I'm probably not the best person to answer, because I'm a collector rather than a user/outdoorsman. My best advice is to evaluate what you want to do, what can afford, and see what the best match is. My second best piece of advice (if the answer is that you want and can afford a Bussekin chopper) is to go to a show where Busse has a table -- a handle that feels good in my hand won't necessarily feel good to you, you might think that what I consider a good choice is either too big or not big enough, or you may not like the way it balances.

If you ignore the second piece of advice, here are a few more:
1) If you want to buy something that's available to you right now, and you're willing to spend a fair amount, the Busse Company has one model of NMSFNO left in stock, Desert sage with black machined micarta; the inventory is low and the cost is $327.00 + S&H (probably about $15). The NMSFNO is not a dedicated chopper, but is certainly adequate in that role and a better all-around blade than most dedicated choppers. Look around for reviews of them, you won't find much, if anything, bad said about them.

2) If you know someone going to Blade, and they're willing to proxy for you (it might be hard to get someone you haven't dealt with yet because you're still new -- it's not an old guy vs new guy thing so much as that I have more faith that someone who has a reputation to protect will act in good faith), then you might ask them to look for a Dog Father and/or a SoD for you. You can find both on the BladeForums Exchange, but many of the DFs have $100 added to their price, and I refuse to pay that high of a secondary market premium. Still, if someone proxys a DF for you, don't think it'll cost you $139.95; there'll be sales tax and shipping, which will add at least $25 to the base price. Bang-for-the-buck, Scrap Yard is your best choice among the Bussekin companies, but unfortunately, they don't have what you're looking for available online right now.

3) You might also consider getting on the M9LE waiting list -- While I like mine (and plan to keep them), I don't love them as much as many here. I think it's a bit heavy, having a chopper's weight, but a fighter's balance and blade style, and the price is high for a Swamp Rat. If I was only going to get one "chopper", and the comparison was between a M9LE and an NMSFNO, I'd choose the latter.

4) I hesitate to suggest this, and would only recommend it as an interim solution, but if you want a Dog Father, can't find a Blade proxy, and aren't willing to pay secondary markup, you might consider buying a temporary chopper. Personally, my recommendation would be a Himalayan Imports khukri, although if you want a straight blade, a KA-BAR/Becker BK-9 might also fill in until a Dog Father is available at release pricing.

5) If you want a dedicated chopper -- blade heavy and thick -- then THE knife that brought me to Busse was the Fusion Battle Mistress. However, my current opinion is that a lighter, chopper-capable all-around knife is a better choice, especially if you plan to carry it over a long-haul. FSH, NMSFNO, and SoD would fall into that category -- your ASH-1 might be a little shorter than optimal, but it would also serve.

i have used the s6 for camping and then i have just a machete but the s6 kicks the machete's butt. its good to have a good chopper just because if you need to get a tree down use the chopper rather than something small. even if you have a crapy walmart knive or something its good to have a chopper just to take with you. If you could find one i would go with the DF i think that would be more of what you are looking for.

Id have to say yes on that. Just like everyone else said a small blade can handle the job, but a large chopper makes those big jobs a little easier plus it will make your knife collection a well rounded one too.

I just love my DFLE and Busse Fusion Battle Mistress...gotta love those large choppers!!!

I believe in the Blade Trinity....Get a TOOL BOX..Big blade(DF) ,Med(Scrapper6/SOD) and a multitool..and a DM...and a MUK....and a....

Sounds like you already have some real good advice. I ended up doing #4 on Jim's list because there weren't any offerings by SY in that range and the NMSFNO is a little more than I'd like to pay. So, I purchased a Ranger RD-9 to tide me over until the next good chopper is released by SY or until I find a decent deal on the secondary market. I'm pretty happy with the Ranger but would rather have a SY. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Or a Busse if i could get off my wallet. That NMSFNO is still very tempting...and there aren't many left.

The Ranger is a good solid performer and a good deal as well. Not a Busse, but not bad at all. I have two RD9s, spear point and clip point.

here is how i explain why everyone needs a big chopper blade:

Yes, you can use a smaller knife to chop down samplings or limbs to gather shelter poles or firewood. But a smaller knife is going to cost you MUCH MORE energy expenditure and time, and the depth of cut wont be as deep. A large chopper will chop thru in three or four strokes, with deep cuts and wood chips removed, and BAM! there is your wood cut down.

Now think about that when your in the woods in a survival situtation, and your cold, and wet, and tired and exhausted. Do you want to spend an hour gathering shelter poles and firewood and weakening yourself further?? or do you want to spend twenty minutes gathering shelter poles, firewood and not wasting precious energy?

the answer is clear.

but the most important reason you need a chopper, is it is LOADS OF FUN TO USE!


if you want to run with the big DAWGS, you gots to stop piddling around like a little puppy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The Dogs have provided good and logical advise. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Now for Dumpster Dan thinking; Leave social and educated reasoning at the door. Recognize that we have a deep seated sense, almost a primal requirement, to posses strength, power and control over our domain. The real question is not if a chopper will be used for productive work (of course it will) but if you are connected with your need to rule. Those that love choppers will tell you…”there’s just something about a chopper” and its those individuals who “feel” it each and every time they pick up that much steel. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />


Oh yea, It is just flat out cool.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Now go and chop like you have never chopped before

Dan

I knew there was a reason I joined up here. Thank you Jim, Bld522, vox, et. al. for the great advice. The width and breadth of knowledge/opinion here is fantastic. I definitely think a chopper is on the horizon. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Now to narrow it down <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> ah the difficult things in life. The great thing about knives- the journey (choosing a blade) and the destination (receiving chosen knife) are darn near equally rewarding.

I can't make any promises as a proxy, ghost, but I'm keeping an eye out for popular models at BLADE, with the intention of picking them up to re-sell to other DAWGS at cost. In other words, for those who can't make it to BLADE, I can hopefully help get some of those great knives without the ridiculous aftermarket markup.

There's a long list of knives I want to score for myself, but if there's any money left in the budget after that, I'll try to snag a big yard chopper, and I'm sure if you don't want it someone else will <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />