New Guy / Few Questions

bmc352

bmc352

Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Messages
33
Wanted to post a quick hello. I have been lurking on this forum for the past month reading as much as I can, so first thanks, there is a ton of great information here and I have already learned a lot so far.

About a year ago I started getting really into fixed blade knives for my outdoor activities rather than folders which I had been using. Most of my time outside is spent backpacking, typically long weekends in North Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. I live in Florida, not the best hiking here. I have been buying and trying a lot in search of the perfect one or two that I will always want to use. I have to say there is something these knives that the other brands don’t have. Maybe it is that they are all so unique.....

I have acquired a few from the flea market and from Fiddleback Friday sales. So far I really like the Handyman. Compact and light enough for long distance hiking but enough of a handle to make if comfortable for light wood processing. I wish it had just a little bit more blade length. I recently got a Firebox stove so the ability to process some 1 - 2 inch sticks for fuel is a higher priority for me along with general camp chores. My Handyman is a convex, would like to find scandi to try as well.

I also purchased a Loner. This knife is amazing as well, however I am thinking I will ultimately try and trade it or sell it. I would like a little more handle, but the blade shape and profile is perfect. It is also a convex. Next I would like to try a Hiking Buddy or a Cohutta Mountaintown Jr. Think I am looking for something with the Handyman handle and the Loner blade, any suggestions?

One more question. I have noticed that the convex grinds vary somewhat. Some are very high some not. What is the difference functionally. Think the higher grinds would be more slicey. What else? Here is an example of what I am talking about on a Bush Hermit from pics I found on the web site.


Fiddleback_Forge_-_Bush_Hermit_-_Alli_Burl_-_3_ea669224-d1ad-47ed-9148-39d446a18272_2048x.jpg




Bush_Hermit04_f6bee0c6-e540-46d2-a2b6-1d865bd5b726_2048x.jpg
 
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WELCOME NEW FIDDLEBACK FORGER!!! A few nice grabs you got there!! I wonder if any of the following would be worth trying?!! You can get many configurations from SFT to Tapered tangs in different steels and thicknesses. Here are a few knives I have on the flea market that might be worth a try?

NTBkOZ7.jpg

KE Bushie - Blade Length: 3.875 Inches-Overall Length: 8.375 Inches-Blade Metal: 1/8" A2 Steel-Tang: SFT - Skeletonized Full Tang-Grind: Convex

OR

uCZweNm.jpg

Old School Ladyfinger - Blade Length: 4 Inches-Overall Length: 9 Inches-Blade Metal: 3/32" Scandi A2 Steel
 
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Choppaman said:
WELCOME NEW FIDDLEBACK FORGER!!! A few nice grabs you got there!! I wonder if any of the following would be worth trying?!! You can get many configurations from SFT to Tapered tangs in different steels and thicknesses. Here are a few knives I have on the flea market that might be worth a try
Click to expand...

Thanks! I actually already have a KE Bushie. I am still playing with it, however think I like a fuller handle. Still need a little more time to decide.
 
bmc352 said:
Thanks! I actually already have a KE Bushie. I am still playing with it, however think I like a fuller handle. Still need a little more time to decide.
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Just buy one of each!! LOL :D. Bush Hermit, Bushfinger and Bushcrafters work well for me in a fuller handle. Some of my favorite Fiddleback Forge knives. Best of luck to you and please keep us updated on your finds!! will be curious what you end up with. :thumbsup:
 
Welcome! I can see and agree with your thoughts now that I think about it. I've liked that Andy has made some smaller variations on some models for EDC, and one was my idea. But I have also wished for a couple that were more of an up-sizing the way Andy's BC Sr. is. Like I'd love a slightly longer bladed F2, and the same with the Wingman.

I've had a few KE Bushies, and though I love the blade shape and handle ergos. I am not really a fan of the barely-there speed bump between the handle and blade in use with slick hands from mud, blood, or tallow etc.. Though in all fairness the knife wasn't really designed with those uses in mind as a primary function. But those are bases that any knife I carry into the woods has to address. I can definitely see where making a Handyman handle shape with like a 4 to 4.25 blade could be sweet. For me when looking at my needs and considering the things you just mentioned, like wood processing for a stove. I like the Recluse most, but also the Terasaur., and I would love to try a Leuku just for these tasks based on how much I love the Recluse.

As for grind height I think the full-height grinds are more slicey maybe, depending on blade thickness/thinness. With like 1/16 thick stock i doubt it matters enough to notice. And the lower grinds leave more meat in the spine for more lateral strength. But the lower saber grinds also show more of the spalting which I really like. I'm not a fan of scandi grinds for all-around use. They only work well on thin blade stock in my experiences, the way they started in Scandinavia. Because as a rule, and tradition, the Scandinavians carry and use axes and hatchets for roughing and splitting, and scandi grinds can be fragile in thin stock for batoning especially if you hit a knot. And I don't like the scandi grind in thicker stock because it loses so much functionality compared to a shallow convex grinds with micro bevels like Fiddlebacks or a flat grinds with a convex edge bevel.

Just my opinions, hope they can help.
 
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B Griffin said:
Handyman handle shape with like a 4 to 4.25 blade could be sweet. For me when looking at my needs and considering the things you just mentioned, like wood processing for a stove. I like the Recluse most, but also the Terasaur., and I would love to try a Leuku just for these tasks based on how much I love the Recluse.

As for grind height I think the full-height grinds are more slicey maybe, depending on blade thickness/thinness. With like 1/16 thick stock i doubt it matters enough to notice. And the lower grinds leave more meat in the spine for more lateral strength. But the lower saber grinds also show more of the spalting which I really like. I'm not a fan of scandi grinds for all-around use. They only work well on thin blade stock in my experiences, the way they started in Scandinavia. Because as a rule, and tradition, the Scandinavians carry and use axes and hatchets for roughing and splitting, and scandi grinds can be fragile in thin stock for batoning especially if you hit a knot. And I don't like the scandi grind in thicker stock because it loses so much functionality compared to a shallow convex grinds with micro bevels like Fiddlebacks or a flat grinds with a convex edge bevel.

Just my opinions, hope they can help.
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I guess that is what is so fun.... and expensive ... about the process. First there are so many different models to try and then there are so many variables with in each model. I am gravitating toward the low saber conves with more spalting, but still want to try a scandi.

I am going to put a Recluse and Lady Finger on my list of ones to try.
 
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bmc352 said:
I guess that is what is so fun.... and expensive ... about the process. First there are so many different models to try and then there are so many variables with in each model. I am gravitating toward the low saber conves with more spalting, but still want to try a scandi.

I am going to put a Reclude and Lady Finger on my list of ones to try.
Click to expand...

Welcome, fellow wilderness traveler and blade enthusiast.

I, too, really like my Handyman for plenty of tasks. Recently picked up a Recluse and simply adore it, which I figured based on my love for the Patch as an EDC. Definitely give it a try and if you like it, try a Patch for EDC use as well (it is also a fantastic paring knife in the kitchen). Cannot go wrong there.

Totally agree with @BGriffin in pretty much everything above esp. relative to scandi grinds, but most of us probably have to try it out at some point to reach our own conclusions. If you pick one up, try to score one in 3/32”. Just my two cents.

Oh, and give a think to one of @BGriffin ‘s designs, the Bushraptor. Outstanding if you like a wharnie, which I love. It, with the Patch, are my two most used blades.
Cheers and have fun and be safe in the Bush!
 
bmc352 bmc352 have you looked these over yet?

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/fiddleback-model-specs-w-pic-reference-comparison.1467455/ and following few posts.

You could certainly use this to find that blade to handle ratio and set your sights on a few of them to try out.
If you are doing some hiking and camping, you may need a few knives for these journeys. How about a machete to cut your path and make shelter, A Buchcrafter Sr. for fire making (batoning) and a slicey handman for cutting those delicious steaks and potatoes. HMMM maybe even a carver for whittling when all that is said and done and your sitting by your campfire sipping on a hot drink (or beer/bourbon LOL) .
yep. gonna need a few of them. LOL. @Fiddleback a hatchet model would round things out nicely.. :D
 
Choppaman said:
bmc352 bmc352 have you looked these over yet?

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/fiddleback-model-specs-w-pic-reference-comparison.1467455/ and following few posts.

You could certainly use this to find that blade to handle ratio and set your sights on a few of them to try out.
If you are doing some hiking and camping, you may need a few knives for these journeys. How about a machete to cut your path and make shelter, A Buchcrafter Sr. for fire making (batoning) and a slicey handman for cutting those delicious steaks and potatoes. HMMM maybe even a carver for whittling when all that is said and done and your sitting by your campfire sipping on a hot drink (or beer/bourbon LOL) .
yep. gonna need a few of them. LOL. @Fiddleback a hatchet model would round things out nicely.. :D
Click to expand...

The last hiking trip I went I took 5 knives. Was a little over kill.
 
You can’t go wrong with any of Andy’s knives it just boils down to personal preference and intended use. The handyman is a great knife, there are some slight differences but to me the Bushfinger is very similar with a larger blade/handle. I plan to get another one in the near future if I can find one that matches my Woodpecker.
 
The Cohutta Mountaintown Jr. is a great choice for a bigger feel 3 1/2" ish blade. It is in between the Loner and Bush Hermit handle length wise. The Handyman is a favorite of mine as well and the Cohutta Mountaintown Jr. carries about the same. The Bush Hermit and the Bushcrafter are two of my 4" blade favorites. Sometimes there are handles that come out a little fuller and if thats what you are looking for it can be worth the wait. Having said that I have been surprised by how I take to Fiddlebacks in all different width handles. Enjoy the hunt!
 
I have a MTT JR 3/32" and love it for a very capable EDC with a solid grip.

For a full handled, capable bushwhacking knife, I really like my Terrasaur. Blade shape is not far off the KE Bushie but a notably large/fuller handle.

Bill
 
Appreciate the input. I really like and enjoy using the knives. Look forward to trying them all.
 
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