Duke Quesstions

Robocarullo

Robocarullo

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2006
Messages
1,148
Hello everyone,

I am considering a Duke for my next Fiddleback and have a couple of questions.

For those of you who have handled this model in both tapered and flat tangs;

Where is the balance point?

Is the tapered very blade heavy?

Thanks!
 
I have a Duke in 3/16" thick 01 SFT that balances right on the front set of pins, and a 5/32" TT that balances slightly forward of the front set of pins. The 3/16" blade weighs in at a hefty 10 oz and the 5/32" at a spry 8 oz. The 3/16" thick version makes for a competent overall camp knife, while the 5/32" TT is more nimble in hand and works better for more delicate tasks including food prep. Your choice is best guided by how you intend to use the knife IMO.
 
I think the Duke is one of my best designs. I made myself one this week.
 
Robocarullo said:
That helps a lot thanks :thumbup:
Click to expand...

If you haven't already checked it out take a look at the Models, Tang Types, Steel Thickness & Weights thread. There is a a lot of valuable information shared by some very experienced forum members. I echo Andy's comments on the Duke.....it's am awesome knife. I'll never forget the first time I held one.
 
I have a 3/16" tapered tang and love it. That said, I think that a 5/32" tapered tang might be ideal. I have also owned a 3/16" SFT and it balanced very nice too. In general, I love the Duke and don't think that you can go wrong with any variation.

Let us know what you decide on. Thanks for the good question.

Phil
 
Thanks for the information everyone. I have never held a knife with a tapered tang, it sounds like the Duke will be my first. At this point I am not going to worry about the thickness, I'll start with whatever I can pickup and see how I like it.

Andy,

What are the specs on yours?
 
I've only been a Duke owner (and a Fiddleback owner, for that matter) for about 60 hours, so take that for what it's worth. My Duke is a 3/16 tapered tang model, and the balance point is right on the exact line where the handle meets the blade. I'm actually pretty happy about that. I first discovered FF about 7 months ago and had been lusting after a Camp Knife for most of that time. I ultimately went with a Duke thinking it would be more versatile, but still reasonably proficient for tasks requiring a little more oomph. This forward balance point makes it feel surprisingly choppy, but still easily maneuverable.

With the taper, I was surprised at how narrow the handle is (mine has pretty thin liners too), especially by the pommel, and I was skeptical at first. After handling it for a bit, though, I think it's just right.

The only other knife I have with a tapered tang at the moment is a Murray Carter neck knife, but I feel like the taper makes much more of a difference in a Duke-sized knife.
 
I have a couple od Dukes, both tapered and SFT. For mine, the SFT balances a little more evenly and seems to have a little more full grip. The tapered ones are quite weight forward, which appeals to me. I have been on kind of a quest for the perfect Duke. They all seem different and they all seem wonderful in their own way. Some seem graceful, some beastly; it's amazing how that one profile can change attitude with different finishing touches! Blade thickness seems to make a huge difference as well! A 5/32" Duke is not the same animal as a 3/16"er.

-Will
 
Hmmmm..... after considering the info here and in other threads it sounds like I would be happy regardless of tang and thickness.

I'll probably grab the first one I can that has handles in a color that agrees with me.

Cheers!
 
Chris,

Here are a couple photos that may help deciding between the Woodsman and Duke. I also threw in the Toothpik in one just to make decisions more difficult.

Chad
 

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C_Stahl said:
Chris,

Here are a couple photos that may help deciding between the Woodsman and Duke. I also threw in the Toothpik in one just to make decisions more difficult.

Chad
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to post those. Mission accomplished, the decision is now more difficult.
That Toothpick looks awesome! I don't think I would want it near my teeth though.

I keep going back and forth..... I cook all the time so I appreciate the shape and and lack of a guard on the Woodsman but something about the subtle differences on the Duke keep bringing me back to it.....

There is only one solution ot this dilemma, get both :D
 
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