+1. The M9LE is one awesome blade. I have to agree that, as far as feel, it nudges out my NMSFNO.
See, now I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on the NMSFNO. The Busse doesn't have that gorgeous temper line, either....
It really is VERY hard for me to say anything negative about the NMSFNO. The NMSFNO really is an AWESOME knife. But, I honestly DO like the fit, feel and balance of this M9LE even more! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> -
The M9LE combines some of the best features of the NMSFNO with the FSH and then some!
The M9LE isn't INFI, but for those who haven't noticed, I personally feel SR-101 is PLENTY tough. I have a BR and some other larger differentially heat treated blades that have taken plenty of chopping and held up fine. Others have beat their's significantly more than I.
I chop hard, but I don't chop cinder blocks, rail-road spikes and Jeep door hinges. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> And those who have done so with their SR-101 still walked away with knives in good condition and impressed grins. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
And I don't do what I would call abusive prying. However, I do prying related to getting my knife un-wedged out of wood. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />-
All of these knives are a bit different, so it still comes down to preferences and intended uses. But, as a Jack of all Trades large blade, this M9LE might be the new KING of large blades in my pretty good size collection of Busse and kin blades.
To me, it seems like it should chop up in the range very close to a BR, DFLE, Rat Mastiff and FSH. I think (????) it might out-chop the NMSFNO.
I doubt it will out-chop a FBM.
But, the M9LE is VERY versatile feeling in hand. It feels pretty nimble and balanced which helps for using for other tasks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
This is still just an opinion and review based on just handling the knife. But, I feel I have handled and used enough knives to have a pretty good feel for what I like.
And I LOVE this M9LE . They got this one SPOT on!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />
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