First full day with the Arete...

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
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I have no pics of this one - but I wanted to report in.

I used it to make a heartwood bow drill fire tonight. I made it from loblolly pine.

For this - I used these holds and cuts.

1) Hammer grip - for most cuts.
2) Chest lever - for hogging off a lot of material. The knife was taking huge chunks.
3) One handed draw - for smoothing and fine work.
4) Choked up grip - way up on the blade for fine work.
5) Battoning (to split up the wood when I started).

Here are some observations.

1) GREAT edge retention. I had no issue shaving hair and there was zero signs of chips, edge rolling, or any other damage - essentially it looked the same as when I started.

2) The handle was comfortable in all grips. The knife excels at the hammer grip and reverse grip. It is very comfortable in the chest lever as the rear end is rounded (I thank TonyM for this suggestion - he was right).

3) The handle is long enough. No feeling of discomfort or instability.

4) The blade is wide enough. This was a quality of the knife I did not think I would like as much as I do. Because the bevel is smaller than other knives, and the blade is a bit wider - you can really choke up on the knife and it is comfortable.


I know I designed this knife - so it should fit my hand - but the fact that it does and works well in so many tasks - makes me VERY pleased.

The things I really think Andy got right:

1) Grind. The bevel is nice - when I sharpened it after I was done (I like to do this - it was not needed) it is a real pleasure to sharpen.

2) Heat treat. This heat treat is money. It takes and holds an edge very well. I am VERY happy with this part of the blade.

3) Leaving the flats as they came from heat treat. It is a worker in this sense. I don't have to worry about the patina or it not looking nice.


The things I think Andy could improve upon:

1) The plunge lines were not perfectly symmetrical. Granted, it only took a little time to make them right, and I do think Andy will get nothing but better on this - but a little improvement would be great.

That is about it.

Andy is a real perfectionist and I think he truly turns out the best knife he is capable at the time he makes it. I don't think he ever says 'Ehhhh close enough...'. I only see him getting better and I don't think I could have picked a better colaborator to team up with on this knife. I am REALLY proud to be the owner of this blade.

TF
 
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I love hearing that these Scandi heat treats are coming out perfect. That 01 steel is a winner. I've been considering switching to A2 so the blade would stay prettier a little longer, but when you're getting performance like this, whats the point?
 
Granted Andy - it was pine - but I used it really hard on purpose.

I test my blades like such - once sharp I drag the tip of my thumb nail over the very edge. When it is newly sharp - it has no bumps or obstructions.

I used a couple of blades during this test. One, I could feel the difference after a very short time. It was still sharp - but it obviously had edge damage.

Yours, after the entire test, was not only shaving sharp, but I could not feel damage with my nail. Essentially it was perfect.

TF
 
Well, the more I do the more confidence I'm getting with the HT on the Scandi. When I saw Barberfobic batonning a 3/32" thick true Scandi knife I was really nervous. But when it worked out, I was really excited, happy, giddy.
 
TF,

I'd like to know how the Arete compares with Andy's other knives in the "Bushcraft" size--the Bushcrafter, Terrassaur, Ladyfinger, KSF Exclusive Bushie & Hunter. If the Arete design is your first choice, do you have a second Fiddleback favorite? I expect that you've been able to handle them all as you've made sheaths for Fiddleback.

Although I've not having handled any of these knives, it looks like the Bushcrafter and Terrassaur have more of a palm swell than the Arete, but similar in size. The Ladyfinger and Hunter designs look like the small/large or thin/thick version of the same knife. The KSF Exclusive Bushie looks like a combination of the best handle designs with a thinner convex blade--not much like a regular Bushcrafter.

Soon I'll be placing an order for a Fiddleback, but I'm not sure which yet...

Jared
 
The Arete started as a mix between the Hunter and the Ladyfinger. Both of those knives were (at the time) both flat grinds or convexes. I wanted a Scandi and Andy had JUST started making the Scandi grind.

The Terrasaur is VERY similar to the Arete in many ways - and I think Joe did a great job of designing - I also think Andy does a great job of implementing the design. It is not a spear point and the handle is a little less contoured than I like. But that is my hand.

The Lady finger is VERY nice! It is a little small handled for my hands - but I am 6'5" so I need a little more filling in the hand.

I have not handled the KSF Exclusive yet - so I simply cannot speak to that.


In short - this is a VERY tough choice (which is great). If you want a convex - get a Ladyfinger - I don't think you can go wrong.

If you want a Scandi - have Andy make you a Scandi Lady Finger, or Terrasaur, or Arete.

Honestly, you can ALWAYS sell these - people snatch these up when they come up - buy one - if it is not right - order another.

Order two and sell one - I know this sounds crazy - but I turn knives quickly and never loose money or just a bit of money. I figure it is 'rent' to try out a knife.

TF
 
thanks for the write-up TF. I'm on the fence between this one and a couple others from FB. The handle looks wide to me, but it could just be the pics. I know you say it fits your hands perfectly which is awesome - how big are your hands?

I'm somewhere between a M and L glove.
 
Talfuchre said:
The Arete started as a mix between the Hunter and the Ladyfinger. Both of those knives were (at the time) both flat grinds or convexes. I wanted a Scandi and Andy had JUST started making the Scandi grind.

The Terrasaur is VERY similar to the Arete in many ways - and I think Joe did a great job of designing - I also think Andy does a great job of implementing the design. It is not a spear point and the handle is a little less contoured than I like. But that is my hand.

The Lady finger is VERY nice! It is a little small handled for my hands - but I am 6'5" so I need a little more filling in the hand.

I have not handled the KSF Exclusive yet - so I simply cannot speak to that.


In short - this is a VERY tough choice (which is great). If you want a convex - get a Ladyfinger - I don't think you can go wrong.

If you want a Scandi - have Andy make you a Scandi Lady Finger, or Terrasaur, or Arete.

Honestly, you can ALWAYS sell these - people snatch these up when they come up - buy one - if it is not right - order another.

Order two and sell one - I know this sounds crazy - but I turn knives quickly and never loose money or just a bit of money. I figure it is 'rent' to try out a knife.

TF
Click to expand...

Thanks for this post Tal.
 
My Right:

I wear a L glove. You may be best served by a Terrasaur or a Ladyfinger.

Of course, Andy is accommodating - I am certain he would be willing to take a little off the scales for you if you asked him to. I think you should go with blade design FIRST and then ask Andy to make some accommodations on the scales.

I hope I am not speaking out of turn Andy.

TF
 
I believe most folks will want the scales slimmed down a bit on their Arete. I also believe (JMHO, not trying to offend you big handed meatballs) that the knife will look more beautiful with the handles more normal sized. (IE, 1/4" scales plus liners)
 
K. No problem Jack. Its profiled. Coming soon. I'm having trouble trying to pick your handle though.
 
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