How did you discover Fiddleback Forge

The year was 2014....When KSF was in Oregon, I was close to the store.... Spent a lot of time in there browsing knives. I was in there one day and another customer was fondling a Kephart in Bloodwood w/ natural liners and white pinstripes, 1/8" SFT...I'd never seen a Fiddleback before. I sidestepped closer to get a better look....{in my mind...} "ooooo!, that's a fine looking knife!"... (don't look interested, he'll just want to buy it even more... distract him somehow!)... "Wow, look at those nice Bark Rivers over there!"...not working....use 'the force' {Yoda's voice}... "mmmmm... Koster knife, buy it you should). "oh! that worked, he's put the Kephart down and is checking out a Koster..."forget about the Kephart...just forget about it"... It worked, he's lost interest for the moment...move in fast and snag the prized Kephart.... which I did. At the time, it was the most expensive knife I'd ever bought. Little did I know, I'd get to participate in a similar competitive thrill-ride each Friday and purchase scores of Fiddlebacks in just a year and half. Great knives...great fun...great people!

Love the Yoda tactics... Thanks for the very entertaining story. Made my day...


I found the forge through browsing various brands on KSF and/or Bladeco....then googled further and through Andy's page ended up on BF...the rest is the usual addiction :D
 
You folks inspire me. I love this thread.
 
I stumbled across Fiddleback Forge on DLT Trading less than a week ago. Then I found this forum already picked up a Bushcrafter off the martketplace and scored a hemp wrapped Sgian Dubh last Fiddleback friday. Love the Bushcrafter the knife is beautiful and the craftsmanship is amazing. Now I have a new list of knives I "need".
 
I found the Fiddleback sub-culture via crex. It's all his fault.

I had been browsing bladeforums for years, but never registered on the site. I was too busy to be part of yet another online forum ..
My traditional Tomahawk obsession had reached new heights and my search for Tomahawk makers finally convinced me to register.

Tomahawks lead to me to wanting to learn how to forge steel. I wanted to make a tomahawk, a knife, etc. I found Carl, and he told me about the Track Rock Hammer In. Somehow Fiddleback was mentioned and I checked out the forum. The unmistakable 'bullseye' was a styling cue I'd seen already at Blade Show .. but Andy didn't make traditional Tomahawks - so I would just stroll past his table. lol. Anyway .. I continued to give a try at knifemaking - which lead to sheath making, etc. I bought a few other maker's bushcrafting style knives (because they were at a cheaper price point). I saved money for a couple months and jumped into a Friday sale thread, but the FBF frenzy was nuts! It made me ask, what's so special about this dude's knives!?!? I finally found one I wanted one a dealer's site (still own it) .. then I snapped up one from the used market .. the rest is history.

And how/when did I start into making sheaths for the Fiddleback Connoisseur? Here, The pics make me cringe. :D
 
I met Andy at Blade in 2010. It was something along the lines of Dylan saying "This is Andy, you guys should talk later", and we did :D
 
This is a cool thread that I totally missed.

I found the forum in 2009 because of the 'Wilderness and Survival Skills' page. I was really interested in learning more about that sort of stuff, and have, and still am. Once I read all there was to read there I started looking around the rest of the forum. I think I saw one of Andy's knives somewhere on the WSS page and decided that I need to look into those more. I was really planning on buying one of Andy's knives back then, and I still wish I had the good sense to save up for one of the OG's, but alas, I never did have the money to get one... Jump forward, I got less into bushcraft and more into college and video games (I was always into video games, I was just more into them during that time). I forgot about this forum and getting a knife from Andy and just kind of did that college thing. After college I pretty much completely quit playing video games, and started fishing, hiking, eventually hunting, and doing more stuff outside, something I always loved.

Then for some reason last year I started checking in on here again, I don't really remember what sparked it, but here I am!
 
My descent into high end knives all started with wanting to find a high quality folding knife to replace an old beat up Schrade Uncle Henry.

That led to a Benchmade Presidio, which would have been perfectly fine for my immediate needs if I had not discovered Bladeforums. Because then I started reading... and reading... and reading. Until I had tried one or more from pretty much every major production and mid tech brand. Then there were the slip joints.

Anyway, it didn't take long after those first few folders to want to try a high end fixed blade. The first was a Bravo 1. But while searching through all the dealer stock for those Andy's knives caught my eye. Got my first Fiddleback in January 2013 from TKC. A Bushfinger with maroon linen over natural canvas and white pinstripes. Such a sweet handle config. Then I started lurking around this forum and scored a tuxedo Recluse during a Fiddleback Friday a few months later. For a while I tried to convince myself that I didn't need more than 2-3 knives... but that didn't take. :D
 
Very cool to see all these stories. I like Fogdarts Jedi techniques. It's cool to see Bud's first sales thread even though he doesn't like the pics. :D Also, cool to see the folks who found FF through the online dealers. I actually found all the online dealers through the FF web page and this forum. :D
Great stuff to read. Lets keep em coming. :thumbup:
 
In late 2011, I stumbled upon Bladeforums while searching online for a good fixed blade knife. At the time, I desperately needed one for work (Used to have a Wildlife removal business). Once on the forum, I scoured through some recent reviews and the found Brian's (Mistwalker) review of the prototype Bushfinger. Let's just say from there I stopped looking because I knew I had to have a Fiddleback. A few weeks later (after going through the custom order turndowns :rolleyes: ) I scored my very own Bushfinger from one of Andy's occasional sales threads. To this date, it is still one of the nicest Bushfinger's I've owned and would likely never part with it. In all, I have likely bought, traded and/or sold 50 or so Fiddlebacks since 2011. For you large sharks, I know this is a drop in the bucket. With time though, I've tailored my collection down to special one-off pieces, a few collectibles, sentimental favorites and dedicated users. Now, that doesn't stop me from still adding pieces that I just can't seem to pass up. My sharking skills leave something to be desired, but the great folks here in this forum definitely make up for it via the exchange or other means.
Andy's work had inspired me a few years back to make a couple of knives of my own with the help of a local maker. I think a lot of you can relate. I thoroughly enjoyed it and wish I had time to "fiddle" around with it more. Too many other obligations at this point. Last year at Blade, Andy took a look at one of my knives. Very nice compliments, but if I recall, my crutch was the handle shape. It likely didn't pass the "poop" test. If only I were closer and had a day to observe Andy doing some handle shaping :thumbup:

Well, its been nice reading everyone's comments and as stated before, you guys and gals have to be some of the nicest members on the Forum. It's been a pleasure getting to know some of you fairly well and I'm proud to call you friends.

Take care,
Sergio

Here are a couple of pics of my first Fiddleback: Old School Bushfinger: 5/32" 01 (Pre-3D Spalting, but still excellent), with Maple Burl scales and natural liners.

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one of the coolest things I remember from Blade show last year you were trying to buy a knife and were having trouble with the wifi or some issue w/ Paypal. I didn't know who you were as I don't think you mentioned your screen name. Andy walked over & we were talking about the issue and Andy said " Just give Sergio the knife. He's good for it"
I met lots of folks that weekend but that stuck with me.I look forward to seeing you there this year as well.

thats still one of the nicest Bushfingers I have seen
 
My story is simple. I found Andy's work on Blade Forums shortly after he started making knives. I picked up my first Fiddleback. I unfortunately sold that particular one :( and to this day that is my biggest sense of "seller's remorse". Andy, I sure miss the layered wood handles. :) I've been hooked ever since.
 
one of the coolest things I remember from Blade show last year you were trying to buy a knife and were having trouble with the wifi or some issue w/ Paypal. I didn't know who you were as I don't think you mentioned your screen name. Andy walked over & we were talking about the issue and Andy said " Just give Sergio the knife. He's good for it"
I met lots of folks that weekend but that stuck with me.I look forward to seeing you there this year as well.

thats still one of the nicest Bushfingers I have seen

Haha. I remember quite well. I was getting so frustrated that I couldn't get a connection to Paypal. I knew Andy would accept a Paypal payment and was trying to save my cash for those who were taking cash only. It wasn't until I left the building that I was able to log onto Paypal and complete the transaction. Believe me, I've learned my lesson for this year.
I look forward to seeing all you guys as well.


Great story Sergio. That Bushfinger is outstanding! :thumbup:

Thanks man. I actually used to use this knife. Flitz does wonders.

Awesome story Sergio. That's a sweeet BF.

Thanks Abe. You have quite a few stunners yourself. :thumbup:
 
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