Seeing the thread on the production Duke prompted me to share my observations. A quick word of caution, I write a poor review at best, and take pictures to match so bear with me or navigate elsewhere.
So I was initially introduced to Fiddleback by winning last years usamadeblade.com NCAA bracket challenge. The prize was a production Bushfinger. (On a side note I did so poorly this year Im surprised he did not ask for the knife back.) But moving on the Bushfinger was an eye opener to the world of Fiddleback knives and has been a constant companion on most of my outings since. Its an awesome knife that seems to take anything I throw at it and not miss a beat. It has been all over the United states, the USVI, in my hunting pack, and on some intense hikes.
I was quite impressed with the Duke when it came out. I feared the camp knife was a little big for my taste but the Duke looked to be about right for a do all knife (plus its the Duke, what a cool name right? My favorite college Basketball team and John Wayne). After talking with Witty I had my wife pick one up while venturing into Salisbury. I was very impressed with how well the knife balanced, the Duke just feels right in the hand, and has a proper amount of heft without excessive weight(does that even make sense?)
My daughter usually accompanies me on my outdoor adventures to we went out the following day to see if we could use the knife to build a fire. If you were around the Carolinas during Christmas last year you know it was rainy and hot, so I (we) felt this would be an appropriate first challenge for the Duke. With the knife, a hat to catch shavings, and an ExoTac striker we were able to make a fire. Thus the Duke is now daughter approved. Ill keep it!
The next day we did a family Christmas Turkey. I gave the knife to my Dad to carve the turkey. As expected it did a great job.
Several more times last Christmas I used the knife to build fires. I wish it would have been cold enough to enjoy them.
Several weeks later I decided to build a small cooking fire and make an improvised cooking grate.
First I cut a digging stick to dig a small hole and airvent.
Then I started cutting my cooking apparatus. This is where the Duke really shines, having the blade width to be an effective chopper .
Cut several smaller limbs to interweave everything together.
Lit the fire.
Venison steak on!
Lunch served!
This knife (plus me) will be out a lot more as the summer warms up and I can venture out (still getting snow here). I plan to take it on 14ers, most hikes, backpacking trips, camping, and to Alaska later in the summer. I am planning on getting a Kydex sheath for it. My only complaint is that if you are in the rain with the knife on your belt the leather dye will bleed into your clothing, but that can be easily remedied and is not a big deal.
With this being my second Fiddleback, I have made a decision that all my fixed blades moving forward will be Fiddlebacks or ESEEs. I dont think you can beat the value they offer. I plan to whittle down my collection (Busses) to reflect this (and to free up funds for more of Andys knives).
Thanks to the guys at Fiddleback for offering such amazing knives, and to Witty at usamadeblade.com for getting them out there.
So I was initially introduced to Fiddleback by winning last years usamadeblade.com NCAA bracket challenge. The prize was a production Bushfinger. (On a side note I did so poorly this year Im surprised he did not ask for the knife back.) But moving on the Bushfinger was an eye opener to the world of Fiddleback knives and has been a constant companion on most of my outings since. Its an awesome knife that seems to take anything I throw at it and not miss a beat. It has been all over the United states, the USVI, in my hunting pack, and on some intense hikes.
I was quite impressed with the Duke when it came out. I feared the camp knife was a little big for my taste but the Duke looked to be about right for a do all knife (plus its the Duke, what a cool name right? My favorite college Basketball team and John Wayne). After talking with Witty I had my wife pick one up while venturing into Salisbury. I was very impressed with how well the knife balanced, the Duke just feels right in the hand, and has a proper amount of heft without excessive weight(does that even make sense?)
My daughter usually accompanies me on my outdoor adventures to we went out the following day to see if we could use the knife to build a fire. If you were around the Carolinas during Christmas last year you know it was rainy and hot, so I (we) felt this would be an appropriate first challenge for the Duke. With the knife, a hat to catch shavings, and an ExoTac striker we were able to make a fire. Thus the Duke is now daughter approved. Ill keep it!
The next day we did a family Christmas Turkey. I gave the knife to my Dad to carve the turkey. As expected it did a great job.
Several more times last Christmas I used the knife to build fires. I wish it would have been cold enough to enjoy them.
Several weeks later I decided to build a small cooking fire and make an improvised cooking grate.
First I cut a digging stick to dig a small hole and airvent.
Then I started cutting my cooking apparatus. This is where the Duke really shines, having the blade width to be an effective chopper .
Cut several smaller limbs to interweave everything together.
Lit the fire.
Venison steak on!
Lunch served!
This knife (plus me) will be out a lot more as the summer warms up and I can venture out (still getting snow here). I plan to take it on 14ers, most hikes, backpacking trips, camping, and to Alaska later in the summer. I am planning on getting a Kydex sheath for it. My only complaint is that if you are in the rain with the knife on your belt the leather dye will bleed into your clothing, but that can be easily remedied and is not a big deal.
With this being my second Fiddleback, I have made a decision that all my fixed blades moving forward will be Fiddlebacks or ESEEs. I dont think you can beat the value they offer. I plan to whittle down my collection (Busses) to reflect this (and to free up funds for more of Andys knives).
Thanks to the guys at Fiddleback for offering such amazing knives, and to Witty at usamadeblade.com for getting them out there.
). Really cool the way you improvised to cook the meat too.
