My visit to Fiddleback Forge

whitty

whitty

Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Aug 25, 2005
Messages
6,001
I have been trying to go visit the new Fiddleback Forge Headquarters since they moved to their new location. I finally found a time that worked for them and worked for me and was able to drive down late Sunday night and spend some time in the shop on Monday. I arrived around 10:30 in the morning and was honestly not sure if I was at Fiddleback or at a truck and 4X4 repo lot.

https://flic.kr/p/KynKQn https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/


Realizing I was in the right spot I went in and quickly got the full tour from Vance. Everyone was busy at work with each having their specific task to do.

Now for full disclosure, this is my first time going into any building where knives are made. I had a general idea of what goes in to making a knife and I certainly knew it was hard work. With that said, I was actually blown away by the operation, the amount of equipment and the number of different people with set task for each day. It was very cool to see and definitely brought a new level of appreciation and respect for what Andy does. While I have seen plenty of behind the scene pictures of the process, they do not do it the justice of seeing it right in front of you. I find it amazing what Andy and the entire crew do. Thank you to all of you for letting me come in and check out the shop on what I know was a very busy day!

Whitt


A few pics from my day:

https://flic.kr/p/KoWEEohttps://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

https://flic.kr/p/KynHmp https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

https://flic.kr/p/KoWFm3 https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

https://flic.kr/p/KynKrXhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

https://flic.kr/p/KynHHr https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

https://flic.kr/p/KynJUphttps://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

https://flic.kr/p/KynJBR https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

https://flic.kr/p/KynJuBhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
as I posted on the Esee forum. It's great to see this. I hold the upmost respect for Andy and his group. Superb craftsmen, outstanding products and over the top service. Not to mention very nice and humble people. I will always be a fan of Fiddleback Forge.
 
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Glad to see that you made it down. I like the pattern wall. Thanks for sharing Whitty.
 
Cool pictures, Whitty. Do you have a shot of the wall of patterns from directly in front of it?
 
Hotshot10 said:
Cool pictures, Whitty. Do you have a shot of the wall of patterns from directly in front of it?
Click to expand...


It is not possible because the wall is to big and there is no enough room behind it to get it all in.
 
VANCE said:
I'll see what I can do tomorrow. Any specific area you want me to focus on?
Click to expand...

Not in particular; I was kind of hoping just to see all the patterns. I have a weakness for knives in the 4" to 5" range, though, and I've spent entirely too much time staring at the flea market in the past two weeks. :D
 
I was honored that you drove down Whit. I hope the tacos didn't tear you up too bad on the ride home. I'm glad you got to see the operation here. Thank you for all you do for us, your support has been critical.

Folks, Whitty came down on a Monday. I was shaping handles. Earlier I had put the edges on last weeks batch. Phillip was playing email catchup from the weekend and prepping for shipping. Cody was prepping a batch for glueup and glueing it up. David was profiling blanks. Allen was busy making sure we have what we need ordered for the week, wrapping handles, and cutting bolstered scales. Each weekday is different, and each week is patterned like the previous week. I like looking at the action from the side when the guys don't know I'm looking. Its like an ant hill here.
 
Hotshot10 said:
Not in particular; I was kind of hoping just to see all the patterns. I have a weakness for knives in the 4" to 5" range, though, and I've spent entirely too much time staring at the flea market in the past two weeks. :D
Click to expand...

sorry
I forgot to do this today.

I'll take care of it tomorrow:o
 
here you go



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