Fiddleback Collections

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Ugh, that's like asking which child is your favorite or do you love the most!!

I did put some thought into it the other day, even before you asked the question. And I can share some thoughts, consider this text me thinking aloud ..

The approach was "If I could have only one to carry each day, as a daily user, not in the event of an apocalypse kinda thing". Figured I should maybe start column by column and it looked easiest starting from the right and going left. I'd pick one from each column and then narrow from there.

Hmmm, right-most column .. I'd really love that 3/32" KEB but it needs to have more of a pinch grip up front vs being round. Glances down the list of awesome blues, the CPM154 green ASP, my very first Fiddleback the green Handyman. Awww hell, who am I kidding? The @Osprey Knife & Tool Poon Tipped Mini Mamushi gets this one hands-down for just an outstanding blade size in a super concealable, yet comfy package.

Ok, onto the next column .. Cool friggen carbon fiber from Chris! Really want to skin and field dress a hog with that guardless Apache one day. The carbon fiber w/ blue liner Warthog that saw me through Harvey. Flippin cool guardless version of the Mini Mamushi. The very basic but classy, almost dressy commando Scandi Hiking Buddy that I used to cut up brisket after my 3rd daughter's Baptism. (yes, carried it in my suit pocket in church) The DIW Esquire that is know in our house as "the toe knife" which is not a story I'll share here. Oh wow, that Asp with the super comfy ramp. And the Shark! Which @allen456 really really ought to make more of!! Awww hell, who am I kidding? The @Osprey Knife & Tool modified Shrike One-Off just steals the show with ergos and slice-ability and makes you want to do bad things with it. >-) And the wood on it is just stunning.

Getting tougher here with the 3rd column from the right .. Ugh, don't make me choose between the bog oaks!! That BO OS Ladyfinger is just sooooo amazing in the hand, but not small enough for my daily carry. It just might take the column here though if I was going at things from a different angle. As @pertinux has said, the 'Falcen just has that extra cool factor going on but .. Man, this is tough, esp between the Hiking Buddy, Bushnub, 'Falcen, Big Palmer, Bobcat and the @Jarrett Fleming Unnamed (which I'm currently thinking should be named something like "UBT aka Ultimate Bird & Trout) ... Sheeze, I am not looking forward to the 4th column. Ok, I'll have to go with the (old style) Bushnub here, or I'll be here all day.

4th column from the right .. There is SO MUCH awesomeness in this column it is just STUPID SICK! Not only are the red adorned models great in themselves but the handle ergos on these particular ones actually bumped other similar models out of the nest and into the Flea Market. And after having bought about 8 Bushfingers, the Brisket Burlap (or Bloody Van Gogh as I still prefer) Bushfinger is the hands-down winner of handle ergos and shape among Bushfingers. I'd still select it over the bog oak version if I had to - and that's saying a lot! Alas, I've got to pick one from this column here so I'm going with the Lonestar! It also has bumped a few other Lonestar models out of the nest and I can't imagine Andy @Fiddleback being able to improve anything more on a Lonestar than he has on this handle. Just wow!! The only thing that could have improved this knife is if it had a taper. But still, it feels so great that I can hardly notice. And although its 1/8" stock, the blade geometry that Andy has pulled off with this model, you'd never know. The tip on it is just so useful, which I remember @mistwalker mentioning in the past month or so when he discussed this model.

So here we are, time to narrow it down from the 4 to just 1!! At this point, I find it interesting how the Lonestar and the Shrike One-off and the Poon Tipped Mini Mamushi (3 of the 4 that I selected) have pointed swedgery going on and how much I like em!! And then there is the guardless Bushnub. Hmmmmm .... Awww crap, I really need to get back to work!! hahahahahaha

Folks, it is a tough choice but thanks for reading!

 

@Warrior108 looks like you miss named some past the stubbymuck on the far left column
Edit after the handyman

 

Great catch, thanks! I think I got turned around on the "Osprey" with the Jarrett Fleming Osprey and the Osprey Knife and Tool thing going on.

Corrections made. Thanks again Mac

 

^^^ My pleasure
You had to be on a 20 foot ladder to get all those beautiful knives in a picture

 

Wide lens and it came to my attention that I missed cleaning a certain ceiling fan last week. lol

 

I Feel Your Pain Jerry......... but certainly in smaller numbers.

 

@Warrior108 Sorry, for the loaded question. I'm very impressed with your collection. I wouldn't be able to pick a favorite either. I really like your BO Bushfinger, Buckeye Mamushi, and your carbon fiber Osprey's.

 

I don't care what anyone says about Bob, he's an ALRIGHT guy in my book!! Just got my 3 Monarchs back from him and look what he included!

Now, it wasn't quite as generous as my cash stash from the Secret Santa (click link here) but then again, this isn't Christmas either.

Thanks @Bmurray

 

p.s.
the one i got off the flea market last week I snagged for Andy

 

One of these things is Two of these things are not like the others:




Spiny:




Closer:






Of Blue Wood:






Of Blue Wood and Pants:








~ P.

 

Just picked up a Fletcher--now have at least one knife by five different makers from the Fiddleback family

Fiddleback family on Flickr

Left to right-Osprey Knife and Tool, Fletcher, Fiddleback Forge, Jarrett Fleming, Surls.

 

My entire collection to date.
FB family 001 on Flickr
Fiddlebacks
FB family 002 on Flickr
Extended family

 

Nice set of knives!

May I request dibs on the OS Karda?

 

@Warrior108 email incoming.

 

This photo of my Fiddleback collection is almost six months old. Nothing has changed since then, so I guess it’s fair to say that I have settled in with my proven favorites.

Many other nice ones have passed through my hands and contributed to my knife education over the last 5+ years. When all was said and done, these seven are ones I always reach for and use, so I let the rest go.



I am not ready to say that I won’t pursue one or two more Fiddleback’s down the road. Curiosity and discovery keep life interesting.

Regardless of what the future holds, I am blessed and content to enjoy the ones I have rather than risk that contentment by always seeking MORE...

Phil

 

Well wrought words my friend! and There you have a Magnificent 7

 

This was a pic we took of Bobs first 4 Camp Knives. Of course we had to pare them down a bit after he re-shaped the tip for us....

 

Hey @Comprehensivist
What model is that on the left....wearing burlap?

 

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Hey @CAD ,

The knife on the left is a Sneaky Pete that I modified by rounding the pommel and removing the thumb ramp. You can see the before and after pictures in this thread:

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sneaky-pete-review-handle-mods.1369907/

I later removed the little guard extension on this knife as well as the Leuku, Bush Hermit, and Bushcrafter shown in the photo. I documented my reasons for doing that in this thread:

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/“guard-”-or-“guardless-”-that-is-the-question.1510999/

I am not shy about personalizing my knives to make them better suit my uses.

Thanks for the question.

Phil