Behind the Scenes @ Fiddleback Forge 3/15/2016-??

I picked up a dark burgundy micarta handled Bushcrafter off the flea market sales thread a while back. I've already got a 'favorite' ironwood bushcrafter, so I've often considered throwing the micarta back out there. But I know what you mean...it is just beautiful! The more I hold it, the more I love it.

I coated the handle with whatever it was you advised (a post a while back - I'm at work and don't remember the name of the stuff), and left it for a few days. Man, the thing practically glows now.

I'd agree it is an acquired taste, but now I can't imagine letting that one go!

Tony
 
Fiddleback said:
Micarta went on a major sales slump last year. But this year, with this economy, I'm trying to do more micarta so the knives don't cost as much. It would be bad for us to lower prices, but we can respond to the market this way. And, micarta happens to be the best suited handle material I know of. I find it beautiful also, but I think its an acquired taste. I wanted to do our kitchen counters with it. But that wasn't my call, so we got something else.
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What an interesting idea...micarta in the kitchen. Well, even though you didn't get your micarta counters, I'm sure you're even happier with the material that your lovely wife chose to go with - aren't you Andy. Once we husbands realize that our wives are always right, things just go smoother - resistance is futile.

Also interesting to read about your reaction to the economy & choice to use more micarta, makes sense, as long as the demand is there. As a custom fixed collector only, I have periods of loving certain materials, and I'm just now entering my Shadetree phase after buying almost exclusively exotic wood scaled knives for a while. Are the Shadetree products less than exotic woods as well, or are you only referring to the commercially available micartas? Lastly, & I'm just curious, you started making knives right around when the great recession hit, did that extreme down time in our economy teach you things that you're implementing now in your business, or did it not really apply all that well as FF was in its infancy?
 
gusbuster said:
:thumbup: Congrats Lily, great looking knife! She looks just like her dad, don't she! :)
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trestle said:
Three things that caught my eye: the old-school Karda, the stack of Kephart blanks, and the pocket puuko. Thumbs up to all.

Oh yeah, and I LOVE seeing all the micarta in the pipeline.
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VanDammet said:
What an interesting idea...micarta in the kitchen. Well, even though you didn't get your micarta counters, I'm sure you're even happier with the material that your lovely wife chose to go with - aren't you Andy. Once we husbands realize that our wives are always right, things just go smoother - resistance is futile.

Also interesting to read about your reaction to the economy & choice to use more micarta, makes sense, as long as the demand is there. As a custom fixed collector only, I have periods of loving certain materials, and I'm just now entering my Shadetree phase after buying almost exclusively exotic wood scaled knives for a while. Are the Shadetree products less than exotic woods as well, or are you only referring to the commercially available micartas? Lastly, & I'm just curious, you started making knives right around when the great recession hit, did that extreme down time in our economy teach you things that you're implementing now in your business, or did it not really apply all that well as FF was in its infancy?
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Yes. The Shadetree products are more cost effective especially than the high end stabilized woods. We aren't going to shift all the way away from any of the materials. Certainly the Shadetree products are going to stay on the knives. They last, theyre light, and they're grippy. I regretted the micarta's sitting as IMO its the hands down best material for the task.

On the business part, the necessary revenue was very very low. The expenses were very low as well. It didn't take as many sales to run the thing. No employees. No rent. We actually flourished during that recession. It looks like we're surviving this one. Its worth it to me because this team is very very good. IMO, a group of American craftsmen grouped together is special. We're going to fight this out like everyone else.
 
6 down one to go!
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Cody sanding at different shutter speeds
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Chris’s pile-o-stuff
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Fiddleback said:
Yes. The Shadetree products are more cost effective especially than the high end stabilized woods. We aren't going to shift all the way away from any of the materials. Certainly the Shadetree products are going to stay on the knives. They last, theyre light, and they're grippy. I regretted the micarta's sitting as IMO its the hands down best material for the task.
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That's good news! I love Shadetree products!!!


Chris D. :D
 
I promise to do my part and help keep the micarta from sitting this year, especially the canvas micarta. Over blue pinstripes with black liners please. ;)
 
I'm sorry... I couldn't concentrate after the thoughts of Shadetree countertops and brushed stainless appliances entered my mind.
 
In all seriousness, stick a proper bullseye tube in some of the custom shop models in the right handle and I will be 100% in and let my wallet do the talking.
 
Bush.Hacker said:
In all seriousness, stick a proper bullseye tube in some of the custom shop models in the right handle and I will be 100% in and let my wallet do the talking.
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That would be awesome, but easier said than done. The custom shop models use the production blades, which are already heat treated with holes to match the production hardware.
 
3let said:
That would be awesome, but easier said than done. The custom shop models use the production blades, which are already heat treated with holes to match the production hardware.
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Lol yeah, have fun drilling new holes in that!
 
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