Merry Christmas to me!

Codger_64

Codger_64

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Here is a custom knife just completed for me. It isn't in hand yet, but I am quite pleased. The maker, Fiddleback, used Gabon Ebony I provided and red liners to set it off. I can't wait for the sleigh to arrive!

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Thanks Andy!

Codger :thumbup:
 
Very nice! Is that a convex grind? Hard to tell from the picture.

Merry Christmas, Chris
 
Nice knife Codger but does that mean you will be leaving your Sharpfinger at home ?
 
I intend to take this knife with me on my mid-winter canoe trip next month. It will be one of several I will be trying out. I can't tell you the exact details of the grind, whether it is full convex or flat grind. I haven't held it yet. But I am not as particular about grinds as some of the folks here are. I have knives of every conceivable grind and respect the performance of all of them though different. This one will get several weeks workout doing daily camp chores including food prep. I'll see how well it can butterfly venison tenderloins for the kabobs, and of course the onions, peppers and squash and potatoes. Hopefully some fish cleaning, and definately a bit of woodcrafting. We'll see what kind of patina it acquires with steady use in a cold, damp environment too. But yes a Sharpfinger, Woodsman, and BK11 will be along for the ride.

Codger :thumbup:

Perhaps Andy would consent to describing the steel, dimensions and grind for us. Afterall this knife is NOT FOR SALE!! :D
 
I'd imagine that knife would be perfect for the camp tasks you describe !!!
 
Good? not really. I just looked at the Fiddleback Nessmuks belonging to all of the other guys here and couldn't stand it any longer! This is an intrigueing pattern to me, one I have seen since I was a young kid (yes, back last century) and always wanted to try. Now, thanks to a skilled and helpful maker, I'll have the chance. Ebony isn't fancy wood, but I wasn't after a fancy knife. A simple, functional historic design, but departing from Sears' antler handle. I'd bet that neither Les nor Bear have one like this. Maybe I should invite them along on my trip. I can teach them to skin and eat beaver tail. And make bread from cattail roots.

Codger
 
Nice new toy Codger. Is there a story behind the ebony piece you provided for the handle scales, or was it just a piece you liked ?

I just started using an EDC folder with a similar blade shape to a nessie and found it to be a really useful shape. Very cool.
 
Five years ago I bought an assortment of handle scale wood from knifeBay including ebony and six others with burl figure. When it came time to send wood for this one...the box was missing. So I selected new wood again from knifeBay and had the seller ship it direct to Fiddleback. I was just hoping it would be the pure black that it appeared to be. A lot of lower grade ebony has brown streaks in it. It appears that I either selected skillfully or plain lucked out! In either case, the maker's skill made best use of it, IMHO.

If this one meets my expectations, I'll be designing another one (no hints) to go with this one.

Codger
 
Codger,

That's awesome. That nessmuk thread a while back bit me too. Merry Christmas!
 
WOW. This thread is an excellent Christmas present!!

The knife. Its ebony, sent to me by Codger, and 01 tool steel. 3/32 thick. 4" blade. 4.5" handle. Convex grind with a convex microbevel. Its got three brass tubes. The front ones are 1/4" with thick walls. I think they look pretty cool on a knife. Sometimes I fill the hole with an 1/8" green G-10 tube, but Coger opted out on that. There are three liners, black, red, black. It'll wear a leather sheath eventually.

Glad to hear y'all like the package!!!
 
Fiddleback,

Hope you are having a great X-mas and getting plenty of rest ,reading through the order list of noble gentlemen patiently awaiting a nessie.... Merry X-mas!
 
The knife arrived today and it exceeds even my best expectations. The ebony I selected is indeed "black-black" without a hint of brown. Scales are very symmetrical (how you do dat?) and very smoothly finished, brass tubes worked exactly flush with no tear-out from the drilling (and how you do dat?). The grind is exactly as described and came sharp enough to peel skin from my finger from tip to 1/4" in front of the handle (for you guys who don't care for choils). The only thing different from the way Andy described it a few posts back is the liner layout, red-black-red on both sides. Sets off the ebony very well! And it is a detail I had not thought to request.

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Andy worked quickly to get this to me. And, though I didn't understand why at the time, he refused prepayment, even partial. I understand why now though after cruising around in the Good, Bad & Ugly forum. So not only is Andy an excellent designer and craftsman, he goes out of his way to avoid improper business practices which have crashed more than a few good makers. This is the first custom I have from Fiddleback, but it certainly won't be the last!

Thanks again Andy!

Oh, and I'll work on swiping my daughter's camera for a few good pictures.

Codger
 
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