Patch and/vs Hiking Buddy; What Next?

[Fiddleback]

Have you tried the Monarch? Its a grail design for me.

 

[pertinux]

Have you tried the Monarch?

I get that a lot....

Two models that you might want to consider are the Monarch and the Asp. The Monarch, in essence, is basically a larger Esquire.

Hmmmm.... I'd enjoy seeing those in person someday, just to get what they're "about," but their look just doesn't appeal to me, and would be a little much for those around me. People who have them sure do seem to love them, though!

Given my (attempted!) focus, I also don't want to duplicate patterns if possible, so, an Esquire writ larger doesn't actually appeal to me the way the Idea of an entirely different pattern does, if that makes sense?

I totally get that. However, I would say that, despite the fact that the Monarch is basically a large Esquire, it's definitely a different knife. while the contours are the same both the handle and the blade are higher....

The Monarch may be a good option. A bit larger than the HB and Patch, but still smaller than the Kephart.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I don't like how the Monarch looks.

I still hope to see one in real life sometime, just to see for myself how it 'works' in hand.

All that aside, I'm curious about this:

Have you tried the Monarch? It's a grail knife for me.

Andy, why do you consider the Monarch a "grail"?

~ P.

 

[Mistwalker]

Andy, why do you consider the Monarch a "grail"?

~ P.

Small enough, big enough, pointy enough, and not much it can't do maybe? One day I will land the one I'm after

 

[pertinux]

I have to say, the combination of my in-house scale representation of a Handyman, courtesy of mistalker...

(2nd from the top)

... and this post from last Friday...

Handyman & Bearcub

2016 1223 07 – Handyman w/ sapphire burlap over black liners & yellow pinstripes, SFT
Convex on spalted 3/32” A2 - $290

2016 1223 08 – Bearcub w/ desert ironwood over black liners & white pinstripes, TT
Convex on spalted ⅛” A2 - $340

... moves a Bear Cub onto my LIST.

What a difference handle material makes, in a given pattern's presentation. And, how good it is to not move on a knife until a knife moves me, and to understand what's at work when that happens.

If nothing else, maybe having a solid 2 or 3 patterns (or more ) now on my radar increases the chances of at least one of them showing up with my preferred attributes?

~ P.
[Murphy's Law suggests they will all appear at the same time....]

 

[Heespharm]

I have to say, the combination of my in-house scale representation of a Handyman, courtesy of mistalker...

(2nd from the top)

... and this post from last Friday...


... moves a Bear Cub onto my LIST.

What a difference handle material makes, in a given pattern's presentation. And, how good it is to not move on a knife until a knife moves me, and to understand what's at work when that happens.

If nothing else, maybe having a solid 2 or 3 patterns (or more ) now on my radar increases the chances of at least one of them showing up with my preferred attributes?

~ P.
[Murphy's Law suggests they will all appear at the same time....]

What else is on that LIST?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Onedog]

I have to say, the combination of my in-house scale representation of a Handyman, courtesy of mistalker...
(2nd from the top)

... and this post from last Friday...


... moves a Bear Cub onto my LIST.

What a difference handle material makes, in a given pattern's presentation. And, how good it is to not move on a knife until a knife moves me, and to understand what's at work when that happens.

If nothing else, maybe having a solid 2 or 3 patterns (or more ) now on my radar increases the chances of at least one of them showing up with my preferred attributes?

~ P.
[Murphy's Law suggests they will all appear at the same time....]

The Bear Cub is definitely a great design. I honestly can't believe I left it out of my suggestions during this thread. It's small enough to EDC but still has a full hand grip plus a nice pointy tip. I hope one pops up in the configuration you're looking for. :thumbup:

 

[pertinux]

The Bear Cub is definitely a great design. I honestly can't believe I left it out of my suggestions during this thread. It's small enough to EDC but still has a full hand grip plus a nice pointy tip. I hope one pops up in the configuration you're looking for. :thumbup:

Thanks! I know a lot of this would be clearer were I to have the knives in front of me, all at once! Barring that, it's fun seeing which patterns catch my attention, especially those which I dismiss for some reason or other before they come roaring back. It was that way with the Esquire (I initially wrote it off as looking too squirmy), and now the Bear Cub. I don't recall why I crossed it off my list previously, but it has zooped right up it, now.

... moves a Bear Cub onto my LIST.

What a difference handle material makes, in a given pattern's presentation. And, how good it is to not move on a knife until a knife moves me, and to understand what's at work when that happens.

What else is on that LIST?

First, the List is both literal and philosophical. From the beginning and yea unto the present day, I keep a running, written list of the patterns that catch my eye as I peruse Fiddleback threads old and new, highlighting and/or crossing off patterns depending on whatever criteria make sense to me as I go along. The Literal List now looks like spaghetti; my active Watch For List is currently:

Sylvrfalcen
Gaucho
Bear Cub

Not in that order, but mostly depending on if/when any of the three appears in blue, or having blue on it, or in a quickly obviously 'right' configuration.

I'm willing to branch outside of "blue," and in fact already have with my oreo Stubby Muk. But, in most every circumstance I will be carrying just one Fiddleback at a time, and when I catch a glimpse of the knife in its sheath or take it out to use it, I'm going to want to see: Blue. Fiddleback has released a stunning array of dyed blue wooden handles over the years, in addition to the navy Shadetree that I love; hopefully they haven't gotten it all out of their system, and there is more prime Blue ahead, appointed in a way I like.

~ P.

 

[VANCE]

I'm willing to branch outside of "blue," and in fact already have with my oreo Stubby Muk. But, in most every circumstance I will be carrying just one Fiddleback at a time, and when I catch a glimpse of the knife in its sheath or take it out to use it, I'm going to want to see: Blue. Fiddleback has released a stunning array of dyed blue wooden handles over the years, in addition to the navy Shadetree that I love; hopefully they haven't gotten it all out of their system, and there is more prime Blue ahead, appointed in a way I like.

~ P.

We have a few showing up tomorrow

 

[pertinux]

We have a few showing up tomorrow

OH. Should something I WANT appear, I'm gonna have to send up a Bat Owl Signal or something, and hope for some help....

~ P.

 

[pertinux]

...this post from last Friday...

... moves a Bear Cub onto my LIST.

What a difference handle material makes, in a given pattern's presentation. And, how good it is to not move on a knife until a knife moves me, and to understand what's at work when that happens.

The Bear Cub is definitely a great design. I honestly can't believe I left it out of my suggestions during this thread. It's small enough to EDC but still has a full hand grip plus a nice pointy tip. I hope one pops up in the configuration you're looking for. :thumbup:

I'm willing to branch outside of "blue," and in fact already have with my oreo Stubby Muk. But, in most every circumstance I will be carrying just one Fiddleback at a time, and when I catch a glimpse of the knife in its sheath or take it out to use it, I'm going to want to see: Blue.

Okay, so it turns out that a BEAR CUB was next-- and not only that, it's the Actual Bear Cub pictured above-- which I 100% missed until returning to this thread just now! Oy, me brain.

Fiddleback Outpost got ahold of the knife, and Robert's pictures pushed me entirely off the ledge:

Ta da:

Robert even took care of the "blue" requirement, out-of-the blue; the knife arrived with the blue lanyard.

I love this Bear Cub unreasonably, with a visceral affection that other knives of similar size and attribute have not come near igniting. Its weight and TT balance are sublime, the ironwood extraordinary to the touch. The wood is less grippy than Shadetree burlap, dry or wet, but that's more an observation than a detriment. I especially love how, tucked up against me in an RLO crossdraw sheath, the wood is warm to my hand when drawn. Not that the micarta doesn't also warm up, but there's just something incomparable about natural materials, my first and abiding love.


The arrival of the Bear Cub in conjunction with having Warrior108's bounty here has prompted a slight recalibration of my List. I am rethinking a mid-to-larger knife, Gaucho or otherwise, while remaining intensely committed to the ongoing search for the right Sylvrfalcen.

~ P.

 

[pertinux]

I am so glad I capped my Fiddleback Acquisitions at 5, total:

Oh, wait.

I see what I did, there. Sneaky Sylvrfalcen, surreptitious Sgian Dubh, ... happy Pertinux.

When last seen:

I am rethinking a mid-to-larger knife, Gaucho or otherwise, while remaining intensely committed to the ongoing search for the right Sylvrfalcen.

My intense commitment to the Right Sylvrfalcen® abides, but I availed myself of another member's generous Flea Market entry to bring in this tame little weirdo in the meantime:

As expected due to my findings during my trial run with Jerry's knife, the Sylvrfalcen fits my hand, uses, and sense of weird whimsy very well.

Desert Ironwood is one of my favorite materials for a knife handle, and I love this knife's simple appointments. In so many ways, it's a standout:

Yet... I still do hanker for something Showier for this particular pattern, and a shot o' blue when I glimpse its handle throughout the day as I carry it around let alone put it to use. [I knew I would, so that's okay.]

I am hoping to compare this 3/32" 'falcen with one in 1/8" TT (ideally, on My Own KNIFES, heh), to note the comparison. I get why many prefer thinner stock for an EDC, and I like my 3/32" knives just fine, but I'm still finding there's just something about 1/8" steel that appeals to me more, with TT 1/8 rocking me hardest-- so far.

Up next: the Ski-doo (Sgian Dubh).

~ P.

 

[pertinux]

I love the looks of the Pocket Kephart and would love for the pattern to work for me, but as written elsewhere there's just not quite enough (or the right kind of) there, there for me when it comes to the handle:

Jerry's ( Warrior108 ) Pocket Kephart that people immediately started dibs-ing on, alongside my Stubby Muk:

This Pocket Kephart is clad in delectable navy and gold, it sports a very useful, traditional-looking blade in an über-compact package, and it has what the French call that certain compelling "I-don't-know-what".

I would enjoy having this knife, for true, but not more than my Stubby Muk-- and here's why:

I can get more fingers more comfortably on the Stubby Muk handle, with the butt end nestling into my hand justso:

The PK, with its truncated, square-edged end, doesn't exactly nestle:

The top edge digs into my palm/hand, the lower edge catches my encircling fingers:

This works in my hand:

This doesn't, so much:

​

With the above still in mind, Odaon's recent picture and comparison with a Certain Other Knife caught my immediate attention:

I wanted to jump back to the 'smaller' knives to touch on the Sgian before moving on to some of the next models.

It's very similar to the PK in shape and size, but between the two I find the SD more comfortable. It seems to sit in my hand more naturally than the PK and it's more comfortable in a variety of different grips. I still don't think it's quite what I'm looking for, but I think I would probably buy a Sgian Dubh before a PK based on how they feel in my hands....

Thus, when a Shadetree Navy over micarta Sgian Dubh appeared in the wild? I pounced:

(This picture was clearly taken before its mustard sandwiches....)

What a heavy little 1/8" SFT Chunkah!

A righteous handfull:

The beveling softens the edges just enough to provide a comfortable landing where the PK dug in:

In fact, the knife's asymmetric contours and beveling fascinate me to no end.

~ P.

 

[pertinux]

Sgian Dubh, cont.

My thumb fits really well right about here:

I'm thinking this has something to do with "harvesting grapefruit"? [ varga49 ]

The contrast between the Sgian Dubh and the Esquire makes me laugh:

The Sgian Dubh's handle is more immediately comfortable-- I appreciate its depth, especially-- but the Esquire's sex appeal is all the more evident as I view the knives side by side.

Sgian Dubh and Stubby Muk:

[My Stubby Muk on its Fiddleback Friday with... a Sgian Dubh! Of all things. Funny how a knife doesn't register at all until IT DOES:]

The one thing that causes me to pay more attention with the Sgian Dubh is its lack of tactile feedback regarding where its handle ends and its edge begins, particularly in a reverse grip.
The combination of the relatively straight handle with the guardless, minimally-bellied blade leaves very little to go on, there where blade and handle meet:

This isn't really a problem, especially when actively gripping the knife...

... but in the reverse? Ruh-roh, raggy. The handle 'shortens up' considerably, with its angles leaning the hand forward.

This is soooo easy to do:

Not that I use a reverse grip much, if at all? But it seems important to Odaon , so I thought I'd try.

The guardless 'falcen's handle and curves provide upsweep and tactile cues:

The Esquire, well...

... it's fairly perfect, in so many ways....

T'others in turn, because I love handling and thinking about and using my knives, and pondering how their design distinctives inform my hand and my heart:

Patch

Bear Cub

Stubby Muk
(Like an good beetle, it does not prefer to be placed on its back; things quickly turn awkward for all involved.)


The (growing) gang:

Thanks, y'all.

~ P.

 

[Odaon]

Wonderful! Thanks again for sharing P!

If I didn't cut so much dang cordage at work the reverse grips wouldn't matter... but alas... plus it's fun to try all the various grips to see where or wheren't a knife fits and how.

Plus it's a good way to weed out some models, if I didn't have 'strict' guidelines I'd end up with all of them!

 

[Warrior108]

pertinux Great updates Sara!! I might just have to ask that favor to briefly borrow the SG.

Plus it's a good way to weed out some models, if I didn't have 'strict' guidelines I'd end up with all of them!

And what exactly is wrong with that??

Top one is from late 2016 and the bottom one is an update of the Reds/Blues developments. Note there is ONE red space missing and that's reserved for a particular Warthog from Chris @Osprey Knife & Tool (queue the Jeopardy music .. just kidding Chris, I know you're busy busy busy)

 

[Odaon]

I just don't have the extra funds to catch em all. Nothing wrong with it what so ever.

 

[swaybacksteve]

Great line up you have acquired ~P. Thank you for your thoughts on your new edc as compared...

 

[varga49]

Sarah, your gaining ground with your acquisitions. Before long you'll be catching up with Jerry! ain't nuthin wrong with that!!

 

[Scotcha]

DAMN!!!

 

[pertinux]

Wonderful! Thanks again for sharing P!

If I didn't cut so much dang cordage at work the reverse grips wouldn't matter... but alas... plus it's fun to try all the various grips to see where or wheren't a knife fits and how.

Plus it's a good way to weed out some models, if I didn't have 'strict' guidelines I'd end up with all of them!

This all makes good sense. If I ever do find myself using/needing that particular underhand grip, let alone repeatedly, I'll for sure think of you!

pertinux Great updates Sarah!! I might just have to ask that favor to briefly borrow the SG.

Ask away! It's such an odd big-little knife, especially in 1/8 SFT-- a heavy little chunker that I enjoy very much. I wouldn't have taken a flier on this one had it not been clad in favorite appointments; I'm so glad I did.

"Come for the colors, stay for the knife."

Top one is from late 2016 and the bottom one is an update of the Reds/Blues developments....

I love seeing your knives laid out by color. And Wowzer, all over again!

... still can't thank you enough.

Great line up you have acquired ~P. Thank you for your thoughts on your new edc as compared...

Thanks, and you're welcome. I sure am enjoying these knives, and am hoping to get more useful time with them now that we've turned towards summer.

Sarah, your gaining ground with your acquisitions. Before long you'll be catching up with Jerry! ain't nuthin wrong with that!!

Nope, ain't nothing wrong with that! But, all joking aside, that wouldn't be the right direction for me. I'm already starting to feel the stretch of not having enough time with the knives I now have.

I am sometimes tempted to regret the 'stand-in' Sylvrfalcen, but every time I handle and use it again I am smitten anew. It's a really great knife, and at any other time its straightforward woodiness would have appealed to me more than any other options. So, I am relaxing into enjoying it, no matter what else may ever come next [or not at all!].

~ P.