Thanks for all the effort and time you must have put in on this Vic <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Always a great read! Some interesting knives not normally covered here!

Have you tried your FSH's yet? Your views on these would be of interest <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I don't have a FSH. I did a 6" comparo back in 2007, I think. I compared the S6, M6, and ASH1 SE in chopping, slashing palmettos, and overall cutting. The S6 came out on top as best overall, the M6 was the best chopper, and the ASH1 SE was the best at palmetto slashing or machete work. Since then I got a Skinny ASH1 and convexed it. I liked it so much, I sold off my old beater S6 after enjoying it for two years.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> My mistake...I have got you and Jeff mixed up. I picked up a Ratweiler and Chopweiler to "handle" at Knob Creek and was dithering over the Ratweiler or a FSH for a bit...but liked the grip better on the FSH even though it was a fair bit more money...the grip on the RW and CW felt strange to me...I understood the benefit of the curve enabling a "rocking" motion when chopping...but figured I would usually chop with a fixed grip...not a loose one...but the RW was very impressive <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

SF, you have a NMSFNO? I wonder how well it does compared to the Ratweiler.

No I passed on the NMSFNO because they did'nt offer a Double Cut version...otherwise I would have probably got one...but having a D/C FSH also had me thinking I might be "duplicating" things a bit. However I think a NMSFNO would be less favourable to me than the RW...mainly on the grips...I did pick up a SFNO LE as I was more attracted to the idea of a slightly lighter knife with chopping ability...but the grips have the "wavy" hour glass shape and even though they are "smooth" I don't like a "swollen" palm grip...they give you "hot spots"...I prefer the standard grips on the RW which I held at KC I think to the SNFO LE grips...but I could change the grips on the SFNO and probably will do.

The "lows" are too low to "sand" the grip down to a regular size if you see what I mean...the ideal straight grip would be halfway between the peak and trough of the wave in the handle. There is also a lot of surplus weight in the SFNO LE handle for no gain...with a FSH you can grip at the back and lock in against the down turned pommel for extra leverage when chopping...you would need to use a lanyard to try this with the SFNO as there is nothing behind your grip to stop it slipping.

A SFNO sabre grind with the Ash handle would be ideal....if you see what I mean.

Cannot now decide what to do with the SFNO LE...whether to bead blast it and change the grips...or simply sell it on...but I am taking a fair old "hit" on knives I want to move which I bought thinking they might be better than they were...however I got this SFNO at cost price and to get a sabre bead blasted version with the old grips would be half the cost again...so doing the "mod" work would be cheaper...anyway...for me to go the NMSFNO route it would need to have the standard Mag handles which I can shape well...then be stripped...then be D/C...all told...about the same work to get the SFNO LE the way I want it...so I will probably stick with it. It is a good knife size wise and weight wise as a chopper...but D/C expensive satin finishes seems a shame to me...I wish they would do more D/C factory finishes!

Vox Hog seems to like the SFNO a lot. I don't know how different the NMSFNO is, but they are still in the store.

Vox may have the old sabre version with a Mag grip which some prefer or a "standard" grip which I definately prefer...those "wavy" hand shaped ones are not my "cup of tea"...but grip is an individual thing...the knife though is a great mid size light weight chopper and has the potential to be "perfect" once I get it the way it works best for me.

Are you thinking of getting a NMSFNO before they are took off?

I do think that a 7-8 inch blade with 18 to 22 ounce weight range is the best "all rounder" if you want some chopping ability and can carry it easily...I think a NMSFNO would be a slightly better performer than your Sasquatch...but I think you would hardly tell any difference between it and the RW and I think you will like the RW grip better...and hence the knife better...

I would rather spring for a RW put it like that...than a NMSFNO...

Well an INFI satin Ratweiler would be my perfect camp knife. But that NMSFNO with one of my convex jobs just might be the cat's meow. Besides, I don't have very many blades in the 7" to 8" size. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I could be doing the SFNO LE a disfavour here...just picked it up from my cabinet and to be fair the grip is not that "bad"...I last tried it after having done a whole day using a Horton Camp Blood which fits me like a glove...and this probably coloured my view. These grips are not uncomfortable...just different a bit to what I have become used to on my FSH's and my other knives...my NMFBM I managed to sand down the peaks a bit because the grips were deep enough to let me do so...so even those hand shaped ones feel more "normal" to me...but the grips on the SFNO LE are comfortable as I hold the knife now...I really need to do a good chopping session to find out...but have been holding back as I am not sure whether to "mod" it or "move" it. The Horton Camp Blood has me pretty much covered on a "lighter than my FSH'S" knife and I like it a lot...I did a review on his Forum on BF if your interested.

You are worse than me!!...and I need therapy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'll check out the Horton. Thanks, SF. I just ordered the NMSFNO with the magnum machined grips. I figured I can sand them myself if need be. I am such a sucker for big camp/survival knives.

HeHe...I should be going to make a cup of tea before I do the same!! I am very tempted...