How did you stumble upon Fiddleback Forge?

NoFair said:
I was young then ;)

Think I remember Big Mike from Knifeforums (think he posted a FF pic there as well)
Click to expand...

Yeah, me too! I remember that. I loved BM's comments on that Bushfinger he snagged from the tests before the tests were even finished :D I posted quite a few photos there too. I used to go there a lot and then one day it was just gone.... Then I just ran out of time for multiple forums as often.
 
I saw some beautiful knives in a signature while sharking in the HI forum and never looked back
 
Hi all.

I've included a quote and a pic from the "First Fiddleback" thread below, but it addresses this thread as well. I was surfing around this forum almost 5 years ago now, looking at different Nessie's, when I stumbled upon his work. Once I saw Andy's interpretation, that was it! I've been following him ever since. I sometimes go a year or more between purchases, and I tend to go in "spurts" on my forum activity, but I always try and keep up with what Andy is doing.





velosa said:
Hi everyone,

I've been enjoying this thread, and thought I'd share my own story. My first fiddleback was..........only partially a fiddleback! Let me explain. I first learned of Andy's work in late 2009, just after he became a full time maker. What caught my eye (and still does today) is his Nessie. The Nessmuk is my all-time favorite blade shape, and Andy's interpretation of the nessie, remains my favorite to this day. So back in late 09, or early 2010 I was determined to get my hands on one. However, back then, I was also into doing my own handles and "assembling" knives. Luckily, this was back when Andy was still accepting custom orders, and he agreed to do a Nessie blade blank for me. Below are some pics of what became of it.

Now, I'm not a professional and I know that this doesn't hold a candle to what Andy does. I'm also sure it will be down right blasphemous to some, seeing a non-professional handle on a Fiddleback blank! However, I had a great time doing it, and it remains my favorite "assembled" knife to date. Also, despite the blocky/chunky appearance, it fits my hand like a glove and is unbelievably comfortable. It rests in a Paul long sheath. Anyway, hope you enjoy. Easy with the criticism! :) Ha

Click to expand...
 
It was the bushcraft challenge knife that really got me hooked on fiddlebacks. that burlap bush finger that big mike has started it all
 
i was on bladeforums & mainly hung out in the busse section.
one of my buddies mentioned to me that his wife played tennis with a fella that made knives something about "forge & fiddleback". i went to his booth @ BLADE and picked up a BLJ. the next year at BLADE i picked up my padre & its snow-balled from there. its my main addiction now. i dont ever leave this sub forum actually.
 
VANCE said:
i was on bladeforums & mainly hung out in the busse section.
one of my buddies mentioned to me that his wife played tennis with a fella that made knives something about "forge & fiddleback". i went to his booth @ BLADE and picked up a BLJ. the next year at BLADE i picked up my padre & its snow-balled from there. its my main addiction now. i dont ever leave this sub forum actually.
Click to expand...

Yep, Same here; I've been seriously collecting knives since I was a kid and never managed to join any of the major knife forums... But I'm actually really glad I joined BF (ironically, just really the FBF subforum); its been fun meeting some pretty cool folks here, as well as picking up some nuggets of wisdom here and there!
 
Big Mike,

Those were the good days weren't they? That subforum was the reason I got into knives, leather, and have friends that I have on this board.

TF
 
I first became aware of Andy's knives and BF a couple of years ago when researching Bark Rivers. At the time I didn't know much about custom knives and the bigger was the better. I retained an interest as I travelled around, an eventually decided the Kephart was the model for me - still is. I waited, impatiently, for the right one and found it eventually through a dealer. I then discovered the BF forum and have been a more contented individual since!
 
bear71 said:
I first became aware of Andy's knives and BF a couple of years ago when researching Bark Rivers. At the time I didn't know much about custom knives and the bigger was the better. I retained an interest as I travelled around, an eventually decided the Kephart was the model for me - still is. I waited, impatiently, for the right one and found it eventually through a dealer. I then discovered the BF forum and have been a more contented individual since!
Click to expand...
Similar story for me. I was researching Barkies and noticed Andy's knives on KSF or TKC. Around the same time I also read a thread here on BF or over at KF and people were raving about Andy's handles. So I jumped right in and bought a maroon linen Bushfinger from one of the dealers. And that started that. That was about 14 months ago. And here I am.
 
Bark River was my path to Fiddleback Forge as well. I've been a backpacker, climber, hunter, "outdoorsy" guy my whole life. I generally carried folders (SAK's, Benchies) and considered fixed blade knives to be hunting knives.

Several years ago, the survival shows started becoming popular; I got hooked and started watching and researching how to survive if I lost my pack, got stranded while backcountry skiing etc. Soon found out about bushcraft and it's similarities to survival. I also noticed that all the hosts/experts carried fixed-blade knives, not folders. Up to this point, my only experience with a survival knife was the hollow-handle "Rambo" knives that we sold at a hardware store I worked at in high school. Now I was reading about knives like Fallkniven and Bark River. There are very few knife shops in Southern California, but one actually does sell Bark River. I checked out a Fox River, bought it and got hooked on fixed blade knives with an emphasis on bushcraft.

I eventually found myself at the KSF site browsing Barkies and saw the Bark River Recluse. I was immediately smitten by its shape and noticed in the description that the Recluse was designed by this fellow named Andy at Fiddleback Forge and that he made a custom version. "Hmmm...might was well check that out" I thought to myself as I clicked on over to the old Fiddleback site. I was blown away - sort of like the first time I listened to Led Zeppelin; I had this feeling that I had discovered something awesome and had to experience more of it.

I scrolled through pages of Andy's work. Those bolstered handles, where he mates wood with micarta - so beautiful! So many great looking designs. I had to focus on the Recluse. At that time, Andy was getting out of the custom order mode and concentrating on the forum sales, which led me here, to Bladeforums. This was several years ago, though, back before his entire Friday lineup sold out in minutes. We didn't even call it Fiddleback Friday back then. Heck, I remember one Friday when I was intrigued by a Bushboot. I had time to him and haw (that's right, him AND haw) for a couple of hours before pulling the trigger! I wouldn't try that now. Back to the Recluse.

When I first visited this sub forum for the first time, Andy had just finished a Friday sale. Of course, there was a Recluse in the batch and, of course, it had been purchased. In the description, Andy wrote something like "I can't make one better than this". Great, and I had just missed it. "Maybe he'll make one next week" I mused. Well, Andy went on something of Recluse drought for a while after that but, as fate would have it, that exact same Recluse came up for sale several months later here in on the forum and I grabbed it up. Apparently we were meant to be together. I managed to nab a Hiking Buddy with the exact same handle, pinstripe and liner color for my daughter, since she is my "hiking buddy".

I've got seven of his knives now and I'm so happy for Andy's success. I know it is more difficult to get a Fiddleback now than it was way back when, but it's also pretty cool, from my perspective anyway, to have been there in the early days and to have witnessed the growth of this awesome little company.

So, that's my story. I've still got to get one of those bolstered-handled beauties...and a Bushraptor!

ERG
 
eginder said:
Bark River was my path to Fiddleback Forge as well. I've been a backpacker, climber, hunter, "outdoorsy" guy my whole life. I generally carried folders (SAK's, Benchies) and considered fixed blade knives to be hunting knives.

Several years ago, the survival shows started becoming popular; I got hooked and started watching and researching how to survive if I lost my pack, got stranded while backcountry skiing etc. Soon found out about bushcraft and it's similarities to survival. I also noticed that all the hosts/experts carried fixed-blade knives, not folders. Up to this point, my only experience with a survival knife was the hollow-handle "Rambo" knives that we sold at a hardware store I worked at in high school. Now I was reading about knives like Fallkniven and Bark River. There are very few knife shops in Southern California, but one actually does sell Bark River. I checked out a Fox River, bought it and got hooked on fixed blade knives with an emphasis on bushcraft.

I eventually found myself at the KSF site browsing Barkies and saw the Bark River Recluse. I was immediately smitten by its shape and noticed in the description that the Recluse was designed by this fellow named Andy at Fiddleback Forge and that he made a custom version. "Hmmm...might was well check that out" I thought to myself as I clicked on over to the old Fiddleback site. I was blown away - sort of like the first time I listened to Led Zeppelin; I had this feeling that I had discovered something awesome and had to experience more of it.

I scrolled through pages of Andy's work. Those bolstered handles, where he mates wood with micarta - so beautiful! So many great looking designs. I had to focus on the Recluse. At that time, Andy was getting out of the custom order mode and concentrating on the forum sales, which led me here, to Bladeforums. This was several years ago, though, back before his entire Friday lineup sold out in minutes. We didn't even call it Fiddleback Friday back then. Heck, I remember one Friday when I was intrigued by a Bushboot. I had time to him and haw (that's right, him AND haw) for a couple of hours before pulling the trigger! I wouldn't try that now. Back to the Recluse.

When I first visited this sub forum for the first time, Andy had just finished a Friday sale. Of course, there was a Recluse in the batch and, of course, it had been purchased. In the description, Andy wrote something like "I can't make one better than this". Great, and I had just missed it. "Maybe he'll make one next week" I mused. Well, Andy went on something of Recluse drought for a while after that but, as fate would have it, that exact same Recluse came up for sale several months later here in on the forum and I grabbed it up. Apparently we were meant to be together. I managed to nab a Hiking Buddy with the exact same handle, pinstripe and liner color for my daughter, since she is my "hiking buddy".

I've got seven of his knives now and I'm so happy for Andy's success. I know it is more difficult to get a Fiddleback now than it was way back when, but it's also pretty cool, from my perspective anyway, to have been there in the early days and to have witnessed the growth of this awesome little company.

So, that's my story. I've still got to get one of those bolstered-handled beauties...and a Bushraptor!

ERG
Click to expand...
Great story, thank you for sharing it.
 
eginder said:
Bark River was my path to Fiddleback Forge as well. I've been a backpacker, climber, hunter, "outdoorsy" guy my whole life. I generally carried folders (SAK's, Benchies) and considered fixed blade knives to be hunting knives.

Several years ago, the survival shows started becoming popular; I got hooked and started watching and researching how to survive if I lost my pack, got stranded while backcountry skiing etc. Soon found out about bushcraft and it's similarities to survival. I also noticed that all the hosts/experts carried fixed-blade knives, not folders. Up to this point, my only experience with a survival knife was the hollow-handle "Rambo" knives that we sold at a hardware store I worked at in high school. Now I was reading about knives like Fallkniven and Bark River. There are very few knife shops in Southern California, but one actually does sell Bark River. I checked out a Fox River, bought it and got hooked on fixed blade knives with an emphasis on bushcraft.

I eventually found myself at the KSF site browsing Barkies and saw the Bark River Recluse. I was immediately smitten by its shape and noticed in the description that the Recluse was designed by this fellow named Andy at Fiddleback Forge and that he made a custom version. "Hmmm...might was well check that out" I thought to myself as I clicked on over to the old Fiddleback site. I was blown away - sort of like the first time I listened to Led Zeppelin; I had this feeling that I had discovered something awesome and had to experience more of it.

I scrolled through pages of Andy's work. Those bolstered handles, where he mates wood with micarta - so beautiful! So many great looking designs. I had to focus on the Recluse. At that time, Andy was getting out of the custom order mode and concentrating on the forum sales, which led me here, to Bladeforums. This was several years ago, though, back before his entire Friday lineup sold out in minutes. We didn't even call it Fiddleback Friday back then. Heck, I remember one Friday when I was intrigued by a Bushboot. I had time to him and haw (that's right, him AND haw) for a couple of hours before pulling the trigger! I wouldn't try that now. Back to the Recluse.

When I first visited this sub forum for the first time, Andy had just finished a Friday sale. Of course, there was a Recluse in the batch and, of course, it had been purchased. In the description, Andy wrote something like "I can't make one better than this". Great, and I had just missed it. "Maybe he'll make one next week" I mused. Well, Andy went on something of Recluse drought for a while after that but, as fate would have it, that exact same Recluse came up for sale several months later here in on the forum and I grabbed it up. Apparently we were meant to be together. I managed to nab a Hiking Buddy with the exact same handle, pinstripe and liner color for my daughter, since she is my "hiking buddy".

I've got seven of his knives now and I'm so happy for Andy's success. I know it is more difficult to get a Fiddleback now than it was way back when, but it's also pretty cool, from my perspective anyway, to have been there in the early days and to have witnessed the growth of this awesome little company.

So, that's my story. I've still got to get one of those bolstered-handled beauties...and a Bushraptor!

ERG
Click to expand...


Ah, those were the days. I am extremely glad for the success that Andy has found, but I do have some fond memories of himming and hawing, and himming some more. Today I am just very glad to know which models and handle configurations I like already :) Yep, my daughter is my Hiking Buddy too, and since she does so well with the HB model I am going to get her a pink/purple/something a boy won't want to borrow for long...as soon as I can, hopefully for this warm season and all our outings together.
 
Hey Mist,

I've seen some of your posts with your daughter. Very cool; very heart-warming at the same time. As the song goes, "these are the good 'ole days."

We can't be the only two dads to have bought Hiking Buddies for our little hiking buddies. Hmmm...."Hiking Buddies with their Hiking Buddies. I sense a new picture thread forming...

ERG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top