This is the first time I have used the Rat or the Busse. I like the M6 a lot more now than I did. It has a much better feel for me than the Busse when chopping. And everbody on this forum probably already knows that I love the S6.

Are you planning to do some more test with these?

Good test, Vic. Thanks.

I am wondering if perhaps you were (maybe unconsciously) willing to make harder chops with the S6, because the more shock absorbing Res C handle is easier on hands.

Also, a question about a minor point: Are you sure your S6 is 1/4" thick? I'm looking at mine, now, and mine's a little thicker than that, the exact same thickness as my Dumpster Mutt.

The ASH-1 handle is not uncomfortable, but it just isn't nearly as easy for me to control as the M6 when chopping. I just double checked, and the Steel Heart blade is very sharp. But it just would not bite for me like the M6 or S6. The ASH-1 feels great in the hand. I just can't figure it out.

Mine measures exactly .25", but it has been polished some. I just measured my tan/sage one, and it is .25", just like the swamp rat. When I was chopping, I used the same swing with the same force on all three knives as near as I can tell.

maybe wrapping the ash-1 handle would fatten it up for you to get a more axe-like grip. gauze, ace, tape, socks...

Thanks, VIc.

The A in ASH is "Anniversary".

I love my M6 and consider it one of the most comfortable knives that I own.

Having chopped with all of them, how would you rate the chopping ability of the M6/S6 to the new Ratweiler Chopper? I would guess (having never chopped with any of them yet) that if the M6/S6 was 50 chops that the Ratweiler would be 40 and the DogFather 30... does that sound about right?

I'm not able to quantify it like that. Too many variables. The Ratweiler would easily out chop any of these 6" knives. The Dog Father would out chop the Ratweiler, I'm sure. I am going to phase 2: Cutting down live saplings, machete work on palmettos and such. I'll have go to back into the bush for that.

On the way down the trail, I used all three knives in the machete mode, things you cut through in one slash or maybe two. Dropped my new Rainwalker sheath and had to go back and find it. Score one for the Busse. It out machetes either the S6 or M6. The thinner, broader blade slashes through palmettos with a flick of the wrist. I'd rate the S6 as next best as a machete, but the M6 does fair. Now to small trees down near the marsh.

The ASH-1 does very well on live saplings and tough woody brush. The kind of stuff that takes one to ten whacks.

The M6 does well but the Busse beats it here.


The Scrapper 6 totally rules here. For heavier brush clearing, the S6 just works better.


On to phase 3. Baton work and wood splitting.

I have had the M6 and the S6.

There is a lot more weight in the M6 than the S6, but most if not all of the difference in the weight between the two is in the handle.

The M6 has a sabre grind so there is a fair amount of weight left at the spine above the blade. But, the S6 is thicker at the spine. The M6 still probably has just a hair heavier blade.

So, for chopping, I am not surprised that the M6 did pretty well at chopping (for a 6" knife). Vic can't resist chopping. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have not handled the ASH. But, I do think it is a very nice "Looking" knife.

To me, however, when comparing the S6 to the M6, I easily prefer the over-all feel and balance of the S6.

They may be neck and neck or the M6 may even have a slight advantage for chopping.
And for edge holding and sharpness, the M6 is probably a little better as well.

But, for general use (outside of chopping), I prefer the feel, weight, balance of the S6.

The handle just felt rediculously heavy to me in the M6.

That said, based on how I use a knife, I would probably prefer SR-101 for a knife the size of the S6 or M6.

Maybe the M6 just needs Res-C or a hollowed tang under the handle or otherwise lighter and probably a little smaller handle.

I would like to see my Rat Jack concept with a G10 handle and a "skeletonized" tang to reduce weight in the handle. (Satin blade too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> ):





I wouldn't expect it to chop as well as the S6 or M6, but I think it would be an AWESOME all-around user knife! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

I guess I'll just beat on the Busse some more. It did a fine job splitting this fat lighter.



So did the M6.




The S6 did well here, too.


These are three of the best 6" knives in the world.

They all did well, but overall, the Scrapper 6 did best. I did not do any hammering. My guess is that the M6 would work best for that. You could always use the back or flat of the blade on the S6, I guess.

As the owner all three knives, I don't really have an axe to grind here. I like them all. I just prefer the Scrapper 6.
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