Forest time with the Fiddleback Handy Man

[hasco]

Ever since the Handy Man was introduced, I have been wanting to get one. I finally saw a scandi version come up on the flea market that I liked. This one is in ivory paper micarta with a yellow pinstripe over natural in 1/8" A2 SFT. I usually try to stay away from yellow pinstripes (or any bright pinstripes that don't blend well with the chosen handle material) but these aren't too flashy for my tastes. I don't think they add anything to the knife, but I can tolerate them.

I was originally drawn in by the handyman because it looked liked the handle had a little more room at the end for my hand than the hiking buddy. I was right and it really feels great in the hand. Out of all the smaller fiddlebacks in the 3 inch range this is the most comfortable to me excluding the bushcraft karda. I am very happy to have gotten one.

With the scandi grind it cuts like a laser. I love this thing.

It looks good in this JouFuu sheath I picked up awhile back.

My son used it to carve his hot dog stick. Don't worry, we are in California, these were grass fed beef dogs.

He was able to light the tinder bundle on his third strike with the fire steel.

It has been pretty dry so we used the bush box to contain the fire.

If you are considering a 3" Fiddleback I would give my highest recommendation to the handy man.

 

[necrolicious]

Thanks Hasco! Nice pics and review. I've been waiting for the perfect one to pop up (still waiting) but this model is on my radar for sure. The end of the handle on the HB is my same bugaboo about it. Great knife but for smaller mitts. Adequacy convinced me, but this sort of review is just fuel for the fire.

 

[Odaon]

Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing! I really liked the one of handy man that had the patch handle shape. If another one of those shows up I would definitely consider it, especially in scandi!

 

[Bmurray]

awesome

 

[Fiddleback]

Man, Hasco, I love seeing your son working with a Fiddleback knife. Love the thread bro. Nice work!

 

[Texas_toothpick]

Very nice hasco I enjoyed your photos. Great seeing more people out with the kids teaching them useful skills.

 

[trestle]

Fine looking score Tod, and I agree with your thoughts on the handle. Be sure to try a Shank some time as well although you might find the handle to be a little short.

Your little man sure is handy with the fire skills

Can you please share the source of the firebox?

 

[adequacy]

Couldn't agree more. The handyman is my favorite fiddleback!

I have a scandi and a convex and love them both.

Glad you got your hands on one, that's a lovely knife.

Great camp photos too!

 

[Onedog]

Another cool thread Tod! The pics are awesome. I definitely agree with your points on the Handyman. I carry my scandi one often and I really like it a lot. Been a fan since Andy started making them. I have one scandi and one convex although the scandi one gets a lot more carry time. You got yourself a nice one there, I have a scandi Bushraptor in almost the same exact handle config. :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

Awesome post Todd! I too love the Handyman model. I edc mine sometimes, and I have carried it on hikes. I feel the Handyman handle offers more control in cutting than the HB handle. I need to pick up another one later because I have a love / hate relationship with the one I have. I love the knife, I love having one of the ones that Andy submitted to the guild, and I love using it, but I hate the idea of it getting messed up. So I end up using it less than I would one I bought in a sales post. I am unlike most here I know, but I would really love one with a tapered 5/32 blade for regular use. The tapered 3/32 one I have now is amazingly light and fun to use. But I am subject to decide on a new experiment at any time, so my edc knives live longer if they error on the side of being a little more heavy duty I may even get one for Alayna later, but the way she approaches things I prefer her knives that she uses freely on a regular basis have at least a slight guard.

 

[Scotcha]

Great to see the knife being put to use Todd. Thanks for sharing.

 

[cbach8tw]

Thanks for sharing, nice pics.

 

[hasco]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! I am headed out on a family trip today so I will try to respond more later.

Trestle - the stove is the bushbox xl. You can find it on amazon. It is good for containing a fire and works well when the ground is wet too. It is pretty heavy because it is stainless. I think they make a titanium version for double the price.

Mist - I know what you mean about the guard. My son usually uses a mora scout with a double guard. I was getting nervous watching him choke up on the handyman but I forgot to bring his knife. He has gotten to be pretty careful in general though.

 

[Gevonovich]

I really enjoyed your pictures and that Handyman is a stunner. I really like the model and am thinking about one

 

[Tekton]

Nice pictures Hasco. I'd like to pick up a Handyman at some point as well