SteelHeart VS. Mistress?

Whiskey River

Whiskey River

Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Messages
1,598
School me on the differences on these newer ones (not the old school). Can you guys show some pics side by side?

I'm talking about the ones BIGGER than ASH's, I think they have 8" blades?

If you only wanted one BIG blade for general camp/outdoors stuff which would it be? I like the FFBM's but they seem a bit big for my needs. I liked my SFNO LE, but I thought that for a big knife, it was a bit short on blade or something.... Maybe i need a tweener and I think the SH would maybe be "Just Right".

I wonder if the Mag handles on the Big SH are too wide or if they are fine? I guess it might depend on which SH?

How many thicknesses were there and what are they called?

Thanks!!
 
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HPIM0544.jpg


CGFBM and CG FSH on the top. sadly, i own none of these anymore.
the FFBM just seems excessive to me, but the CG is great. between the FBM and FSH, i'd probably go with the FSH for an all arounder since it's lighter, but i might tend toward the FBM for the additional length

MNJON said:
I wonder if the Mag handles on the Big SH are too wide or if they are fine? I guess it might depend on which SH?

How many thicknesses were there and what are they called?
Click to expand...

how did you like the mags on the SFNO LE? the fusion handles feel a bit bigger than the sf handles, but the mags would be pretty close in size. i have small hands and don't even like the standard, undmodified fusion handle much. the mags were way to big for me.

for the thicknesses, go here: http://www.bussecollector.com/catalog/
 
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The Fusion Steel Heart is 0.25" thick. The Heavy Ordinace Group FSH are 0.30" ( or a little more?). The BCS special model Heavy Heart is 0.27", woth a sabre grind. The blade profile is almost identical to the NMSFNO, but the FSH is a slightly broader blade, 1 15/16" vs 1 13/16".
 
Keep thickness in mind when considering mags versus standard handles. My spine down shot shows the difference between the mags and standard handles on FFBMs.



IMG_0348.jpg
 
I like this sort of question - it's an excuse to post pics!

I have all three CG-FBM, SFNO-LE and a Heavy Heart FSH. I was lucky enough to get the HH early on in my Busse life (number 3 I think, FBM was first). If push came to shove, the HH is still the 'one knife' I would want with me. It's just about the best all-rounder I can imagine.

The HH can chop nearly as well as the CGFBM, at least in my hands. It's also a little more controllable due to the shorter length. I haven't chopped with the SFNO-LE yet, but there's no way it's going to be near the HH in performance. The HH can be gripped rearward more easily, increasing its chopping power even more, thanks to the fusion handle.

The shorter length of the HH compared to the FBM also makes it easier to use choked up for finer tasks.

The SFNO definitely has the edge for smaller tasks that don't require the sheer power of the HH and it's quicker in the hand, but not so much that it ousts the HH as my 'one knife'.

Overall, my opinion then is that the HH is the best balance of capabilities for an all-round camp knife. I think if I really needed more chopping power, I would bring a felling axe (or a chainsaw) and for the delicate jobs, I would team the HH up with an AD or similar. But I would feel quite content with just the HH.


Heavy Heart Rules!!!


Some links to other threads (mine) on the HH:

Some pics, including in-hand shots further down: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=469362

Fitting it into a Spec-Ops: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=528426


Anyway, here are some comparison pics. Sorry they aren't very good, my camera is really on its last legs now, and it's a dark morning. You can click on a pic for a bigger version.

1. In sheaths. The HH only just fits. I've never got one for the FBM as it rides inside my pack - must get one one day though.



2. A 'soft-focus' but useful comparison shot.



3. A more focused comparison.



4. Spine comparison - note the glass of scotch. I had to pour a glass to lean the FBM against. Then of course I had to drink it. I'm such a giver.



5. Handle comparison.



6. Just a nice picture!


 
I know this is a SteelHeart thread but have you considered a NMSFNO?

I've got a FFBM and while it is a beast for chopping the NMSFNO is no slouch. I haven't tried out my HOGFSH yet so I can't really draw from experience on it yet. I predict the difference between the NMSFNO and the HOGFSH will be similar to the CG FBM and the FFBM. (Anyone got experience with these four blades?)
 
If you are going to be chopping and batoning a lot, I'd get a blade to suit that well, like a NMFBM or FFFBM. If you must, you can still slice and I even peel potatoes with it, but its a litle heavy. I think a more practical option is to get the big boy and also something like a BAD or Cultellus to do the more accurate tasks.
 
pocketfulladoubles said:
If you are going to be chopping and batoning a lot, I'd get a blade to suit that well, like a NMFBM or FFFBM. If you must, you can still slice and I even peel potatoes with it, but its a litle heavy. I think a more practical option is to get the big boy and also something like a BAD or Cultellus to do the more accurate tasks.
Click to expand...

I've had FFBM's (didn't use though) but felt they were just too heavy for my needs. That is why i am thinking about a Fusion Steel Heart... or possibly a NMSFNO.
 
Well, if you're considering a NMSFNO, here are some pictures of one with the HH. I prefer the HH myself (you might have gathered that from my other post).

The CG-NMSFNO is lighter and quicker in the hand than the HH. The SF grip on it is partly responsible for that and it makes it quicker and easier to change grips. It suffers a little compared to the HH for chopping due to the lower weight and, for me, less effective chopping grip. I still like the NMSFNO. I though of selling mine but decided that I can't part with it. If I ever lost my HH, the NMSFNO would fill in until I got a replacement.

On the weight front, the HH feels as heavy as my CG-FBM. Never weighed it to check but that's my impression.

It's down to which fits you best.

Pictures, NMSFNO on top:

hh+nmsfno1.jpg


hh+nmsfno2.jpg


hh+nmsfno3.jpg
 
These guys are just trying to confuse you, it's really very simple- the standard FSH with Magnum scales is simply THE BEST BIG KNIFE EVER MADE- PERIOD!

IMHO
 
MVF might be right there, if you prefer a lighter knife than the HH. I've never held one so can't really say, but I do like my HH.

I would guess the weight would be more like the NMSFNO, but with the benefit ( for chopping at least) of the fusion grip. Yep - could well be the best solution.

On the other hand, NMSFNO's are a lot more common than standard FSH's!

For me, it's really the magnum fusion handle that makes the difference. I like the SF handle a lot, more than the fusion for some uses and its versatility, but I don't like it for chopping with. Not when compared to the fusion anyway. For a smaller blade, like the SFNO, or a fighter, I would go for the SF handle. But for general use including chopping with a bigger blade, it's magnum fusion all the way.
 
I have had SHBM, CGFBM, FFBM, NMFBM and my favorite is this full flat grind FBM with a .270 thick blade and standard slabs. I have not used it but this knife feels awesome in my hand. The FSH pictured with it is the same thickness but it has mags and it is a little big in my hand but I like it because it makes a nice pair with the FBM.

So if you can find a .270 thick fbm with standard slabs it just might be the perfect BM.:cool:

I have been waiting for a good thread to post these babies in!!:D

DSCN0338.jpg
 
WOW! I like both of those!! Good Stuff!


dobywon said:
I have had SHBM, CGFBM, FFBM, NMFBM and my favorite is this full flat grind FBM with a .270 thick blade and standard slabs. I have not used it but this knife feels awesome in my hand. The FSH pictured with it is the same thickness but it has mags and it is a little big in my hand but I like it because it makes a nice pair with the FBM.

So if you can find a .270 thick fbm with standard slabs it just might be the perfect BM.:cool:

I have been waiting for a good thread to post these babies in!!:D

DSCN0338.jpg
Click to expand...
 
dobywon said:
I have had SHBM, CGFBM, FFBM, NMFBM and my favorite is this full flat grind FBM with a .270 thick blade and standard slabs. I have not used it but this knife feels awesome in my hand. The FSH pictured with it is the same thickness but it has mags and it is a little big in my hand but I like it because it makes a nice pair with the FBM.

So if you can find a .270 thick fbm with standard slabs it just might be the perfect BM.:cool:

I have been waiting for a good thread to post these babies in!!:D

DSCN0338.jpg
Click to expand...

Those are beautiful!!!
 
I feel that the FFBM is safe. Although faster my ASH-1 did not compare to my FFBM in chopping ability. And since we are comparing an SH to the Mistress I felt that chopping was the appropriate metric.

I use my mistress like she is a naughty machete and other than a light ceramic strop I haven't had to do a thing to keep her edge. Even a chunk of concrete was shrugged off.

The above branch was hit with no great effort using primarily the momentum of the knife.

Cheers,

Jon
 

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