Arete Alternative?

awestib

awestib

Joined
Dec 29, 2008
Messages
1,647
Hi guys and Happy New Year.

Question! Does the ladyfinger have a beefier handle than the Arete if the tang was the same?

Thanks!
 
Never handled the Arete, I suppose I should try to get one and play with it, but I have handled a couple of Ladyfingers. Question, what uses are you looking at the Ladyfinger for?
 
Arete handle feels bigger. I think the ladyfinger handle is actually slightly longer, but it feels smaller in hand based on the lines and tapers. The last like inch and a half of the handle on a ladyfinger just get's smaller and smaller. kinda similar feel to the bushcraft karda actually
 
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TF
 
mistwalker said:
Never handled the Arete, I suppose I should try to get one and play with it, but I have handled a couple of Ladyfingers. Question, what uses are you looking at the Ladyfinger for?
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I use the Arete for camp/bushcraft kind tasks and I love it. The only thing I wish was different is a beefier handle, similiar to the Bushfinger handle - sooo, an Arete with SFT and Bushfinger slabs!? I thought the ladyfinger might be an alternative - silly me, what's the name say: "Ladyfinger"
 
I received my Arete yesterday, can't wait to handle it and compare to my other knives. One more shipment and I will introduce my humble collection.
 
All of the handles vary a lot in thickness because they are hand shaped. Try out this week's Bushcrafter. Its thicker. Emerald burlap from Shadetree.
 
Sharks will now smell the blood. I really like te looks of Bushcrafter, I will be here on Friday.
 
Fiddleback said:
All of the handles vary a lot in thickness because they are hand shaped. Try out this week's Bushcrafter. Its thicker. Emerald burlap from Shadetree.
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Cool! Sounds a little like this one. Very comfortable to use with the thicker handle and a good looking knife.

IMG_2989_zps7659fcc3.jpg
 
awestib said:
I use the Arete for camp/bushcraft kind tasks and I love it. The only thing I wish was different is a beefier handle, similiar to the Bushfinger handle - sooo, an Arete with SFT and Bushfinger slabs!? I thought the ladyfinger might be an alternative - silly me, what's the name say: "Ladyfinger"
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Ok, it's important to remember that this is just one person's opinion, and as always, opinions vary. For my uses, the Ladyfinger handle is great as a B&T, but a bit to round in cross-section for good control in whittling, carving, notching, etc.. I love the more oval shape of the Kephart handle with the full thickness tang, so could easily recommend it for bushcraft type uses. If it tells you anything, the Bushfinger proto started out with a Ladyfinger handle, and after use and data collection Andy changed it to the more full, and really awesome bushcrating handle it has today. Which is also more oval in cross-section. I am likely biased towards the Kephart because I also love the blade geometry. As others have mentioned here, the Bushcrafter does have an extremely comfortable handle in use, I have a few friends that have them. If a fuller handle is a big thing for you then I might suggest looking for SFT 5/32, or tapers with thicker base materials. Andy does do some really full handles for some of his bigger handed customers, so look for the notes on that...I know, it's not always easy during the frenzy, but it's the best advice I can offer at the moment.
 
If you like the Arete (it's a sweet knife) then I'd suggest looking for one with thicker handles as they vary as others have said.

The Arete, Bushcrafter and Hiking Buddy all share the same basic handle shape. It's very comfortable to me.

IMG_2995_zpsf12b9b1a.jpg~original


IMG_2993_zpsb1b1cd48.jpg~original


The rounded butt means my hand can hang off the end without the handle digging in, making it really comfortable for a variety of grips.

The Bushfinger, even with the more abrupt end, is still really comfortable as the top edge of the handle is longer and my hand doesn't overlap the end.

IMG_3002_zps146b56a3.jpg~original


I'm working on a Bushfinger and Bushcrafter comparison review. Hoping to find time soon to finish it up.
 
thurin said:
The Arete, Bushcrafter and Hiking Buddy all share the same basic handle shape. It's very comfortable to me.

.
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This is all part of your master plan to torture me with the Bushcrafter isn't it?! You know I'm hung up on the contours of the HB handle and you're using that against me...heck now you're even bringing the Arete in on it. You're unscrupulous!! :D
 
mistwalker said:
This is all part of your master plan to torture me with the Bushcrafter isn't it?! You know I'm hung up on the contours of the HB handle and you're using that against me...heck now you're even bringing the Arete in on it. You're unscrupulous!! :D
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Just doing my part to deepen the addiction. ;)

The problem with Fiddlebacks... yesterday I carried my EDK and I thought "this is the perfect EDC". Today I carried the HB and thought "this is the perfect EDC". Which makes me think, I might be missing out on something else that's perfect. Same thing is happening with the Bushcrafter/Arete and Bushfinger. I use one and think, "this is the most comfortable Bushcrafting handle there is" and then I try the other and say the same thing.

It's driving my nuts.

And I haven't even tried a KE Bushie, Terrasaur, Recluse, ...
 
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