A quick evaluation of the Fiddleback Maverick

[Comprehensivist]

Intro:

I recently had the opportunity to participate in my friend Phillip’s (M4Super90) “Wingman Review and Road Trip” pass around. In my write-up on that knife, I admitted that I was not enthusiastic about of some of the new designs (i.e. Wingman, Maverick & Renegade) that Andy introduced in January 2016. After handling the Wingman, I discovered that the handle was comfortable and worked well in some grips and less so in others. In the end, that experience moved the needle for me from “no way” to “I get it” for certain applications and buyer’s taste.

After Andy read my commentary, he replied that he wished I had Maverick or Renegade in hand to see how these designs worked with a larger handle. Shortly after that, I received a PM from the shop saying that Andy wanted to send me his personal Maverick to evaluate if I was interested. I said sure and that I would do a short thread to share my thoughts on it. I only had the knife for a little over a day, so this evaluation is basically an observations & comparison thread rather than a full review.

If you want to read an excellent review (minus the dishwasher photo ) of this same knife, I recommend that you read Blaine’s (swonut) write-up linked here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...orge-Maverick-Big-Pictures?highlight=Maverick

Specifications & Reference Photos:

Note: The length measurements referenced below use the top front edge of the handles as a starting point. That means handle length is from that location to the farthest point rearward and blade length is from there to the tip. The handle height measurements use the lowest respective lowest points of the handle front, middle, and back, to the relative highest point above that location.

OAL: 8.222”
Blade Length: 3.674”
Handle Length: 4.548”
Steel & Thickness: .125”
Tang Type: SFT (“Skeletonized Full Tang”)
Grind: Convex
Handle Material: Desert Ironwood with over black & orange pinstripes
Weight (oz.): 6.2
Blade Height @ Ricasso: 1.134”
Handle Measurements @ Front: 1.179” High, .785” Wide, & 3.497” Circumference
Handle Measurements @ Palmswell: 1.353” High, .884” Wide, & 3.966” Circumference
Handle Measurements @ Back: 1.172” High, .889” Wide, & 3.646” Circumference
Distance from Front Edge of Handle to Center of Palmswell: 2.209”
Distance from Front Edge of Handle to Balance Point: 1.469”

(I am not a huge fan of orange pinstripes, but they do look great with Ironwood.)




Comparison Photos & Observations:

As usual, I like to compare and contrast two or more knives to point out certain features and show a sense of scale relative to other models that you may own or be familiar with.

Back-to-back views:

Here is a reference photo of the length of the top of the handle.




The Maverick handle is taller in the middle and back end vs. the Bushcrafter.




The Maverick handle is slightly longer and taller in the middle than the Sneaky Pete.




The Maverick handle is shorter than the Terassaur, but taller in the front, middle & back. The palm swell on the Maverick sits a little forward of center vs. dead center on the Terrasaur.




The Maverick handle is essentially the same length as the Recluse, but taller in the front, middle & back. The palm swell sits a little forward of center on both knives.




The generous size handle on the Camp Nessie makes it a popular choice for folks with large hands or long fingers. By comparison, the Maverick handle is shorter in length, but taller in the middle.




Edge to edge view to compare the bottom of the handles:

The length and shape of the bottom of the handle are important predictors of how comfortable and versatile a knife will be for me. I am pleased to report that the Maverick feels very open and comfortable to me with its shallow “m” curves and a gently curved butt shape that doesn’t shorten the bottom length too much.

Here is a reference photo of the bottom of the handle. This is the measurement that my friend Jim (“joarthur”) calls effective handle length or “EHL.”




The overall shape, length, and palm swell positions on the bottom of the handles are very similar between the Bushcrafter and Maverick.




The bottom of the Maverick’s handle is longer than the Sneaky Pete.



Note the difference in handle length, height, and palm swell positions between the Maverick & Terrasaur.




The Maverick & Recluse share similar bottom handle lengths, shapes, and palm swell positions. The main difference being that the Maverick handle is much taller and beefier feeling due to the top & bottom palm swells.




Here are a few side by side photos to show the extra height and thickness of the Maverick handle compared to these other 4” models.

Going front to back from shortest height to tallest at the palm swell: Recluse, Terrasaur, Bushcrafter. Sneaky Pete, Maverick.




Reverse order from the other side.




End view to show how tall and beefy the Maverick handle is by comparison. Take note if you are one of those folks with XL hands and/or long fingers.

 

[Comprehensivist]

In-Hand Photos & Comments:

For reference, my hand measures 4” wide across the palm and 6-3/4” from the base of my base to the tip of my middle finger.

The top point of the palm swell rests perfectly in the center of my hand.




The same is true for the bottom of the palm swell.




In the standard hammer grip, the top and bottom middle swells lock in very comfortably between the palm and the middle fingers.




It feels the same in the reverse grip.




Note the gap between my fingertips and palm in a tight chest lever grip. The relatively large circumference of this handle (front to back) should make this model a great option for you folks with long fingers.




The handle remained comfortable to me after sliding back to a lower grip.




Here is an in hand view you will seldom see. I don’t like to tip baton very often except to start the blade into harder melons or vegetables. The slightly curved butt on the Maverick is a perfect shape to blend with my grip to form a smooth surface to whack with the palm of my other hand.




Final Thoughts & Opinions:

Up to this point, I have not talked about the blade design at all. Trailing point blades are generally not my thing. I see them as a specialty blade primarily intended for hunters to process game animals. While I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this model to hunters, that is a smaller niche market in our increasingly urbanized society. Luckily for the rest of us, Andy offers a variation of this model called the Drop Point Maverick or “DPM” for short. The DPM has the same handle with more of a bushcrafter-type spear point blade. I think that variation will prove the more popular of the two.

Here is one of VANCE’s photos showing both variations.




Getting back to the handle design, I will admit that my original skepticism has been replaced by a new respect for this model. It is hand-filling, secure feeling, and comfortable in a number of grips. I think the inherently larger grip will appeal to a number of buyers who want or need a larger circumference handle.

Well done Andy!

Phil

P.S. - Does anyone have a good recipe for Crow...?

 

[swonut]

Nice review! Like the use of the digital micrometer. Another one of those tools I seem to use more often than you would think.

 

[Gusbuster]

Thank you for sharing your observations Phil. Great comp pics.

 

[exracr]

Nice write up. I don't personally like the huge sweeping edge on this knife; but it's just my opinion. That Blue sneaky pete is nice but wish it had more material to stop your hand from slipping forward onto the blade.

 

[Fiddleback]

Getting back to the handle design, I will admit that my original skepticism has been replaced by a new respect for this model. It is hand-filling, secure feeling, and comfortable in a number of grips. I think the inherently larger grip will appeal to a number of buyers who want or need a larger circumference handle.

Well done Andy!

Phil

P.S. - Does anyone have a good recipe for Crow...?

Phil, thank you for the review. I am glad your opinion of the handle has changed. One thing though. There will never be a reason that you need to eat crow with me brother. We're friends. Can't wait to see y'all at Blade Show.

 

[VANCE]

Thanks Phil
The knife arrived safely back this morning.

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice eval Phil. I love seeing that knife pop back up. I would have snagged that one myself if I would have had the funds the day it popped up. I love the handle of the Maverick, and that blade style took me back to my youth when I hunted a lot of big game and when my family processed all of our own meats from the cows and pigs we raised on the family farm. Sometimes I really miss those days. We didn't have much, but we ate well and life was so much simpler back then.

 

[Comprehensivist]

Nice review! Like the use of the digital micrometer. Another one of those tools I seem to use more often than you would think.

Thanks Blaine. I agree that a digital mic is one of those tools gets used a lot more than you think it would.

Thank you for sharing your observations Phil. Great comp pics.

I am glad that you enjoyed it Gus. Thanks for the compliment on the pics.

Nice write up. I don't personally like the huge sweeping edge on this knife; but it's just my opinion. That Blue sneaky pete is nice but wish it had more material to stop your hand from slipping forward onto the blade.

Thanks exracr. Trailing point blades don't appeal to a lot of folks. That is why I included the last photo showing the drop point blade version with the same handle. That is the version I would get. In regard to your comment about the blue handled knife, that is a Terrasaur. Unless you are stabbing hard into something with the tip, the small guard should be adequate. I actually prefer no guard or a small one so that it doesn't interfere with close cuts to the handle.

Phil, thank you for the review. I am glad your opinion of the handle has changed. One thing though. There will never be a reason that you need to eat crow with me brother. We're friends. Can't wait to see y'all at Blade Show.

Thanks for the kind words Andy. Yeah, I am looking forward to talking with you at the Blade Show and the group dinner at "Fogo De Crow."

Thanks Phil
The knife arrived safely back this morning.

Thanks for confirming that Phillip.

Nice eval Phil. I love seeing that knife pop back up. I would have snagged that one myself if I would have had the funds the day it popped up. I love the handle of the Maverick, and that blade style took me back to my youth when I hunted a lot of big game and when my family processed all of our own meats from the cows and pigs we raised on the family farm. Sometimes I really miss those days. We didn't have much, but we ate well and life was so much simpler back then.

I appreciate your feedback Brian. The Maverick is a great choice for the kind of uses you described. I can see you getting one in the future.

Phil

 

[Fiddleback]

Nice write up. I don't personally like the huge sweeping edge on this knife; but it's just my opinion. That Blue sneaky pete is nice but wish it had more material to stop your hand from slipping forward onto the blade.

That is a Terassaur. It isn't a stabber. Its a bushcrafting knife. It was designed by Joe Flowers.