New to Fiddleback Forge, knife use question please

T

texasrimfirenut

Joined
Oct 13, 2013
Messages
168
Gentleman,

I am pretty new to Fiddleback Forge and have a Hiking Buddy. That's my limited experience.

I spend a lot of time camping/bushcrafting and am looking for another Fiddleback for those task.

Usually looking for something 3.5 to 4 inches.

Although I don't do a lot of it I want something that is strong enough to take on some light batoning.

So bushcraft knife 3.5 to 4 inches that is strong enough to do light batoning.

What knives should I look at? Which ones ae tough enough for these chores. Looking at the bushcraft, Terrasuar and Recluse. Are all three of those tough enough? What others should I look at?

Thanks guys for any help!
 
Welcome! Mind you that there will likely be as many answers to your question as there are folks that respond! I'm including a link the the FF website, you may already have been there. http://fiddlebackforge.com/
That's the best I can offer at the time. Don't forget to look at WA Surls knives, Osprey Knife & Tool, and Jarrett Fleming knives as these guys all have a connection to Fiddleback Forge!
 
I don't own many Fiddlebacks ... if you're wanting to stay with a Fiddleback ... one I would recommend you look at for those uses is the Duke ... I think you can get it in 3V ... (I may be wrong the Duke may be S35VN and and the Camp Knife 3V and slightly bigger then the Duke) but either would be a good sized camp knife usable for about anything ... big enough you could baton wood and yet not so big you can't use it for finer cutting tasks.
 
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Fiddle Folks who do batoning,

It would probably help the OP if you have input on blade thickness that would be ok for that task. Specifically for Andy's knives, is 3/32 ok? Is 1/8 or 5/32 preferable?

I think from there, he can consider knives from the whole list that meet his preferred blade length and then watch for one with the preferred/recommended steel widths.
 
If you want just a little longer of a blade I would recommend the Bush Hermit in 1/8th or 5/32". The blade is 4.125". This is my go to for hiking, batoning, wood prep, etc. I actually prefer the A2 for this. Several of the production models may suite your needs to for outdoor use like the kephart that is S35VN stainless steel at 3.75". The Recluse has a handle more similar to the hiking buddy that you have and will work great for those chores as well. You really can't go wrong with any of the listed knives - just a matter of personal preference.
 
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My batoning preference is definitely for the thicker bladess, so I think 5/32 works best. I've never even tried to baton with a 3/32 blade. The thicker blades don't dig into the baton as much, and I feel like I get more from each baton strike with the thicker bladed knife.

As for length, the ideal length would obviously be a factor of the size wood you'll need to baton. With a Bushcrafter or any model around the 4" length, you'll be limited to wood under 3 inches, for the most part. I've tried the Camp Knife, and it's a monster! I think a 5-inch blade would be best for this application while also providing utility for other tasks too. If you can find a Bushcrafter Sr. that approaches 5 inches, it would work very well. Mine is 4.6, and it handles most things. I batoned a 4-inch log today, and while it worked, it was a little tough with so little blade for striking. I haven't held a Duke yet, but it could very well be the ideal model for batoning.
 
Seems like a BC Sr. would be right up your alley in 5/32 or 3/16. I'd also recommend you look at the Bushcrafter, the Bearpaw Bushcrafter, the Bush Hermit, and the Camp Nessie. A Forager might work as well.
 
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Thanks everyone, these are good recommendations for me to look into.

So any of the original three I listed would make a good bushcraft knife. Its just more of blade thickness to look into for batoning ... right?

From that I gather from the responses, I can baton with 1/8" but many would recommend even thicker right?

Thanks again everyone for all the advice.
 
texasrimfirenut said:
Thanks everyone, these are good recommendations for me to look into.

So any of the original three I listed would make a good bushcraft knife. Its just more of blade thickness to look into for batoning ... right?

From that I gather from the responses, I can baton with 1/8" but many would recommend even thicker right?

Thanks again everyone for all the advice.
Click to expand...

Any of the three you listed would fine. Out of those three, I prefer the Terrasaur. As others mentioned, you could also consider the Bush Hermit. Bushfinger and Kephart as well.

Agree 1/8" should be fine. Some prefer 5/32". But I think either is fine. Just personal preference.
 
texasrimfirenut said:
Thanks everyone, these are good recommendations for me to look into.

So any of the original three I listed would make a good bushcraft knife. Its just more of blade thickness to look into for batoning ... right?

From that I gather from the responses, I can baton with 1/8" but many would recommend even thicker right?

Thanks again everyone for all the advice.
Click to expand...
I would probably find something in 5/32 with a tapered tang to lose some of the weight (although minimal) in the handle or 1/8" SFT. I think the answers above (from many knowledgeable forum members) have set you on a good path. HEY look at it from this angle, you can always buy 4-5 or so and put them all to work!! :D
 
Choppaman said:
I would probably find something in 5/32 with a tapered tang to lose some of the weight (although minimal) in the handle or 1/8" SFT. I think the answers above (from many knowledgeable forum members) have set you on a good path. HEY look at it from this angle, you can always buy 4-5 or so and put them all to work!! :D
Click to expand...
Heh heh, as Phillip likes to say " One is none and two is One"
 
Warrior108 said:
Fiddle Folks who do batoning,

It would probably help the OP if you have input on blade thickness that would be ok for that task. Specifically for Andy's knives, is 3/32 ok? Is 1/8 or 5/32 preferable?

I think from there, he can consider knives from the whole list that meet his preferred blade length and then watch for one with the preferred/recommended steel widths.
Click to expand...

Lots of experience with it, batoning the 3/32 thickness steels works just fine for me!
 
Kephart.

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