Not much Woodchuck love? A comparison of ~9" OAL Fiddlebacks

thurin

thurin

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The Woodchuck. A much maligned rodent or a hidden gem amongst the bushcrafting Fiddlebacks?

Andy announced the Woodchuck last August and described it as:

Fiddleback said:
New model, The Woodchuck!!! - I'm so excited about this knife. I want to keep both of the convex ones real bad. Fun knife to make and grind, and just screams for Rick Lowe leatherwork to really set it off. I think this knife is going to excel at Bushcrafting. There is enough of a point to do most jobs like drilling. The edge is forward of the grip enough to allow for kitchen duty and is elliptical shaped, so its going to be great for slicing. It will also excel at game prep due to the sheepsfoot style point. The handle is 4.75" long and the blade is 4.5".
Click to expand...

When I first saw this it immediately made it onto my wish list and I finally scored one. So now it's time for a little comparison between it and some of the other larger Fiddlebacks with an approximate overall length of 9". 4" - 4.5" blades, 4.5" - 5" handles.

I'll be updating this post as I put the Woodchuck through it's paces over time.

First, lets take a look at her (is it appropriate to call a knife named after a rodent "her"?) on her own.

IMG_4032_zps7724d7d8.jpg~original


As you can see from the above pic, mine checks in right at 9" OAL. The blade is a Sheepsfoot style with a gentle upsweep to the edge. My example is 1/8" O1, Convex with a Tapered Tang. It appears to have some hammering on the flats in addition to the spalting. Not sure how well you can see from this pic:

IMG_4016_zpsf08abb73.jpg~original


This knife is going to rock in the kitchen. It's a mean slicer. I'm now on the lookout for a guardless one which is the only thing that would make it any better for me.

IMG_4046_zpsc176641c.jpg~original


I'll be taking this knife with me on a 4 day camping trip next week and will put it through it's paces on wood and in a camp setting. The little I've done with it so far tells me it'll do great. As you may know I like pointy Fiddlebacks and this one combines that with a sheepsfoot which should make it a good carver.

IMG_4003_zpsfffae6c9.jpg~original


I think it's useful to see Fiddlebacks in context with other models that might be similar, so here are some shots comparing it to the Hunter, Camp Nessie and Big Paw AKA Bear Paw Bushcrafter:

IMG_4026_zps2d022bae.jpg~original


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The Woodchuck is similar in size and handle shape to the Bear Paw:

IMG_4040_zps6fde4fde.jpg~original


The Bear Paw is fatter in the butt than the Woodchuck and has a little more contour but in general they're fairly close.

I'm not sure why there hasn't been more buzz around the Woodchuck. Seems like a great multipurpose knife that can excel in the kitchen and in bushcraft.
 
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That is a great looking blade. I had NO idea that the knife was so large! Seems to be a theme with me and FF. Can't ever really tell how big (or small) they are.

Thanks for posting it. :)
 
Compared to a Bushfinger since a lot of us can use that as a reference point:

IMG_4052_zpsa25e636c.jpg~original
 
Thanks for the post, I think it's pretty slick and ingenious how Andy designed it so that it still adds a little belly to the traditional sheepsfoot profile AND have the tip align very close to the center of the handle. Definitely a unique and versatile design. Still not pulling on my hart string but the sneaky pete didn't do it for me at first and I ended up getting one.
 
Yah, you said it, not much love for it. Just not stabby enough for me.

Nice comparison pics though.
 
If you look closely at the comparison shots you will see how beautiful and sleek the Bushfinger and Hunter look next to it :p
 
NoFair said:
If you look closely at the comparison shots you will see how beautiful and sleek the Bushfinger and Hunter look next to it :p
Click to expand...

Yes, Yes, we know you think the BF and Hunter are sexy. :p
 
Well done thurin. I appreciate the photos and your input as you provde us with a great deal of good information.

Sincerely,
Mark
 
I have a guardless one that I use exclusively in the kitchen. Very versatile and hard working knife. The unique blade shape and grind make it flexible enough to be a all in one kitchen knife. I love mine
 
Yep, +1 on what D-cag said. The woodchuck is a fine knife but looks like it would be most at home in the kitchen.
 
For the chefs, this might be a view you're interested in, showing the belly.

IMG_4057_zpscfa0880d.jpg~original


Anything else I can provide, just let me know.
 
I think you inspired someone because the one listed on knife connection sold.
 
The Woodchuck is the knife that got me started on Fiddlebacks. I have one in natural canvas micarta with a 5/32 TT. I love it. It's great in food prep, but to me it excels in woodworking. The first thing I did with mine was to a replacement rib for my Sunbrella out of a 30 year old hoe handle.
 
Oh boy, that is my all-time favourite blade profile for a working knife. Little bit of belly for big slicing with a lot of support at the tip for tiny slicing without tip breakage.
 
Take that same profile in 1/8 inch stock, but extend the blade length by an inch or so, then extend the width another half inch, and voila! You have the Foodchuck! A Fiddleback Santoku!
 
I LOVE the look of the Woodchuck! and one day I am going to be able to afford a guardless tapered 5/32 one too :D
 
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