't necessarily a bad thing. From having carried several different lengths and style Busses, my 2 top choices for hip carry Busses are the ASH1 and the SFNO.

Hope this helps,
 
you must be a gaint the handle just a little bit big for me but im only 5'8 you must be every bit of 6'5 my old boss was 6'11 and it was tight on his hand to.
 
I have two CG Grade ASH-1's and Love both of them, one is just alittle thicker than the other and that one is the best, has the best edge out of the two, so those who say it is to thick and can't be used for anything, I say Diddly Squat!!! I have sliced paper with both of them and the thicker one again is the best of the two.

RickJ
 
of course I can do many many things with my ASH1, but that's not at all the same as what it was designed for, unless of course it was literally designed to do everything... and maybe that was the case. I don't know, but I kind of doubt it's that simple.

I'm assuming, of course, that there's a method to the so-called madness... for example, the specific design details of the Fusion handle, as well as the blade profile itself, and then there's the pairing up of these two parts, and the size and location of the choil, etc... While made up of familiar parts, it's clearly distinct...

I'm just guessing, and perhaps incorrectly, that Jerry had a variety of specific things in mind when deciding upon the final feature-set for this knife - and such thoughts simply make me wonder - what was Jerry thinking/intending with the ASH1? Whaddayasay, Boss, would you share some insight here?
 
i think it's kind of heavy. i prefer the .22 thick version, although the flat grind combined with the drop gives it a lot of taper, a little too much imo. also makes it a little too far towards the handle. but i prefer that over the excessively heavy .32 thick one. the .22 thick versions have an awesome edge though. so thin.

back on topic, i'd say it was probably a do everything knife. it can chop decently, pry, got a good stabby tip, pretty good edge
 
Jerry wanted an updated version of the Original Steel Heart 1 hince why they call it the Anniversary Steel Heart 1, but for the intended use, going back to the original if I am not wrong it was for a heavy duty field knife for Military Use.

RickJ
 
The ASH-1 (and to add a little Rat stink, the Camp Tramp, almost identical) meets the heavy duty field knife, fighter, combat/utility and general camp knife needs across the board. Plenty of belly for a skinner and small to medium game field dressing and quartering blade while a better than average chopper than other knives of the same blade length. You might have to get something bigger than a squirrel but there would still be some meat on a rabbit if you had to use the ASH-1 to field dress one. I look more at shelter building abilities and combat use when I see the ASH-1. Chopping with a Buck 119 or a Kabar is very do-able but much easier with the ASH-1. I wouldn't depend on the Buck 119 to pry open a crate of supplies but the ASH-1 just begs to get in there. It's a not too big not too small workhorse of a knife that shines best when you abuse it!!
 
Jerry wanted an updated version of the Original Steel Heart 1 hince why they call it the Anniversary Steel Heart 1, but for the intended use, going back to the original if I am not wrong it was for a heavy duty field knife for Military Use.

RickJ

yep look up the old add finest combat knife in the world.you won,t have a broken heart ..so if this thead is based on jerrys thinking then combat was it. boss if yur not seeing double yet yur the only one he wants to hear from on this . post that should have been called what where your intentions jerry .
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352682
link to the old add
i like to believe busses are for sustaining life not taking life.. a knife you never have to worrie about failing when you need it most. thats why i bought my first busse was for deep woods travel when tool failur should be on yur mind. cause no matter how good the knife there always some body better than you or with a gun. why ask a question when you don't want to hear but from one person...sorry for the rant guys.
 
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the ash1 is the best knife i have ever owned. but my skinny ash is the knife i would use if i was in the military. i could breech a door with the .32" ash-1 but its one beefy SOB!!! kinda heavy :)
 
ash-1banright2.jpg
 
From having carried several different lengths and style Busses, my 2 top choices for hip carry Busses are the ASH1 and the SFNO.

Sure are...here's a fusion Ash1SFNO edition :D

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