Talk me into buying an ASH 1

J

JohnGerding

Joined
Apr 19, 2017
Messages
51
I picked up a user TGLB last week on dumb luck from a pawn shop, this was my introduction to the Busse world. I have always had a few Esse's or similar style survival knives laying around and they are ok knives but I seem to have a taste for higher end gear that is never fulfilled by these type of knives... I was always drawn to the looks of the Ash 1 when I have seen them around the various knife groups and now I think I really want to get 1... I dont think I will be able to afford an INFI ASH but I could be happy with the SR101. I would like this to be my Go To knife for my Bug Out Bag but I am still pretty green on the details. like what is the difference between a "Skinny ASH" and a regular ash? Should I go for coated or uncoated? Is there any other blades that would fill the same bill as the ASH1 I should consider? Any input on this knife is much appreciated... This is to be probably the most expensive fixed blade I have ever purchased and I wanna get it right the first time... And off Topic is there any way to tell what type of steel the TGLB I bought has? Thanks.
 
If your TGLB says "BUSSE" only, it is INFI. If it says Battle Grade under it, it is SR101. Also I believe the thickness is around .22 for BG and .25 for INFI.
 
ASH1 is in my opinion and many others, the best all round survival knife Busse has to offer. Mind your there are many many options. Can't go wrong with an ASH, good luck on your hunt, one will find you.
 
Hey thanks a lot Guys, good to know I got an INFI TGLB... It has been batoned a time or two but I have spent a few days reprofiling the edge and it is nearing completion on the sharpening... Lot of work to reshape this steel but man when you turn the corner it really starts to shine...
20170531_131437_zpspei90j0q.jpg
 
What can you tell me about this ASH 1? is this the skinny ash?? I kind of think it would be better to go with the thinner blade on this size knife... Or not?
s-l1600_zpsvf1rbnm8.jpg
 
If you aren't pursuing an INFI ASH1, the variants are irrelevant. The SR101 version was from O2W - the Battle Grade (BG) ASH1. It was my first Busse (I bought two)...
I liked them; but was not as enamored of them as many are. I ended up selling one, and trading the other.
If it appeals to you, go for it...if you need to be talked into it, maybe you should reconsider. (That would have been my answer even if I had loved it & kept them both - I've never been thrilled with any knife that I bought solely based on hype, or the opinions of others.)
 
The ASH-1 is my favorite Busse!!! I have had 5 different ones and I settled on 2. I have had 2 BG, and LE, a FAT and Skinny.

I decided to keep the Fat and Skinny. I like that Fat more and I have the non-magnum scales so it fits my hand very well and even though its .32 thick it is a FFG so it can still really slice!!! I can't say enough goo things about the ASH-1 but its really going to come down to your hand what fits well and what you want from the knife.

You can find a good deal on them if you are patient, but if you are planning to be one and done with a knife. DO NOT SETTLE, get the one that makes you drool and you will love it that much more!!! Just be cautious.... One and done around this place is a rarity.... I was only going to get one Ratmandu about a year ago..... Well... at 5 grab bags and many other grabs off the exchange... I have one or two more now..... GOOD LUCK!!! have fun and take pics and let us know what you end up with!! Welcome to the board!

Here is a link to my fat ASH-1 --> its a beast and no you can't have it!!! She is all mine!

http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/fat-ash-1-love.1459443/
 
freehouse32 said:
The ASH-1 is my favorite Busse!!! I have had 5 different ones and I settled on 2. I have had 2 BG, and LE, a FAT and Skinny.

I decided to keep the Fat and Skinny. I like that Fat more and I have the non-magnum scales so it fits my hand very well and even though its .32 thick it is a FFG so it can still really slice!!! I can't say enough goo things about the ASH-1 but its really going to come down to your hand what fits well and what you want from the knife.

You can find a good deal on them if you are patient, but if you are planning to be one and done with a knife. DO NOT SETTLE, get the one that makes you drool and you will love it that much more!!! Just be cautious.... One and done around this place is a rarity.... I was only going to get one Ratmandu about a year ago..... Well... at 5 grab bags and many other grabs off the exchange... I have one or two more now..... GOOD LUCK!!! have fun and take pics and let us know what you end up with!! Welcome to the board!

Here is a link to my fat ASH-1 --> its a beast and no you can't have it!!! She is all mine!

http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/fat-ash-1-love.1459443/
Click to expand...
Thanks and sounds like a true story, I mean I just bought one Busse and already drewling over the next...lol. So based on the pic I posted can you tell if it is a fat or a skinny? I dont have big hands.
 
The battle Grades are .25 I think???? Don't remember exactly. The one you have in the picture is a BG. If its not .25 then it would be around .22.

Typically the ASH-1 series loosely follows:
The skinny are .187 thick The LE and some others are .22 thick and the BG .25 (I think) and FAT .32

Keep in mind every knife is different and they will vary from one to another but only with a minor variance in thickness.
 
My .22 Ash is one of my absolute favorite knives. I greatly prefer it over my Tglb, it's every bit a tough but has much better blade geometry.
 
A lot of people will choose the ASH1 as a general all round one knife solution. And for good reason, it is a awesome knife. But for me the SFNO is my go to blade. I love the way it feels in hand and I like the extra blade length.
 
If you like chopping frying pans, bulldozer exhausts, steel engine gaurds, steel pipes and cell phones in half.......get the ASH 1.

Even works good in the kitchen!

Search Snakebreaker ash1 if you need proof.
 
Snakebreaker, I often show people that pic of the Ash 1 destroying that frying pan. They just stare in amazement!
 
I am certainly the odd man out here, as I don't love the ASH1. o_O

But, if you like it, then my opinion here is irrelevant.

The INFI original version can be had in two (or three?) thicknesses.

The Battle Grade (SR101) variant adds to the confusion. IMHO, SR101 has 90% of the properties of INFI at 60% of the cost. YMMV. Enjoy!
 
If you are still confused, fat or skinny refers to the thickness of the blade. Skinny, standard, thick.... and there are other terms too, like ,"anorexic" *really skinny*


Fwiw, all the guys I've shown my BG ash1 to have loved the.design.
 
I am probably in the minority here, but having all the thicknesses (There are at least three) the thickest would be my last choice. After all, the "thin" 0.187" is still 3/16" thick.
I am loathe to lug around more knife weight than I have to, and imo a knife primarily used for chopping should be longer than the ASHI. For a good all rounder that you will actually have on you when you need it, the thinner is the way to go, and a more versatile knife I cannot imagine. Except maybe the Sarsquatch, but finding one of those these days is right up there with sighting Bigfoot.

In any case, whatever your choice of thickness, you need an ASHI. It is a longer reiteration of the original Steel Heart, the wonderful knife that put Busse on the map.
 
Last edited:
Terrible terrible knife....truly horrible....you should not ever buy one, it will only lead to disappointment....if you see them for sale just let me know so I can have the issue dealt with....
 
^^^I knew it was only a matter of time before the most well-known ASH-lover himself showed up! The man who was responsible for my ASH-1 addiction as well!
 
I know not of what you speak, I just see it as my duty to save others from the dreaded ASH.... ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top