A Question For The Fiddleback Crowd

Mistwalker

Mistwalker

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I have been asked to do a survival related piece for a magazine. This will be my first piece for them, but we are both looking for me to do more for them in the future. I have some ideas about how I want to approach this one. The subject matter is in circumstances that are survival camping, or essentially sudden unexpected camping. Say as during a hiking trip or maybe on a road trip in an isolated area.

Now, we all have several knives to choose from. Personally, having an affinity for them, I have several purpose designed, dedicated "survival" knives I take to the field for my work in deeper environments in harsh conditions. What I am curious about is this. Realistically, if you were to find yourself in this type of situation during the average day or two-day hike or road trip, which of your Fiddleback models would you be more likely to be carrying at the time? I am trying to ascertain the size fixed blade knife that would likely be used in this scenario by the average outdoors-person.
 
Realistically, I live in a remote part of the world where even a trip to the closest big town or city could potentially leave me broken down where I could end up needing to spend the night. In winter I keep extra clothes and sleeping as a bag bare minimum in the car just in case. I possibly could only have my hiking buddy but would hope to have at least a bushfinger.

Maybe it's possible to write about both scenarios. What could happen if your not so prepared and what should happen if you are prepared.
 
Rick Lowe said:
For me I edc a Bushboot or EDC II, so that's what would be on me or in my truck.
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I was thinking, with a lot sheeple influences and some of the state knife laws being rather draconian in nature, that it may be best if approached with a 3 or 4 inch blade. But I don't want to do it with a folder, as I'd like to continue promoting the fixed blade as the tool that it is, rather than it being the "weapon" many go out of their way to portray it as.
 
KephaC said:
Realistically, I live in a remote part of the world where even a trip to the closest big town or city could potentially leave me broken down where I could end up needing to spend the night. In winter I keep extra clothes and sleeping as a bag bare minimum in the car just in case. I possibly could only have my hiking buddy but would hope to have at least a bushfinger.

Maybe it's possible to write about both scenarios. What could happen if your not so prepared and what should happen if you are prepared.
Click to expand...

With my fondness for that model, a Hiking Buddy was the first image that popped into my head.
 
I'd most likely be packing my SAK champ, and my ladyfinger CPM154. If my wife were with me, she'd/ we'd have her kephart. With those three, I think we'd be okay.
 
Realistically, on a typical day hike I would most likely only be carrying a SAK. Knowingly driving through isolated areas is a different beast, and I'd like to think I'd at least be prepared with basic tools (axe, knife, plus the standard tools in the car)

Being stuck in an urban area, fixed blade edc for me is largely impractical. I leave anything sharp at home if I have to go into the 'big' city. I think to appeal to more just than the ultra rural crowd you are looking at models that are 4" max IMO.
 
I'm with Rick. My bushboot goes everywhere with me. My bushfinger stays in my backpack in either my personal vehicle or work truck.
 
Bush.Hacker said:
Realistically, on a typical day hike I would most likely only be carrying a SAK. Knowingly driving through isolated areas is a different beast, and I'd like to think I'd at least be prepared with basic tools (axe, knife, plus the standard tools in the car)

Being stuck in an urban area, fixed blade edc for me is largely impractical. I leave anything sharp at home if I have to go into the 'big' city. I think to appeal to more just than the ultra rural crowd you are looking at models that are 4" max IMO.
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I agree, and am leaning toward 3 inch max. With a 3 inch fixed I should also leave the impression of it being possible with a decent sized folder as well.
 
For me, if i'm hiking in a park within the city, i prefer to carry small (EDC, Bushraptor, Hiking Buddy). However if i'm woods hiking i would have no sheeple issues and would easily carry a BF or BC. That being said, I would not say that Andy currently makes a good "survival knife". Dont get me wrong, I would take many of his knives and trust it in a survival situation, but that does not mean its the right tool for the job. The bushfinger or the bushcrafter would be the most likely candidate for a existing survival knife however would feel a bit large. To me (and this is only me) i feel like the perfect shape/size for a survival knife is the Izula/Izula II. The hiking buddy comes close in size, however i'd like to see a blade with the depth of the BF on it.

Bottom line, for your paticular project I feel like the Bushraptor is your best bet. Its got a slightly larger blade than the HB, is a little more sheeple friendly to carry anywhere and everywhere and its your baby. If i was in your shoes, i'd put a spotlight on the Raptor.
 
I hike with my hiking buddy, and when I get my hands on a bushfinger, it'll be in my truck 99% of the time.
 
on a average day i will most likely only have my runt on me & my 12" FBF machete in my truck. if i were to go on a short day hike i would drop my hiking buddy into my camera bag

edit...on a longer excursion my bushfinger would be on me
 
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Cool thread Mist; based on your OP I would say the following for myself (considerations changed a bit throughout the thread):

- Roadtrip: Hiking buddy or Bushraptor
- 2 day hike / overnight: bushfinger, bushcrafter, arete, ladyfinger
- >2 day or 2 day in rougher country: Any of the above stated or a Hunter

I broke my recommendations down based on what one would realistically have a use for in these situations (i.e. no need to pack a hunter on a roadtrip; similarly, you might want something a bit more stout than a HB for >2 days in the back country)... Just my .02 ;)
 
A light weight day hike, Hiking Buddy or Nessmuk - depends on the trail/area. An overnight/two day or what I keep in my go bag that's in my truck? One of my Becker BK-2's.
 
Assuming I had all the Fiddlebacks I want 😄 I would expect to be carrying a hiking buddy on a day hike and a kephart on a multi-day. Though feel free to filter out my contributions as they are based more on dreams than actual experience. 😄


Michael

ETA: This is in addition to a multi-blade folder in the 3.5-4.25 inch range.
 
Realistically, if it was unexpected, I'd be more likely to have my BK-16 on me than any Fiddleback.
But if I knew I'd be on my own in the woods for a few days and brought a Fiddleback along, it would be my KE Bushie.
 
Dcaggie06 said:
For me, if i'm hiking in a park within the city, i prefer to carry small (EDC, Bushraptor, Hiking Buddy). However if i'm woods hiking i would have no sheeple issues and would easily carry a BF or BC. That being said, I would not say that Andy currently makes a good "survival knife". Dont get me wrong, I would take many of his knives and trust it in a survival situation, but that does not mean its the right tool for the job. The bushfinger or the bushcrafter would be the most likely candidate for a existing survival knife however would feel a bit large. To me (and this is only me) i feel like the perfect shape/size for a survival knife is the Izula/Izula II. The hiking buddy comes close in size, however i'd like to see a blade with the depth of the BF on it.

Bottom line, for your paticular project I feel like the Bushraptor is your best bet. Its got a slightly larger blade than the HB, is a little more sheeple friendly to carry anywhere and everywhere and its your baby. If i was in your shoes, i'd put a spotlight on the Raptor.
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Yeah, thanks man, really glad you like the Raptor blade, that's really my only part in it. I have loved Andy's HB as an edc sized knife since it came out, I've had a few of them, still working on the one I want...5/32 tapered with 3/4 grind. But, I do like the Wharncliffe-ish blade shape for general utility. I had considered the Raptor, but... I parted with the thin tapered Raptor 1/8 because I was afraid I'd ruin it, by taking it beyond reasonable expectation of that configuration with all of the general cutting I do daily. I have been using the tapered 5/32 Bushcrafter as an edc in my daily work. I don't see being able to get the taperd 5/32 or SFT 1/8 version with 2/3 to 3/4 grind soon. Another issue I have with using it is the personal connection to it, and avoiding an sense of bias in my writing. I have never used any of he knives I have designed or collaborated on in articles yet, though I may at some point. I would feel more comfortable with a Hiking Buddy for this particular project. I think the blade shape is perfect to not pin the task down to any specialized blade profile, and is not too dissimilar to the blade shape of an SAK, so maybe more folks could envision doing it with whatever knife they carry. Also, I have logged a lot of hours with a HB handle in my hand, using one is like second nature for me. So, I was thinking maybe with there being a lot more Hiking Buddies out there I may trade my way into one. Or, if not I have other knives in this size range that are an option as well. Just sort of getting a feel as to how other outdoors-men would be equipped on an average day.
 
I think it goes without saying that what's in one's arsenal will vary pending the environment and the person's skill level (although there are many things one could generalize when it comes to surival rules/guidelines).

I'm certainly no expert (just fond of nature and learning things), but I do give myself consistent dirt time, and have taken some classes at both Dave Canterbury's and Tom Brown's schools. Hence, my experiences are limited to the eastern woodlands, or more specifically areas between eastern Ohio through PA to NJ (at least when it comes to practicing bushcraft/survival skills).

One thing I've determined personally (for myself at least) is that making primitive tools for survival may be fun, but likely would be pain in the butt if I were in a true survival situation. On a day hike, or a short backpacking trip, getting into a true survival situation would be engendered most likely by a mechanical injury. I typically carry compass, map, and a GPS, so not likely to get lost. I also consistently check weather conditions to have either the right tools, or willingness to just say next time if the forecast doesn't look good. Hence, the logic is I need a set of tools that'll make things easier for me to take care of myself.

So with all that said, I carry couple of things to mitigate some of the difficulties faced during a survival situation. A cutting tool, combustion, cover, cordage, and container (some of you may be familiar with this list) as they aren't very easy to fabricate out of what nature provides. With such set of tools, I have a certain degree of confidence that I can maintain my core temperature, keep myself hydrated (and fed if necessary), and protect myself from the environment.

And all these things put together ends up being only 5-10 pounds and for me, that's added assurance/comfort for me for a relatively small weight gain, and it also forces me to "exercise" and burn little more calories on short trips.

Back to the original question at hand, I'd likely carry a 1/8" recluse on my hip as I find it incredibly versatile yet very light. But in my backpack, I'll likely carry a thicker and longer knife with a sharp spine (for this, my current main choices are either the Pathfinder Scout knife in 5/32" or the Diving Sparrow NBS in 3/16", both a little over 5" in cutting length, if the Duke or Woodsman came with a sharp spine, they'll definitely be at the top of the list).
 
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EDC, I'm still working on that from a Fiddleback standpoint. I carry a Cross Knives Boys Hunter currently (he's local to Cincy and Dayton)
Day hikes around the burbs I take my SP and a multi tool usually. Overnight camping I'd probably hand my SP over to my lady and I would have my Martin. However I did just acquire a bushfinger that I haven't received yet so that would likely be coming along as well. I'm still in the market for a larger Fiddleback to carry on overnights excursions.
I should have never gotten rid of my runt or Bushboot.
Since I have a baby, I could also nestle a few things away in the diaper bag, lol.
I would say most people would have a 3-4 inch blade on them for most unexpected survival situations.
 
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