Fiddleback Forge prototype Hunter (Pic Heavy)

[JC in SC]

A few weeks back, Andy sent me a PM stating that he had something coming off the bench that I was going to want and man was he right. He was putting the finishing touches on his prototype Hunter and had posted some WIP pictures in his subforum. I told him I'd take it immediately, but first I got Andy to send it to Talfuchre for a pair of pants.

For more glamour shots, check out my other post in Andy's subforum here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6743527#post6743527

Knife Specifications:

Steel: O1
Grind: Full convex
Handle Material: Wenge over Curly Maple over redish orange liners (Andy can chime in here as I'm not positive what the color or material is)
Overall Length: 9.5 inches
Blade Length: ~4.75 inches
Handle Length: ~4.75 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.150 inches
Blade Height: 1.40 inches
Handle Style: Similar to the Fiddleback Woodsman, but with a tapered tang

First Impressions:
WOW. The handle fits perfectly in my hand. The blade was razor sharp, hair popping sharp upon receipt. To give the blade a little workout, I decided to build a split stick deadfall based on a tutorial Talfuchre posted on youtube.

Materials and Tools

First step, saw the small log in half.

Next, I batoned the log half down to a square

Then I split it to make the two halves of the split stick

Then the notches

I tried a number of grips pointing the bottom stick

Then I realized I put the point on backwards, so I had to redo it.

I forgot to photograph the slot/notch for the trigger to drop rather than fall off the side. Next I began notching the trigger stick.

To be continued...

 

[JC in SC]

Next task was to sharpen the trigger a bit

I've always thought that a good indication of sharpness is how good a point you can get on a stick. Sorry, the photo is a little blurry.

And finally, the finished product.

If you happened to have read my previous post on starting my first fire via firesteel, you'll recall that I had insufficient tender. I tried to reclaim as much of the saw dust as possible during this build.

You're probably wondering what the edge was like after batoning that piece of oak (both with and across the grain). I think this picture says it better than I can.

Yea, still hair popping.

Overall Impressions:
Despite the somewhat large size of the blade, I felt that it was easy to control. The edge moved effortlessly through everything I put in its path. If you can't tell from the pics, this bad boy is a batoning machine. I tried several grips and all were comfortable and provided good control. Choking up onto the blade for draw cuts worked well. This exercise didn't require any drilling, so I forgot to test that, but I'm sure it'd do quite well. The blade is a bit wider than I think is typical of a bushcraft knife, but Andy already has a bushcrafter. I could tell where this extra width wouldn't be desired in bushcraft during this exercise, but it wasn't too much to make me seek another blade. For hunting/skinning purposes, I think this extra width will be useful, which is probably why Andy added it. Obviously, Andy's handle combos are incredible, but don't let them fool you into thinking that his creations aren't hard working, user knives. Bottom line, I think this is a fantastic blade and will be quite a successful seller for Andy. Separate review for Talfuchre's sheath to follow!

 

[absolutindian]

wow that is a nice looking blade

 

[Diomedes Industries]

That thing was a flipping razor blade too! What a nice knife. I literally had to put blue tape on it as fast as possible to not be tempted to test it too!

TF

 

[Fiddleback]

It was the first time I've used it, but I'm itching to do more with that Wenge. Its sweet to work with. Hard and greasy.

Thats a great review JC. Damn. I'm going to save some of those pics.

 

[pitdog]

Looks to be a winning design, great stuff !!!!

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Man that looks good, this might be an FB 'for me'! Love the beefier looking handle. :thumbup: But hey, I'm a chubby chaser. Except for my wife.

 

[Rockywolf]

OMG! I love it! Another Fiddleback on my want list.

 

[kgd]

Excellent looking blade - and great trap too!

 

[tonym]

Great work, review and pics!

I need to get that model!

I have that same corona saw, it's a work horse!

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great review man...:thumbup: excellent pics too... i really like the looks of this knife, especially the nice wide blade.. those handles look super comfortable as usual... nice work Andy.. i may have to look into one of these in the future...

 

[fujita yuji]

I love it.
The overall balance, handle shape, blade pattern are beautiful.
The sheath also looks great.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[JTC3495]

Nice review and some great pics. Man you got me itchin for a Fiddleback with all those great shots.

 

[myright]

Great review and thanks for the pics. His handle work is second to none and that sheath really sets it off.

Nice working getting that round log down to an almost perfect square.

 

[baldtaco-II]

There's a nice design for a field knife.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Hey - I am glad that you got something out of that trap how to I did! Did it work when you got it done? That has to be the HEARTIEST version of that trap I have ever seen. What a test of that knife? If it shaved after that - that is good stuff!

TF

 

[tknife]

I like that a lot. I seem to always lean toward drop point hunter designs for the blades that I like and use the most.

 

[wildmike]

I like that one better than the woodsman! I just prefer my point to be up close to the spine line. Nice width to the blade as well.

 

[JC in SC]

It was the first time I've used it, but I'm itching to do more with that Wenge. Its sweet to work with. Hard and greasy.

Thats a great review JC. Damn. I'm going to save some of those pics.

That Wenge is sweet. I forgot to take pics of the tapered tang, but if you look closely at some of these shots, you can see it. I'm glad you liked the review Andy.

Hey - I am glad that you got something out of that trap how to I did! Did it work when you got it done? That has to be the HEARTIEST version of that trap I have ever seen. What a test of that knife? If it shaved after that - that is good stuff!

TF

Yeah, I figured I should concentrate on the basics the first time around and work on shrinking the various components next time. Honestly, I forgot to trigger it. I might try that tonight and see if I can capture a video.

Thanks for the kind words on the review everyone. This was my first official review, so I'm glad it is coherent and seemingly well received. I hope to be reviewing some more Fiddlebacks in the near future!

 

[JC in SC]

Did it work when you got it done?TF

I tested it out today and if you set the trigger right (i.e. notch barely grabbing), it works just fine. Without further adieu, the "Hearty" split stick deadfall...

http://www.flickr.com/photo_embed.gne?id=3469609928

I couldn't get the video embedded, so hopefully you can see it via the link (sorry). It works for me, but it is also my account, so let me know if it doesn't work for you or how to embed the video (from flickr).