To MAG or, not to MAG? Here is the question!

[Andros]

I am about to place an order for the ASH 1. Given the thickness of the blade (approx .320) and the blade length (6.5"), do you think that I should go for magnum or, regular scales? The FBM's that I have, all but one, have magnum scales and they fit my hand very well. What is your opinion? Can anyone provide me with the total thickness of the handle of both the regular, as well as, the magnum handled ASH 1?

Thanks.

 

[UDDwaine]

I would say go for it. I did. If the mags on the FBM fit, you will like them on the ASH.

 

[CQCBlades]

I am about to place an order for the ASH 1. Given the thickness of the blade (approx .320) and the blade length (6.5"), do you think that I should go for magnum or, regular scales? The FBM's that I have, all but one, have magnum scales and they fit my hand very well. What is your opinion? Can anyone provide me with the total thickness of the handle of both the regular, as well as, the magnum handled ASH 1?

Thanks.

I'm having the exact same dilemma, here are my thoughts on the subject in no particular order;

- For a knife that size magnums would limit your carry options, you would almost have to get a drop leg sheath for it.
- If you get magnums you can always re-shape them to be a perfect fit, which you can't do with the standard grips.
- The Black & Tan G10 is available in Magnum only (and I want it)
- It might be difficult to maneuver a knife of its size and thickness with magnums.
- Magnums would probably work better for chopping, if you plan on doing that a lot.

As you can see I'm still undecided as well

Greg

 

[Uncle_Jarvis]

Well, If you also plan on getting a LE I would say don't get Mags,

I prefer non mag personally, All the CG ASH1's I ordered were STD

 

[MD13]

Well, If you also plan on getting a LE I would say don't get Mags,

I prefer non mag personally, All the CG ASH1's I ordered were STD

But the LE is also thinner. If you're getting the HOG deal, I'd get the CG with standard handles. The HOG edition will be a CG with mags, and the LE will be a thinner blade with mags. If you're only getting just one..... tough call.

 

[Elen]

I would say no mags. The normal scales should be fat enough, I think. They're not exactly small either. But I guess if you have really ginormous hands, the mags might be the only way to go.

 

[Uncle_Jarvis]

That is basically what I did, with the addition of an extra std ASH1,
you know, in case my other std ASH1 breakslol

But the LE is also thinner. If you're getting the HOG deal, I'd get the CG with standard handles. The HOG edition will be a CG with mags, and the LE will be a thinner blade with mags. If you're only getting just one..... tough call.

 

[Lil' Foo]

Which FBM do you have???

Me... I like the CG FBM (.250" thick) with mags, but the FFBM (.320" thick) I like standards.

On the ASH-1s I have... I think the standard slabs on the .220" thick SE are too thin. On the customs... I like the mag size and th feel of the hand shaped G-10.

I'm still in a little debate myself... right now, the two CG ASH-1s at a whopping .320" thick I have on order, have mags. but I'll probably change that to one standard & one mags.

What I'd really like... The LE to be .220", the CG to be .270", and the HOG version at the .320".
Hey... a HOG can dream can't he.
Maybe Skunker will get some .270" thick, uncoated ASH-1s for the company store. :thumbup: :thumbup:

.

 

[mike biz]

How about this solution. Buy a Mag and a Standard. Isn't that the HOG way. Buy both, buy both.

 

[Cutshaw]

There seem to be three categories:

1- Those that like standards on all blades.

2- Those that like standards on thick (> 0.3") and mags on thinner blades.

3- Those that like mags on everything.

Me? I like mags on everything: SFNO, Hell Razor, HHFSH, FBM, HOGFSH, FFBM, etc. Even the .320 FFBM/HOGFSH felt to thin for me with standards.

My grip is meaty as it extends downward from the pinky and diagonally from the thumb. There is a nice concave hollow in the center of my palm (sort of the V of that muscle group) where the mag sweet spot nestles and locks right in. I'm guessing most of those falling under #3 fit that profile.

If you've got more of a flat palm, but not meaty, then you might be number 1 or 2.

If you've got overall meaty hands (is that PC enough?) then you are probably a 1.

Enjoy and take this for what it is worth - nothing but my rambling opinion.

No Regrets!

 

[Andros]

Wow! So many vey interesting replies. All right on the spot but from different angles.

I'm having the exact same dilemma, here are my thoughts on the subject in no particular order;

- For a knife that size magnums would limit your carry options, you would almost have to get a drop leg sheath for it.

You are right about the drop leg sheath. Admitedly, I hadn't thought about it, but you are right.

- If you get magnums you can always re-shape them to be a perfect fit, which you can't do with the standard grips.

I have never re-shaped or, modified in any way any of the Busse's or, the Swamp Rat's I have. I don't think I am as adept at it as others are so, I prefer to leave them as they are.

- It might be difficult to maneuver a knife of its size and thickness with magnums.

That was one of the first things that I thought of.

- Magnums would probably work better for chopping, if you plan on doing that a lot.

As you can see I'm still undecided as well

Greg

This is true. As a matter of fact, this was the FIRST thing I thought of; but I believe that, given the blade length, this knife would be better suited for batoning and not so much for chopping.

Well, If you also plan on getting a LE I would say don't get Mags

If you're getting the HOG deal, I'd get the CG with standard handles. The HOG edition will be a CG with mags, and the LE will be a thinner blade with mags.

How about this solution. Buy a Mag and a Standard. Isn't that the HOG way. Buy both, buy both.

Uncle-Jarvis, MD13, mike biz, are you guys psychics ? How did you figure that out? MD13, yes this is exactly what I am thinking of doing: get the HOG deal! I don't believe that !

 

[Andros]

Which FBM do you have???

Me... I like the CG FBM (.250" thick) with mags, but the FFBM (.320" thick) I like standards.

On the ASH-1s I have... I think the standard slabs on the .220" thick SE are too thin. On the customs... I like the mag size and th feel of the hand shaped G-10.

I'm still in a little debate myself... right now, the two CG ASH-1s at a whopping .320" thick I have on order, have mags. but I'll probably change that to one standard & one mags.

What I'd really like... The LE to be .220", the CG to be .270", and the HOG version at the .320".
Hey... a HOG can dream can't he.
Maybe Skunker will get some .270" thick, uncoated ASH-1s for the company store. :thumbup: :thumbup:

.

Lil' Foo

The FBM's that I have are:

1) CG Tan with magnum black canvas micarta scales
2) CG OD with magnum tan canvas micarta scales
3) FFBM Leprechaun with standard green linen micarta scales w/ PT
4) FFBM Leprechaun with magnum green linen micarta scales w/ PT
5) FFBM Urban Crinckle with magnum blue and red G-10
6) Fat and Flat FBM Black with magnum pumpkin handles.

I think that for a knife like the FBM, the magnum handles are suitable because they shift the center of balance to the rear and they aid in absorbing vibrations from chopping. The ASH 1 is not a dedicated chopper like the FBM is. This is my personal opinion though.

 

[Andros]

There seem to be three categories:

1- Those that like standards on all blades.

2- Those that like standards on thick (> 0.3") and mags on thinner blades.

3- Those that like mags on everything.

Me? I like mags on everything: SFNO, Hell Razor, HHFSH, FBM, HOGFSH, FFBM, etc. Even the .320 FFBM/HOGFSH felt to thin for me with standards.

My grip is meaty as it extends downward from the pinky and diagonally from the thumb. There is a nice concave hollow in the center of my palm (sort of the V of that muscle group) where the mag sweet spot nestles and locks right in. I'm guessing most of those falling under #3 fit that profile.

If you've got more of a flat palm, but not meaty, then you might be number 1 or 2.

If you've got overall meaty hands (is that PC enough?) then you are probably a 1.

Enjoy and take this for what it is worth - nothing but my rambling opinion.

No Regrets!

Once again, a good analysis PM :thumbup:! I need to ask one question at the main store and then I think I will be set. As I mentioned earlier, I will actually be getting the HOG special offer so, I will actually be getting three ASH 1 now: a LE, a HOG Edition and a third "edition". It is this third "edition" that I wonder about. I guess I am close to deciding what will that be. I'll let you know.

 

[CQCBlades]

Once again, a good analysis PM :thumbup:! I need to ask one question at the main store and then I think I will be set. As I mentioned earlier, I will actually be getting the HOG special offer so, I will actually be getting three ASH 1 now: a LE, a HOG Edition and a third "edition". It is this third "edition" that I wonder about. I guess I am close to deciding what will that be. I'll let you know.

This thread helped me as well, I went with all mags ... I guess as PM said that's just how I roll

Greg

 

[Dennis in MA]

My opinion is NO!

Maybe I'll be all-wet and wish I got mags b/c of how they fit the hand, but for chopping, you are gonna choke down. That exagerated swale (virgin connie swale?) of the mags is too much for a good grip.

I've got 2 ASH1 Customs. One in the black/red G-rex and one in Giraffe G-rex.

The one with the Giraffe could be considered a "mag" grip. On a LE-thickness knife. PERFECT!

The SE handles are not stds - they are thins, versus what Jerry decided on for production, IIRC.

Sooooo, for a .320 knife, gimme stds. It'll be a perfect fit for me. Feel good with cooking-chore type stuff and easy to choke back for whack-a-mole-ing.

That's just my take. Again, I could be all wet.

 

[Hogwash]

I have an ASH-1 SE and a Custom Shop ASH-1 with hand shaped grips.

To me, the SE seems a little thin, it is .220" with standard thickness grips.

Since the CG is going to be .320", it should be thick enough for me with standard grips, The LE should also be perfect with Mags on a .220 blade.

My Custom Shop ASH-1 is close to too large for my hand, I have a feeling that a CG with mags might go over the edge.

I'm going to stick with standard thickness grips on my CG's.

 

[OldPhysics]

I'm having the exact same dilemma, here are my thoughts on the subject in no particular order;

- For a knife that size magnums would limit your carry options, you would almost have to get a drop leg sheath for it.
- If you get magnums you can always re-shape them to be a perfect fit, which you can't do with the standard grips.
- The Black & Tan G10 is available in Magnum only (and I want it)
- It might be difficult to maneuver a knife of its size and thickness with magnums.
- Magnums would probably work better for chopping, if you plan on doing that a lot.

As you can see I'm still undecided as well

Greg

Also ... it is possible to have the knife re-handled. I wouldn't worry too much. If the mags intrigue you, go for it!

 

[Dunner]

I talked to Amy today and she says with her smallish hands and longer fingers it is Magnums for her HANDS DOWN. The extra heft in a knife of this size is going to lend to some chopping you might not try with a similar/thinner knife so the mags will distribute that abuse a lot better. After talking to Amy I felt a lot better about going with Mags on all of my ASH-1's :thumbup:

Edited to add...I just might get a CG with standard slabs because I'm curious. I held an SE ASH and it just seems like a handle shape that is going to be comfortable regardless.

AND Amy is Awesome which isn't new information but bears repeating

 

[gatorzingo]

Personally, I prefer the magnum scales. A couple of reasons. First of all the larger grips will fill my hand better with more contact with my palm. More contact means more control and less slipping of the knife during use. Second, the magnum grips give you more material work with if you wish to sand them to fit your grip.

If you are in doubt of which grip to purchase, why not buy one of each and see which one suits you the best.

 

[diceman]

I went with Mags - I love them on my CGFBM, and the .07" thicker stock will be just about right. I hope. I went w/ standard grips on my BATAC to keep the whole package thin and easy to carry and strap to web gear, etc. I'd rather have the ASH1 fit my (large) hands more fully, though. I'm going w/ a drop leg rig from Okuden for this ASH1 - I think it'll be great. And now... the wait!