How did you discover W.A. Surls Knives?

[allen456]

Thank you everyone for the support! I can't do this without you! I was taking a look at my various avenues used to promote my business and became curious how each of you discovered my work. If you can, please do the poll and if you have a great story to add, please do. Thank you!

 

[Luca917]

I voted...but note that it wasn't exactly through the Forge...I bought a Palmer off the Flea Market. Didn't really know what I was getting, but bought it because it was so beautiful. Once I had it in hand I loved it! That brought me to the W.A. Surls thread...and the Huntsman. Track Rock just sealed the deal regarding my Fiddleback and WAS obsession.

Now I have to pay attention on Wednesdays AND Fridays!

And I found the Forge from an add in Blade Magazine.

T

 

[dogbone11]

I first discovered Fiddleback Forge knives through some of the dealer sites. That led me to join BladeForums and the Fiddleback Forge forum to learn more. After a purchase I quickly became addicted like most others. I discovered W.A. Surls knives through the forum. My first Surls purchase was a Palmer and I was blown away by the craftsmanship, fit and finish, quality etc. Although like everyone I love Andy's work, I think Allen's product is equal to Andy's or any other custom maker out there. I love Allen's propensity to use thinner 3/32 stock on smaller knives and frequent use of stainless CPM154. I now own 4 of Allen's blades and hope to land several more.

 

[prom52]

My wife and I had the pleasure of meeting Allen during our first visit to the old Fiddleback shop back in August of 2014. We were on our way back to Florida having spent a couple of weeks kicking around in the mountains of TN & NC. As you can see from this photo, we quickly discovered that Allen has a free spirit that can't help but express itself:

At the time of our visit, Allen was carrying a beautiful bolstered Ironwood Burl handled Minuteman which he showed to my wife. Being a salesman in a past life, he knew to how to appeal to the female member of what the industry calls a "two legged up"....man & wife prospects. It didn't take long for my wife to place an order with Allen for an identical knife along with a knife of my choice in the same configuration. I decided upon a Patriot which is the big brother to the Minuteman. About three months later our matching set in CPM-154 was delivered as promised:

Since that time our collection of W.A. Surls knives has grown, and will no doubt expand further come Blade Show. It's been great fun to watch his creative spirit continue to express itself with the introduction of many new & exciting models, along with his leadership position in the GA Custom Knifemakers Guild.

For anyone who is just discovering Allen's craftsmanship, do not hesitate to pull the trigger. While you're at it, remember to make plenty of room in your knife drawer for future acquisitions......they've been known to have addictive properties

 

[willic]

I remember my first W.A.Surls..... a Bush Adder... it has pinecone micarta scales that Allen's friend made! She's 440C. Not long after that, Allen came to visit me on his way home from Maine. Even his early knives were nice, but Allen has really come a long way in a short time!

-Will

 

[Luca917]

Oh and I forgot...

I stumbled across his Bison one morning on the Flea Market. Again...had no clue what I was buying, but sharked it up. It's now my go-to for big camp work as well as kitchen prep (until I can afford the Arowana). So that puts me at:

• Palmer, Bison, Huntsman, Inlander

I love the mix between my Fiddlebacks and Surls. Some days I carry my Bushcrafter, others my Bison. When I'm off the farm I'll bounce between my Bushboot, Karda, and Huntsman. The Palmer sits on my left in a diagonal crossdraw from Rick Lowe. And the Inlander has a special place - Allen let me personally try my hand at a part of the process, and then finished it up into a beautiful piece. I'll post pics asap.

 

[dogbone11]

Oh and I forgot...

I stumbled across his Bison one morning on the Flea Market. Again...had no clue what I was buying, but sharked it up. It's now my go-to for big camp work as well as kitchen prep (until I can afford the Arowana). So that puts me at:

• Palmer, Bison, Huntsman, Inlander

I love the mix between my Fiddlebacks and Surls. Some days I carry my Bushcrafter, others my Bison. When I'm off the farm I'll bounce between my Bushboot, Karda, and Huntsman. The Palmer sits on my left in a diagonal crossdraw from Rick Lowe. And the Inlander has a special place - Allen let me personally try my hand at a part of the process, and then finished it up into a beautiful piece. I'll post pics asap.

Dying to see that Inlander, Tony

 

[bear71]

Can't actually remember if it was linked hrough the Fiddleback forum or whether I found Allen's post in the Knifemakers' for sale area. I picked up one of the first Bushadders pretty much 2 years ago and haven't looked back. It's been fantastic to watch the progression and development and even better to keep in touch with the man himself.

 

[Luca917]

Dying to see that Inlander, Tony

As soon as it arrives I'll post pics. Allen sent me a text pic this morning and I've been looking at it all day.

My only regret is I can't take delivery in person like I did with the Huntsman. That was a real kick getting to meet everyone. Phillip handed me a machete and I turned around to Allen handing me the Huntsman. Pretty good afternoon, I must say!

I'll get pics up asap.

 

[Scotcha]

Through the Fiddleback forums. All of Your blades I have owned have been stellar. The inlander is my favourite at the moment and lucky to have one in stainless & one with Bog Oak [emoji106]

 

[_Westy_]

Hey Allen I found you through the Fiddleback Flea market (sounds dirty but all is good...lol) a few weeks back. A few weeks ago I picked up one of Andy's Hiking Buddy's and it re-ignited my love of Andy's knives and brought me back to bladeforums which I hadn't been on in years.

I quickly started scouring the Fiddleback forum to see what I had been missing and that lead me to the flea market to see what was out there. I stumbled on a thread selling one of your Lil Ness knives and it stopped me in my tracks. I've carried it and used it daily since it showed up a couple weeks ago. I'm now tuned into your Wednesday sale threads and as soon as funds allow, I'll be jumping into the shark pool head first.

 

[cmroberts1]

I first learned about Allen on this forum, but I met him at Blade in 2014. By the time I got to meet him in person, I had already picked up a XL Muskrat and was a a big fan. Since that time, I have purchased several more and couldn't be happier.

Stellar knives from a great guy!!!!

Martin

 

[swaybacksteve]

New here and mainly hang out at the traditional forum.

But small EDC fixed blades got into my sight and I managed to score a great one from bonafide. I initially was looking to get another sl. longer knife for bushcrafting from the same maker, but he is no longer taking orders at this time.

Well one thing lead to another and found that Bud makes sheaths for many Fiddleback Forge knives and then that lead me to WA Surls. Initially I was looking at something like a Bushcraft JR , but then I liked the look of the slightly shorter Big Palmer, and well haven't seen too many show up...which is ok cause I am on a self imposed CC restriction until mid May or so.

I guess I could head over to the wish list thread...but then the past few Weds. have had the Arowana and the Matador and I am setting in on both. 3/32 ( Allen's ability to like going thin is important) in A2 or stainless...Last week was so hard to take and luckily the Arowana sold quickly, and eventually the Matador.

I hike and camp a lot ( Colorado does that to a guy)and these would indeed make great kitchen knives too. I was looking into a gyoto after handling one of my son's. I don't hunt, but sure can get any kind of meat grown in settings that I agree with.
Hopefully I can get matching handles, but may be too much to wait for. Glad that they seem to be popular And Allen seems to enjoy making them.
So Thanks bonafide!!!

 

[Bill510c]

I should have posted this immediately after this thread was created but since I have the onsets of CRS it took me this long (with the help of a friend) to recall the correct version. About two years ago I received another Fiddleback customer's WAS Knife (that's what it was then) in with my delivery. I received a personal thank you from Allen and told him how much I admired that particular blade (yea I looked, couldn't resist). Well a few days later Allen posted the first model of that Stingray for sale and I sharked that S.O.B. Since then I have amassed quite the W.A. Surls collection and a long lost brother...