Out of these three...

Skip those three.
The SFNO, NMSFNO, Sarsquatch, ZTNO, ZTSH, ASH-1 LE & SE and Skinny ASH are all better choices.

Then again I carry a SHSHII so what do I know.

Just my .02 cents
piglet
 
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pocketfulladoubles said:
But you know what you will end up doing anyway. You'll get the FSH and realize you want something bigger for serious chopping, and something smaller for more control. So, you'll end up with either a FFBM or NMFBM and a 3.5 to 5" carry anyway. May as well save the time and just go with the two blade option from the get-go. Or, like most people here, the 5, 10, 20, or 50 blade option.
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...But then you'll get sick of carrying the Mistress and 3.5" to 5" carry because of the weight. You'll end up wanting something smaller that can handle both big and small jobs fairly well so you'll get a blade in the FSH size range. Thus, either way you look at it, you're entering a downward spiral of INFI purchases so you might as well get the whole set from the start: 3.5 to 5" small blade, FSH, and Mistress.
 
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Like some have mentioned, if chopping is a big and significant issue, then I would probably vote for the FSH.

The FFBM is just too heavy IMO for carry at about 30 ounces.

But, the FSH is borderline for pushing my knife weight tolerance IMO for reasonable and comfortable carry weighing about 22 ounces.

I have modified my SJTAC a bit and I consider it an AWESOME knife and light weight at about 13 ounces. But, at that weight and smaller size, it won't be near the chopper of the others and more of an all-rounder without much chopping.

The SJTAC is a different class of knife.

I agree with others than mentioned the SARSquatch as a VERY worthy option to consider. Many love the SFNO. But, I am not as much a fan of the SFNO. I prefer the SARSquatch personally. The SFNO is thicker and heavier - better for prying and maybe a "Bit" better at chopping than the SARSquatch, but to me, the SARSquatch is better balanced and feels nicer in the hand. The SARSquatch will out-chop the SJTAC and still be a very versatile knife.

Both the FSH and SARSquatch make good combo partners with a smaller 3.5" - 4.5" fixed blade.

The SJTAC will over-lap more with a smaller blade. So, it creates some redundancy. But, if only wanting ONE single blade, the SJTAC is a VERY worthy option.

If only wanting one single blade and wanting more chopping less utility, the SARSquatch is my vote.

If OK with the heavier weight of the FSH at 22 ounces and OK with a combo smaller blade, the FSH is a BRUTE! - as stated, the NMSFNO is a worthy consideration compared to the FSH, but I slightly prefer the FSH.


There is no right or wrong answer to the way the question was worded. Just different opinions and people with different habits and blade uses.

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HH FSH would be my choice but you'll always know it's hanging off your belt. An SFNO would belt carry better.
 
If your dead set on one of the three, I vote for the FSH, the thinner the better. I echo Voxhog's advice. The NMSFNOLE or the standard CG would be a better choice. The FFBM is a pack/car knife. The SJTAC is a fighter/utility knife.

I've tried several FSH's and I almost always wished I had a FBM when I was chopping with it. When I was carrying it I always wished it was a NO. So, go with a NMSFNO. I've got one and I really, really like it as a "one knife" option.

GregB
BaconBeavers
 
GregB said:
If your dead set on one of the three, I vote for the FSH, the thinner the better. I echo Voxhog's advice. The NMSFNOLE or the standard CG would be a better choice. The FFBM is a pack/car knife. The SJTAC is a fighter/utility knife.

I've tried several FSH's and I almost always wished I had a FBM when I was chopping with it. When I was carrying it I always wished it was a NO. So, go with a NMSFNO. I've got one and I really, really like it as a "one knife" option.

GregB
BaconBeavers
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I agree the FFBM is a car knife IMO as well. However, I wouldn't ever put it on my pack. Still too heavy and now not conveniently accessable - especially when discussing "ONE" knife. But, that's me.

And while the SJTAC is somewhat a fighter or at least could be, I think it is a GREAT utility knife!!! :thumbup: ..... where most fighters are not. I think a LOT of people are missing how great the SJTAC is as a user. But, I have modified mine. My main modification was to remove the top ramp.... It wasn't right for me. And without the ramp, I think the SJTAC shines as a GREAT utility knife! Reasonably lightweight, VERY well balanced, nimble in the hand, one of the BEST blade shapes for utility use IMO, and pretty good handle ergos with minor tweaks. Not a great chopper, but heavy duty enough for MANY functions. With some bushcraft skills, the SJTAC is an AWESOME size for a "ONE" knife scenario.

A "ONE" knife scenario is ALWAYS going to be lacking something somewhere and ALWAYS going to compromise something. Either too big for many chore/utility tasks or too small for heavy duty chopping, beating, prying tasks. Some will always say and believe that a large knife can do small knife chores and a small knife cannot do large knife chores. I agree to a Point. But, not entirely. I can do large chores with small knives and small chores with large knives. It comes down to efficiency to me. A knife sized like the SJTAC is somewhere in No-man's land. It isn't large enough to do large chores efficiently and not small enough to do much of the detail chores as well. But, it has a GREAT balance of abilities if looking for "ONE" knife and know how to use it.


In reference to the FSH vs. the NMSFNO, I think the FSH is just a bit better chopper and the NMSFNO is "maybe" just a bit better all-rounder.

I agree the FBM and similar longer, larger, heavier knives will always have the upper hand for chopping, but always at the expense of being heavier than "I" want to carry and heavier than most really want to mess with for carry. So, a "CARRY" knife will in most cases compromise some chopping ability for versatility. I consider 20 - 22 ounces pushing the limits of what I am willing to carry and actually more than I prefer. But, YMMV.

The HH is VERY heavy. I used to have one, but never weighed it. I would assume it is somewhere around 26 - 28 ounces.... **** If anyone has one, I would love to know it's weight.

I know there are a few variants of the FSH, but mine being the full flat grind at 0.27" thick is FAR from the heaviest FSH at 22.0 ounces. Personally, while still pushing my weight limits, I think the full flat FSH feel and balances quite nice for it's size. But, still, at 22 ounces, NOT a lightweight knife IMO.

The weights on the NMSFNO's should be mostly comparable within a half ounce or so (except G10 probably weighs and extra full ounce). My NMSFNO weighs 21.5 ounces and I would call that pretty darn close to my FSH in weight and carry.

A debate between which is a better "ONE" knife between the FSH and NMSFNO is a VERY worthy debate. Personally, I think the HH is TOO HEAVY for a "One Knife" approach. But, to each their own.

To me, the key part of the question was: "one "do it all" Busse that can still be belt carried".

Obviousely, opinions will and do vary, but with those parameters, "ONE" do-it-all knife that is still O.K. to carry, I still have to ask how important "Chopping" really is. I know a lot of people have "Fun" chopping. But, out on a trail, hiking, camping, what-have-you, do you guys really chop that much??? I don't. I chop more for fun than need. I can break limbs for firewood easier than chopping. Etc. etc. on more efficient ways around chopping. I DO use my knives for utility purposes and rarely need such a big knife. I prefer carrying lighter and smaller knives are much more useful for utility purposes. But, that is me.

If chopping is a MUST, and still to be acceptable for carrying, the FSH and NMSFNO are worthy considerations.

But, if like me, and want to save energy and not chop, be efficient with firewood prep, still have a knife capable of doing a LOT with some know-how, but only limited to ONE single knife (which I don't do), I would still have to consider the SARSquatch a top contender and the SJTAC highly worth considering. The Skinny ASH and Hell Razor wouldn't be bad either. But, I easily prefer the SARSquatch and my modified SJTAC over my Skinny ASH and HR.

For me, I will ALWAYS also have a 3.5" - 4.5" "Primary" user option. ;) :thumbup: ... and "Sometimes" "supplement" with a larger option. ;) - Having this smaller knife option, makes me lean towards the SARSquatch or FSH/NMSFNO as the smaller knife compliments the larger knives better. Without the smaller knife, I lean towards SJTAC or SARSQuatch. In either case, the SARSquatch is a worthy consideration IMO. :thumbup:


NMSFNO………………….= 21.5 ounces; .25” thick; 8.25” blade; 14.0” oal

FSH (full flat grind)..= 22.0 ounces; .27” thick; 8.1875” blade; 14.4” oal


Many variants of the FBM will have slightly different specs, but:

FBM CG……………….. = 27.1 ounces; 0.25” thick; 10.0” blade; 16.0” oal
FBM LE……………….. = 30.0 ounces; 0.312” thick; 10.0” blade; 16.0” oal
FFBM……………………. = 31.4 ounces; 0.32” thick; 10.0” blade; 16.0” oal
NMFBM……………….. = 29.5 ounces; .25” thick; 11.3125” blade; 17.5” oal


Some others mentioned:

SARSquatch………… = 17.0 ounces; .1875” thick; 7.0” blade; 12.75” oal

SJTAC….(stripped)…. = 13.0 ounces; .187” thick; 6.375” blade; 11.875” oal

Hell Razor…………………= 14.75 ounces; .1875” thick; 6.625” blade; 12.75” oal

Skinny ASH (ASH1)..= 15.25 ounces; .1875” thick; 6.4” blade; 12.0” oal
ASH1 – CG……………….= 21.0 ounces; 0.320” thick; 6.4” blade; 12.0” oal


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As an all around knife a recommendation would probably depend mostly on your point of view. If you prefer to baton then to chop and you are concerned with weight then the SJ would work better. For a chopper, the BM are very hard to beat until you get to much larger blades. The FSH, or NMSFNO, would be a nice compromise between the other two.
 
DWRW said:
...

The HH is VERY heavy. I used to have one, but never weighed it. I would assume it is somewhere around 26 - 28 ounces.... **** If anyone has one, I would love to know it's weight.

...
Click to expand...

My Heavy Heart weighs in at 669g or 23.5oz with a magnum handle.
 
For comparison:

CGFBM with micarta mags - 27.6 oz
FSH (original with convex grind) with micarta mags - 22.7 oz
NMSFNO CG with micarta mags - 20.9 oz
SFNO LE with micarta mags - 17.7 oz
 
I'd rather carry the SJ - not really enough mass or the right balance to chop, but you could baton it through some pretty substantial stuff.

FSH if you need to chop stuff.

FFBM only if "do everything" really means "do everything you can't do with a 3" folder", i.e. you'll have some smaller knife to take care of small tasks.

For what it's worth, I think the SFNO is so popular because it sits between the Jack and the Steelheart. Small enough to be manageable, but enough mass to take care of bigger jobs in a pinch.
 
I agree with the FSH, but would also encourage you to look at the NMSFNO (as DWRW has so expertly shown), since it's additional inch of blade puts it in the same category as the FSH, but may cost less since it was a more recent offering. Between the two it almost comes down to handle shape.

The SH-E is also a good choice, and a little lighter. Easier to carry all day, a bit slower to chop with, but also a bit easier to do crafts with if you're making snares, traps, bows, arrows, or other finer detailed work after you've been surviving so long you've broke your SAK and the monkeys or squirrels have stolen your Leatheman.
 
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