I used to think it was my ASH 2 but then I got this REK'ed TGLB and it's now my new "If only one" knife. It should do everything that needs done that a situation where I can only grab one would be called for it to do: deer processing, wood prep, fighting, prying, etc. It won't do big wood prep, but that's why I carry a Silky Gomboy folding saw in each of my bags. Took it out to hang trail cameras and clear shooting lanes for the upcoming bow season. Love this knife.
If Jerry makes it...... 'the One' for me will be the 10" Jack Hammer https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/10-bladed-jackhammer.1525782/page-77#post-19209981
I would have to choose one of the Boss Street variants or Park Ranger models. They are perfect edc size and something I could legitimately use all the time. I don't live in the middle of the woods, so I don't need something hefty. Just need something I can wear on my belt that is small enough to hide under my t-shirt.
#85 has been with me every single day since delivery from the epic B8LE thread request and order fulfillment ... that is besides when I-- immediately after delivery-- sent her over the mountain to get REK'd @razor-edge-knives for a couple weeks... she's with me every hike and riding shotgun every mile I ride in my Tacoma, so I guess, if there's gotta be one, it's her soakin in some late winter sun with her Res C sisters a few years back...
I know I've been threatening to have your mods copied for a while, but now that you posted pics of your design notes, I'm seriously going to just send a link to this post to Josh along with my B8LE.
A solid choice there, ipal. Solid. IF I had a Mud Razor, perhaps my ASH-1('s) would have to step up their game(s) some. Possibly look over their shoulders now and then, ya know? But seein' as I don't actually have a MR, their primacy would be safe.
Some folks around here mistake an ASH for a boat anchor. Those folks suggest a good Badger as the "One Knife." Which Badger you ask? Any Badger they answer!
luethge: Very kind of you to mention her and even kinder to use such an adjective. I thank you. Bought the Prototype and upon handling I liked it but didn't like it - you know? I thought about it a lot before I started slow grinding her. No such hesitation with the sandpaper, though! The "brickwork" texture was not my cup of tea at all. So I started right in on my home hand-shaping job as per usual. I like my handles a good bit thinner than Busse seems to like them, which is odd as I am not small at 6'3" etc, but there you are. THIS handle job ended up different, though. Not only did I thin the scales and deepen the contours, but the huge, fat "belly" on the SOB handle was not working, either, so I ground her way back to "normal" as well. Unable to control myself, I wanted to "match" the Badger as a pairing to my Skinny ASH, which was also black Micarta and of similar finish with a "pretty decarb," )) so I ground the pommel to match the ASH-1's pommel, too. I then ground in a full "user's choil" to match the ASH-1 there as well, and finally ground in a thumb rest, which I had also added to my Skinny ASH-1. A good bit of work, and of course I have destroyed the warranty, but I love her now, feel like she is perhaps unique, and I have bonded with the knife as one only can via modding. Thanks again! I will try to post a pic of the SOB and the Skinny together.