Decisions decisions

SadSappySucker

SadSappySucker

Joined
Jul 20, 2014
Messages
2,700
I was hoping to get yalls help in finding a knife that fits my "wants".
I've recently downsized my knives to just a few users that I absolutely adore, a couple GEC's, a case peanut, a 110, and a plain large sebenza. I'm stepping away from the knife world, but first I need a fixed blade to fill the last void in my collection. I have been in love with FF ever since joining the forum, and the fact that they are made only 45 minutes or so away just adds to the appeal. So I've decided my last knife HAS to be a fiddleback.
I started out looking at something for more of a designated hiking/ backpacking/ camping knife. The recluse really stood out, but as I looked at each model more and more I decided that I might want to get something in a size that is more suited to carrying around town as well, you know, when I'm pretending to be a normal functioning member of society and such...
I'm not completely against getting a model with a larger blade, because I work construction and have no problem/ restrictions when it comes to what I can get away with. I think it mainly comes down to convenience.
On a side note, is there anyone who carries a recluse, bushfinger/ hermit, etc on a daily basis? Do you find it cumbersome?
I've also been eyeing knives like the handyman and hiking buddy.
So, the qualities I'm looking for are:
Tapered tang(this is somewhat important and has significantly reduced my selection)
I figured if this is going to be my last knife(and only FF) I wanted all the bells and whistles.
1/8" stock(5/32 would be okay on an otherwise perfect knife)
Wood is preferred, but the majority of the more vibrant micarta are fine too
Bolsters and scandi grinds are a no go
The knife can be new or used. It doesn't make much difference to me.
Blade must be in the 3 1/4"-4" range

I know I'm probably being picky, but I want to make this one count. I hope y'all can help point me in a good direction. I've scowered all the dealers sights and end up getting overwhelmed.
 
Since you're only 45 minutes away from the Forge, I would suggest giving them a call and setting up a time to stop by and handle some of the knives you're considering. You may find that one suits your hand much better than another.
 
Making a trip to the Forge would be a great place to start.

I've been working my way through a bunch of knives that were graciously sent for me to compare, and today or tomorrow I'll be doing my last batch of Fiddlebacks. The post I made last night, and my next post are on some of the 'larger' EDC models that would be great for your purposes.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1477680-The-3-1-2-quot-EDC-Share

I personally wouldn't daily carry a knife in the Bushfinger/Recluse size, but everyone has their own preferences. I think the Handyman, Bushboot, Hiking Buddy, Bushnub, and BC Jr. would be great as 'all around' knives. Not too big for carry, not too small for hiking/backpacking/camping. My personal choice if I was looking to fill the same role as you would be the Handyman or Bushnub.

Good luck finding the one for you!
 
Thanks for the help guys! I will definitely look into a shop visit, that is if my impatience can hold off!
Orion, I'm looking through your reviews now. Two more knives have already been added to the list, the bushnub and bushfinger. My knives are no stranger to the kitchen, and those two have a blade shape that looks like they would excell in that area.
 
SadSappySucker said:
Thanks for the help guys! I will definitely look into a shop visit, that is if my impatience can hold off!
Orion, I'm looking through your reviews now. Two more knives have already been added to the list, the bushnub and bushfinger. My knives are no stranger to the kitchen, and those two have a blade shape that looks like they would excell in that area.
Click to expand...

I definitely agree! I should have a Bushfinger arriving sometime soon, hopefully, and would be happy to post some comparison pictures here once it shows up. I also have a Recluse handy, if you'd like to see any comparisons with it just let me know.

Keep in mind that there are two version of the Bushnub, the old guard-less model and the Bushnub II which has a guard, for your uses I think the OG guard-less version would be preferred. I also haven't seen a Bushnub made in recent memory, so I wouldn't put that one at the top of your list unless you're ready for some bribery when you visit the shop! :D You may be able to find one via a "Want to buy" in the flea market.
 
Yep, call the shop and schedule a visit and meet the artist themselves. They can explain each model the
At they have if I stock. Hold them all and see what you like. I prefer the hiking buddy, handyman, Bushboot and lonestar size for an all around pocketable EDC.
 
Please take the following with the intended humor... "I'm stepping away from the knife world" ...Well that's a nice thought! But I'd be willing to bet when you get one in your hands pretty soon we'll be talking to each other on a first name basis every Friday! good luck and pick a good one!
 
varga49 said:
Please take the following with the intended humor... "I'm stepping away from the knife world" ...Well that's a nice thought! But I'd be willing to bet when you get one in your hands pretty soon we'll be talking to each other on a first name basis every Friday! good luck and pick a good one!
Click to expand...

Ya know, Douglas, I had that same thought. :D
 
Odaon said:
I definitely agree! I should have a Bushfinger arriving sometime soon, hopefully, and would be happy to post some comparison pictures here once it shows up. I also have a Recluse handy, if you'd like to see any comparisons with it just let me know.

Keep in mind that there are two version of the Bushnub, the old guard-less model and the Bushnub II which has a guard, for your uses I think the OG guard-less version would be preferred. I also haven't seen a Bushnub made in recent memory, so I wouldn't put that one at the top of your list unless you're ready for some bribery when you visit the shop! :D You may be able to find one via a "Want to buy" in the flea market.
Click to expand...

Thanks. A comparison of any of the following would be great!
Recluse
Bushfinger/nub
Handyman
Hiking buddy
KE bushie
Arête
Bear cub
Those are the models I've spent the most time looking at. I've also admired the lady finger and bush boot, but they seem pretty tough to track down, more so in a model that fits my criteria.

varga49 said:
Please take the following with the intended humor... "I'm stepping away from the knife world" ...Well that's a nice thought! But I'd be willing to bet when you get one in your hands pretty soon we'll be talking to each other on a first name basis every Friday! good luck and pick a good one!
Click to expand...

Look, I plan to hold true to my decision, HOWEVER I can already tell that it will be a tough promise to keep. First I just needed a larger fixed blade. Then, well maybe a smaller one will do better. Now, gosh, if I just get ONE small and ONE large I'll be set, and so it goes...
The good news is that these things are to darn expensive to just pick up willy nilly, so that should help.
Oh, and the kayak and rods are about to come out, so that will be a nice distraction from the cutlery bug(for a little while anyways).
 
I think you need a large, medium & small Fiddleback.

Look at it this way, it's an investment for a lifetime and if you don't like it you could always move it on.

I always tell my friends, buy once cry once.
 
SadSappySucker said:
Thanks. A comparison of any of the following would be great!
Recluse
Bushfinger/nub
Handyman
Hiking buddy
KE bushie
Arête
Bear cub
Those are the models I've spent the most time looking at. I've also admired the lady finger and bush boot, but they seem pretty tough to track down, more so in a model that fits my criteria.
Click to expand...

Awesome, I have a handful of those here. I'll post pictures later today.

I don't have a KE, Arete, Cub, or Bushfinger (yet), but I've got some pictures of those models that I'll post as well.
 
SadSappySucker said:
Thanks. A comparison of any of the following would be great!
Recluse
Bushfinger/nub
Handyman
Hiking buddy
KE bushie
Arête
Bear cub
Those are the models I've spent the most time looking at. I've also admired the lady finger and bush boot, but they seem pretty tough to track down, more so in a model that fits my criteria.
Click to expand...

Many of the models you are interested in are covered in detail in this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...sses-amp-Weights?highlight=models,+tang+types

The Arete and Handyman are my favorites from your list.

Good luck with your search. Keep us posted with what you choose.

Phil
 
Comprehensivist said:
Many of the models you are interested in are covered in detail in this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...sses-amp-Weights?highlight=models,+tang+types

The Arete and Handyman are my favorites from your list.

Good luck with your search. Keep us posted with what you choose.

Phil
Click to expand...

Thanks. The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards a smaller knife. A ~3" blade is all I really ever need out in the woods. I don't go out constructing shelters and what not, plus it has the added benefit of being of the more appropriate size for my every day cutting chores.
I stumbled onto your review of the patch/ hiking buddy. I loved the looks of the patch but felt like it would be significantly smaller. When I saw them next to each other I pretty much made up my mind that the patch is the one for me.
Now the tough part, finding one in 1/8 stock with a tapered tang and in a handle material I like. The one in bloodwood is so close to perfect on the outpost, but I'm still hesitant of getting a knife in a wood like bloodwood or Osage. I've got a custom in bloodwood that looks great when polished up but after a week or two of sheath carry there is a clear and distinct difference in color between the part of the handle that is covered by the sheath and the part that is exposed.
 
The Patch is an awesome knife! I think that's a great choice. Even though it seems like you've made up your mind, here are a handful of the other models you mentioned. :thumbup:

Top down, Hiking Buddy, Handyman, Bushnub II, Bushnub, Recluse (old BRKT Production version), Old School Ladyfinger.

zQqGve3l.jpg
 
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Thanks guys. You know, I was staring at that bubinga patch long before I started entertaining picking up a patch. That is one stunning knife!
However,(here comes the nitpicking) Im just skeptical picking up a smaller knife in anything thicker than 1/8". You guys who own knives in 5/32, do you notice much decrease in cutting performance?
 
SadSappySucker said:
Thanks guys. You know, I was staring at that bubinga patch long before I started entertaining picking up a patch. That is one stunning knife!
However,(here comes the nitpicking) Im just skeptical picking up a smaller knife in anything thicker than 1/8". You guys who own knives in 5/32, do you notice much decrease in cutting performance?
Click to expand...

I prefer 1/8 or thinner on most of my knives, personally, but Andy takes the grinds on the 5/32 knives and makes them really nice slicers from what I've seen. The Patch I had previously was SFT 1/8, and I think 5/32 would have been to large for me. Plenty of guys prefer the thick stock though!


I added it later so I'm not sure if you saw it, but there's a pretty sweet TT 1/8 Patch at HJE. :thumbup:

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/fiddleback-forge-patch-box-elder-burl.html

EDIT: Fixed link.
 
The Patch is probably still my favorite model from FBF. I unfortunately don't own one right now. I have been searching for over a year for a replacement to my 1/8" tapered tang patch in ironwood with yellow pinstripes and no liners. Not really looking for that exact knife, just those specs with a handle material that works for me.

I was in a pinch and HAD to use the knife in a way it shouldn't have been used and ended up breaking the tip off of the blade. Andy did a great job reprofiling it for me... in the end I passed it along and it's kind of a "one off" now. I forget who has it.

Regardless, if your patient I think you'll be really happy with your model and spec decisions... I just hope I find it first! Only joking. Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ok, I'll probably pull the trigger today. I've narrowed it down to two knives; tha patch with 1/8" TT in bloodwood or the hiking buddy with 1/8" TT in ironwood. Both knives have what I want in the steel department.
The patch has the most going for it. I like that it has a higher convex than the HB. I love(and I mean LOVE) the overall look, but I'm still a little hesitant of the bloodwood tarnishing unevenly. I'm not at all opposed to my knives showing use as long as it's a nice uniform transition. Another plus to that particular patch is that it doesn't come with a sheath. I already planned on picking up the diomedes X carry sheath from the outpost.
The hiking buddy looks good but nowhere near as good as the patch, however I love the ironwood. I don't like the lower convex grind that it has. I feel like a knife this small with 1/8" stock needs as much help as it can get to retain some decent slicing performance.

Having typed all that out it seems clear which knife I need to go with.
I'm still holding out for the stars to line up. I might be off tomorrow, and if that's the case I want to hold off purchasing and see if I can get down to visit them in person first.

I want to thank y'all for being so helpful. It's been a long week staring at countless models in countless variations finally settling on a particular knife only to see that dreaded "sold out" a day later. I'm still sore about someone purchasing that recluse with 1/8" TT in maple with yellow pin stripes! That was one of the best looking knives I've ever seen!
 
SadSappySucker said:
Ok, I'll probably pull the trigger today. I've narrowed it down to two knives; tha patch with 1/8" TT in bloodwood or the hiking buddy with 1/8" TT in ironwood. Both knives have what I want in the steel department.
The patch has the most going for it. I like that it has a higher convex than the HB. I love(and I mean LOVE) the overall look, but I'm still a little hesitant of the bloodwood tarnishing unevenly. I'm not at all opposed to my knives showing use as long as it's a nice uniform transition. Another plus to that particular patch is that it doesn't come with a sheath. I already planned on picking up the diomedes X carry sheath from the outpost.
The hiking buddy looks good but nowhere near as good as the patch, however I love the ironwood. I don't like the lower convex grind that it has. I feel like a knife this small with 1/8" stock needs as much help as it can get to retain some decent slicing performance.

Having typed all that out it seems clear which knife I need to go with.
I'm still holding out for the stars to line up. I might be off tomorrow, and if that's the case I want to hold off purchasing and see if I can get down to visit them in person first.

I want to thank y'all for being so helpful. It's been a long week staring at countless models in countless variations finally settling on a particular knife only to see that dreaded "sold out" a day later. I'm still sore about someone purchasing that recluse with 1/8" TT in maple with yellow pin stripes! That was one of the best looking knives I've ever seen!
Click to expand...

You owe it to yourself to make the trip to Fiddleback Forge, however, in the past Andy has given the crew a day off when they have pulled weekend duty. Not sure if that will be the case tomorrow given that they have been at Trackrock all weekend, however, you'd best call first to make sure they are open. When all is said & done, Ivy will help you make the right call. That girl has it all going on ;)
 
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