ANNOUNCING - Fiddleback Forge Machete's

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Andy, I really must congratulate you on being a great bladesmith as well as a great businessman who is customer centric. I have studied how the different knife makers work and you just seem to know what the market wants (I will not say need because nearly everyone on this forum 'creates' their own needs for yet another knife), when it wants it and come up with the goods, at a great price and quality, followed by responsive customer service.

You don't let ego get in the way and produce more or less as projected, but best of all you provide straight answers to questions - no BS just the truth.

I am not a fanboy because I don't own a Fiddleback - yet. But the machetes... these could be my first.

Well done Sir!
 
Fiddleback said:
Hi Glenn. I haven't weighed a finished one. They'll fluctuate a bit since the handle is hand shaped.
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I'll weigh mine at the UPS Store Monday...I love to see the look on Bethany's face when I bring in random bladed objects to get them weighed, this will be the biggest one so far :)
 
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I case posting means anything, I'm in for a 12" natural micarta (and maybe a 16"). Hey one more and I get a free one!
 
Falcor said:
Andy, I really must congratulate you on being a great bladesmith as well as a great businessman who is customer centric. I have studied how the different knife makers work and you just seem to know what the market wants (I will not say need because nearly everyone on this forum 'creates' their own needs for yet another knife), when it wants it and come up with the goods, at a great price and quality, followed by responsive customer service.

You don't let ego get in the way and produce more or less as projected, but best of all you provide straight answers to questions - no BS just the truth.

I am not a fanboy because I don't own a Fiddleback - yet. But the machetes... these could be my first.

Well done Sir!
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Thanks Falcor. Knives are a passion, and its been a blessing IMO, following it.
 
Any chance you'll put a Moose etching on a 14" natural micarta for me? (folds hands and bats eyelashes). I gotta get one either way. Any slots still open? Never hurts to ask. Thanks. Moose
 
moosez45 said:
Any chance you'll put a Moose etching on a 14" natural micarta for me? (folds hands and bats eyelashes). I gotta get one either way. Any slots still open? Never hurts to ask. Thanks. Moose
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Dylan can likely carve us a moose out of electrical tape. I'll say maybe.

There wll be plenty machetes to go around.
 
I put my 12 incher through a pretty good work out today processing a box of fatwood to send to a friend. In Batoning, chopping, and whittlinhg a couple of good rich fatwood root sections the machete did fantastic and i love it even more than I did.
 
Behold the power! :D

I really need to get out and use mine some more. They're way too awesome not to!
 
Hi Andy,

I see these will be 1075, which I think is great. Have you settled on the RC at the edge for these, and will they be differentially hardened or fully hardened through and through?

Also, any update on the sheath?

Looking forward to them! Thanks --

Glen
 
sleevefullofaces said:
I need one of these.
Maybe all of these even! :o
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I like your style.:thumbup:

storyville said:
Hi Andy,

I see these will be 1075, which I think is great. Have you settled on the RC at the edge for these, and will they be differentially hardened or fully hardened through and through?

Also, any update on the sheath?

Looking forward to them! Thanks --

Glen
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IIRC, they're HT'd to 55. Fully hardened. The last batch I had them send some cordura sheath samples. This would have been a cheap option. Unfortunately, it was too cheap IMO. They sucked.

What I have is the $ to bring the damn things in and order some handle materials for the first 20 or so. I just don't have the funds to order 600 sheaths. So, I am willing to send out 4 blanks to any sheathmaker that wants to develope a pattern for them. I will allow sheathmakers that want to offer them to post here. I have already spoken with Tal about doing this.

Plus, leather will be heavy. Have you guys seen the wooden sheaths that Vec is doing on the Hoodlums? He is also going to get a set when they arrive. IMO, thats a more practical option. Light strong, lashable to pack.
 
O my gosh. A 12 incher with Tal leather. Pinch me.

I'll have to google for more info on this wooden sheath of which you speak - sounds interesting!
 
Glenn Jones said:
I'm a newcomer to this forum but am very interested in machetes generally and these look very nice. I too would love to take advantage of 4 for the price of three but in my case I would be interested in only 16 inch blades. My reason for this is that is the size I believe is the maximum size for carrying comfortably on my belt. The other major factor for me however is the weight of the machete. Have the weights of these machetes been provided as yet?
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Had bethany weigh my 12 incher yesterday, 413 grams.
 
Hi Andy,

Full hardened 55 RC sounds spot-on for a thin-profiled machete. Incidentally I find that 54-55 RC also works very nicely on a dedicated hunter, at least in a simple carbon. Higher hardness is more popular now but my favorite hunter is a 1084 drop point at 54 RC. So your machetes should work well for butchering game too! :) :thumbup:

As for the wood sheath idea: that would be FANTASTIC. The Valiant goloks come with ironwood sheaths recycled from old roofing, IIRC. Since the wood esp. at that size can expand/contract depending on weather, the Valiants use wooden bands along the length of the sheath to adjust the snugness (or to slightly loosen) as needed. And yes, a wood sheath would lash nicely and more securely than leather, IMO. It would be well worth it even as an option for a little more $ -- lighter and sturdier than leather for this size blade.

So wood sheath YES :cool: :thumbup:

Glen

PS: Yes, I'd like to see a link or pic of the Hoodlums sheath you mentioned, too. Can't find it with a simple search. For anyone not familiar with the Valiants or their sheaths, look here and click on "Java 1" to see their most popular goloks. The thin bands are usually tight but can be moved up and down to tighten if the wood expands: http://www.valiantco.com/
 
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Bumpin' this one 'cause I'm losing sleep over it. I can't wait to get my mitts on a 12 incher...or 3!
 
chainring said:
Bumpin' this one 'cause I'm losing sleep over it. I can't wait to get my mitts on a 12 incher...or 3!
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I can take more pics...glamour and action shots...just to post now and then to keep this thread from slipping away if you like :)
 
mistwalker said:
I can take more pics...glamour and action shots...just to post now and then to keep this thread from slipping away if you like :)
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None for me please. Between the Bushfinger and the 'chete, I can't take it. Lookin' forward to getting my 14" natty mic. Sounds good don't it. I'ma gonna call it Natty Mike. "Hey, ya'll seen Natty Mike yet?" "Where's Natty Mike, he'll show ya" or "OWWWW!!! I got Natty Mike buried in my thigh!!!" Yeah, Natty Mike................

Ok, I'm losin' it. Must............have..............Fiddleback...........uhgn! (collapses in a heap)


:D:D Moose
 
Sorry, I have been away for awhile, computer problems and such, still no email, but I did like my 12" and 14" machetes. They worked well for south florida.
 
Cool! I'm up for a couple when they become available, Probably one in 12" and the other in 18"
 
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