Fiddleback Bushcrafter Passaround

Fiddleback said:
I have never heard of folks being unhappy with my handles, and now there are three. Hmmmm. Oh well. The bushcrafter has a 4" blade and 4.5" handle. The handle scales start out at 3/8" thick each. I do not plan to start out with a 2x4 on each side of the steel.
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Andy, don't feel too bad. Just remember that everyone is built different, and people in different areas have different uses for the same knife. I've got ham-hocks on the end of my arms:D so making a knife for a 'normal' person to use can sometimes be an exercise in frustration:foot: Heck, if it were easy...
 
The reviews on this so far have me feeling good. I usually like my handles a little thinner, thick handles make a knife feel to bulky for me.
 
peripatew said:
Perhaps a slightly wider handle then? Depending on the width of the handle, I've found that I like the thickness of the handle to be at least 3/4" and moving closer to an 1"
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Check out the Hunter. Its got a wider tang.
 
WalterDavis said:
Andy, don't feel too bad. Just remember that everyone is built different, and people in different areas have different uses for the same knife. I've got ham-hocks on the end of my arms:D so making a knife for a 'normal' person to use can sometimes be an exercise in frustration:foot: Heck, if it were easy...
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Yeah Andy, like Walter says, everybody has a different hand, but remember the human hand is quite adaptable when it comes to holding tools.

I find lots of folks don’t even use a knife before they judge its handle; in fact I may have been guilty of this in the past.

Bigger is not always better; it really depends on how the knife is used, the person using it, and the task at hand.

Sometimes a smaller handle floats more easily in the hand, and works without thinking about it.

Big handles are great for hammer grips, but who really cuts that way.


Don’t take it too personally, and don’t be afraid to experiment with handle shapes; like all things in knife making, finding the correct balance can make the sum of the parts greater then just adding up the numbers.




"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

Forest & Stream
 
Fiddleback said:
I have never heard of folks being unhappy with my handles, and now there are three. Hmmmm. Oh well. The bushcrafter has a 4" blade and 4.5" handle. The handle scales start out at 3/8" thick each. I do not plan to start out with a 2x4 on each side of the steel.
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Andy,

Could be the power of suggestion too.

I like the feel of your latest knife. You seem to have addressed a lot of the piddly shit that I pointed out in my review. The grinds are much better - the details are primo.

Not every hand is the same - thank God we have so many cool makers to choose from.

TF
 
Fiddleback said:
I have never heard of folks being unhappy with my handles, and now there are three. Hmmmm. Oh well. The bushcrafter has a 4" blade and 4.5" handle. The handle scales start out at 3/8" thick each. I do not plan to start out with a 2x4 on each side of the steel.
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If anyone is dissatisfied with the thickness or width of the Bushcrafter handle, they'd probably love the Hunter handle. Slightly wider though the palm swell, 1.077" for the Bushcrafter and 1.195" for the Hunter. Overall thickness in the palm swell is about the same, 0.796 for the Bushie and 0.830 for the Hunter.

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Personally, I like both of these handle configurations, but given the choice, I might opt for the Hunter style handle on the Bushcrafter as well. It just feels a little fuller and fits MY hand a little better, but again, I like both. I think further thickening the handle would complicate/compromise the fit of the sheath, though I'm no expert on sheath construction.

Edit: I should have pointed out that I got my Hunter first and have already used it a bit. I only recently got the new model Bushcrafter and haven't had a chance to really use it yet. I wonder if I had gotten it first if I would prefer the Bushcrafter handle to that of the Hunter. Perhaps once I use it, I'll find my experience contradicts my initial impressions. As others have said, different people have different hands, different methods of use and different preferences.
 
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Fiddleback said:
I have never heard of folks being unhappy with my handles, and now there are three. Hmmmm. Oh well. The bushcrafter has a 4" blade and 4.5" handle. The handle scales start out at 3/8" thick each. I do not plan to start out with a 2x4 on each side of the steel.
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I was not "unhappy" with your handle.....and my preference is not about the thickness of the scales, it's the thin top to btm. width at the butt end of the handle. I PREFER a little more meat there, probably just muscle memory.
I always thought that the reason for a passaround was to get honest opinions on the knives.
In note of your sarcasm re: the 2 x 4.....maybe you should only pass your knives around to those you know are gonna like EVERYTHING about your knife.
 
I wasn't trying to be sarcastic. Just had a bad day. I apologize.
 
404-five19-2787 is my cell. I'll be there all weekend!!!
 
Good to know!! I was just thinking about this one...

Off to Blade Show. Table 4BB if you're gonna be there.
 
How I wish I was at blade!

But at least I can play with pretty steel at home. :D Got some time to fool around with the FB bushy this morning, it's been a pleasure to work with! Snapped a few pics too.

TF's leather work is just great. Very clean edges and solid, even stitching. Also a very tight fit for the blade, without being so tight that you yank your pants off trying to remove the blade from it. Dig the dangler for sure.

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The blade itself is certainly handsome. FB's trademark handles were certainly well melted, very smooth curves to it. He has a good understanding of good handle proportions. When working with the blade, it puts your hand in a place for great support, right up near the edge. The handle is a little small overall for me (most are for me!), but the proportions are good enough that it's not uncomfortable to work with. It really makes me want to try out the Hunter model.

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In hand...

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The edge itself came in great shape, very sharp!! Certainly shaving sharp out of the package and amenable to a small amount of stropping. The convex edge flows nicely all the way across the width of the blade. It performed admirably on wood and made some really smooth, small curls. It also did notching just fine (often harder for blades with too thick a shoulder).

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And finally my lazy mutt getting some R&R from her hectic work schedule while I played...

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Thanks for letting me take part! I'll let folks know as soon as I get a chance to get to the PO. :thumbup:
 
PS- I don't think I have the next shipping address for this. Could someone PM that to me soon please? Would love to get it out today.
 
Wow. Thanks for that review SP. I've PM'd the next participant, and you should have his address soon!!

I wish you'd have come down as well for Blade. I met a lot of GREAT folks though, and it was really a BLAST!!!
 
Nice review spooky, and great pics :thumbup:

this is a really weird question, but, spooky, did you tape your dogs tags together so that they wouldnt jingle?
 
Ok, I must say that these reviews are driving me crazy. The comparison shot versus the Mora is brilliant for me to get some size perspective. I'm so excited about my Fiddleback being made. Ugh, I want to jump into July so I can get it now!
 
Darteres said:
Ok, I must say that these reviews are driving me crazy. The comparison shot versus the Mora is brilliant for me to get some size perspective. I'm so excited about my Fiddleback being made. Ugh, I want to jump into July so I can get it now!
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Been made...:cool:
 
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