A Photo of Your Three Favorite Fiddlebacks

[SA Condor]

Hi MajorD, could you do a favor and show the spine shot of your 3 faves? I'm most curious how the handle looks on the bone handled HB since Andy normally shapes his handles but the bone is what it is

These are my favorite and most versatile. The Bushcrafter is simply gorgeous with the Bocote and bolsters but the handle fits me better than any other I own.

The Ladyfinger might be my most used. It's cleaned small game and my wife uses it in the kitchen. (don't tell her about the squirrels

Lastly, the bone Hiking Buddy. It's just a legend.

 

[MajorD]

Hi MajorD, could you do a favor and show the spine shot of your 3 faves? I'm most curious how the handle looks on the bone handled HB since Andy normally shapes his handles but the bone is what it is

I will try and do it tonight. This is an older style Hiking Buddy with a bit more rounded handle than the current version. This has thick black liners and the bone is contoured. I would almost consider this a "beefy" Hiking Buddy.

 

[SA Condor]

Thanks! I look forward to seeing it.

 

[MajorD]

I apologize SAC but I got home late so the lighting was horrible. It's not a great pic but I hope this helps my friend.

 

[Mistwalker]

I apologize SAC but I got home late so the lighting was horrible. It's not a great pic but I hope this helps my friend.

Wow Dave, how long have you had that bone HB now, seems like it has been a good while.

 

[MajorD]

It's been a few years now Brian. Admittedly this is my only Fiddleback safe queen. I believe in using my knives no matter how nice. I do actually use it from time to time but I don't take a lot of risks with this one knowing that Andy won't be doing any bone handles ever again. Don't tell him I said this but he's a bit prissy and told me the bone stinks too much during shaping. This one is an heirloom.

 

[SA Condor]

I apologize SAC but I got home late so the lighting was horrible. It's not a great pic but I hope this helps my friend.

Thanks Dave! That is a thick handle, but I'm surprised that more of the thickness comes from the liner then from the bone. Beautiful piece! I think back in another thread you said that there were only 2 or 3 made? It's no surprise that your HB made this thread as one of your 3 favorite Fiddlebacks. Thanks for sharing

 

[MajorD]

Yes there are 3 to be exact. There is this one , a scandi version and the original which isn't contoured.

 

[Mistwalker]

It's been a few years now Brian. Admittedly this is my only Fiddleback safe queen. I believe in using my knives no matter how nice. I do actually use it from time to time but I don't take a lot of risks with this one knowing that Andy won't be doing any bone handles ever again. Don't tell him I said this but he's a bit prissy and told me the bone stinks too much during shaping. This one is an heirloom.

Lol, he's not the only one who feels that way. I did some work with antler at a friend's shop a few years ago, and I had to wait on him to get done with a few things and leave before he would let me start on it. It does stink pretty bad...

 

[MajorD]

I've heard that many times from various makers. I know somebody that used to rehandle for Bark River and he refused to work with antler and bone as well. Again this one get's treated gently.

 

[SA Condor]

Yes there are 3 to be exact. There is this one , a scandi version and the original which isn't contoured.

I love that yours is contoured. Andy picked an awesome looking piece of bone and the fact that he shaped it makes it that much more of a piece of art!

 

[Mistwalker]

I've heard that many times from various makers. I know somebody that used to rehandle for Bark River and he refused to work with antler and bone as well. Again this one get's treated gently.

I do not blame you. I'd have to use it now and then of course, but I sure wouldn't be out smacking that one around like I do some of the others And like Condor, I really love that yours hand the standard HB contours.

 

[bonafide]

It's been a few years now Brian. Admittedly this is my only Fiddleback safe queen. I believe in using my knives no matter how nice. I do actually use it from time to time but I don't take a lot of risks with this one knowing that Andy won't be doing any bone handles ever again. Don't tell him I said this but he's a bit prissy and told me the bone stinks too much during shaping. This one is an heirloom.

I posted some pics of bone handles Andy got in a few weeks back .. so more bone handled 3" knives are in the works.

 

[MajorD]

Wow! I missed that. That is great news. Bone is one of my favorite natural materials for a user. It's hard, durable and doesn't typically check and crack over time like Sambar, Elk or Buffalo horn. Thanks Bud!

 

[xxwjtxx]

It was really hard to pick three, but here's what I came up with

1. Bolstered Antique Westinghouse 5/32" TT Woodsman
2. Bolstered Arizona Desert Ironwood 3/16" TT Camp Nessie
3. African Blackwood 5/32" TT Monarch

 

[Comprehensivist]

It was really hard to pick three, but here's what I came up with

1. Bolstered Antique Westinghouse 5/32" TT Woodsman
2. Bolstered Arizona Desert Ironwood 3/16" TT Camp Nessie
3. African Blackwood 5/32" TT Monarch

I can't find anything not to like about that group. That is a fabulous looking set! i love all three.

Phil

 

[hasco]

What an awesome set of knives!!!

 

[FeralGentleman]

Great to see that bolstered camp nessie again though painful it is not in my personal collection top three. Great trio of knives Will.

 

[M4Super90]

This was a very tough exercise. Oddly enough 2 of the 3 were the first few Fiddlebacks I bought.

1. 2013 1129 011 – Nessmuk, Stabilized and dyed California Buckeye burl over black g10 with a lime green g10 pinstripe, Tapered Tang, Convex on 1/8” Fiddltextured 01
2. 2013 1206 012 – Bushcrafter, Slate g10 over black g10 with a white g10 pinstripe, Tapered Tang, Convex on 5/32” spalted 01 steel
3. 2014 0718 017 – Bushcrafter Senior with Curly Koa over black g10 with lime pinstripes, Tapered Tang, Convex on 5/32” spalted 01 steel

 

[Kirkwood]

Always love seeing that curly BC Sr, Phillip.

I'm going with my three favorite Littlebacks. All I can commit to for now. The top two for aesthetics, performance and cool g10 touch. The bottom is a straight up looker!