Thanks Rich. I sent the old vex in to have liners installed, so the handle is actually a little thicker than the way it originally came from the swamp.

Nah, for me if the knife is gonna be used a lot then it should have a nice comfy handle.

I think something like the top knife outta nice thin steel with a full flat grind and Mudder handle would be perfect.Made so handle blends into the choil like on that one though, not a handle guard and a separate choil.

So...if you could have only one?

Nice to see you Architect

MM

I would like the new Vex to be a bit thinner, just like the original one. The one thing that I really like about it is that it just might be the only small Kin knife that has a longer blade than handle.

I do like the look of the Vex, but more of an ergonomic handle, like the mudder. The choil as part of the handle is great, if it's still gotta have one.

Adam,

The top knife would be very close to what I envisioned. However, I still like the original Yard Keeper CG profile too.

You're on the right track. The bruiser is getting really close to my ideal design.

ETA: Thank you for posting the YKCG and Blade Vex together for a comparison. After seeing them together I think the Blade Vex is more in line with my design concept.

Thanks MM - nice to hear from you as well.

If I had to pick only one? The horror ! Well, I'd be torn between a blade "big enough to survive with but small enough to be carried nearly everywhere" and a big whole hunk o' INFI.

If I could only have one knife it'd likely be a ASH-1 with a 0.22" thick blade.

Not having anything but the S5 and Wardog in that range and the next up being 7 1/2 inches I would probably lean heavily toward the Bulldog Regulator. I like that knife.

IF I could have three, it would be

Bulldog
Wardog (torn between that, the S5 or 411)
Muppy.

Randy,

The S5 was my first Bussekin, and remains one of my favorite designs. Its a perfect blend of size, weight, and blade profile. I had considered it strongly after I read MM's question.

Ultimately, I chose the ASH1 over it for a couple of reasons:

* The blade size and shape (slightly longer with a FFG and deeper belly)
* True full-tang construction (the knife might be called upon to be a very expensive pry bar in an emergency)

However, the S5 will always remain one of Dan's best designs. Its a great "if I could only have one knife" choice.

I'm trying to move toward "only INFI at 5 inches and over" so I'm keeping both of my S5LE's. I have one S5CG left, and finally made the tough decision to sell it.

If I could have two blades....

Busse ASH-1 and Busse NMFSH

If I could have three blades....

Swamp Warden, ASH-1 and NMFSH

If I could have four blades....

Swamp Warden, S5CG (since I'd have a 6" INFI I'd want the slicing ability of SR101), ASH-1, NMFSH

If I could have five blades....

Swamp Warden, S5CG, ASH-1, NMSFNO, NMFSH

If I could have six blades....

Swamp Warden, 411, S5CG, ASH-1, NMSFNO, NMFSH

I wouldn't need seven, because the above takes care of everything I use knives for.

Besides Gary, your pants would fall down!