The Practicality of Obese INFI

mike biz

mike biz

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Oct 24, 2005
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I know this is sacrilege and may be cause to strip me of my newly acquired HOG moniker, but I'm just curious about the decision to buy a CG ASH-1 for camp use given it's excess fat. There has been a thread recently about choosing between the LE and the CG for camp use. I think the obvious choice (aside from cost) is the LE as the thinner blade to me seem more practical for all around camp chores like slicing, dicing, chopping, etc. The extra fatback of the CG seems like it would make for a poor slicer at best. Also the added weight of .320" INFI is a concern for long hikes. Just want to open the floodgates this morning;). I have my INFI-proof vest on as we speak.:D:p
 
I'm an anti-fattite when it comes to smaller INFI. Love the thin slicers. I've even been looking at my Bruiser Warden with skeptical eyes, and it's really not all THAT fat.

Still, regarding the ASH1, I do wonder if the .320" thickness is going to turn a medium-sized camp knife into a relatively decent chopper. So I ordered one in DC and an LE (instead of two LE's). Both the CG and the LE will see some use.
 
I think the ASH1 will be fine fat, if it is not coated. With a full flat grind and a bit more weight forward, it may even be alright for lighter chopping duty. I am not a fan of obese blades, nor the ASH1, but would rather have it fatter as described with mag or hand shaped slabs if I was going to get one. Although I like the look of it in satin with standard slabs better.
 
I've been up all night so I will pass right through the floodgates with my practical obese infi :D :eek: :thumbup:
 
Bring on the FATTY!!

Actually I am not sure what thin slicing I would be doing in camp with her anyway. If I need a filet knife I will bring one. The AHS CG is my security blanket in the woods. Its to helps me hold off the lions, tigers and bears (and the creatures that walk on two legs)- and I want her to be PHAT!!
 
Why slice when you can smash and destroy? Fat is where its at, with larger blades at least. I don't worry about carrying extra weight all that much, if I did, I wouldn't be hauling this big 'ol beer gut around. Little Infi is nice when its svelte, though.
 
To be perfectly honest, I didn't think practicality was the highest priority with the thickest blades, but rather toughness and durability. If you don't mind the weight, it should be entirely practical enough to carry - it'll chop better due to the weight. And the smaller tasks are really best left for a knife more suited to it, because even the thinnest ASH-1 will be pretty damn huge for doing small knife work. Actually, it would be huge even if it was entirely weightless. That's why I wouldn't mind the thickness at all - carrying some extra weight never bothered me that much, and for precise work I'm going to be using a lot smaller knife anyway, so what downside could the thickness possibly have? :) The small knives better be "thin", though.
 
I completely understand the usefulness of fat choppers like the FFFBM. I have seen its praises sang here too many times not to. However given the relatively small size of the ASH-1 I just don't get how the extra weight and thickness is advantageous as a jack-of-all-trades camp knife. With the handle configuration as it is I think it would be very difficult if not impossible to move the hand back on the handle for more effective chopping. I borrowed this photo from a post by mikeymoto to show the handle configurations of the HR, ASH-1 and BATAC.

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The other two models seem much more practical in the camp knife world. Long, straight handles allow for easy and comfortable choking up and holding back for chopping. Thin blades for slicing. Great medium size blade length. I think these would be a better option.

And as for durability if you can't rely on a .220" LE ASH-1 with super INFI toughness I don't think I would leave my house:p

All said, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla. To each his own. I'll still be psyced to see everyone's ASH-1 pics.:thumbup:
 

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I still believe that the Zero Tolerance series Natural Outlaw and Steel Heart (3/16") are the pinnacles of Busse development in this intermediate size range. Hey, Skunk, how about commissioning some 3/16" ASH's for the Company store?
 
I questioned it at first but I have come to believe it will bring it on par with the SFNO in chopping and Hell Razor like that in a more compact package. I am a sucker for the fatties generally but had been looking for this to be my lighter knife so I got an LE as well. Here in the woods of the Pacific Northwest one of the key duties a knife will get used for is harvesting pitchwood out of old stumps. That is a pretty tough chore and I would not use a thinner knife for that type of work.
 
MikeH said:
I still believe that the Zero Tolerance series Natural Outlaw and Steel Heart (3/16") are the pinnacles of Busse development in this intermediate size range. Hey, Skunk, how about commissioning some 3/16" ASH's for the Company store?
Click to expand...

Blasphemy! Oh you fatty hater! :D I think one of the ASH1 variants I got from Knob Creek is actually one of the thick ones and the edge is not at all too thick. I haven't taken it out and chopped anything or done a bunch of slicing with it, but I know it is damned sharp and could slice just fine. When I have some time I will mic it and see how fat it is. Bottom line is a thinner blade will almost always slice better than a much fatter blade. You trade slicing power for durability. I am going to get a CG, just can't decide if it will be sage or DC. I figure the LE's will be about the same thickness as the SE and that is alright by me.
 
Why all the hate on the fatty....if you need to fillet a fish.....I bet it would work...not as good as a fillet knife, but work nonetheless. It is the edge that cuts, the thickness just separates.....

BRING THE FATNESS!!!!
 
No hate on the fatties. I just like the thin blades more. I don't mind a big fattie in the truck. I do mind the extra weight on my hip.

I suppose it's the engineer in me. We just like to optimize the efficiency of everything. It also helps justify spending obscene amounts on Busses - a perfect knife for every occasion.:D
 
Full-height-grind means a fairly thin edge. So slicing should be fine. I'm still worried about the balance - that extra weight may push teh balance point fwd. . . or the extra weight COULD push it backwards. (Or no change. LOL)
 
Progunner said:
I am going to get a CG, just can't decide if it will be sage or DC.
Click to expand...

DC all the way Porkgunner:thumbup:. Sage is for seasoning!:p

And I'm not hating on fat. Fat is fine with me. I'm just questioning the usability of it in a short camp style knife like the ASH-1. You guys have raised some good points.

We can all coexist peacefully, both fat and thin, in the wild and wacky world of INFI. NUKE ON my fat-fancying brothers.:D
 
the fat CG was what made me decide i don't need one. i don't have the money for an LE or SE, but if i get one it's going to be thinner. .22 is fat enough imo.
 
This will be my first ASH-1 and I,m happy it was offered at .320, so yes I like'em fat.
A combination of a 5" fillet knife and the ASH will be a very handy camp combo.
 
Its all good - thick-thin - its INFI !!

I just have this thing for a hearty, husky, heavy, blade :)

Now when it comes to the human female however - that is different - for sure :)
 
I am just teasing about the hating guys. I do agree that the full flat grind should make for a decent slicer given that there won't be as much material behind the edge as with a saber grind or the like.
 
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