Advice including custom vs production.

delkhouri

delkhouri

Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
738
So here is my question. I have been looking for a general use camping/hiking/ general outdoor knife. My preference is about 4.5 inch blade. That search has brought me to fiddle-back forge knives. I have been looking at the bush finger and Duke trying to decide between them. The problem is that they are rarely found on second hand market, but I can find second hand custom pieces (on the flea market) for similar prices as the production models. I know the differences between the steel including edge holding vs ease of sharpening and stainless vs not. I have a slight preference for the stainless super steel but I am open.

So what advice/recommendations do you have for someone who has never held or used any of them.

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I would always choose custom over production. I haven't handled a production piece, but every custom piece that I have fits the hand beautifully. Post #10663 in the flea market is a nice bushfinger


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Unless you're in a humid environment or near water, I'd look for a custom you like. But, you can't really go wrong either way.
 
Are you set on getting a second hand knife? There are several great dealers that always have some great handmade examples in stock. Fiddleback Outpost, DLT Trading, USA Made Blade to name a few. There's a list somewhere on here that I can find for you if you'd like.

You've got a lot of options in that length. The Bushfinger would probably be a great all around woods/camping/hiking/ general use knife and it's in the production line as you know. The Kephart also fits in there. The Duke would be great if you like a slightly larger knife for your woods usage.

If you don't mind not having a fancy wood or synthetic handle I would say you should pick up one of the Production Bushfingers or Dukes from a dealer. If you're not in a rush and you prefer stainless you might be able to find a "Custom Shop" of either of those models which is the production blank with a custom handle. Finally, if you do indeed want to try getting a fully handmade and looking for a nice wood or burlap handle for instance, you're probably looking at A2 steel and you have endless options to pick from.

In short, if you're looking to get the knife right now check out the dealers for a handmade or pick up a production. Otherwise browse the flea market check out a Friday sale or two and see what catches your eye. Lots of great models in the 4+ inch range!

Good luck and welcome! Once you get your first you'll be back for more.
 
I have both and like both. I would be hard pressed to call one "better" than the other.
 
Bali-Flipper32 said:
I would always choose custom over production. I haven't handled a production piece, but every custom piece that I have fits the hand beautifully. Post #10663 in the flea market is a nice bushfinger


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Click to expand...

Not to confuse you further but post #10664 is a very nice Hunter which falls inbetween the Bushfinger and Duke in terms of length ;)
 
So I am stuck in front of the tv with my 4 year old son watching 1970s Scooby Doo cartoons. Since I have seen them many times before (the doctor is the crook in this one) I thought I would share my limited knowledge about Fiddleback knives.

Custom - blades are 100% hand cut and ground, usually A2 or O1 steel with spalting. Handles are all hand built and ground, and are unique or seldom repeated.

Custom Shop - production blade with s35v steel and custom handles.

Production (aka mid tech) - blade and handle are designed by Andy but machined in large batches off site. Fiddleback assembles the knives and hand sharpens final edge in-house. Blades are s35v and handles are micarta. The quality is awesome.
 
Thanks for all the replies. My price price range is 200-ish. I know I can often find customs in the $250 range on the flea market (like 10663) and I might splurge for one that speaks to me. I like the second hand market because I can often save quite a bit of money that way.

P.s. that hunter 10664 caught my eye but i can't afford it

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All of Andy's Knives are TOUGH and Fiddleback stands behind every knife. I have a of more customs, but if I had to pick one knife for an end of the world scenario it would be my production Camp Knife or Duke.

...but if in the same scenario I got stuck with my beautiful custom Woodsman with wood handles I ale know it would last forever. It all comes down to taste. Whatever you buy you won't be dissapointed.
 
delkhouri said:
Thanks for all the replies. My price price range is 200-ish. I know I can often find customs in the $250 range on the flea market (like 10663) and I might splurge for one that speaks to me. I like the second hand market because I can often save quite a bit of money that way.

P.s. that hunter 10664 caught my eye but i can't afford it

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Click to expand...

With your price range I would highly suggest just picking up a production model. You could of course post a "Want to buy" on the flea market and see if anyone has a used one for sale. Then start saving up for a custom and hangout around here chatting with us and learning about what you might like to try next. :thumbup:
 
Personally, I would get a custom in A2 or 01. I also like the super stainless steels, but the softer carbon steels are easier to sharpen, take a beating, develop a patina, and further the Fiddleback Forge philosophy of making a knife that you can use. An 01 knife is a little bit like super steel therapy. You aren't going to be able to keep it perfect so you might as well put it through its paces which was intended by the design. When a scratch becomes an honor badge, you know the knife is a keeper.
 
Just a thought- what are your preferences as far as handle texture? Smooth and polished or a matte finished micarta left a little grippy? If you go the custom route, many options will be polished, both wood and micarta, when they leave the shop. The production models, while not polished OR rough textured, seem to provide a nice grip.

A little something to consider. :)
 
I think my plan is to look for a production Duke, but if I find production bushfinger or another custom that speaks to me I might go that route.

As far as handles go I'm open to material and texture. I've never really had any good fixed blades, only folders. I have had bought a couple bark rivers and their handles have been fairly slick and it didn't seem to bother me. I sold them without really using them because the handles were too small/uncomfortable for my big hands.

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I have to add that the Fiddleback production knives shouldn't be confused with run of the mill production blades. They are far nicer in fit and finish than any other production knife I own. .02c
 
Production all the way. Best knife steel out there in S35vn. Also scales are milled with a textured finish and the fine fitted by Andy. The Duke is a bit bigger than the bushfinger. The Kephart felt better than the bushfinger imo. However haven't handled the pro-Duke yet but I like smaller blades for the most part. One more plus on the pro models, they come with a nice JRE sheath.
 
The Duke is a big knife and is Fiddleback Forge's response to the KA-BAR. I personally love the beauty of the handmade knives, but the mid-tech knives make a compelling case for just a true, workhorse knife for lots of outdoor use. The crenelation on the Micarta handles is awesome for keeping the knife from slipping, the stainless S35vn works well in the harshest environments as well.
 
Rather than a LG UG or Damascus Seb, you should get a plain Jane and put the extra funds towards the fixed blade you are really looking for. Just pulling your chain, I won't ever knock on anyone for their CRK collection. In all seriousness though, especially with your first Fiddleback I highly recommend to stay diligent and get the one you want, or as they say around here "speaks to you". It is an investment and the satisfaction you will get from receiving the knife you are really excited about will far outweigh the little bit of extra coin you spent to purchase it.
 
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