Bushboot vs hiking buddy

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dcycleman

Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
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Which of the two has a larger handle? Are the blade lengths equal? Is one easier to work with?
 
They are very close to the same size. Give me a few days and I'll be able to answer this question with a series of detailed photos, but MAW and Shamrock have both so they may beat me to it.
 
They are the same size. The Hiking Buddy is straighter overall. The point of the Bushboot is dropped a lot more too. I have carved a walking stick with a Bushboot, and it was a comfortable knife to work with. I think it is underused and undersold as a model. I'm hoping Brian agrees after he gives his a spin.
 
My Bushboot and Hiking Buddy sit on my work bench side by side. Seems like every time I need that type of knife, the Bushboot ends up in the hand. I enjoy and use both, but would have to say the Bushboot is my pick. The handle has a little different shape being a bit wider towards the end and the over all curved shape suits me some better.
 
dcycleman said:
Which of the two has a larger handle? Are the blade lengths equal? Is one easier to work with?
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Hi dcycleman,

As Andy stated, both are the same size. The Hiking Buddy is more linear overall in shape than the Bushboot. The Bushboot's blade and handle drop more significantly from the ricasso area than the Hiking Buddy. I think the Bushboot's handle is more filling in the hand. This can be best seen in my comparison photos. My personal preference is for the Hiking Buddy as I prefer the more linear handle.

Hiking Buddy
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Bushboot
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Side-By-Side Comparison
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Now For a Different Perspective :)

Hiking Buddy and Bushboot
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2012_0929PhotosCameraMichael0096.jpg


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2012_0929PhotosCameraMichael0066.jpg


2012_0929PhotosCameraMichael0065.jpg
 
Rick Lowe said:
I enjoy and use both, but would have to say the Bushboot is my pick. The handle has a little different shape being a bit wider towards the end and the over all curved shape suits me some better.
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maw said:
My personal preference is for the Hiking Buddy as I prefer the more linear handle.
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Is it just what feels right in your hand or are there any particular tasks that come to mind when you pick your respective favorites that you think give you preference for one or the other?

And once again, awesome pics maw! I went right back to your comparison thread after seeing this post so thanks for bringing it in here.
 
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bkoregon said:
Is it just what feels right in your hand or are there any particular tasks that come to mind when you pick your respective favorites that you think give you preference for one or the other?

And once again, awesome pics maw! I went right back to your comparison thread after seeing this post so thanks for bringing it in here.
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Hi bkoregon,

Please keep in mind that this is very subjective. :)

For me it is both of the items you mentioned in your question (comfort and use).

The Hiking Buddy just feels right in my hand, perhaps more so than the Bushboot. The linear handle shape of the Hiking Buddy feels good in my hands no matter what grip I use (fore grip, back grip, chest lever grip). For instance, when using the chest lever grip I feel the Hiking Buddy is more comfortable because the heel of the knife is more linear and does not press into the palm of my hand as much as the Bushboot.

Others may have different impressions and views and I welcome them.

Mark
 
Fiddleback said:
They are the same size. The Hiking Buddy is straighter overall. The point of the Bushboot is dropped a lot more too. I have carved a walking stick with a Bushboot, and it was a comfortable knife to work with. I think it is underused and undersold as a model. I'm hoping Brian agrees after he gives his a spin.
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I have a good feeling about the Bushboot. That was actually one of the first Fiddleback models to catch my eye, and one of the first I commented on. I can't remember if there were any on the table the year I bought the Hiking Buddy or not, but that HB really caught me eye and I went for it. I think the HB got into my head good after you posting the one with the bolsters in the same pic with my Bushfinger. Pretty sure a small part of me knew the wife was going to end up with that one though. My wrist tends to prefer knives with a slight curve from pommel to tip for long term carving and whittling, and I think we all know by now I really like pointy :) I'm really looking forward to it!


Fiddleback said:
You rock Maw.
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Doesn't he though.


bkoregon said:
Is it just what feels right in your hand or are there any particular tasks that come to mind when you pick your respective favorites that you think give you preference for one or the other?

And once again, awesome pics maw! I went right back to your comparison thread after seeing this post so thanks for bringing it in here.
Click to expand...

I think it is going to depend on your primary tasks, your style of knife use, and the main holds you use the knife in.
 
Thanks maw, the pics really helped as well as the description. I was thinking about an arête for neck carry , but now I'm leaning a bit more to the hb.
 
Hi Rob,

Raining nailed it! The knife at the #9 spot is an Arete with a convex sabergrind. The knife just above it at the #8 spot is an Arete with a scandi grind. Cheers.

Mark
 
dcycleman said:
Thanks maw, the pics really helped as well as the description. I was thinking about an arête for neck carry , but now I'm leaning a bit more to the hb.
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After reading this post earlier I took the wife's HB in a JRE sheath and attached it to a lanyard around my neck, and then left it there for a few hours as I went about doing various things. There were times when I forgot it was even there. Her's is a 1/8 inch thick with a scandi grind. I bet a 1/8 with a tapered tang and convex grind would do nicely for that. And even the 5/32 with a tapered tang and high or full saber grind would probably do ok.
 
Raining said:
#9 is an Arete. My personal favorite Fiddleback. :thumbup:
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maw said:
Hi Rob,

Raining nailed it! The knife at the #9 spot is an Arete with a convex sabergrind. The knife just above it at the #8 spot is an Arete with a scandi grind. Cheers.

Mark
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Thanks I guess I need to go take a look at the big pic threa MAW has. I had big hands and need a bigger handle that is why it caught eye compared to the smaller knives.
 
Cool, good info. Hey Mist, Do you feel the handle of the hb is large enough to work hard with, as a primary blade?
 
dcycleman said:
Cool, good info. Hey Mist, Do you feel the handle of the hb is large enough to work hard with, as a primary blade?
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It's about as small as I would personally go for a primary blade, but yes I think so, as long as you either have a larger tool for chopping or chopping isn't required.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/899708-Fiddleback-Forge-Hiking-Buddy

This June this Hiking Buddy will be two years old and it still looks beautiful, and I've put it through a good bit.



.
 
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