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- Dec 19, 2012
- Messages
- 2,921
Awesome work Michael! Congrats on completing the challenge. Way to stay dedicated to it and fighting through the valleys.
Good luck on the hunt for the reward.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
My Fiddleback Challenge
- Thread starter RRaconteur
- Start date
Awesome work Michael! Congrats on completing the challenge. Way to stay dedicated to it and fighting through the valleys.
Good luck on the hunt for the reward.
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Messages
- 2,051
GREAT JOB Michael!!!
I suggest that we all allow Michael the pick of the litter today. If the knife that Michael tries to shark today is already called, then the initial caller should concede to let it go to Michael. I know that this has been an up and down journey for him, and I will gladly give him this consideration for this Friday. Of course next Friday, he will just have to be in the frenzy with the rest of us.
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2013
- Messages
- 914
Thanks for the thoughts and consideration, all. Even though this COULD be my first FF, I doubt it will be. Have a trip with the family to the zoo planned, which means I'd be limited to my slow cell. We'll see. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to impose any restriction on anyone for today. Anything they do would have to be an individual choice. Thanks again for the kindness.
Michael
Michael
FeralGentleman
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2013
- Messages
- 2,166
That's awesome, congratulations. I do hope you make it a lifestyle change and keep the weight within healthy limits.
The victories, along with the disappointments, are what make sharking FF's afun event, but i will concede if you want the easy route
The victories, along with the disappointments, are what make sharking FF's afun event, but i will concede if you want the easy route
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2007
- Messages
- 7,743
Congrats buddy! Can't wait to see what you get. 
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2013
- Messages
- 914
Thanks again everyone. That first FF I was on the road and had no hope of tuning in--but what beauties! For this week, Andy & Ken told me they wanted to make it easier on me, but I just couldn't quite pull the trigger on anything. I guess I've waited this long, I figure I can wait a little longer for the right knife (just not too long, I hope!) Anyway, we'll try again next week.
In the mean time, McVeyMac loaned me a Kephart which I've been putting through the paces. It's not a "light saber" for me, but the more I use it the more I see it is just about perfect for whittling, carving, feathering, and what have you. To be honest, it has made me even more curious about some other models....the bank account ain't going to like this....
Of course, making things worse (or better I haven't figured that part out), my wife has decided she wants something this size IN ADDITION to the hiking buddy she already told me to get her. It's going to be a delicate balance of spreading out purchases and keeping watch for the right one....
I'll be sure to post when I've my teeth into one. And there will be much rejoicing. 😄
Michael
Edited to add: As of this morning, I was still within one pound of my goal weight, so I've not yet fallen off the wagon.😊
In the mean time, McVeyMac loaned me a Kephart which I've been putting through the paces. It's not a "light saber" for me, but the more I use it the more I see it is just about perfect for whittling, carving, feathering, and what have you. To be honest, it has made me even more curious about some other models....the bank account ain't going to like this....
Of course, making things worse (or better I haven't figured that part out), my wife has decided she wants something this size IN ADDITION to the hiking buddy she already told me to get her. It's going to be a delicate balance of spreading out purchases and keeping watch for the right one....
I'll be sure to post when I've my teeth into one. And there will be much rejoicing. 😄
Michael
Edited to add: As of this morning, I was still within one pound of my goal weight, so I've not yet fallen off the wagon.😊
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2013
- Messages
- 914
Thanks for tuning in, euroross. I successfully completed the weight loss portion of the challenge a couple weeks ago. Now, however, comes the challenge of snagging the Fiddleback I'm after!
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2013
- Messages
- 914
Today was a good day....already (That was for you, Duder)
Andy and Ken have been following my progress and reached out to me in an effort to see my Challenge reward realized. My experience playing with McVeyMac's Kephart has shown me the benefits of that particular blade (as well as the beauty and comfort of the synthetics), but it also got me thinking that for my general purposes, maybe a little less pointy would be better (I may have just committed Mistwalker heresy, I hope he'll forgive me
). Anyway, Ken thought they had a knife I might be interested in and offered me dibs.
Needless to say, I said yes. Emerald burlap. 5/32nd. Tapered tang. Definitely yes.
Thanks again to all of you who have supported me through this difficult challenge. I'm pleased to say that these weeks later, I am still within a pound or two of my goal. Also, my wife is about to get the OK to start exercising again post partum, which means there may be some more support and opportunities over the next 6 months than what I have had the past six.
Several of you expressed an interested to contribute financially or otherwise to my Challenge knife. I have tried to "bump" all of you by quoting your posts at the bottom of the thread. You are NOT obligated to contribute anything, as I feel I have already received far more than my share of support from each of you. If, however, you still want to contribute, I ask that you paypal to FF (by the weekend), courtesy of the usual address (fiddlebackpayments <at> att <dot> net), and put "Emerald BC Challenge" in the subject. I also need to know how much you contributed, so I can still pay the balance, so make sure you PM here on BF or email me personally at larz <dot> jemand <at> gmail <dot> com.
You are an amazing group of people. I am in awe of this wonderful community, and so very grateful for Andy for drawing us together and inspiring us so.
Peace,
Michael
Andy and Ken have been following my progress and reached out to me in an effort to see my Challenge reward realized. My experience playing with McVeyMac's Kephart has shown me the benefits of that particular blade (as well as the beauty and comfort of the synthetics), but it also got me thinking that for my general purposes, maybe a little less pointy would be better (I may have just committed Mistwalker heresy, I hope he'll forgive me
). Anyway, Ken thought they had a knife I might be interested in and offered me dibs.
Needless to say, I said yes. Emerald burlap. 5/32nd. Tapered tang. Definitely yes.
Thanks again to all of you who have supported me through this difficult challenge. I'm pleased to say that these weeks later, I am still within a pound or two of my goal. Also, my wife is about to get the OK to start exercising again post partum, which means there may be some more support and opportunities over the next 6 months than what I have had the past six.
Several of you expressed an interested to contribute financially or otherwise to my Challenge knife. I have tried to "bump" all of you by quoting your posts at the bottom of the thread. You are NOT obligated to contribute anything, as I feel I have already received far more than my share of support from each of you. If, however, you still want to contribute, I ask that you paypal to FF (by the weekend), courtesy of the usual address (fiddlebackpayments <at> att <dot> net), and put "Emerald BC Challenge" in the subject. I also need to know how much you contributed, so I can still pay the balance, so make sure you PM here on BF or email me personally at larz <dot> jemand <at> gmail <dot> com.
You are an amazing group of people. I am in awe of this wonderful community, and so very grateful for Andy for drawing us together and inspiring us so.
Peace,
Michael
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Messages
- 2,051
Hey Michael, that is one beautiful BC. I have a BC and I must say that it is very comfortable in hand and in use. You will be more than pleased, I am sure. A big thank you goes out to Andy and Ken for thinking of Michael.
If you are done kicking the tires on the Kephart once your BC arrives, why don't you give it to your wife for a test drive. The Kephart is pointy for sure, but pointy is just what the Dr. ordered for some tasks. In your post above, you implied that your wife might be interested in a knife in this size range (4").
Of all the 4" knives that Andy makes, I find that I use the Recluse more than any other. Part of this is because I received it as a user from Mistwalker with a heavy patina. I got that thing hair whittling sharp, and I have been carrying and using that knife a lot ever since. Another favorite of mine is a Kephart that I got from xxwjtxx. This knife arrived to me very dull, which was very strange, because it looked to be brand new in every other respect. Will informed me that he had not used it, but that he had gotten it second hand. Long story short, I put a hair whittling edge on that knife, and I have been carrying it quite a lot as well. I have come to really like the Kephart as a result of these past few months of carrying it. But, it is too pretty of a knife to take it out for hard use, at least when I have my trusty Mistwalker user Recluse. Fast forward to the Bear/Big Paw. The Bear/Big Paw is essentially a Kephart blade with a larger handle. I must say, my Bear/Big Paw has made all of my Kepharts obsolete. I love the feel of this knife in hand. I recently got a new pair of pants for the Bear/Big Paw from RLO, so I am going to sharpen it up and take it out for a spin. My Bear/Big Paw has "user" written all over it. It has OD green micarta handles which are screaming "use me." It also has a nice mosaic pin beauty mark, making it a little special as well, but not damageable from using it hard. My hands are not exceptionally large, but this knife just feels right.
The other 4" knife that I carry almost every day is the CPM 154 Sneaky Pete. This knife is carried a lot, but used very little. I love the handle of the SP, which is why I always have it on me day to day. This is the largest knife that I carry to work, so it will be my absolute survival tool if I were to go off the road in the winter, and no help was to be had. It also sports a hair whittling edge, but I just do not work it that hard. But it is always carried strong side, and will be a go to defensive tool mode if ever the need arises.
For me the 4" to 5" knife is the sweet spot. I love large knives, and I own quite a few. But I find that I do not carry them that much. I take them camping when I go, but I also have a 4" or 5" knife with me as well. I feel under knifed if I only have a 3" knife on me for some reason. I carry an EDC II every day to work for daily basic cutting chores (this is why the SP gets little to no use). I love the EDC II, but if I could only carry one knife, I would choose a 4" to 5" blade. I would never feel under knifed with the Kephart, Recluse, Bear/Big Paw, Hunter, Asp, Sneaky Pete, Woodchuck, Bushfinger, Terrasaur, Nessmuk, Ladyfinger, KPH or Bushcrafter. I own at least one example of all of these, and I carry and use them all in rotation. They each have their own particular design features that make them particularly suited for one task or another, but they are all fine designs, and are all worthy of consideration.
Congratulations again on your challenge and on your new BC. You know that we will all want to see a complete review of this knife with lots of pictures. We understand that it might take some time until you and the family can get back to the woods, but get the camera out the moment that it arrives.
If you are done kicking the tires on the Kephart once your BC arrives, why don't you give it to your wife for a test drive. The Kephart is pointy for sure, but pointy is just what the Dr. ordered for some tasks. In your post above, you implied that your wife might be interested in a knife in this size range (4").
Of all the 4" knives that Andy makes, I find that I use the Recluse more than any other. Part of this is because I received it as a user from Mistwalker with a heavy patina. I got that thing hair whittling sharp, and I have been carrying and using that knife a lot ever since. Another favorite of mine is a Kephart that I got from xxwjtxx. This knife arrived to me very dull, which was very strange, because it looked to be brand new in every other respect. Will informed me that he had not used it, but that he had gotten it second hand. Long story short, I put a hair whittling edge on that knife, and I have been carrying it quite a lot as well. I have come to really like the Kephart as a result of these past few months of carrying it. But, it is too pretty of a knife to take it out for hard use, at least when I have my trusty Mistwalker user Recluse. Fast forward to the Bear/Big Paw. The Bear/Big Paw is essentially a Kephart blade with a larger handle. I must say, my Bear/Big Paw has made all of my Kepharts obsolete. I love the feel of this knife in hand. I recently got a new pair of pants for the Bear/Big Paw from RLO, so I am going to sharpen it up and take it out for a spin. My Bear/Big Paw has "user" written all over it. It has OD green micarta handles which are screaming "use me." It also has a nice mosaic pin beauty mark, making it a little special as well, but not damageable from using it hard. My hands are not exceptionally large, but this knife just feels right.
The other 4" knife that I carry almost every day is the CPM 154 Sneaky Pete. This knife is carried a lot, but used very little. I love the handle of the SP, which is why I always have it on me day to day. This is the largest knife that I carry to work, so it will be my absolute survival tool if I were to go off the road in the winter, and no help was to be had. It also sports a hair whittling edge, but I just do not work it that hard. But it is always carried strong side, and will be a go to defensive tool mode if ever the need arises.
For me the 4" to 5" knife is the sweet spot. I love large knives, and I own quite a few. But I find that I do not carry them that much. I take them camping when I go, but I also have a 4" or 5" knife with me as well. I feel under knifed if I only have a 3" knife on me for some reason. I carry an EDC II every day to work for daily basic cutting chores (this is why the SP gets little to no use). I love the EDC II, but if I could only carry one knife, I would choose a 4" to 5" blade. I would never feel under knifed with the Kephart, Recluse, Bear/Big Paw, Hunter, Asp, Sneaky Pete, Woodchuck, Bushfinger, Terrasaur, Nessmuk, Ladyfinger, KPH or Bushcrafter. I own at least one example of all of these, and I carry and use them all in rotation. They each have their own particular design features that make them particularly suited for one task or another, but they are all fine designs, and are all worthy of consideration.
Congratulations again on your challenge and on your new BC. You know that we will all want to see a complete review of this knife with lots of pictures. We understand that it might take some time until you and the family can get back to the woods, but get the camera out the moment that it arrives.
Comprehensivist
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2008
- Messages
- 3,207
Michael,
Congratulations again on accomplishing your goal and maintaining it. Your dedication has paid off.
I also want to thank you for all the posts that you have made over the last several months. For a guy with no Fiddleback knife, you have really contributed a lot to the discussions around here. Now that you have a Bushcrafter coming, we look forward to your photos and thoughts about it. The Bushcrafter is my favorite 4" model. Andy & Ken picked a very nice one for you with Emerald burlap and a tapered tang. That was very nice of them to offer you this hand-picked beauty.
I don't have a paypal account, but I sent in a check today for $50 toward your knife. I sent a PM to Ken to confirm that. He knows that my checks are always good.
Have a great 4th with the family and keep us posted.
Best regards,
Phil
Congratulations again on accomplishing your goal and maintaining it. Your dedication has paid off.
I also want to thank you for all the posts that you have made over the last several months. For a guy with no Fiddleback knife, you have really contributed a lot to the discussions around here. Now that you have a Bushcrafter coming, we look forward to your photos and thoughts about it. The Bushcrafter is my favorite 4" model. Andy & Ken picked a very nice one for you with Emerald burlap and a tapered tang. That was very nice of them to offer you this hand-picked beauty.
I don't have a paypal account, but I sent in a check today for $50 toward your knife. I sent a PM to Ken to confirm that. He knows that my checks are always good.
Have a great 4th with the family and keep us posted.
Best regards,
Phil
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2013
- Messages
- 3,003
Well you weren't really supposed to lose the weight man.
Just kidding buddy. I'm glad you've almost completed your challenge. Now comes the bigger challenge: Keeping it off.
Hey you've made it this far, you have plenty of support and you seem like a strong guy; it shouldn't be a problem.
Good job buddy.:thumbup:
Duder
I sent funds to Andy for your BC. I'll PM you with the amount.
Just kidding buddy. I'm glad you've almost completed your challenge. Now comes the bigger challenge: Keeping it off.
Hey you've made it this far, you have plenty of support and you seem like a strong guy; it shouldn't be a problem.
Good job buddy.:thumbup:
Duder
I sent funds to Andy for your BC. I'll PM you with the amount.
Last edited:
Mistwalker
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2007
- Messages
- 19,035
Way to go Michael! And that Bushcrafter will be an awesome knife. I still miss my Bushcrafter very much. Even though I do indeed like pointy, it's a free land man, like what you like with pride
