And then there were 3

When the bacon was almost done. I tossed the rolls on the grill to warm and brown them a bit. I tossed in the onions. Sautéd them a bit. Then I pulled the bacon, jettisoned some of the extra grease, and added the eggs. This pan just plain rocks!
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Here is the Bushcrafter stealing all the glory. And yes, they were as good as they look!
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Once around the pan with a paper towel and it's good to go.

Nothing left to do but enjoy a hot cup of coffee and reflect on how cool the simple things in life really are. A loving and tolerant wife, a fire, a knife, a fine breakfast, and a hot cup of coffee in the woods. About as good as it gets in my mind!
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This fire lay worked out better than I could have hoped for. I still had a small amount of coals and flame at the twenty-four hour mark.
Without adding any additional wood, except for the small dry branches in the morning.

It turned into a great day. And more of the snow lost its battle with the sun. In another week or two. You may not see any in my photos.

The Bushcrafter fits nicely into the Pro Kephart sheath buying me some time to decide on what to do for carrying one or the other.

I really like knives that make me want to go out and do things with them. Isn't that the whole idea?
 
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Another excellent series of posts Walt. I've been a bit scarce on the forum recently. Life has a tendency of jumping in the way at times but it's all good. :) I've been enjoying this thread immensely as I always do with your writing and photos. There are so many great contributors here but I always get excited when I see a new thread from you or Brian. You both have ways of bringing the reader to where you are and I'm extremely envious of those abilities.

You mentioned Fiddleback as your default knife maker. That is an excellent description and I would like to piggyback your sentiment if you don't mind. I didn't really get serious about collecting or expanding my knowledge of knives until about 12 years ago when I bought my first semi production knife made here in Michigan. I had been divorced for about 10 years at that point and the smoke was starting to settle allowing me some financial freedoms. I joined some of the various knife forums and quickly started gaining basic knowledge. My collection began to expand. Then, Andy decided to start making knives and and I was blown away. Andy was my first ... custom maker that is. ;) I watched in awe as Andy's knives progressed to pieces of functional art over the years. My collection exploded. Andy, I still miss those two-tone, 2 layered handles back in the day. Anyway, I was not only buying any Fiddleback that I could but I started buying from the various apprentices of Andy's and other custom makers as well. Life took a few wonderful turns but I decided I needed to scale down my collection so I started slowly re-prioritizing my knives and their uses. My collection is a fraction of what it once was. I try not to think of some of the knives I've had to let go. I still try new makers but I can tell you there will always be a Fiddlebacks in my chest of knives. My wife already knows that when the day comes to get rid of my knives she can sell all of them but very very select few. My Fiddlebacks are a part of that select few and those Fiddlebacks stay in the family.

I had no intention of writing such a long winded reply. I am trying to get out the door to work! LOL As I said, thank you Walt for taking the time to post and share your experiences. I always appreciate being able to spend some time in the woods looking through your eyes. It's a treat for me.

Have a great day all.
 
Thanks Dave. You really have been supporting me since day 1. I can't thank you enough. I recently bought a 2 wood handled knife off the exchange. (An old edc) It has held up really well. Maybe we will try to make a few soon.
 
I neglected to mention Walt, that Bushcrafter is spectacular!!! That might possibly be the nicest I've seen. I am very partial to the Oatmeal and Natural combination. Congrats on that one.
 
Fiddleback said:
Thanks Dave. You really have been supporting me since day 1. I can't thank you enough. I recently bought a 2 wood handled knife off the exchange. (An old edc) It has held up really well. Maybe we will try to make a few soon.
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That would be outstanding Andy. My most regretted knife sale was a bloodwood Hunter with the two layer handle. I will never get over that one.
 
Rainy days and Wednesdays always get me down.

Or

How a Fiddleback saved my day!

I stole that top line from Karen Carpenter.

In my early days. I looked up to Karen. I may have even had a crush on her. She had an amazing voice, a solid work ethic, and managed to avoid the whole rock & roll booze and drug thing. Ultimately though, she was brought down by her own demons.

Today was a difficult day for me. The position I had been working on since January in the mountains of North Carolina, imploded.

I was through all the BS background checks, the interviews, the Skype sessions, all I had left to do was ride down and accept the position.

Today.
I got a brief note saying "Plans have changed, we are not moving forward"
At this late stage in the game. I was more than a little bit bummed.

I was gut shot actually.

Hell, my bike was already packed for the trip. I was leaving Monday. We have a realtor coming next week to list our house.

Crap!

Crap Again!

I thought to myself. I need a fire.
It's been raining here all day. But after that email. The walls were closing in fast. I needed some woods time.

Fiddleback Kephart Pro the rescue!

I have been loving my new Bushcrafter. But today with the weather and my sour mood. I opted for the low maintenance Pro Kephart. There is something to be said for weather resistance.

We had a fire last night for burgers and beans. I set it up so the last piece of wood, would fall over and shelter the coals from the impending showers.

I never got up there this morning. Ironically because of working on trip stuff. But this afternoon, there was still some heat and some coals.

When I headed out. There was a steady drizzle coming down. So, I basically built a small lean-to fire out of the remaining log, to take advantage of the existing heat and coals. While sheltering it from the rain.
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I'd be lying if I said I wasn't upset by all of this. I was pretty bummed. Perhaps beyond that.

I stood around my tiny fire. In what was now pouring down rain. As I scavenged more small wood. I happened upon a snake halfway down into a hole that wasn't really wide enough for him. First snake I've seen this spring. I took it as a sign. Done deal.

As I stood there in my solo, self induced, pity party. I spied some moss on some long forgotten logs. And I thought to myself. It would be nice to have some greenery in a knife shot or two.
So, I ripped off a few shots,
IMG_7230-XL.jpg



Funny, how when you are playing with knives your mood improves.

I was having a really bad day, standing out in the pouring rain, and yet, I was feeling better.
IMG_7233-XL.jpg



How cool is that?
And it's way cheaper than a Therapist.
Or as Chrissy Snow used to call them "The Rapist" That always cracked me up.

Slowly, my mood improved. And I began to realize. Even though I just took a shot to the nuts. My life isn't bad. In fact it's way better than many folks. So I began to suck it up.

I believe it was Winston Churchill who said. "Success is moving from one failure to the next without losing enthusiasm"

So, as I stood out there in the rain.

I thanked God for my fire,
IMG_7228-XL.jpg



My oil skin coat,
IMG_7238-XL.jpg


My Akubra hat, and my Fiddleback knife!
IMG_7240-XL.jpg


Life could be a lot worse.
The sun will rise again tomorrw!
 
MajorD said:
Another excellent series of posts Walt. I've been a bit scarce on the forum recently. Life has a tendency of jumping in the way at times but it's all good. :) I've been enjoying this thread immensely as I always do with your writing and photos. There are so many great contributors here but I always get excited when I see a new thread from you or Brian. You both have ways of bringing the reader to where you are and I'm extremely envious of those abilities.

You mentioned Fiddleback as your default knife maker. That is an excellent description and I would like to piggyback your sentiment if you don't mind. I didn't really get serious about collecting or expanding my knowledge of knives until about 12 years ago when I bought my first semi production knife made here in Michigan. I had been divorced for about 10 years at that point and the smoke was starting to settle allowing me some financial freedoms. I joined some of the various knife forums and quickly started gaining basic knowledge. My collection began to expand. Then, Andy decided to start making knives and and I was blown away. Andy was my first ... custom maker that is. ;) I watched in awe as Andy's knives progressed to pieces of functional art over the years. My collection exploded. Andy, I still miss those two-tone, 2 layered handles back in the day. Anyway, I was not only buying any Fiddleback that I could but I started buying from the various apprentices of Andy's and other custom makers as well. Life took a few wonderful turns but I decided I needed to scale down my collection so I started slowly re-prioritizing my knives and their uses. My collection is a fraction of what it once was. I try not to think of some of the knives I've had to let go. I still try new makers but I can tell you there will always be a Fiddlebacks in my chest of knives. My wife already knows that when the day comes to get rid of my knives she can sell all of them but very very select few. My Fiddlebacks are a part of that select few and those Fiddlebacks stay in the family.

I had no intention of writing such a long winded reply. I am trying to get out the door to work! LOL As I said, thank you Walt for taking the time to post and share your experiences. I always appreciate being able to spend some time in the woods looking through your eyes. It's a treat for me.

Have a great day all.
Click to expand...

Dave,
You can Piggyback on my posts anytime!

I too love Brian's work. He sees things most don't. And he brings them to life with his camera. I'm a rural person, but he makse urban subjects very inviting.

His food photos make mine look like a Polaroid of two week old diner food.

I agree Andy's knives are spectacular in the way they are assembled. That's kind of how I got here. I tired of spending good money on blades, only to have them arrive with the plunge lines way off, or the grinds so uneven, I had to send them back to be redone.

There certainly are other great makers out there. That don't let this kind of stuff slip thriugh the cracks. But it goes even deeper than that. Andy's blades just seem to work well for what I do.

It's funny how when the light finally comes on how bright it is.

I have noticed you had been quiet of late. I come and go too. The internet can be a great place. But so can life in a disconnected world. Sometimes it's just nice to take a knife into the woods. And not have to worry about cameras, or lighting. Cell phones don't really work here, so I never hear them ring.

I try to post things that will motivate folks to get out and try things. I'm very fortunate that I have the time and the space. So on some level, I feel obligated to share it with others.

Most of what I do is "Stone Age Simple" (I should trade mark that). It's kind of like baking bread. It seems so colplicated. Until you try it. It's only then that you realize. It's actually very hard to screw up. Think caveman, hot rock, simple.

In my mind. Much of my quality of life comes from the simple things. Being in the woods, baking bread, sitting by a fire, chatting about life. Working with my hands.

The trajectory of today's world worries me some. So I take respit in my woods. If sharing some of that brings some joy to others, or inspires them to get out and do something, anything really. Then it's well worth it.

I'm not much of a Spec guy. So I don't contribute much there. Fortunately there are some folks here who really excel at that. I leave that to them and Andy. I just need it to do what I need to do. His knives do that for me.

It certainly doesn't hurt that they are beautiful to look at. If your sitting in the woods by a fire, staring at your knife. You might as well like the way it looks.

My Terrasaur and Woodsman arrived today. Setting them next to the Bushcrafther. Caused me to pause for a few moments. At the tender age of 58. I don't believe I have ever had a matching set of anything. With the possible exception of a matched set of tan Danner Boots.

Seeing these 3 beauties together on my kitchen table. Reminds me of just how truly lucky I am.

The Woodsman feels like an old friend returning home. Its size, balance, and grip are all very familiar. It's already saying, don't ever sell me you dope.

The Terrasaur is something new. But just by picking it up. I feel like it is saying, take me out into the woods and let's do something, anything. It feels like a worker. Almost kind of a Hot Rod, with the cams tweaked. We shall see.

If you look at life as being a glass half full.
I have some free time on my hands to go explore. To do things, and perhaps offer up some thoughts, ideas, and photos of these wonderous tools in action.

I swear, some days just walking out the door with a knife on my belt. Lowers my blood pressure, centers me, and keeps me focused on what is really important in life.
 
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FeralGentleman said:
The oatmeal is underrated IMO... add that natural bolster/liner and it takes a top slot in the looker department. That Bushcrafter looks amazing (let me know if you don't like the Terrasaur you picked up)
Click to expand...

You should see all three of them lined up together. Amazing!

I certainly will on the Terrasaur. But if initial impressions are any indication. It won't be going anywhere. Feels very ggod in hand. I'll have more feedback when we hit the woods.
 
LostViking said:
Aias,

Thank you sir!

I'm pleased you are enjoying my ramblings. If I get boring swat me in the back of the head.
Click to expand...

:D Not likely! Now that my hand is healing and the semester is nearly over, I'll try to get out and post some pics as well. Keep it coming, LV!
 
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Added the Hunter from yesterday's FF sale today!
Excited to handle this one!

The Bushcraft has been working out real well. Very handy knife at camp.

The Woodsman hasn't seen the woods yet.

I keep trying other knives. I keep coming back to the Fiddlebacks.
 
swonut said:
Missed this thread the first time through, but am glad I found it. I you like the big knives, you should really try the smaller ones. For me, that's where the magic happens. The toboggan is the sleeper....

Thanksgiving42-X3.jpg
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Swonut thanks for the reply.

I agree about the Toboggan. I have studied that one for a while now. It just has the right lines and geometry.
 
After posting that my Woodsman hasn't seen the woods yet. I became somewhat disappointed in myself. I don't usually do that, because I have other people that get disappointed in me, for me.

It still hasn't seen the woods. But I took Mistwalker's advice and employed it in the kitchen today. We sliced up the remaining steak that I posted in the Fiddlebacks and Food section last night.

Now I have an entire container full of paper thin sliced London Broil. The Woodsman rocks in the meat slicing department.
 
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