Bushcrafter Jr. vs Patch

Volfather

Volfather

Joined
Sep 16, 2015
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208
I'm looking for my newest user. I know the specs would love to hear personal opinions of one vs the other.. I'm all ears!!
 
The BC Jr has a more comfortable handle for prolonged use and the patch has a blade better suited for everyday use. I prefer the BC Jr as an everyday knife though.

You won't go wrong with either.
 
BC JR. feels better in hand to me as well. In fact, for my personal use, all of the BC models seem to have a wonderful feeling in the hand. The only other model to match that has been the Sneaky Pete.

That said, the Patch knife is really just a twist on the traditional puuko, and was in fact named as such in the original introduction thread. The design gets points for its historical origin, and puuko knives have been in use for a very long time, especially in Europe. The Patch knife is in the Recluse/Leuku family, which also has traditional roots, although traditional Leuku's tend to be longer than the Fiddleback version.

As with most things it becomes a focus on what works best for you and what you like. The design concepts introduced in both models are strong.
 
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Interesting thread, thanks, learn a lot and like to hear others' opinions. I have liked the patch design for some time.
 
I would love a BC or BC Jr. Especially the one in the last batch. My God.

Don't overlook the Monarch. I carry mine often. Very comfortable in hand. Great blade shape too.

Rich
 
newyork said:
I would love a BC or BC Jr. Especially the one in the last batch. My God.

Don't overlook the Monarch. I carry mine often. Very comfortable in hand. Great blade shape too.

Rich
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There are a few threads comparing the Monarch to the patch. I couldn't find anything comparing the BCJr to the patch.
 
I've got both, and so far I prefer the Patch. The handle shape of the Patch seems to fit my (medium sized) hand better. The handles are nearly the same length, but the curve at the bottom of the BC Jr. cheats me out of about a half finger's width. Also, my BC Jr is handled in wood (Wenge) and I may miss the extra weight of a nice Iron Wood, or synthetic, it's a very light knife. One last thing, for a small knife like this, I don't know if I need the extra blade height of the BC Jr, it seems a little less nimble for finer work reserved for smaller knives like a Patch or HB. The jury's still out though, and I haven't really had a proper chance to work with it like I have the Patch, I may end up loving it!

~Jim
 
Awesome hopefully a few more will chime in. Been Waiting on Phil, Mist, Scotcha and Vance.
 
Here's mine :

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1446017346.893662.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1446017361.309679.jpg

You have to hold the BC Jr to know how it feels, it's almost like a magnet. Best handle contours in the FB range in my experience.

I'm waiting for a Handyman which I suspect might be equally good if not better.
 
Volfather,

My experience with these models echoes a lot of what was already said in the prior posts above. Both of them are great designs. I also agree with Rich’s comment, “Don’t forget the Monarch.”

The Bushcrafter Jr. feels more substantial in hand do to the taller handle and blade height as well as the extra .400” in blade length. I consider the BC Jr. to be one of the most attractive profiles in the Fiddleback line-up. My particular knife feels stout for its size in 5/32” SFT A2. It weighs 5.3 ounces.

The Patch feels more nimble in hand to me. Some of that is weight related, but that is not the whole story. My Patch is 1/8” SFT O1. It weighs 3.7 ounces. I also like the curve of the blade and the fine tip for detail work.

The main difference to me between these two comes down to the handle design. The handle length of my BC Jr. is only .009” longer than my Patch, meaning that they are essentially the same length for all intents and purposes. Even so, the Patch feels roomier in hand.

I tried to use the same grip for each of the following in hand photos. I have also included the Monarch for reference.








So if handle length does not explain the difference in feel, what does? I agree with Jim’s astute observation that, “the curve at the bottom of the BC Jr. cheats me out of about a half finger’s width.” Actually, it is probably more appropriate to say the “curves” on the bottom of the handle. The curves form an “m” shape contour that helps lock in your grip. This “m” shape on the BC Jr. is taller and more distinct feeling than it is on the Patch. Another key factor is how far back the center of the forward curve is located on the handle since that is where the index finger will naturally fit.

Look at the following photos to see what I am talking about. Arrow #1 is positioned at the back end of the “m” curves. Arrow #2 is positioned at the center of the forward curve. First up is the BC Jr.




Without moving the post-it notes, I placed the Patch in the same position with Arrow #2 centered on the forward curve. The result is that the back end of the “m” shape sits about .350” further back on the Patch. There is your half a finger’s width difference Jim.




I find the shallower and wider “m” shape curves on the Patch and Monarch to be more forgiving and comfortable for me in various grips that the taller and narrower ones on the BC Jr. I don’t have a Handyman yet, but that model looks very promising in this regard.

Here are some side by side photos to show the differences in the handle curves.







That is all I have for now. Let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck with your decision. Keep us posted on what you get.

Phil
 
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Phil, as always you offer some of the best input on the forum. I have known you a lot of years and you are absolutely getting better with age!! I envy your ability. That said my good friend, per your Patch review statement: "One of my pet peeves about most reviews that compare and contrast two things is when the reviewer does not offer his (or her) opinion about which one he recommends if he was forced to choose one." I am putting you on the spot. Although you technically did not review these knives. :D Which one?? :)

In all seriousness Phil... You stated: "I consider the BC Jr. to be one of the most attractive profiles in the Fiddleback line-up." Obviously unless the knife is a flat out utilitarian user, knife profile does indeed influence our purchases. I defer from your input that the Patch is your choice from an in-hand feel perspective. I have been very intigued by the BC jr and find this discussion very useful.
 
Fantastic post Phil. This is exactly the explanation that was required [emoji106]
 
Volfather said:
Awesome hopefully a few more will chime in. Been Waiting on Phil, Mist, Scotcha and Vance.
Click to expand...

Volfather
I havent chimed in because...
Im biased. The Bushcrafter family is my favorite set of knives.
I dont currently have a Patch to compare it to & the closest model i have is the Hiking Buddy.
That being said....Its not really a good comparison as my BC Jr is 1/8" TT with desert ironwood & my hiking buddy is 3/32" TT with sapphire burlap.
Just going by the "Feel" in my hand it seems the BC Jr weighs atleast 2x as much and possibly 3x and feels much more substantial in the hand.

Im going to try a Patch after all this discussion though
right after i get a BC Sr


so after that rambling do like me &...GET BOTH!!! :D
 
MajorD said:
Phil, as always you offer some of the best input on the forum. I have known you a lot of years and you are absolutely getting better with age!! I envy your ability. That said my good friend, per your Patch review statement: "One of my pet peeves about most reviews that compare and contrast two things is when the reviewer does not offer his (or her) opinion about which one he recommends if he was forced to choose one." I am putting you on the spot. Although you technically did not review these knives. :D Which one?? :)

In all seriousness Phil... You stated: "I consider the BC Jr. to be one of the most attractive profiles in the Fiddleback line-up." Obviously unless the knife is a flat out utilitarian user, knife profile does indeed influence our purchases. I defer from your input that the Patch is your choice from an in-hand feel perspective. I have been very intigued by the BC jr and find this discussion very useful.
Click to expand...

All right Dave. I'll make my opinion very clear. If I had to start over tomorrow with the knowledge I have now, I would choose the Patch over the Bushcrafter Jr. for the reasons stated above. I would also choose the Monarch over the Bushcrafter Jr. in the 3-1/2" category. Of course my Monarch is kind of a hybrid now with the "BC-like" round butt I put on it.

What else do you want to know. Can you handle the truth? :rolleyes: :p :D

It's good to hear from you my friend.

Phil
 
Comprehensivist said:
All right Dave. I'll make my opinion very clear. If I had to start over tomorrow with the knowledge I have now, I would choose the Patch over the Bushcrafter Jr. for the reasons stated above. I would also choose the Monarch over the Bushcrafter Jr. in the 3-1/2" category. Of course my Monarch is kind of a hybrid now with the "BC-like" round butt I put on it.

What else do you want to know. Can you handle the truth? :rolleyes: :p :D

It's good to hear from you my friend.

Phil
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Very well played Phil! I, like Phillip, am a big fan of of Bushcrafter family. I have been looking at the Sr and Jr both. Admittedly I allow myself to be swayed by blade profile. Your knowledge has provided a different perspective and opened a few other options for me. Then again I'm a sucker for a pretty face and the Bushcrafter line makes me swoon! :D
 
My goodness Phil. First your review of the Patch, which ultimately made me buy one.
Now, you bring your Monarch into this discussion with all your terrible pictures ;) and I'm asking myself, why do I not own a Monarch? It's really growing on me.

Thanks for your input to this forum!
Sergio
 
Well Phil I really appreciate the effort and knowledge you always put in your reviews. Especially when you probably have a ton of other stuff to do than what I want from you lol. I may even hollar at your next time I buy a new vehicle hahaha. Based off your review I want a patch handle with a BCJr blade hehe(That does sound good to me though). Seriously I've been looking at the patch for a couple weeks. I was choosing between it and the hiking buddy and patch one out of that comparison for me. Then the BCJr popped up on my screen. Patch will definitely be the first of the 3 for me!!!! Thank you guys so much!!!
 
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I've been looking at purchasing a Patch for months now. Abe had a beauty up for sale that's coming my way now. I've owned a BC Jr also. I'll weigh in when I get my new knife.
 
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