If the KE Bushie and Handyman had a baby

[Warrior108]

Ok, so I have big mitts, maybe 2XL, 3XL glove size. Like the title implies, is there a Fiddleback model that has a KE Bushie handle and Handyman blade? I've searched the Models/Types/Tangs thread, Comparison threads, found a spreadsheet of models, looked through dealer sites and the Fiddleback and nothing is jumping out at me. Maybe someone can point out a model that I'm overlooking?

I really like them both a lot, individually. But, I'd love to take my KE Bushie's 4.5" handle and pair it up with my Handyman's 3.25" blade - including the blade shape/profile. They're not all that different on paper but I think that would be a nice combo. Based on just the lengths, the Bushcraft Karda seems like it comes the closest but the blade shape isn't quite the same and the end of the handle isn't rounded either.



Thanks,
Jerry

 

[Cobra5]

I was thinking about a longer handle, shorter blade FF myself the last few days! :thumbup:
And doing similar research.

My hands aren't huge, but I prefer full size handles in the 4"-4.5" range.
The combo you put together in the pic would probably work great for me.

 

[joarthur]

Nice job showing what your concept would look like, Jerry.

I, too, have searched for the small blade/larger handle combo. All I have found is the BC Karda. (A great little blade, by the way.)

If you think of the purpose of a blade shape and size as analogous to the purpose of a type of shoe, like a dress shoe, moccasin, running shoe, or hiking boot, it seems logical that handles could come in different sizes just like footwear.

There do seem to be some model series in Fiddlebacks, where the same blade profile has different handle sizes. But in those cases, the blade gets bigger as the handle gets bigger. So that doesn't answer to what you're looking for. For example, you can have the Kephart blade shape in Pocket size, mid-size (Kephart), or larger size (Bear Paw), but if you have large hands and want a handle that provides a full grip, you'd need to choose the Bear Paw. But that would entail also choosing a bigger blade than you wanted. It would be like having to wear heavy mountaineering boots around town all day just to get a pair of shoes that fit.

 

[Fiddleback]

You might want to look into the Longfellow. Its a rare one, but it has a very long handle compared to blade length.

 

[VANCE]

here is a pic of the last one we offered up

 

[Warrior108]

My hands aren't huge, but I prefer full size handles in the 4"-4.5" range.
The combo you put together in the pic would probably work great for me.

Thanks for posting with the additional interest.

Nice job showing what your concept would look like, Jerry.

But in those cases, the blade gets bigger as the handle gets bigger. So that doesn't answer to what you're looking for. For example, you can have the Kephart blade shape in Pocket size, mid-size (Kephart), or larger size (Bear Paw), but if you have large hands and want a handle that provides a full grip, you'd need to choose the Bear Paw. But that would entail also choosing a bigger blade than you wanted. It would be like having to wear heavy mountaineering boots around town all day just to get a pair of shoes that fit.

Thanks Jim. I think you've put my thoughts/reasons to words pretty well.

You might want to look into the Longfellow. Its a rare one, but it has a very long handle compared to blade length.

Hey Andy, thanks for the suggestion. For general reference, here's a link to post #2 in Thurin's Comparison Photos - Round Three - 25 Different Models. The Longfellow (7th from left) appears to have a blade approx 4" and a handle approx 5" and is larger than the KE Bushie (2nd from left). And personally speaking, the KEB handle is comfortable but I'm not sure if I'd find that Longfellow handle config to be as comfortable. If you scroll up to Thurin's post #1 and look at the 3" blades, there aren't really any with handles with a 4" clear area where the fingers could easily grasp. The Handyman (9th from left) comes close but the handle falls maybe .5" short. Proportionately the Longfellow does meet the "longer handle/shorter blade" aspect but the original thought was a longer handle/shorter blade with the blade being a spear point close to 3". Just a thought for future design ideas. How about the "Bighandsyman" or "Little Bushie"? Ok, maybe not.


Thanks,
Jerry

 

[Comprehensivist]

Thanks for sparking an interesting discussion Jerry. I like comparing features and design concepts. Your photoshop "baby" makes your idea very clear. Going from a longer blade to a shorter blade is obviously doable with a little more grinding.

Your photos also made me long for a different "baby." My favorite knives frequently have a blade length that is the same length or slightly longer than the handle to impart neutral balance both in hand and visually. Borrowing from your idea, I would like to see the longer KEB blade married to the shorter Handyman handle. That design combo would surely get my adrenalin flowing on a Friday...

Phil

 

[Warrior108]

Thanks for sparking an interesting discussion Jerry. I like comparing features and design concepts. Your photoshop "baby" makes your idea very clear. Going from a longer blade to a shorter blade is obviously doable with a little more grinding.

Your photos also made me long for a different "baby." My favorite knives frequently have a blade length that is the same length or slightly longer than the handle to impart neutral balance both in hand and visually. Borrowing from your idea, I would like to see the longer KEB blade married to the shorter Handyman handle. That design combo would surely get my adrenalin flowing on a Friday...

Phil

Hey Phil, I was hoping you'd chime in when I did the OP. With your extensive measuring and reviews, I thought you'd have a model suggestion that I might have overlooked. Your idea with the KEB blade and Handyman handle is intriguing too. At the end of the day, both ideas have their merits, they'd have sexy curves and pass the poop test so I see no reason Andy wouldn't jump on these. hahaha

Knife Tip Field Repair, Part I

The timing on TripleT's Knife Tip Field Repair addition yesterday was a perfect coincidence too. For various reasons I wouldn't try to tackle that type of modification myself - Maybe to do a repair but not just to reprofile. At first I missed the digitally changed and thought "Man, that TripleT is really dedicated to the FF community taking one for the team and snapping a tip off!"

 

[Mistwalker]

Thanks for sparking an interesting discussion Jerry. I like comparing features and design concepts. Your photoshop "baby" makes your idea very clear. Going from a longer blade to a shorter blade is obviously doable with a little more grinding.

Your photos also made me long for a different "baby." My favorite knives frequently have a blade length that is the same length or slightly longer than the handle to impart neutral balance both in hand and visually. Borrowing from your idea, I would like to see the longer KEB blade married to the shorter Handyman handle. That design combo would surely get my adrenalin flowing on a Friday...

Phil

I understand Jerry's thinking. It is a concept that is actually liked by a lot of people in Europe. I frequently see Puukkos make with full handles and short blades. I imagine that they are very comfortable for carving and whittling, they come from a very old knife-centric culture where tools like that are used a lot. However I am much more like you in my thinking. I don't like a knife I carry on hikes and such to have a longer blade than handle if I can avoid it. I don't care for the balance really, but I could probably get past that as I get older and do less hacking and chopping with knives recreationally, but the aesthetics and symmetry of it just bug the crap out of me visually when I am looking at it in use or just laying there. I would love a Handyman with a slightly longer blade.

 

[Warrior108]

Thanks.

Andy's probably thinking - Dammit, don't encourage him.

 

[Mistwalker]

Thanks.

Andy's probably thinking - Dammit, don't encourage him.

Lol, I doubt that. Andy is very fond of the Puukko design, and from what I have seen always likes to get real honest feedback from his customers.

 

[Jhaskins1970]

Can someone compare a bushcrafter jr and bushnub II?

Thanks

 

[Cobra5]

I've decided to go with the Bushraptor for now, since I've received it and determined that the Bushraptor/Hiking Buddy handle will provide a full 4-finger grip. I wouldn't want to go any smaller on the handles though... Plus, I like the blade shape, even though it's a smidge longer than 3". Now my mission is to get a non-bulky leather horizontal cross draw sheath for it.

 

[TomR2]

........ Your photos also made me long for a different "baby." My favorite knives frequently have a blade length that is the same length or slightly longer than the handle to impart neutral balance both in hand and visually. Borrowing from your idea, I would like to see the longer KEB blade married to the shorter Handyman handle. That design combo would surely get my adrenalin flowing on a Friday...
Phil

Here's a couple pics that feed my musing, that go along with Comprehensivist's idea.

Looks/style is important. Balance, and someday Ill explain, (you gotta see my chisel collection), I'm less concerned with. But I'm thinking about efficiency of the "package." Look how much blade is delivered in the Mini Aurora in a knife with essentially equal overall length to the Handyman. A knife is a tool. The blade is the thing that does the work. The handle's something we hold onto. If we want all of that in a very portable package, compromises get made. Of the three, (2nd pic), the Hiking Buddy has my favorite handle. And I want a hilt. But if the Hiking Buddy had the blade of this Bark River......

 

[Mistwalker]

Looks/style is important. Balance, and someday Ill explain, (you gotta see my chisel collection), I'm less concerned with. But I'm thinking about efficiency of the "package." Look how much blade is delivered in the Mini Aurora in a knife with essentially equal overall length to the Handyman. A knife is a tool. The blade is the thing that does the work. The handle's something we hold onto. If we want all of that in a very portable package, compromises get made. Of the three, (2nd pic), the Hiking Buddy has my favorite handle. And I want a hilt. But if the Hiking Buddy had the blade of this Bark River......

And this is why it is good to have a diverse line of handle sizes, to fit different size hands. I used to have a mental hang up, where I would not buy a belt knife that had more handle length than blade length. I found them aesthetically displeasing. I managed to get past that over the years, and long as the blade isn't less than say 20 - 25% shorter than the handle I'm fine with it now in most cases. As far as handle length in general goes, I'm fine with short handles on neck knives that are only used in short term cutting tasks. If it's normally drawn, cut with, and re-sheathed. But in long term use handle size is pretty important to me. I find the Handyman handle more comfortable than the Hiking Buddy due to the down turn of the pommel on the HB. The HB handle feels shorter to me than the Handyman. I also like the taller handle of the Handyman for blade control when cutting. I like the look of the mini Aurora, but the handle cramps my hand.