ncrockclimb
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2014
- Messages
- 2,378
Of all the knives I own, these two Nessmuk style knives are my favorites. I am going to post this review up on another site focused on bushcrafting, and rather than just posting a link (which I think is frowned upon by bladefoums management) I decided to post the review here in its entirety. Obviously, the review is not exclusively about a Fiddleback knife. I am a HUGE Fiddleback fan (I currently own 11 of Andy's knives, and I plan to buy more!) and hope that all you Fiddleback fans enjoy my first review and attempt to share my love of the Camp Nessie!
That being said, here it is...
Intro:
I have been visiting this forum for a while, but have mostly been either lurking or asking questions. As a relative noob, I dont have a lot to offer other, especially when compared to the more experienced members here. However, I recently acquired two AWESOME knives and wanted to share my thoughts on these two blades with the forum.
Overview:
A lot of knife makers are currently building a Nessmuk style knife. I find this design to be extremely cool looking and love the history behind it. Both AA Forge and Fiddleback have reinterpreted the Nessmuk design an applied it to a knife that is focused on bushcraft, camp chores and wood processing. Although different, both these knives share a lot of positive characteristics and build quality that is second to none.
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Specs:
Fiddleback Camp Nessie
Overall - 9.25
Blade length - 4.25"
Steel - 3/16 O1
Tang Type - TT
Grind - convex
Handle material - brown sack burlap over black liners & orange pinstripes
Weight - 9.1 OZ
[/IMG]
Awesome knife with world worst try stick.
AA Forge Huntsman
Overall - 10
Blade length - 5
Steel - 3/16 52100
Tang Type - SFT
Grind - flat with convex edge bevel
Handle material - desert ironwood, natural liners & white pinstripes
Weight - 10.3 OZ
[/IMG]
Awesome knife with world worst feather stick.
Blade:
I have found both steels to be amazing. Fiddlebacks O1 is, in my humble opinion, about as good as it gets for O1 steel. Fiddleback maximizes the performance of this steel and I have yet to hear anyone say anything bad about it. Similarly, AAs 52100 has impressed me with its toughness and edge holding ability.
The geometry of the blades is somewhat different. The AA is a flat grind with a convex edge, is longer and has more of a point. The Fiddleback has a convex grind, less of a point, and no guard. When it comes to kitchen duty, the Fiddleback is going to be the clear winner. For most other tasks, they are both equally awesome.
When it comes to sharpness from the factory, AA simply blows the doors off Fiddleback and every other knife I have ever owned. This AA (and every AA I have) will push cut phone book paper straight from the factory. I am not exaggerating when I say that I could easily shave with any of my AA knives. The Fiddleback is sharp, but the AA is in a league all by itself.
Handle:
The handles on the two knives are incredibly different. AA has massively exaggerated contours, where the Fiddleback is much more subtle in its design. Despite how different the handles are, I find it very difficult to say which one I prefer more. The Fiddleback Camp Nessie is one of my favorite Fiddleback knifes, and the handle just seems to melt into my hand. I have used it to make a try stick, and after almost an hour I had ZERO hotspots. Although it is a thick knife, it feels much smaller and nimble. The AA handle was similarly comfortable while making feather sticks and processing wood for a fire.
All I can say is that both knives feel great. You might have a preference, but I would be equally happy with either one.
[/IMG]
Fit, Finish and Overall Quality:
Both these knives, and any knife that you will get from these two makers, are heirloom quality. These knives are works of art that are made to work hard AND last for generations. The people that make these knives are craftsmen that take pride in what they do, and it shows.
Summary:
My wife asked me which knife I liked more. I thought for a while before I answered. I then said, Neither. Both. I really dont know. After a lot more thought I might give a slight nod to the Fiddleback, but I would be very happy if either of these knives were the only fixed blade knife I could ever own.
One thing I know for sure is that I feel really lucky to own these knives. Both are going to get used, and neither one is going to get sold any time soon.
[/IMG]
That being said, here it is...
Intro:
I have been visiting this forum for a while, but have mostly been either lurking or asking questions. As a relative noob, I dont have a lot to offer other, especially when compared to the more experienced members here. However, I recently acquired two AWESOME knives and wanted to share my thoughts on these two blades with the forum.
Overview:
A lot of knife makers are currently building a Nessmuk style knife. I find this design to be extremely cool looking and love the history behind it. Both AA Forge and Fiddleback have reinterpreted the Nessmuk design an applied it to a knife that is focused on bushcraft, camp chores and wood processing. Although different, both these knives share a lot of positive characteristics and build quality that is second to none.
Specs:
Fiddleback Camp Nessie
Overall - 9.25
Blade length - 4.25"
Steel - 3/16 O1
Tang Type - TT
Grind - convex
Handle material - brown sack burlap over black liners & orange pinstripes
Weight - 9.1 OZ
Awesome knife with world worst try stick.
AA Forge Huntsman
Overall - 10
Blade length - 5
Steel - 3/16 52100
Tang Type - SFT
Grind - flat with convex edge bevel
Handle material - desert ironwood, natural liners & white pinstripes
Weight - 10.3 OZ
Awesome knife with world worst feather stick.
Blade:
I have found both steels to be amazing. Fiddlebacks O1 is, in my humble opinion, about as good as it gets for O1 steel. Fiddleback maximizes the performance of this steel and I have yet to hear anyone say anything bad about it. Similarly, AAs 52100 has impressed me with its toughness and edge holding ability.
The geometry of the blades is somewhat different. The AA is a flat grind with a convex edge, is longer and has more of a point. The Fiddleback has a convex grind, less of a point, and no guard. When it comes to kitchen duty, the Fiddleback is going to be the clear winner. For most other tasks, they are both equally awesome.
When it comes to sharpness from the factory, AA simply blows the doors off Fiddleback and every other knife I have ever owned. This AA (and every AA I have) will push cut phone book paper straight from the factory. I am not exaggerating when I say that I could easily shave with any of my AA knives. The Fiddleback is sharp, but the AA is in a league all by itself.
Handle:
The handles on the two knives are incredibly different. AA has massively exaggerated contours, where the Fiddleback is much more subtle in its design. Despite how different the handles are, I find it very difficult to say which one I prefer more. The Fiddleback Camp Nessie is one of my favorite Fiddleback knifes, and the handle just seems to melt into my hand. I have used it to make a try stick, and after almost an hour I had ZERO hotspots. Although it is a thick knife, it feels much smaller and nimble. The AA handle was similarly comfortable while making feather sticks and processing wood for a fire.
All I can say is that both knives feel great. You might have a preference, but I would be equally happy with either one.
Fit, Finish and Overall Quality:
Both these knives, and any knife that you will get from these two makers, are heirloom quality. These knives are works of art that are made to work hard AND last for generations. The people that make these knives are craftsmen that take pride in what they do, and it shows.
Summary:
My wife asked me which knife I liked more. I thought for a while before I answered. I then said, Neither. Both. I really dont know. After a lot more thought I might give a slight nod to the Fiddleback, but I would be very happy if either of these knives were the only fixed blade knife I could ever own.
One thing I know for sure is that I feel really lucky to own these knives. Both are going to get used, and neither one is going to get sold any time soon.
