Bushcraft Knife Help

glockfire said:
I want to thank everyone for their responses. I went ahead and contaced all some of the makers, and after some discussion I realized that Matt with ML knives was my best bet. I ordered a Kephart with 4.5" handle, tiger maple, and a sheath from him. He was extremely easy to work with, very respectful, and he really supports the troops!

In the end, I decided that although the FBF Bushcrafter had very nice aesthetics, it cost far too much to really be used an abused. I was also looking for a more traditional design, which the ML Kephart fit the bill nicely. The FBF came with a pancake sheath, which I hate, so I chose a fold over with a ferro loop. I also love the look of the Matt's Tiger Maple, more so than the current offering of Cocobolo from FBF.
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Great choice, you will be very happy.....only problem is that it won't be your last ML !;)
 
don't own any BK blades, I have friends that do & love em'....I take two FB's with me, a Nessie and a Terassuar. I love em' both case they fit my big paw really well.
Both are VERY worthy bush knives for my use....neither has even let me down in all use, from batoning to dressing out a boar....you probably can't go wrong either way.....
 
Well...never owned an ML, need to remedy that at some point, but I have on BHK (Frontier Valley, not a bushcrafter) and love the knife, great grind, great ergos, holds an edge well. I love Andy's knives, I've had four and still have two (niether are a bushcrafter though) he does an excellent job on his grinds and ergos and his heat treats are great as well. I'm not too fond of either of the knives mentioned because neither has as much of a point as I prefer on my knives. but I have handled both the BHK and Fiddleback bushcrafters and if I was going to pick one, and being happy with the grinds, steel, F&F, and heat treat of both companies, I'd go with the Fiddleback for the ergos and comfort in long term use. Yes Andy's knives aren't exactly cheap but you get a lot for your money, and you could probably keep the cost down by going with a more plain handle and leaving off the extras and up charges. I put the first Bushfinger through hell for over a year and never felt under knifed with it. Before it found a new home with a friend who is an avid outdoors-man, hunter, and survival instructor it was the "trusted knife" I carried when testing other knives on many occasions, and now the Hunter has become a go-to knife in the rotation. That said I have been eyeing the BHK Woodsman Pro...
 
I have owned all three. You really couldn't loose with any of these makers. I have never had a problem with any of the makers, and frankly have found Andy and Matt to be simply awesome.

It would have been a competition between Andy and Matt for me - and as I own two or three of each - I wouldn't be able to choose very well.

Here is what I think of your two choices.

Andy:

1) Andy is the handle master. He makes unbelievable scales and they can be had in seemingly any type of make and model.

2) Andy's new 3D steel spalting is cool looking. You get that 'forged look' without it being forged.

3) Andy's end product is clean, and comes to you flawless.

4) If you like a contoured handle - the Fiddleback would have been a better choice.

5) His 01 heat treat is spot on and the knife comes sharp - however - he tends to put a slight double bevel on his full convex blades, and although it takes very little to work a full convex back to the edge - it does take some work.

6) Andy tends to use JRE sheaths - which are great low cost sheaths.

7) If you have a problem with Andy's work - at all - he does anything it takes to make it right - even to his cost. Andy is great like that.

Matt:

1) It is a must to have Matt add .5 inches to his handles. They are too short for me - but it looks like you had that covered - whomever told you that gave great advice.

2) His hand hammered and forged 1090 is awesome - his heat treat is spot on - and the blade comes very sharp, with a true convex. His knives come VERY sharp and obviously have been hand finished.

3) His scales are awesome - but he uses a natural stain and finish - and I have found that in order to make it truly weather proof is to reseal the handle by putting a hand rubbed finish on it.

4) He makes his own sheath, and although I find them to be a bit crude - they match the mountain man look he has going for him.

5) If you have anything wrong with his stuff - he does what it takes to fix it - even to his own cost.

As you can see - you really can't go wrong with either - and I am sure you will be happy with your Kephart - as I am... my brother and father even own them as well (now that I sent them a couple). ;)
TF
 
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Is Andy taking orders from new customers again?

He told me that I could only get one that he posted on his forum or second hand.

Therefore I didn't really have a choice but had to impulse buy whatever he offered.

So needless to say I've never tried a Fiddleback, I won't invest the time to follow him.

Matt and BHK will make me whatever I want.
 
I dont think Andy is taking new orders right now, he posts them on his forum and its a mad dash to grab one, they are extremely popular knives!

Talfuchre,

One of the reasons I went with the Kephart is because I had seen in one of your earlier posts that it was one of your favorite woods knives. Ive watched your posts and they seem to be coming from a knowledgable guy, so I took that as good advice. Would you mind telling me what I need to hand rub it with and how often I need to do that? I live in a pretty dry environment (Colorado), but I will be taking this knife to Cambodia and East Timor soon for a few weeks at a a time, and its very humid in those climes.
 
mistwalker said:
Well...never owned an ML, need to remedy that at some point, but I have on BHK (Frontier Valley, not a bushcrafter) and love the knife, great grind, great ergos, holds an edge well. I love Andy's knives, I've had four and still have two (niether are a bushcrafter though) he does an excellent job on his grinds and ergos and his heat treats are great as well. I'm not too fond of either of the knives mentioned because neither has as much of a point as I prefer on my knives. but I have handled both the BHK and Fiddleback bushcrafters and if I was going to pick one, and being happy with the grinds, steel, F&F, and heat treat of both companies, I'd go with the Fiddleback for the ergos and comfort in long term use. Yes Andy's knives aren't exactly cheap but you get a lot for your money, and you could probably keep the cost down by going with a more plain handle and leaving off the extras and up charges. I put the first Bushfinger through hell for over a year and never felt under knifed with it. Before it found a new home with a friend who is an avid outdoors-man, hunter, and survival instructor it was the "trusted knife" I carried when testing other knives on many occasions, and now the Hunter has become a go-to knife in the rotation. That said I have been eyeing the BHK Woodsman Pro...
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Hey Mist I actually thought of you when I first saw this video of one of Matt's latest creations.....looks like your sorta blade eh !

[youtube]MEnn8adX3w4[/youtube]
 
Glockfire,

Thank you for your vote of confidence. After consulting many sources - and going with one that I trust very much - here is what I did. I took off the existing finish by using a little alcohol and 2000 grit sandpaper. It takes very little to get the finish off and in this way, if you are careful, you will not take off any stain (his stain is awesome). Wipe it off - let it totally dry. Get a cardboard - stick the blade in it so the handle sticks out - is supported - and you are not tempted to touch it.

Use two or three THIN coats of this. Follow the directions.

This will seal the wood. If it ever needs to be touched up - follow the process above to take off the top layer and re-do it. Matt doesn't do it because he, like many, do not like to add a poly coat as it does not let the wood 'breathe'. Many think this sort of finish kills the natural feel of the wood. I have not found that to be the case.

With that said - and if you don't mind the look - he makes an AWESOME Micarta handle. I would go with his green Micarta and then you never have to worry about it.

Here is an example of one his blades with green micarta:

Campandfieldknifegreencanvasmicarta.jpg



TF
 
pitdog said:
Hey Mist I actually thought of you when I first saw this video of one of Matt's latest creations.....looks like your sorta blade eh !

[youtube]MEnn8adX3w4[/youtube]
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Hmmmm. I may have to check that out. Kind of an ugly blade though but at the same time it appeals to me. What does ML stand for anyway? Matt…..
 
pitdog said:
Hey Mist I actually thought of you when I first saw this video of one of Matt's latest creations.....looks like your sorta blade eh !

[youtube]MEnn8adX3w4[/youtube]
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I could see that, it has a lot of things going for it and a lot of things I want in the "one" knife I want. Maybe I need to talk to Matt...
 
Brian Sargent said:
Is Andy taking orders from new customers again?

He told me that I could only get one that he posted on his forum or second hand.

Therefore I didn't really have a choice but had to impulse buy whatever he offered.

So needless to say I've never tried a Fiddleback, I won't invest the time to follow him.

Matt and BHK will make me whatever I want.
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Just out of curiosity, what has been the typical wait time for one of Matt's knives?
 
That is another difference between Matt and Andy. Andy makes batches that he has others sell, and there are a few online (in his forum) when he finishes a batch. Matt makes them by order. With Andy you may not have your exact handle selection - but you can likely get one earlier than Matt, if you pay attention to who sells his goods.

With Matt you get exactly the handle material you want or other customizations - but he has certainly become popular as of late - and is now out nearly 8 months.


I don't see either maker with negatives - I simply see them differently and love doing business with them.

TF
 
glockfire said:
\\I believe Matt said he's booked til June. But, he makes exceptions for some,in my case, deployed military.
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Thanks, yeah that's my primary problem with ordering customs. I really just don't have that kind of patience and faith. There is just too much can happen in eight months for me to go that route.

I was checking out his website earlier, he does make some nice looking knives. I'll try scouting the exchange for a second hand model I like.
 
mistwalker said:
Thanks, yeah that's my primary problem with ordering customs. I really just don't have that kind of patience and faith. There is just too much can happen in eight months for me to go that route.
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Mistwalker,

If you are worried on the makers end, I'll say that I've bought from Matt at ML and Stephen at Coal Creek Forge. Both have treated me very well. Matt was easily the longer wait, buy he delivered as promised, in fact a bit earlier than expected. If you have questions about Matt's ability to deliver, I'd say don't get hung up on it. If you can be patient it is VERY worth the wait.


God bless,
Adam
 
jumpmonkey said:
Mistwalker,

If you are worried on the makers end, I'll say that I've bought from Matt at ML and Stephen at Coal Creek Forge. Both have treated me very well. Matt was easily the longer wait, buy he delivered as promised, in fact a bit earlier than expected. If you have questions about Matt's ability to deliver, I'd say don't get hung up on it. If you can be patient it is VERY worth the wait.


God bless,
Adam
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Thanks Adam, but it's more a matter of me not trusting life than not trusting people...though I do have some issues there as well at times, it's a long story.
 
mistwalker said:
Thanks Adam, but it's more a matter of me not trusting life than not trusting people...though I do have some issues there as well at times, it's a long story.
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Ive waited months, almost years for certain holsters, and Ive always found it to be worth the wait. For me, I dont like over the counter products, and tend to want something made by hand, unique from the rest. Thats why Im okay with waiting for my Kephart. I totally understand your reasoning, but thats just me.
 
Just thought I would share my Custom ML Kephart with you guys. This is Matt's photo, it takes a long time to get stuff shipped out to us here. My only change to his design was to make the handle 5" long. I think he did an amazing job:
GrantsCustomKephart.jpg
 
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