Comprehensivist
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Fiddleback Patch Knife Review - Part 1 of 2
Introduction:
The Patch is a new Fiddleback model that is a scaled down version of the Recluse. It is similar in size to the Hiking Buddy which many of you are familiar with. The Recluse family share the squarer pommel shape, straighter spine, and a nice amount of belly to the cutting edge. The Patch was first introduced on Fiddleback Friday - 07/11/14.
The other model in the Recluse family is the larger Leuku. I don’t have a Recluse, but I do have a Leuku to show for size comparison with the Patch.


Specs:
Model: Patch Knife
FF Lot Info: 2014 0718 04
OAL: 7.280”
Blade Length: 3.140”
Handle Length: 4.140”
Steel & Thickness: 1/8” spalted 01 steel
Tang Type: SFT (i.e. “skeletonized full tang”
Grind: Convex
Handle Material: Shadetree Evergreen burlap over black g10 with yellow pinstripes
Weight (oz.): 3.7
Blade Height @ Ricasso: .990”
Handle Width @ Palmswell: .660”
Handle Height @ Palmswell: .928”
Balance Point: .475” behind the front pins
Distance from Front of Handle to Center of Palmswell: 1.750”
Maximum Handle Circumference @ Center of Palmswell: 2.750”
Here a couple of photos showing the balance point:


In Hand Photos:
I find in hand photos to be a helpful reference point if I know the dimensions of the hand size. My hands are medium size and measure 3-3/4” wide across my palm and 7-1/8” in length from the tip of my middle finger to the base of my palm where it meets the wrist.
With that reference point, here are my in hand photos:




The yellow G10 pinstripe looks really sharp with the Shadetree Evergreen burlap. This color combo should appeal to Green Bay Packers fans.

One of my favorite subtle features on Andy’s knives is the positioning of the maker’s mark up on the spine where you see it every time you use the knife. I like the fact that it isn’t taking up real estate on the side of the blade to distract me from looking at the nice grinds and spalting.

Comparison Shots:
I always find comparison shots to known reference knives to be very helpful in deciding if I am interested in a particular model. The best reference point I have in my collection is the Hiking Buddy. The Hiking Buddy is one of Andy’s most popular 3” models that is designed to fill the small bushcraft / day hike role. My particular example is 1/8” O1 spalted steel, tapered tang, and Shadetree Ruby burlap over black G10 with a white pinstripe. It weighs 3.4 ounces.
Here are a couple of comparison photos:


Overlay shots are hard to do right. Even so, I took these photos with the Hiking Buddy on top of the Patch to point out some differences between these two models.
The blade tip on the Patch is higher than the Hiking Buddy.

The pommel end of the Patch is squarer versus the rounded pommel of the Hiking Buddy.

The handle on the Patch is narrower and a little taller than the Hiking Buddy. The blade height at the ricasso is also a little taller on the Patch.

You get more cutting edge area with the Patch versus the Hiking Buddy.

A couple of other observations here:
First, my Patch weighs 3.7 ounces with 1/8” thick O1 steel versus 3.4 ounces for my Hiking Buddy with 1/8” thick O1 with a tapered tang. For you Ultralite backpacking people, I strongly suspect that a tapered tang Patch with 1/8” thick O1 steel would weigh 3.4 ounces with similar burlap handles, maybe less with light weight wood or carbon-fiber synthetic.
Second, the handles have different shapes. The Patch is taller and narrower at the palm swell @ .928” high x .660” wide. The Hiking Buddy measures ..880” high x .730” wide at the palm swell. This may not sound like much, but the different feel is noticeable. Interestingly, the circumference of both knives is identical @ 2.750” at the palm swell. The Patch feels like a long oval versus a rounder oval on the Hiking Buddy. For that reason, I suspect that the Patch may provide better control against torque slippage in your grip.
Introduction:
The Patch is a new Fiddleback model that is a scaled down version of the Recluse. It is similar in size to the Hiking Buddy which many of you are familiar with. The Recluse family share the squarer pommel shape, straighter spine, and a nice amount of belly to the cutting edge. The Patch was first introduced on Fiddleback Friday - 07/11/14.
The other model in the Recluse family is the larger Leuku. I don’t have a Recluse, but I do have a Leuku to show for size comparison with the Patch.


Specs:
Model: Patch Knife
FF Lot Info: 2014 0718 04
OAL: 7.280”
Blade Length: 3.140”
Handle Length: 4.140”
Steel & Thickness: 1/8” spalted 01 steel
Tang Type: SFT (i.e. “skeletonized full tang”

Grind: Convex
Handle Material: Shadetree Evergreen burlap over black g10 with yellow pinstripes
Weight (oz.): 3.7
Blade Height @ Ricasso: .990”
Handle Width @ Palmswell: .660”
Handle Height @ Palmswell: .928”
Balance Point: .475” behind the front pins
Distance from Front of Handle to Center of Palmswell: 1.750”
Maximum Handle Circumference @ Center of Palmswell: 2.750”
Here a couple of photos showing the balance point:


In Hand Photos:
I find in hand photos to be a helpful reference point if I know the dimensions of the hand size. My hands are medium size and measure 3-3/4” wide across my palm and 7-1/8” in length from the tip of my middle finger to the base of my palm where it meets the wrist.
With that reference point, here are my in hand photos:




The yellow G10 pinstripe looks really sharp with the Shadetree Evergreen burlap. This color combo should appeal to Green Bay Packers fans.

One of my favorite subtle features on Andy’s knives is the positioning of the maker’s mark up on the spine where you see it every time you use the knife. I like the fact that it isn’t taking up real estate on the side of the blade to distract me from looking at the nice grinds and spalting.

Comparison Shots:
I always find comparison shots to known reference knives to be very helpful in deciding if I am interested in a particular model. The best reference point I have in my collection is the Hiking Buddy. The Hiking Buddy is one of Andy’s most popular 3” models that is designed to fill the small bushcraft / day hike role. My particular example is 1/8” O1 spalted steel, tapered tang, and Shadetree Ruby burlap over black G10 with a white pinstripe. It weighs 3.4 ounces.
Here are a couple of comparison photos:


Overlay shots are hard to do right. Even so, I took these photos with the Hiking Buddy on top of the Patch to point out some differences between these two models.
The blade tip on the Patch is higher than the Hiking Buddy.

The pommel end of the Patch is squarer versus the rounded pommel of the Hiking Buddy.

The handle on the Patch is narrower and a little taller than the Hiking Buddy. The blade height at the ricasso is also a little taller on the Patch.

You get more cutting edge area with the Patch versus the Hiking Buddy.

A couple of other observations here:
First, my Patch weighs 3.7 ounces with 1/8” thick O1 steel versus 3.4 ounces for my Hiking Buddy with 1/8” thick O1 with a tapered tang. For you Ultralite backpacking people, I strongly suspect that a tapered tang Patch with 1/8” thick O1 steel would weigh 3.4 ounces with similar burlap handles, maybe less with light weight wood or carbon-fiber synthetic.
Second, the handles have different shapes. The Patch is taller and narrower at the palm swell @ .928” high x .660” wide. The Hiking Buddy measures ..880” high x .730” wide at the palm swell. This may not sound like much, but the different feel is noticeable. Interestingly, the circumference of both knives is identical @ 2.750” at the palm swell. The Patch feels like a long oval versus a rounder oval on the Hiking Buddy. For that reason, I suspect that the Patch may provide better control against torque slippage in your grip.
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