I use a loring now. Have my fathers old ash basket still in good shape but I retired it after he died. Its still in great condition for 50 yrs old. If your gonna go with ash the key is to get one that is hand pounded out Not sawed strips. Pounded ones you should be able to put a board on top sit on it and pick your feet up and hold your weight without breaking. I weigh in about 300 and can do that on my dads old one still