Kephart, Bushfinger or other for first Fiddleback?

5

59Bassman

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Jul 5, 2007
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I am pondering my first Fiddleback Forge knife. I have watched from the sidelines for a while, and think I'm about ready to try one. I'm torn on model selection for my first, though. I am not a heavy user, but everything I own gets used. Most of my fixed blades are BRKT knives that I have made at Grind-ins I have attended, but I also have a couple of Beckers and Moras kicking about.

My favorite knives are a BRKT Gunny Hunter in CPM3V and an Aurora I made (also in CPM3V) with a modified, steeper drop point (nearly a spear point) and a full-height grind. I find that around 4" is my sweet spot for a knife. Past 4 1/2 I start getting uncomfortable using the knife for smaller work. If I need anything bigger for fire prep, I'll grab a saw or hatchet. Unfortunately, Fiddleback Forge has a large pile of options in that range.

I wear a size XL glove typically. The knife will mostly be a woods companion, used for fire prep, food prep, opening boxes, etc. I'm not a hardcore bushcrafter - I don't carve spoons or cups regularly. I'm not an overnight hiker, but I do fish in higher elevations in the Smokys.

So I'm looking at options, and the Kephart really, really speaks to me. Something about the blade shape is fascinating. But it's also different than anything I've had before. The Bushfinger appears to be a very popular option, so that is in play as well. My concern with the Bushfinger is that I tend to like a slightly more slender blade. The Ladyfinger could also be in play, but looks a bit more slender than what I would normally pick.

Thoughs on a Fiddleback starter with the above in mind? Any others I should really consider?
 
Hey Bassman! There have been plenty of threads asking this question so be sure to have a peek about to get other opinions. Also check out this thread if you haven't already. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...teel-Thicknesses-amp-Weights?highlight=Models

I'm certainly not the most knowledgable, As for my 2 cents, out of what you mentioned I'd probably go for the Kephart or the Ladyfinger. The Kephart is more of a spearpoint, which you may not necessarily need since you dont do much bushcrafting, but if it speaks to you then that's always a good sign! Likewise for the same reason, I'd go with 1/8 stock over 5/32 as it doesn't sound like you need the extra thickness for any robust tasks if you favor a hatchet. Never owned a Ladyfinger, but they are extremely popular for good reason.The upward-hook at the end of the Bushfinger has always turned me off, since I too have big hands and prefer the handles butts to be straight and neutral.

Personally, however, I'd also take a good look at the Recluse and Terrasaur. Both have fairly neutral handles by which I mean they don't have extreme curves or upsweeps at the handle end that can be limiting for XL hands (I feel your pain there friend!) and have what I would call roughly average width blades with very all-around profiles that can perform most of what you're looking to do.
 
59Bassman said:
My concern with the Bushfinger is that I tend to like a slightly more slender blade.
Click to expand...

Hello and welcome!

To help folks guide you, can you expand on your concerns with the Bushfinger and what you mean by usually liking a more slender blade? If you mean blade thickness, they can be found in 5/32, 1/8" or 3/32". I had been looking and watching for a while and there was (finally) a 3/16" in last Friday's sale. [click for link] I only have first-hand experience with the Bushfinger but not the Kephart yet. I believe I've only ever seen 5/32" and 1/8" Kepharts. Also keep in mind that you can get both the Bushfinger and Kephart in custom models as well as production models. The production models have S35VN blades.

There will probably be other folks chiming in here who do have experience with both of those models. Good luck with your search.


Hope that helps.
 
The Bushfinger, Kephart, and Ladyfinger are all great options. Other models, like the Sneaky Pete would fit the bill in terms of handle size and blade length. If you're looking for a more slender profile to the blade, there are models like the ASP that have a thinner profile. I personally own a mid-tech production Kephart (what we call a Field Knife series Kephart to avoid all of the technical jargon) with S35VN steel and it is an awesome knife. I also own the other models I've mentioned (and more), but universally I can say that they all feel good in the hand, so it really comes down to the blade profile, materials, etc. that you're most interested. It's pretty rare for someone to purchase a FF knife and say, "na - this isn't for me". However, if it happened, retailers like us or FF will gladly take it back as per the returns policy.
 
By slender, I guess I mean blade depth rather than blade thickness.

For example, I thought I would really like the Bark River Bravo - I KNEW I was going to make one at my first Grind-In. But when I actually held one, the depth of the blade from edge to spine was really a turn off for me. Don't know why it is. I also tend to like a thinner blade (1/8" or so) over say 3/16". I'm not one to baton much, and I prefer a slicer to a sharpened crowbar. Hence my preference for 3V and Elmax in the Barkies - they are normally thinner stock than the A2 blades.
 
I like all of the FB knives. However I find the production Kephart to be the best all around knife out there right now. Just an absolute perfect blend of design, feel and materials.
 
I see what you're saying. There are a lot of FF knives that have a more slender profile than something like the Bark River Bravo while retaining a good handle size for control and maneuverability (KE Bushie, Arete, etc.). Definitely browse the "Models, Tang Types, Steel Thicknesses, & Weights" thread, Andy's FF website, and dealer sites. You'll see a lot of options that will accommodate what you're looking for.
 
Shoot, typo here. I meant 3/32" in last week's sale.
I had been looking and watching for a while and there was (finally) a 3/16" in last Friday's sale.

As for blade depth, I have the Bushfinger and Ladyfinger but no Kephart so your best bet is to check out the models and comparisons threads really .. and get advice from folks here of course. Worst case, we're honing in on your preferences. :-)
 
Ah okay, so you prefer less blade height, i.e. edge to spine distance. For reference, I've taken some rough measurements of the knives I have at their tallest point, right at the base of the blade near the handle, just past the plunge line. Keep in mind the how each model's profile changes as you work your way to the point, however.

The blade height of my Recluse is 2.5cm at its highest point from edge to spine.
The blade height of my Terrasaur is about 2.55-2.6cm at its highest point from edge to spine.
Although not mentioned in this thread yet, my KE Bushie is also 2.5cm from edge to spine at its tallest point.
Just for comparison, my Bushcrafter, what I would consider a 'tall' FB model in the 4-inch category, is 3cm at its highest point.

I no longer have my Kephart but I would imagine it would fall in the approximately 2.5cm category.
 
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Hello and welcome to our forum. From your posts I'd imagine the Ladyfinger is a good one for you.
 
I have fielded several models of Fiddlebacks in various conditions, and I have worked several of them very hard in the woods. The Bushfinger is a very popular model with very good reason. To me it is the best model for all around woods use if larger game comes into play at all. It is a great crossover for bushcrafting type tasks and game prep and food prep type task. It is a definite workhorse of a knife. For me large game does not intentionally come into play. But I do sometimes fish, and do small game hunting, and I do a lot of foodprep in the field with my knives and at home. Though I am not a hardcore bushcrafter by nature, I do get into some pretty hardcore busgcrafting knife uses and subjects due to my studies in wilderness skills, and in passing those skills along to others. I am comfortable with a few models of Fiddlebacks in these uses. I like the Bushfinger for the food prep part due to it being "guardless" but having a dropped edge that serves as finger protection in trusts into fish and game with slick hands, and the "guardless aspect is great at a cutting board. Yet overall I prefer narrower pointier blades for most uses. The KE Bushie is a good bushcraft knife, as long as thrusts with hands slick with fats, oils, and blood do not come into play. I do like the pommel swell for boring type tasks, but to me the way the handle and really the whole knife tapers from pommel to tip, somewhat like a spike, makes the knife my least favorite to use in thrusting type tasks, as well as making it more difficult to sheath as securely as I like. As of yet, the Kephart is my favorite Fiddleback in the four inch range all around. It gives me the the narrow blade and slightly below-center point I prefer, and the handle contours give me the secure purchase I want as well as handle comfort in long term use, and the handle contours make it easier to sheath securely than the KEB. Though admittedly, the more I use it, the more the Gaucho is giving it competition due to my heavy focus on food prep.
 
Bassman - a couple others to toss in the mix might be the Hiking Buddy and Terrasaur. I am also a big fan of the Gunny (and it's variants, I've got the standard Gunny from the 1st run and had a Clip Point Scandi version).

The Hiking Buddy is smaller than anything you listed but it quickly became my favorite knife. I reach for it more than anything I own. The Terrasaur was my second Fiddleback, which came shortly on the heals of picking up the Hiking Buddy. I was torn between the Bushfinger and the Terrasaur and decided to give the Terrasaur a try and I really like it.

Here is a shot of both side by side in my hand (generally wear a large size glove)...




I can do a side by side with a Gunny if that would be of any help.
 
59Bassman said:
So I'm looking at options, and the Kephart really, really speaks to me.
Click to expand...

This has been the key in each of my own Fiddleback purchases, if a knife can keep me up nights thinking about it. A 1/8" thick A2 Ladyfinger was my first Fiddleback; great size, very useful slicer, a handle that just begs to be held, just a great knife to start the Fiddleback journey.
 
I am going to muddy the waters even further...

Take a look at the Bear Paw. To me it is the best Fiddleback that almost no one is talking about. BP, Recluse and Woodsman (although it is a bit large for some stuff, but looks cool!) are what get's carried most when I get out.

edit to add:
You have XL hands and the BP handle is one of Andy's largest. YMMV, but I think you will like the size of the BP handle.
 
Bassman,
Welcome and I am glad you decided to give Fiddlebacks a try, I don't think you will be disappointed. As far as your quest for the first Fiddleback, I can't lend any better advice than what has already been said. Good luck in your search.

As a friend said... My favorite Fiddleback is my next Fiddleback.
 
Doggone it, I'm in. Sorry, Andy - for some reason the Ladyfinger didn't feel right. Ordered a Kephart in 1/8" O1. Stoked beyond belief to try it out.
 
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