I really want to buy one of the NMFBM from Busse Combat and would love to have one, however, I am not sure that it is going to be that practical for me and my career in the Army. How would I justify or legitimize lugging around such a huge machete? Im planning on buying a CG ASH-1 off Amy that she said she would hold for me and I think that that alone will be tough enough to carry due to its weight, but I will make due. As for the NMFBM, how practical will it really be??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I don't think oversized knives to be really useful.
With half the weight, a Golok or a Martindale can do the same work.

I'd agree (but add DFLE..)

I am in a similar position to you RCS....

My first purchase was a FFBM because no DFLE's or DFCG's came up for days.....this is a bit too heavy....but you could get away with it on your Bergan. I did some runs with it positioned in different ways on my kit and really noticed it's extra size and weight compared to a 8 inch FSH type of knife I had been using ( a Vought Amazon ). A NMFBM will be very similar to the FFBM in my view.

If you need to carry a chopper I would hunt down a DFLE on the Exchange or get a BRKT Golok or a CS Kukri....probably in that order. If you get the chance and want Infi....I would go for a straight FSH....at 8 inches it should still be a good chopper and is light enough to carry. The thing is.....it is hard to find one at sensible money.

My own choice might well be the Golok by BRKT.

I intend to put it in an old webbing sheath I have for a Martindale Golok. It easily looks like an issue bit of kit and from HD's reports will be a far better choice. It is also a good light weight option.

If you just want a combat knife....the Ash you have or will have should be perfect. I am going to use the Skinny Ash version for the same use. Carry a chopper when I need to. That's the plan so far.

I will do some comparison posts when these knives arrive and I have done some tests.

It isn't practical, get yourself a Sarsquatch instead !!!

I've chopped with all different kinds of FBM before and even though I think it's great, I just don't think it's practical to carry around, let alone the NMFBM.

Someone on BF said the Navy inspector going over his kit almost confiscated his FBM because it was a "machete" style blade and they don't allow soldiers to bring machetes back from the sand box.
The NMFBM is even BIGGER then the FBM.
I would hate to see you spend that dough on a NMFBM then lose it on your first deployment to some Navy NCO.
Most soldiers carry something like the Gerber LMF or a Cold Steel recon tanto.
Your Scrapper6 and a multitool are all you need bro.
Unless you will be regularly batoning through steel gurders the s6 is a better knife for a soldier then a ash-1.
The s6 also provides insulation from heat and electricity.

You've got 10 more days, according to Jerry.

Recon,

I carried a MK 3 during my stint in the Navy. I carried it in the Sandbox when I was in Desert Storm, it went with me to Somalia, and it traveled to a few other places that I'm not supposed to discuss. I have no regrets and qualms about carrying that knive. It did its duty and served me well.

How much gear are you going to be humping? Is the extra weight and hassle worth it? Probably not in my opinion. Keep in mind that this is a chopper; what exactly are you going to be chopping over there? Choose your gear based on your needs and your mission, not your emotional desire. The right tool for the jod isn't a chopper in my opinion.

Personally, I'd opt for either a BATAC, Scrapper 6, or a Dumpster Mutt, one of the newer models (DMDC, DMLE, etc....) one's with full height grind and not the original CG model. Any of those knives are more than adequate for the task at hand. And if you happen to loose it then you're not out a huge chunk of cash.

+1
What Jerrwhy said. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Recon:

I forgot to add that I have all three knives and if you don't have them, cannot locate them etc... you're more than happy to borrow one of mine for a tour to the sandbox.


Peace
Jerry

Same here.
If you have your heart set on a ash and can't get one before you finish ROTC and have to ship off mines open to you.
Its not like you can break it.