opinions wanted on a backpacking / camping / hunting knife

Ummmmmm..... I probably don't NEED to say it.... ;)

My second choice would be the BATAC.
 
Backpacking, camping and hunting? SAR4, and then he doesn't need to carry the Izzy unless he really wants to. It might be the best all rounder, especially if hunting is on the table. Good size, light enough, decent for skinning / processing critters and wood. Yep, he's set with that one.
 
If I had to chose one and only one I would go for the ASH1. It does it all. My next would be the BAE. The shape of the blade makes is a perfect bushcraft blade imho. To be honest, you cant go wrong with any you give him. Lucky lad. Make sure he knows the quality blade he is about the get. Maybe one day he can pass it on as well. It will surely last and do its duty well.
 
The SAR4 is many things, but even a halfway decent chopper is not one of them. ASH1, but thin out the shoulder and convex the edge first.
 
Just my 2 cents --- I'd say go with the Hell Razor simply because it swings faster and when you choke back you have plenty handle real-estate. This will let your nephew experience a true mid size blade that will do what the Esee 4 used to do and a whole lot more.

Now if you had said FAT ASH-1 ---- I'd say that one
 
Yeah, stick with the SAR 4. For hiking he's got to want to carry it. SAR 4 is at a reasonable weight here and he won't need the Izzy due to the 4's midrange size.
For hunting the ASH and HR are overkill for critters. Some might say way too big and the blade shape is wrong. Again the SAR 4 is reasonable.
For camping it's about perfect, and he should have a hatchet or folding saw with him in camp anyhow. Forget chopping. None of the knives listed are great for chopping when compared to a tool designed for it.
The SAR 4's a great choice. He can decide if it's not enough knife for his purposes after he's used it. But, it'll do anything he might need it to in the situations you described and it won't overly weigh him down or get in the way when he's working on an animal.
 
I'm also in favor of the ASH1. ASH is one of my all time favorite Busse knives, and for good reason.
 
Glad to see feedback for all of the knives and it is interesting to see the various opinions. I know there are many on the forum that have used everyone of these knives, but I often wonder if some knives never get the credit they should simply because not enough people got a chance to love them.

I was personally leaning towards the Ash-1, it's an iconic Busse knife and with the .22 thickness, FFG it is tough but still slicey for a thicker blade. The Hell Razor is also one of my favorites, but even though it is thinner at .19 or so being a sabre grind it lacks the cutting ability of the Ash-1. I also love the Sar4 and was happy to see others do too, I feel it is an underrated blade and a very good one knife answer.....but, at only an 2 ounces less than the Ash-1 I would go ahead and pack the bigger knife. I knew the Infidu would be a popular choice and although I agree that none of these are real choppers with the 2 bigger knives he would have more of an option.

Anyways, I appreciate all the feedback and he will be picking a knife Saturday so I will let you guys know what he chooses.

I did go ahead and weigh the knives tonight just for the heck of it, thought I would go ahead and post the weights just in case someone finds it helpful at a later time. I am often searching for specs on a specific knife.

Ash 1 2007 SE - .22 full flat grind, non mag g10 - 15.5 ounce
Hell Razor Terror Monkey - .19 sabre grind, mag canvas micarta - 15.1 ounce
Sar 4 - .22 full flat grind, canvas micarta - 13.5 ounce
BAE2 - .22 sabre grind, canvas micarta - 12.9 ounce
BATAC - .18 high sabre, canvas micarta - 12.1 ounce
Infidu - .17 sabre grind, canvas micarta - 9.5 ounce
 
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resinguy said:
? Can you explain what you mean here?
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sorry, I see how that could be confusing. I should have said slicing, not cutting. This particular Hell Razor has an awesome convex edge and cuts like crazy.....but although thicker stock the FFG Ash is by far the better slicer. I have used it in the kitchen some and have been impressed with how well it actually does at food prep.
 
Out of all the blades you mentioned, I can only speak for the Ratmandu (Infidu) with a canvas handle. I have two right now and they have very comfortable grips. They feel well balanced and are light enough to "disappear" when belt-carried.

I agree with everyone else that this is a personal decision and your nephew can't go wrong with any Busse-kin knife. (Happy 17th birthday!)
 
I think infidu. Perfect size. All around great knife.


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were the BATAC's not that popular? I love the Tac handle, to me it feels just like an oversized RMD....at just over 2 ounces more you are getting a little more substantial knife. I realize you really aren't gaining much because it's not as though it will out chop the Infidu, but having both I would grab the BATAC first for anything but going as ultralight as possible
 
I really like the looks of my BATAC. I just have not figured out yet where its going to fit in my edged arsenal. It is a unique design and I love it, just don't know what or how to use it properly personally. I use mostly Bushcraft knives from Blind Horse before discovering Busse. I still carry a Blind Horse as well as the new Battle Horse on occasion.

jbs121s said:
were the BATAC's not that popular? I love the Tac handle, to me it feels just like an oversized RMD....at just over 2 ounces more you are getting a little more substantial knife. I realize you really aren't gaining much because it's not as though it will out chop the Infidu, but having both I would grab the BATAC first for anything but going as ultralight as possible
Click to expand...
 
Ladams19 said:
I really like the looks of my BATAC. I just have not figured out yet where its going to fit in my edged arsenal. It is a unique design and I love it, just don't know what or how to use it properly personally. I use mostly Bushcraft knives from Blind Horse before discovering Busse. I still carry a Blind Horse as well as the new Battle Horse on occasion.
Click to expand...

IMO the Infidu and Batac CG (.18 thick) are the closest thing to a bushcraft knife that Busse makes as far as all around Bushcraft tasks. There are better skinners and the Scabs is a contender, but I prefer either of these for a do all.
 
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