Fiddleback Forge Comparison Photos Round Two (PIC Heavy)

ridnovir said:
Mark,

Good job on this thread. I have the Bushcrafter and now I think I need the Bushfinger. :)
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My first FBF knife was the Emerald Green Bushcrafter. What a knife for sure. I initially choose it over the Bushfinger because I was worried about the tip strength. For some reason unknown to me, :) I fixate on having a knife with a strong but useful tip. Anyway, to continue...

I scoured the FBF forums for knife reviews and couldn't help but notice that Mistwalker had used the Bushfinger extensively and preferred the pointy blade profile. There were also plenty of others who commented favorably on the knife. So I got a Bushfinger to find out what the buzz was all about. Having both the Bushcrafter and the Bushfinger in hand, it became clear to me that the Bushfinger was a well thought out and capable knife with plenty of tip strength. I was very glad I bought it, very glad indeed!

Mark
 
Concerning sharpening. When I first get a FB knife (convex) I put it to the stones - and set the convex the way I want. This has taken a lot of practice so that I do not make the convex into something that has flat edges. It takes a lot of practice to get this process right - or at least it did for me. (I use King Japanese water stones 800, 1200, 4000)

After I set this - a knife has to REALLY be beaten up for me to need to go back to the stones. I have a set of wet/dry sand paper going from 400 grit to 2000 grit. Then I go to a JRE strop bat and run through Black, Green, Pink, and then bare leather. I usually then go to some canvas (just on my pants is fine too).

That is my method - and I am happy with it.

TF
 
Hello Mark,

I too just wanted to throw my thanks up. The pics you put up are great and super helpful for me(newbie to fiddleback) especially the ones in hand; the same hand. gave me a great idea of the knives and which ones I would favour.

Thanks again and sweet collection. I never get tired of looking at pics of fiddleback knives!!

Have a good one!

d.
 
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Wow, Talfuchre, (thanks for chiming in) that sounds like a pretty thorough sharpening path. When you say you set the convex to how you want it, are you talking about removing any secondary bevel on the blade to make it a "true convex"? I had thought to perhaps do this on one of mine to see if I like the results. Obviously, great care needs to be taken to retain the convex profile and not turn the blade into a V-grind.

I appreciate the feedback.

CT
 
blood604 said:
Hello Mark,

I too just wanted to throw my thanks up. The pics you put up are great and super helpful for me(newbie to fiddleback) especially the ones in hand; the same hand. gave me a great idea of the knives and which ones I would favour.

Thanks again and sweet collection. I never get tired of looking at pics of fiddleback knives!!

Have a good one!

d.
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Hi blood 604,

Thank you for your kind words.

If it helps, I wear a size 9 in Hestra gloves. Listed below is Hestra's glove size guide.

Hand Length: (Mine is 7.6 inches)
Measure from tip of your longest finger to base of your palm, where it meets your wrist.

Hand Circumference: (Mine is 8.5 inches)
Measure around your hand at the widest point excluding the thumb.

Sincerely,
Mark
 
maw said:
Hi blood 604,

Thank you for your kind words.

If it helps, I wear a size 9 in Hestra gloves. Listed below is Hestra's glove size guide.

Hand Length: (Mine is 7.6 inches)
Measure from tip of your longest finger to base of your palm, where it meets your wrist.

Hand Circumference: (Mine is 8.5 inches)
Measure around your hand at the widest point excluding the thumb.

Sincerely,
Mark
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Whoa, I just took those measurements you mentioned; mine measure pretty much spot on to yours...
So I'm guessing that means your in hand pics are even more helpful!!

I just received my first Fiddleback knife today, a nat/nat hunter. Awesome knife!!!!!!!!!! Cant wait to try more.
I would load a pic but I'm not sure how...

Thanks again

d.
 
Mark, do you mind me asking if any particular knife feels best in your hand? Curious what your take on the different handles is.

I have my Hunter now, eventually I'll have a recluse and a bushfinger, so I'll get to try those out too.
Down the road I plan to get a bushcrafter and a hiking buddy; curious what they are like, handle wise...


have a good one

d.
 
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Hi Blood604,

Congratulations on securing a Hunter. Can't go wrong there!

The Arete, Bushcrafter, Bushfinger, Hikingbuddy, and Terrassaur are at the top. Beautiful in fit and form! The Hunter is mighty comfortable too, just larger in the hand.

Mark
 
To those that commented on their sharpening processes, another big thanks! I know this was not quite the thread to bring that all up, but I do appreciate the replies. I put my Bushcrafter to the water stones yesterday and finished with a solid stropping and all I can say is DAMMMMNNNN! PERFECT!

Then today I just used the hell out of it in the garden doing some season-change maintenance. Those dying tomato plants didn't stand a chance...

I never need a reminder as to WHY i love knives so very much.

:thumbup:
CT
 
saucyCT said:
To those that commented on their sharpening processes, another big thanks! I know this was not quite the thread to bring that all up, but I do appreciate the replies. I put my Bushcrafter to the water stones yesterday and finished with a solid stropping and all I can say is DAMMMMNNNN! PERFECT!

Then today I just used the hell out of it in the garden doing some season-change maintenance. Those dying tomato plants didn't stand a chance...

I never need a reminder as to WHY i love knives so very much.

:thumbup:
CT
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Outstanding CT! I am quite sure Andy will be chuffed to hear this as well.

Mark
 
Your onslaught, thank you very much for that :p , has left me with two thoughts...I wish you had a Kephart, and yes I do still want a Ladyfinger in stainless at some point.
 
mistwalker said:
Your onslaught, thank you very much for that :p , has left me with two thoughts...I wish you had a Kephart, and yes I do still want a Ladyfinger in stainless at some point.
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Thank you again Brain.

I like the Kephart for a number of reasons. The blade has a gradual spear point shape with the tip being more in line with the center of the blade. I also like the width of the blade as measured from the spine to the edge being narrow. I took width measurements of my Kephart and Bushfinger and the Kephart was 1 3/16" while the Bushfinger was 1 5/16". That may not sound like much on paper but when I hold both of these knives; I can see and feel the difference. The Kephart (and Arete!) is much easier to control when I am doing reverse squeeze cuts rather than the wide blade of the Bushfinger. By reverse squeeze cuts, I mean I hold the knife in my right hand with the edge toward my thumb and on the matter to be cut and I squeeze my hand to whittle off shavings. I also use this cut to peel an apple. Does that make sense? The wider the blade, the more difficult this becomes for me. Hence, I favor the Kephart over the Bushfinger.

Mark
 
maw said:
Thank you again Brain.

I like the Kephart for a number of reasons. The blade has a gradual spear point shape with the tip being more in line with the center of the blade. I also like the width of the blade as measured from the spine to the edge being narrow. I took width measurements of my Kephart and Bushfinger and the Kephart was 1 3/16" while the Bushfinger was 1 5/16". That may not sound like much on paper but when I hold both of these knives; I can see and feel the difference. The Kephart (and Arete!) is much easier to control when I am doing reverse squeeze cuts rather than the wide blade of the Bushfinger. By reverse squeeze cuts, I mean I hold the knife in my right hand with the edge toward my thumb and on the matter to be cut and I squeeze my hand to whittle off shavings. I also use this cut to peel an apple. Does that make sense? The wider the blade, the more difficult this becomes for me. Hence, I favor the Kephart over the Bushfinger.

Mark
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Nice description Mark. I like my Recluse for this reason as well (less blade depth), though my Bushcrafter gets more daily use.

CT
 
maw said:
Thank you again Brain.

I like the Kephart for a number of reasons. The blade has a gradual spear point shape with the tip being more in line with the center of the blade. I also like the width of the blade as measured from the spine to the edge being narrow. I took width measurements of my Kephart and Bushfinger and the Kephart was 1 3/16" while the Bushfinger was 1 5/16". That may not sound like much on paper but when I hold both of these knives; I can see and feel the difference. The Kephart (and Arete!) is much easier to control when I am doing reverse squeeze cuts rather than the wide blade of the Bushfinger. By reverse squeeze cuts, I mean I hold the knife in my right hand with the edge toward my thumb and on the matter to be cut and I squeeze my hand to whittle off shavings. I also use this cut to peel an apple. Does that make sense? The wider the blade, the more difficult this becomes for me. Hence, I favor the Kephart over the Bushfinger.

Mark
Click to expand...

Ah, thanks! I didn't realize you had a Kephart. I was just telling Andy how I really liked the blade profile of his Kephart design a lot and much better than other some versions out there. I know exactly what you mean, I use that cutting method quite a bit myself especially when carving on spindles for bow drill sets. The hunter is more of a stretch than the Hiking Buddy, but the Hunter is big enough to do more of the heavier work more easily so it's a trade off.
 
saucyCT said:
Nice description Mark. I like my Recluse for this reason as well (less blade depth), though my Bushcrafter gets more daily use.

CT
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Thank you CT. :)

That is interesting that in light of our discussion the Bushcrafter gets more daily use. I am curious as to why. Do you favor the blade shape of the Bushcrafter over the Recluse?

Mark
 
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