Let's see your Shadetree

[Tim the Wizard]

Killer recurve. That is a nice looking blade.

 

[Mistwalker]

Killer recurve. That is a nice looking blade.

Thank you sir, I wanted this one to include in the package with my classes. Re-curves have their benefits when you are weak and fatigued and offer a mechanical advantage on some cuts even when you are not.

 

[Comprehensivist]

Before I reply to the comments and questions on my 1,000th post above, here are a few additional photos of my current collection. Note: This group shot includes the bolstered Ironwood Camp Nessie which is the only wood handled Fiddleback that I have.

Congrats on 1,000! That is quite the collection. I think my favorite Shadetree is the sapphire, followed closely by the plum.

Stellar collection Phil! Thanks for sharing. I think the Electric plum needs to be in the future for me someway somehow. I traded my only black and burgundy away but I really like that material as well. Congrats on a thousand great posts too.

Thanks for the comments guys. I agree that the Sapphire burlap looks great, especially with black bolsters. The Electric Plum is also an exciting addition to the Shadetree line-up. Because it is a darker base color, I think that it might stand out better if it was paired with a lighter colored bolster like Antique Linen Micarta or even some of the Tangerine burlap.

Outstanding Phil. Congrats on your 1000th post. That's quite an achievement considering how much thought and effort you put in to your posts. You always have great insight and articulate it well, I look forward to seeing your next thousand posts.

That is a beautiful collection. Congrats buddy.

Josiah

Thanks for the kind words Josiah. I appreciate your input on the forum also because it causes me to think or laugh. Sometimes both!

Congratulations on the 1000th post Phil! That is quite the rainbow connection, I mean collection of Shadetree you have put together. I have to say my favorite is the top dog, the bolstered electric orange camp knife. Excellent post for your 1000th! Thanks for sharing and for all the great posts you have put on the forum.

Tod

Thanks Tod and congratulations again on your recent 1,000th post. You have been setting a very high standard with your posts lately. Thanks for the compliment on the Electric Orange Camp Knife. That seems to be the burlap color that everyone wants since it is no longer available. I try to capture the true colors of all the burlaps, but the Electric Orange still looks better in person.

Hey Phil. Hope all is well. That yellow watermelon never stood a chance!

I have to say, that Magua profile looks like a winner. How do you like it so far?

Otherwise, I'm lovin' your Camp Nessie and Plum Bushfinger.

Take care,
Sergio

Thanks Sergio. The Magua is really working well for me. The oval contours of the handle feel great and I like the fact that the guard does not extend below the cutting edge of the blade. The Camp Nessie is a proven favorite of mine and the E.P. Bushfinger is the new kid on the block right now. It seems like everyone is drawn to the bolstered knives these days.

Congrats on 1000 posts Phil! Very nice update on the Shadetree rainbow. Quite the amazing collection.

I think you know which one is my favorite. Which one is yours Phil?

Thanks Nathan. I am going to assume that you are asking me which knife is my favorite model rather than asking about my favorite burlap color.

I’ll lead into my answer by saying that my collection is currently divided up into three groups; the users, the ones I have not used but plan to, and the ones I never plan to use.
Here are my eight regularly used knives:



I believe that in order for a knife to truly be designated a favorite, it has to be based on experience using it, not just how beautiful or rare it may be. Others may see it differently, but that is my criteria. I will admit that I probably spend way too much time thinking about this subject.

Breaking down my thoughts on these eight, the Woodsman and Patch are crossover workhorse tools to me. They have served me well in the kitchen, camp, and trail. They do many things well, but from an emotional outlook they are straight tools to me.

The Gaucho and Monarch share the same Black & Burgundy burlap handle material, but they diverge from there in their meaning to me. The 3/32” CPM 154 Gaucho is my only stainless Fiddleback. It gets the most use of all of these because it is best suited for daily food prep chores. It is a great knife and I love using it, yet I always wish that it was a little longer and taller. The Monarch has become my most carried knife when I hit the trail with no big agenda because it is compact yet solid feeling in hand due the taller height of the blade and handle compared to say a Hiking Buddy. I like that the spear point is close to the centerline of the blade. This is another knife that does everything I ask of it. I feel more emotionally attached to the Gaucho and Monarch than the Woodsman & Patch right now.

Moving on to the Sneaky Pete and Arete, my feelings of emotional attraction start ratcheting up. Even though the Bushfinger gets all the accolades as Andy’s signature design, I have always felt the Sneaky Pete is a better design and more uniquely his. The handle shape and contours of the Sneaky Pete fit my hand exceptionally well, more so than the Bushfinger. I find that the taller handle provides better torque control and comfort in a variety of holds. The Arete was Talfuchre’s design of the perfect bushcraft knife after he tried many other knives and found them wanting in some aspect or another. I think that he completely nailed it in the design and Andy’s amazing execution makes this a perfect balance of size, weight, function, and beauty for me too. The black bolstered Oreo burlap just happens to be one of my favorite handle combos too. I feel very attached to these two knives from an emotional and practical use standpoint.

That leaves the Camp Nessie and Bushcrafter for last. My Emerald Bushcrafter has a handle that Andy described as “thick in the grip.” It fits my hand better than any other knife that I have held. I also love the blade shape for what I do outside. Before the smaller Monarch arrived, this was my most carried trail knife. There is nothing that I would change on this knife except maybe black pins & bullseye instead of natural. The Camp Nessie is another design profile that is uniquely Andy’s. The handle on this model is the most comfortable and generous (for all hand sizes) of any of his 4” models that I have tried. My bolstered Sapphire one is tapered 5/32” O-1 and I prefer that thickness over the more common 3/16” on this model. The curve of the blade and the fact that it is guard-less make this one a favorite choice for food or fire prep around camp. In conclusion, these two knives have the most comfortable handles and emotional soul to me as well as practical designs. These two are tied for my favorite.

If by Phil
You mean me...��

Anything in electric orange

Phil, congratulations on both collections posts/knives. That is a nice mix of burlaps. Have you come to find a favorite among them yet?

Nice knives! Beautiful colors. Never seen a yellow watermelon but it is fitting. Round here, watermelons are red...

That is a beautiful tangerine Bushcrafter.

Thanks for the compliments guys. As much as I like the Emerald and Sapphire burlaps, if I was forced to choose my favorites it would be Electric Orange and Tangerine. Combined with black bolsters and liners, those colors really pop.

Vayu, the bolstered Tangerine knife I have is actually a Bushcrafter Jr. The yellow watermelons are only grown at a few farm markets that I know of in Southern California. They are sweeter and juicier than the regular red ones in my experience.

Congrats on your 1,000 post. Also what you said about this community is right on. Pics are outstanding, glad to see the watermelon is back. Great collection - of knives and shadetree.

Wow Phil, stunning collection of Shadetree!!! I love all the color you have there.


The only shade tree I have on hand at the moment is the BC Jr in Evergreen that I love very much

In an industry dominated by black, OD green, and camo handles, I enjoy having a splash of color in my knife handles to give each one a unique personality. Thanks for the acknowledgements gentlemen.
Phil

 

[ShadetreeCC]

Phil,

You.are.awesome. Your Shadetree collection rivals my and my father's! And that's saying something!!!

I cannot say how humbled I am to have such a great following. Not only by you but by all my amazing fans, knifemakers and collectors alike!

 

[Mistwalker]

Phil,

You.are.awesome. Your Shadetree collection rivals my and my father's! And that's saying something!!!

I cannot say how humbled I am to have such a great following. Not only by you but by all my amazing fans, knifemakers and collectors alike!

Your burlap phenolic is awesome. I love the look, feel, and the color options. Do you know when you will have more sapphire blue available? After asking you guys that question about the pairs when I went to order there was no more so I went with navy, but I sort of think she would like the sapphire blue better what what she saw on the Fiddleback table at blade and the comments she made then.

 

[Bill510c]

Congrats on 1K Phil. More so congrats on that stellar collection. I remember how much I enjoyed your original collection post and seeing all those amazing colors assembled together. Well sir, I enjoyed this one just as much if not more. I appreciate you taking the time to share all of this with us and I appreciate your eye for those beauties.

 

[ShadetreeCC]

Your burlap phenolic is awesome. I love the look, feel, and the color options. Do you know when you will have more sapphire blue available? After asking you guys that question about the pairs when I went to order there was no more so I went with navy, but I sort of think she would like the sapphire blue better what what she saw on the Fiddleback table at blade and the comments she made then.

Thanks for the compliments!

I have sapphire available on the store now!

 

[VANCE]

I love the sapphire

 

[ncrockclimb]

There are so many cool knives in this thread! I would love to see a Fiddleback with this handle, "pet supplies" from Shadetree:

[/IMG]

Also, coconut looks really cool:

[/IMG]

 

[dmourati]

I'm a noob and won this knife today:

2015 0724 03 – Runt w/ Coffee burlap over natural w/ lime pinstripes, Tapered Tang, convex on 1/8” spalted A2 steel - $280

From this thread, do I understand that the handle is made from coffee bag burlap? If so, color me lucky for the accidental pickup!

 

[TxSportsman]

You are correct sir. Congratulations!

 

[zack1421]

There are so many cool knives in this thread! I would love to see a Fiddleback with this handle, "pet supplies" from Shadetree:

[/IMG]

Also, coconut looks really cool:

[/IMG]

That's a backwoodscustom by Bill Akers very beautiful also

 

[Zardo]

I'm a noob and won this knife today:

2015 0724 03 – Runt w/ Coffee burlap over natural w/ lime pinstripes, Tapered Tang, convex on 1/8” spalted A2 steel - $280

From this thread, do I understand that the handle is made from coffee bag burlap? If so, color me lucky for the accidental pickup!

Nice score! Beautiful Runt !!!!

 

[fod]

I'm a noob and won this knife today:

2015 0724 03 – Runt w/ Coffee burlap over natural w/ lime pinstripes, Tapered Tang, convex on 1/8” spalted A2 steel - $280

From this thread, do I understand that the handle is made from coffee bag burlap? If so, color me lucky for the accidental pickup!

That great looking runt is indeed handled with repurposed coffee bags.:thumbup:

 

[dmourati]

As a coffee connoisseur, this coffee burlap Runt will make a fine first Fiddleback. Thanks.

 

[Comprehensivist]

As a coffee connoisseur, this coffee burlap Runt will make a fine first Fiddleback. Thanks.

Nice choice for your first knife sharked on a Friday. I like the lime pinstripe along with the Coffebag burlap. That is the same combo as my Sneaky Pete which was the first of many burlap handled knives I have acquired. Shadetree burlaps are addicting.

Phil

 

[M4Super90]

I've been waiting to post to this thread after Phil's thousandth post, because I needed to think about what to say in congratulations. Phil and I actually started our Fiddleback "problem" about the same time in the Fall of 2013. To say Phil's collecting habits have had an influence on me and my Fiddleback purchases is an understatement. It was actually Shadetree that helped start our friendship. Phil, being the nice and observant guy that he is, noticed in my posts that I wanted a Camp Nessie and was looking for Oreo. I missed one that went up on a vendor site as the Camps were moving in seconds those days. Turns out, Phil had purchased the knife so that I could have one. We really spent a lot of time talking about knives (and life in general) after that. To go further, I was wanted to compare some models that I did not own and he did. He shipped several his knives to a person he had never actually met and said "see what you think and send them back when you feel like it". Here's the post that resulted from that interaction: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1238135-Beyond-the-BC-Bigger-knives-Part-2 Eventually, we met up and had a Fiddleback BBQ http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1271357-Arizona-Knife-Show-and-BBQ

I posted this pic jokingly as an "ode to Phil" in post #126 of this thread in September of 2014. It was all the Shadetree I owned.

Here's the extent of the Shadetree in my collection today.

Just the Bushcrafter variants:

Just the cool colors (emerald, evergreen, sapphire and oreo)

All the Shadetree together

If you've spent anytime in this thread and the Collections photo thread you'll notice that many of the Shadetree knives in my collection have gone through Phil's hands at some point. The emerald Camp, the evergreen BC Sr., the evergreen KEB, the bolstered emerald Hunter, etc. A few have passed on - an emerald Runt and a sapphire Woodsman. I purchased a Patch (that I love) on his recommendation, as well as a Leuku after begrudgingly having to return his. The list goes on an on... I hope to never have to whittle down my Fiddleback collection, but if I did you're looking at the ones that would be the last to go (with the exception of the KOA BC Sr. - no need to start a PM barrage ).

Phil, my sincerest congratulations on your 1000 mark and the contributions you have provided to this forum. I am humbled by your friendship.

Phillip

 

[prom52]

Congratulations on achieving your 1000th post milestone here on Blade Forums Phil. How fitting to celebrate it through an expression of your fondness for Shadetree Burlap handled knives. As others have already expressed, the content and quality of your posts far exceeds the number alone, and has done much to enrich our community here on Andy's sub forum.

Rainbows can be described in many ways and are the result of the reflection, refraction and dispersion of light through water droplets in the atmosphere. I would like to personally thank you for how you have "reflected" on your experience with the knives in your collection. I have enjoyed how your collection has "refracted" over time to include many fine bolstered configurations (and even a few woodies), and how you have "dispersed" your knowledge & insights in the meaningful posts that you have shared with us.

Above all the rainbow is a symbol of hope. With this in mind I sincerely hope that you continue to enjoy your passion of the outdoors through the use of these fine tools, and that the personal friendship that we have shared over the past year will continue to grow.

Got any good mellon recipes that you'd like to share ?

Peter

 

[Odaon]

Phil, that Patch is awesome. I just purchased my first Fiddleback after waiting far too long! I used to frequent the site back in 2009-2010 and would have loved to purchase one of Andy's knives back then but didn't have much expendable income. Then life kind of took over and I quit visiting BF very often. But I'm back, and my first Fiddleback is a Patch! I decided that it was my favorite model, and I would have loved to get one in a cool Shadetree but I couldn't wait any longer! I nabbed one from USA Made Blades that I had been watching for a while. It'll be headed to Rick to get a custom sheath before I get to play with it, but I'm very excited. However, there will be a Shadetree Patch in my future! I was really hoping to Shark my first one but I'll just have to do that next. :thumbup:

 

[McVeyMac]

Phillip, it looks like you need a Shadetree Recluse to go with the Patch and Leuku. Keep on sharking my friend.