How did you stumble upon Fiddleback Forge?

Joe Duder

Joe Duder

Joined
Jan 22, 2013
Messages
3,003
I discovered FBF by reading about Fletcher knives in mid 2012. I read that he (Dylan) apprenticed under Andy. Much later I had to do a search to see what Andy had to offer. I've been stuck ever since and can't really figure out how to exit the Fiddleback Forge sub-forum. Help...

I've met a lot of great people and have learned a great deal about blades, carving, people, myself and much more. I'm interested in hearing how you guys came to discover Fiddleback Forge.

Thanks,
Duder
 
I bought a used Bushfinger (green canvas over orange liners) off the ESEE forums from Schmittie. Now I have too many! Thanks Schmittie!
 
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I have a lot of good memories with that knife Tribal. I hope you get to do the same. :)


Back in late 2008, I read the article "So you want to make a knife" by Garret Lucas on woodsmonkey.com. I don't know why, but the idea of making a knife blew me away. I had no idea it could be so simple. After many internet searches, I came across the Shop talk- blade smith q & a sub forum here on Bladeforums. If my memory is right, this was about the time Andy was transitioning into a full time maker. Eventually I came across his work and you guys know how that is. I attempted to learn a few things about knife making but only took it so far. I bought a few blanks and put handles on them. That is in fact, what my hiking buddy is, back from when Andy still sold blanks.

But after making some handles, a file knife, and a knife for a friend out of 1084, I began to see how much more I enjoyed a WELL MADE knife from a skilled person, like Mr Roy. Oddly enough, it's not nearly as "simple" as I had thought. I haven't totally given up on trying to make anymore but I'm content for the present. (That can change at any moment ;) )

My first fiddleback was a hunter, then my hiking buddy project, then the Bushfinger that Tribal has, a scandi Terrasaur from maw and my current Bushfinger. (Mrs Schmittie has a sweet pink ladyfinger, I'm glad she understands and is along for the fun of it) I don't consider myself a collector, I get more joy out of using a knife for it's intended purpose. So I keep mine users down to a manageable number. But I'm always looking for the next!
 
Kept seeing pictures of Andy's knives pop up over on the ESEE forums over the last couple of years and each time my jaw dropped. Lines were awesome, handle combinations always stunning and all the FB's I have seen clearly have a unique style all their own. Only recently I bit the bullet and finally picked up one of my favorite (visually) FB patterns - Andy's version of the Nessmuk. I'm hooked. While I'm already on the search for #2, I do hope to savor the time handling the Nessmuk before buying too much stock in Fiddlebacks.
 
schmittie said:
I have a lot of good memories with that knife Tribal. I hope you get to do the same. :)


Back in late 2008, I read the article "So you want to make a knife" by Garret Lucas on woodsmonkey.com. I don't know why, but the idea of making a knife blew me away. I had no idea it could be so simple. After many internet searches, I came across the Shop talk- blade smith q & a sub forum here on Bladeforums. If my memory is right, this was about the time Andy was transitioning into a full time maker. Eventually I came across his work and you guys know how that is. I attempted to learn a few things about knife making but only took it so far. I bought a few blanks and put handles on them. That is in fact, what my hiking buddy is, back from when Andy still sold blanks.

But after making some handles, a file knife, and a knife for a friend out of 1084, I began to see how much more I enjoyed a WELL MADE knife from a skilled person, like Mr Roy. Oddly enough, it's not nearly as "simple" as I had thought. I haven't totally given up on trying to make anymore but I'm content for the present. (That can change at any moment ;) )

My first fiddleback was a hunter, then my hiking buddy project, then the Bushfinger that Tribal has, a scandi Terrasaur from maw and my current Bushfinger. (Mrs Schmittie has a sweet pink ladyfinger, I'm glad she understands and is along for the fun of it) I don't consider myself a collector, I get more joy out of using a knife for it's intended purpose. So I keep mine users down to a manageable number. But I'm always looking for the next!
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Nice. I wish Andy still sold blanks. I'd like to see that hiking buddy.
 
It's riddled with mistakes and while doing something stupid (clamping a portable belt sander in a vise too loosely so it fell and I caught it) I got part of my hand pinched in the sander and took my skin down to nothing in an instant! It's a crazy story but here is a pic-

011.jpg
 
schmittie said:
It's riddled with mistakes and while doing something stupid (clamping a portable belt sander in a vise too loosely so it fell and I caught it) I got part of my hand pinched in the sander and took my skin down to nothing in an instant! It's a crazy story but here is a pic-

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That looks great! You should be proud of that. Nice job buddy:thumbup:
 
Great thread Duder, I actually found Andy's knives on gentlemint.com... Usually a good source for random stuff and funny reads. Anyways , a member posted a pic of an ironwood snubnose and a bolstered BF -- I almost lost my mind trying to find out how to get one of each for myself....Then I found BF, and my Fridays (and PayPal account) have never been the same :D
 
I can't even remember how I stumbled upon Andy's knives. I'm glad I did though. To be honest I think it was through equip2endure YouTube channel.
 
xxwjtxx said:
Great thread Duder, I actually found Andy's knives on gentlemint.com... Usually a good source for random stuff and funny reads. Anyways , a member posted a pic of an ironwood snubnose and a bolstered BF -- I almost lost my mind trying to find out how to get one of each for myself....Then I found BF, and my Fridays (and PayPal account) have never been the same :D
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Gentlemint huh? I'll have to check that site out.
 
Self Reliance Illustrated is where I first saw a Fiddleback and fell in love. Never thought I would buy one though. Then I was online in an endeavor to help a friend expand his leather working business and thought knife sheaths would be a good idea. Came across Blade forum and BOOM! :eek:
 
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Nice job on that HB schmittie, and that is a great story. This thread is a great idea Joe, thanks for starting it. I am sort of a born again knife nut. I became a knife nut when I was 11 years old, and my dad gave me my first deer hunting knife. It was a small Kabar fixed blade. I can't tell you the hours I spent learning to sharpen on Arkansas stones with this knife, and just holding it and looking at it. Later, life happened, marriage, kids, school, not having a pot to pee in, nor a window to throw it out of. A couple of years ago, I got back into knives again. I started buying examples of modern production folders and fixed blades.

I have always had a passion for hand made things made by skilled craftsman. As a result, I started looking for a maker who made their knives by hand. I came across Murray Carter, and his story is very interesting. I own several examples of Murray's knives, two neck knives and about 4 kitchen knives. But Murray's knives are very expensive, and he is clearly heavily influenced by Japanese makers in designs. I was looking for a maker or artisan who exhibited more of an American heritage in designs (even if they did not originate here). I too saw a video by EtoE where he featured one of Andy's creations. I then searched for Fiddleback Forge on BF, and came across this sub forum and started looking at Fiddleback Friday threads. I was immediately drawn to to Andy's designs, I read everything I could, and my first Fiddleback was an SP, which when held in hand for the first time, initiated my love affair. But an equally important draw for me is the community here, all of Andy's fans. Y'all are a great bunch of guys and gals, and I thoroughly enjoy being part of this community.
 
I had a couple of Bark Rivers and someone posted a picture of one of Andy's knives on the Bark River forum. Had to have one after that.. Had to have more after getting the first.. I think I have it under control now ;)

This is the first one (Maple burl 5/32" O1 Ladyfinger)
 
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I met Andy through Dylan. I had talked with Dylan a good bit on another sub forum, the old RAT and later ESEE forum, no longer part of BF. Dylan had organized a party at Jock & Jill's for he RAT Pack at Blade in 2010. When I met up with Dylan, Andy was with him and he introduced us. I had been following Andy's work for almost two years at that point after seeing some of his knives pop up in the W&SS section where I usually hang out the most...until this past winter, which has been so brutal it's been hard enough keeping up with my work and have done very few personal woods projects. I spoke with both a few minutes then, and then later went to their tables. Andy's work was just gorgeous, and I told him then that one day I was going to test out his knives. One thing led to another and later that year I got the honor of testing out the prototype of the Bushfinger. The knife that started my relationship with Andy and my addiction to Fiddleback Forge

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/765724-Bushfinger-by-Andy-Roy

The next year at Blade, I had some sort of summer flu going on from working in a metal fabrication shop and working around a laser where the temps were usually from 114F to 119F during the day, and having to walk into an office that was kept around 65F during the day. I remember the only thing I hated worse than walking into that office was walking back out of it fifteen minutes later, and sometimes I'd have to go in there ten times in a twelve hour period. I was so sick I barely remembered the show when I got home. Lack of sleep had me in a state of dreaming while awake. I had to leave early and head back to my room after nearly falling off the back dock when I blacked out in the middle of a conversation with a close friend of mine.I passed out around 3pm, and when I woke up that night around midnight all I could really remember was a Hiking Buddy I had seen on Andy's table.A beautiful knife with black bolsters and box elder scales. I immediately called Andy and asked him if it sold, and asked him to hold it, then went straight to his table the next day. I loved that knife, and after using it for a few months spent years wishing it had been a convex. That knife started my addiction with Hiking Buddies, and I have had four in the quest for the right one. One day I am going to land a bolstered convex Hiking Buddy damn it :)
 
schmittie said:
It's riddled with mistakes and while doing something stupid (clamping a portable belt sander in a vise too loosely so it fell and I caught it) I got part of my hand pinched in the sander and took my skin down to nothing in an instant! It's a crazy story but here is a pic-

011.jpg
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You did do a really good job with that handle man.
 
Back in the days before the W&SS Sub-Forum got split up, Andy's knives started showing up in the discussion, getting good reviews from real knife users.

I was lucky enough to get my hands a few of his early knives, and have been a fan of his work ever since.




Big Mike
 
Big Mike said:
Back in the days before the W&SS Sub-Forum got split up, Andy's knives started showing up in the discussion, getting good reviews from real knife users.
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Same here. I'd heard such great things about his knifes, and, more specifically, the incredible ergonomics of his handles, that when I saw a gorgeous Bushcrafter Jr. for sale a few batches later, I jumped on it.

I love that knife. It's still the only Fiddleback I have, as it was the last custom I could afford for a few years, but it gets a lot of use. Everyone I show it to immediately falls in love with the ergonomics. Fits like a glove.
 
Big Mike said:
Back in the days before the W&SS Sub-Forum got split up, Andy's knives started showing up in the discussion, getting good reviews from real knife users.

I was lucky enough to get my hands a few of his early knives, and have been a fan of his work ever since.




Big Mike
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Yep, those were the fun days! :)
 
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