SFNO LE or ASH 1 LE?

BlackKnight86

BlackKnight86

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As a general use combat knife (utility, not fighting - but it should be able to fight adequately in a pinch). Blade length, width, and thickness differences appear neglible. Weight roughly the same. You have a bit more length and belly on the SFNO LE; and it's a saber ground blade. But you have a bit more of a point on the ASH 1 LE (is the ASH1 LE a saber grind?).

Anyone who owns both, what do you think? Which one would you take into "the Sandbox"? Would it be a different choice if you were talking "survival" vs "combat"?

Thanks!
 
I think the Ash 1 le is a full height grind, but I could be smoking crack.


Having never been in combat, my opinion means nothing. I think the Ash1 will foot the bill for a combat knife better, but the SFNO LE would be my choice for a more utility leaning knife. The extra belly will make for a bit better utility, and I think the SFNO will be a bit better chopper. But if it helps, I did use an Ash1 cg to butcher an elk, and it performed great!

I really think the Ash1 will do everything you need in a combat and survival situation.
 
I have both and I would pick the SFNOLE...no question. No...the ASH1 LE does not have a sabre grind.
 
I think the handle shape of the SFNO is much more user friendly. If you want to hold the knife upsidedown for say a little gutting work on game.. it's easier to do.

I have a skinny ash I am selling, but I really do like the feel of it, unless I was to use it for hunting.
 
What's to stop you from holding hte ASH1LE upside down vs. the SFNO???? (Maybe I'm not holding it right. . . or I am holding it right. LOL)
 
Just a personal opinion with no combat experience. I think the SFNOLE would make a better combat/fighting knife due to the size and weight. The ASH1 is too wide or fat or what ever you wanna call it. I think it would be hard to stab someone with the bigger belly of ASH1. While the SFNOLE would slide nicely between the rib cage :)
 
There is only one blade that can truly fulfill the role of close quarters battle:
survive.jpg
 
I had that same "Survival Knife" that I bought from an ad in Boy's Life when I was 8! :D
 
The cutting edge on the two is almost identical. The SFNO gives you a longer handle, and a more user friendly handle shape, so that you can get a bit more chopping action/utility. The ASH1 gives you a more secure handle grip and that might be an advantage in combat. The SFNO gives you a smidge more reach.

Edge to the SFNO if I were to pick just one but you really can't go wrong with either.
 
For fighting, go with the lighter and narrower of the two, which I am guessing would be the SFNOLE.

But if you want a knife to really use for fighting, buy a steak knife set and get a kydex sheath made for them. No use in having your SFNOLE confiscated by the police.
 
Wanted to add a photo to help with the comparison. Personally I would just make it easy and get both!:cool:


SFNOLEASHLE.JPG
 
Isn't it interesting? We all THINK things about tehse knives that a side-by-side just doesn't bear out.

F'rinstance - fat/wide blade. In reality, they are pretty danged near the same width.

And stab-ability. You'd THINK the ASH1 is less pointy and less of a fighter. But you'd be wrong.

The one advantage the SFNO has is the loooooong SF handle. As a fighter, it's superior. But how many of us are gonna go West Side Story out there? I've never been in combat, but in modern times, I don't think it often comes down to a Lethal Weapon movie.

I'm a hand-shaped sucker, but I think for military use, I'd want an aggressive handle pattern instead of smooth.


EDIT:

BTW - I'd go with a BCS Skinny ASH1 instead of a ASH1LE. Just b/c of pricing. And get a non-glare coating.
 
Thanks, guys! The only real fightability one would need in a combat situation would be a minimum capability...at least nowadays. Most of the work a combat knife would do is hard utility, probably including some prying. That's why I leaned toward a saber grind. The reason that I asked is that I had thought the ASH 1 LE was a bit pointier; and that all other things being equal, would have a bit more "stab-ability" if absolutely necessary (that's one of the reasons that I would rule out a Sarsquatch as an all around combat knife). But I think that Dennis is right...looking at them side by side in a pic, the SFNO LE has a point that's almost as good as the ASH 1 LE (since I don't have the ASH 1 LE, yet, I didn't realize how close they were). And with it's saber grind, the SFNO LE would be sturdier...a better all around knife for carry - at least it seems that way, to me.

I really love my SFNO LE...I had had a CG ASH 1 as my "if you only had one" carry knife, but like several people said it's a bit on the thick side. I have been mulling over getting an ASH 1 LE, because I think that thickness range (~.22") is perfect for all-around hard-use carry. But I think I've really fallen for the SFNO LE.
 
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