Looking to pick up my first Fiddleback Forge for my main EDC (Monarch, Esquire, EDC II?).

I have several Esquires and I edc them very often. They are definately on the small side but still fit comfortably in my XL hands.
I don't have an edc2 but I do have a few Lonetars which have the same handle from what I can tell. To me the handle on the Lonestar/edc2 is not as visually appealing as the Esquire. However, it seems to melt into my hand and is one of the more comfortable models I use.
The Esquire was smaller than I had envisioned when I picked up my first. It is certainly of my favorite models.
 
Warrior108 said:
Of your top list, I'd suggest the Esquire or the EDC II, but I've never held or owned an EDC II. However, it does get my vote because it's close to a Lonestar EDC, which I'm pretty sure has bubbled to be my favorite model, which says a lot. The Lonestar is comfy, concealable, has a nice useful tip to it, and a nice belly to the blade. And it's sexy.
Click to expand...

I agree with all of this. It is only in fate that I have my Esquire still and no longer the Lonestar. Don't get me wrong, I do love the Esquire model for its own merits as well, but I kept the Esquire over the LS because of how it came to me, the spiritual quest it has been a part of, and the places it has been with me when i took no other tools at all on those wanders through some pretty sketchy places. When it comes down to actually using the knife longer term, the Lonestar has the more user-friendly handle of the two models
 
VANCE said:
EDCII w/ OSK & Runt
2v2J7zDhWxurAoi.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the photo! Your knives look great. Which of those do you prefer? The Old School Karda looks really interesting as well. would you say the OSK is more of a three finder grip than a four finger grip? Kind of reminds me of a tall bladed Babyboot.

NoRest said:
I have several Esquires and I edc them very often. They are definately on the small side but still fit comfortably in my XL hands.
I don't have an edc2 but I do have a few Lonetars which have the same handle from what I can tell. To me the handle on the Lonestar/edc2 is not as visually appealing as the Esquire. However, it seems to melt into my hand and is one of the more comfortable models I use.
The Esquire was smaller than I had envisioned when I picked up my first. It is certainly of my favorite models.
Click to expand...

Thats good to know that the Esquire fits comfortably in your xl hands as I have xl sized hands as well. The Lonestar EDC looks like a great knife and something worth considering, but for now I think I have my focus narrowed down to the Esquire and possibly the EDC II. Next step up in size would probably be a bushboot, hiking buddy or handyman, but thats down the road I think. When the time comes that I might want to pick up a lonestar, I think the Sylverfalcin will be a runner up along side it.

Would you say the handle of the Lonestar is more comfortable for you to handle than the Esquire's handle?
 
burnside burnside

the Runt is the only one I still have. I carried it for several years before I put it into Fiddleback "Retirement" where the koa scales get wiped down w/ Howard's occasionally and that's about it. With your XL hands the Runt would not be a great match........ I dont think.

I have a bunch of Fiddleback's & family in the Esquire & EDCII range that I rotate as I get the urge..
mostly
Esquire
EDKarda
Hiking Buddy
Sylvrfalcen
Bushcrafter Jr
Surls Mini Dropped Hunter
 
R RobbieB - not to derail the discussion, but would you consider posting your comparison pics in the stickied thread for Model Comparisons? You and @Warrior108 have put up some great pictures recently that folks could use for reference, just in case this particular thread ends up on page 2 one day. :)
 
VANCE said:
burnside burnside

With your XL hands the Runt would not be a great match........ I dont think.
Click to expand...

My hand size is strange in that they are a cross between L and xl. Depending on the gloves I can sometimes squeeze into a large glove (but it's a squeeze), and sometimes I can comfortable wear xxl sized gloves. It's pretty much a trial and era when trying to size my hands for something and that holds true for knife handles as well.

NoRest said:
I think the Lonestar handle is more comfortable than the Esquire. But I am still a huge Esquire fan. It's a great knife.
Here's a few pics..
Hosted on Fotki
Hosted on Fotki
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pics and insight! What sized hands would you say that you have? Judging from your photos, it looks like The esquire would fit me just fine, and the EDC/Lonestar handle would fit like a glove.

RobbieB said:
Another comparison photo that will either add to the uncertainty or help clarify. Hopefully the latter.

26837771767_450c945fc2_o.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing! This photo definitely helps to clarify some things, and the difference in size between the esquire and the EDC II. Although it hasn't made me any more uncertain, it definitely makes me want to try many of these models out!
 
NoRest said:
I think the Lonestar handle is more comfortable than the Esquire. But I am still a huge Esquire fan. It's a great knife.
Here's a few pics.
Click to expand...

Those thoughts mirror my own exactly.

I regret not taking that same exact type of shot when I could have lol, but now maybe the next time I land the Lonestar I want for Bilbo's knife it will be tapered 5/32 like my Esquire instead of the SFT 1/8. It had the look I loved, it really did, but more forward mass on that model will suit me better.
 
Well I've decided on the Esquire as my first Fiddleback. I am picking up a user from another forum member here, and I'm really looking forward to it! It is a hair over 3/32" (.096") with a SFT, spalted A2 steel, and a green micarta handle. No swedge and no tapered tang, but this one will be a great little slicer, box opener, destroyer of cardboard, and master of stacked pallets.

Of course there are plenty of other models that are on my radar now. The ones that are on the top of my list at the moment are The Hiking Buddy and Handyman in Osage, Bear Cub, Sgian Dubh, Old School Karda, EDC II, Lonestar EDC, Bushboot, and the Monarch. If the Esquire is a really good fit, I'll probably want to try out some others with different specs. I can imagine how this Fiddleback business might become a bit addictive!

Thanks once again for all the friendly input and advice! It really is very much appreciated. I will be posting some pics here once I have the Esquire in hand.
 
Excellent choice. Can't wait to hear what you think.
 
Just received the Esquire in the mail this evening. This knife is fantastic! I'm beyond impressed with this knife. It's not often that I'm blown away by just holding a knife, and this is one of those times. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, and this knife has gone above and beyond my expectations. All four of my long fingers can comfortably wrap around the handle, and if I choose to, I can rest my pinky on the butt end of the handle as well. It fits my hand very comfortably. The blade thickness seems perfect to me, and I can see how this will be a great little slicer indeed. The feel of the micarta is smooth but not too smooth. The look is stellar, and I love the contrasting natural micarta pins. The spalting on the blade is a new experience for me, and I like it a lot. This knife is my first custom level blade, and I am really very impressed with the craftsmanship that went into it. It truly is a gem. I'm liking the esquire so much that I'm obviously wanting to try out other models now. In fact, I think I'd like to try out other variations of the Esquire as well. The Joufuu pocket sheath is also fantastic, and it fits in my pocket very nicely. I barely notice that it's in my cargo shorts, and I would highly recommend this style of fixed blade carry. Can't wait to put it to some use!

(The lighting was not great when I took the following pics. The sheath is actually brown and not black).

esquireA.jpg
EsquireB.jpg EsquireC.jpg
EsquireD.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! On the one hand, I’m really happy for you that the Esquire is working so well for you. I would have thought the handle to be too skinny. But then again, I thought a Runt’s handle would be too short for me until I held one. I still don’t understand how it locks into my hand so securely or is so comfortable. With a short leather lanyard for my pinky finger, it is fantastic.

On the other hand, I’ve now decided I want a knife in this size range and your quick review has added an Esquire to the list (also considering ED Karda and OS Karda). I really have no idea how I’ll choose. Something tells me I’ll probably end up with all three at some point.
 
TrainedBullets said:
On the other hand, I’ve now decided I want a knife in this size range and your quick review has added an Esquire to the list (also considering ED Karda and OS Karda). I really have no idea how I’ll choose. Something tells me I’ll probably end up with all three at some point.
Click to expand...

Did you scoop up an OS Karda? One that I was admiring is no longer available. I'm hoping you picked it up! I really like the looks of the OS Karda, and it's definitely on my short list. I'm also really curious about trying out other various Esquires with different specs. I'd like to compare the hand-made subtleties of the same knife, and with different specs (blade thickness, handle width, blade grind, etc..). Currently there are three different available Esquires that have all caught my attention.
 
Not yet. I’m holding out for DIW or Maple Burl. That said, I might be tempted by Rosewood or Blue Shadetree burlap.

Right now I have 5 Fiddlebacks: Bushfinger, Sneaky Pete, Monarch, Bushraptor, and Runt. Each is fantastic.

Someone probably should have warned you that the formula for the perfect number of Fiddlebacks seems to be n+1, where n is the number in your current collection.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top