Production Bushfinger

[swonut]

Just got the production bushranger in the mailbox. A few initial thoughts.

Fit and finish: Superb fit and finish. The scales all match up, the grind lines are even and the edge is also very even. The stone wash finish is very even but does not seem too rough.

Scales: The micarta has a "grooved" finish which I'd assume is the result of using a 3/8 ball end mill to achieve the profile resulting in a finish that is both pleasing to the eye and solid and in the hand. My guess at the end mill size may be off a tad, but the take away is that the pictures make it look much more aggressive than it actually feels in the hand. Upon initially grabbing it, I thought it felt smooth, yet had a discernible contour, kind of like a cord wrapped blade that was epoxy coated enough to be smooth. I don't think it will give anyone blisters or problems working with it for an extended time.

Packaging: Came wrapped in a kraft paper colored tissue paper. Not sure if that was from FBF or the aftermarket seller. I thought it was a little too flimsy and would have preferred the kraft paper wrapper. I just think that the kraft paper packaging says that this is a knife meant to work, whereas the tissue paper wrapper seemed like something that was laying around, so I guess we'll just use that. Not much of a complaint, but it was the first impression I had while getting to the knife.

All in all, very happy with it. I'll try to get into the woods and cut something with it tomorrow if we don't get too much snow.

Great job, and the ultimate measure is that I'll be grabbing a Runt and Camp knife when they come out...

 

[Fiddleback]

This is what I was waiting to hear! Thanks for posting!

We did all the packaging ourselves. I used tissue paper for these because they were going into a bag as well. Soon, the tissue paper will be printed with our logo.

 

[trestle]

Thanks for the info on the Bushranger.

Man I hate waiting for packages from GA to hit the West coast.

 

[MMatt]

Thanks for the info on the Bushranger.

Man I hate waiting for packages from GA to hit the West coast.

No kidding! I'm supposed to get my prod BF tomorrow but my Camp knife from 2/13/15 didn't arrive till Mon the 23rd(probably due to lousy weather everywhere else in the country)

 

[dhunley1]

Mine is sitting in my mailbox and I wont be home for another 5 hours! :grumpy:

 

[Kirkwood]

This is very helpful and appreciated. Good to know about the scales.

 

[swonut]

Since we got lots of snow I decided to use the backyard laboratory for this quick trial run.

Nice sheath:

The Balance Shot:

Very sharp and easy to control.

Very light splitting. No issues.

In the end, the little tea-kettle was happy.... (I found the tea kettle at a thrift store after literally years of searching for something like this.)

So, I confirmed that the beast is well built. It's sharp and the perhaps most of all, the handles are not an issue in any way. I should characterize them as smooth but with a very slight profile. Overall, it's a hit out of the ballpark.

 

[CAD]

So, I confirmed that the beast is well built. It's sharp and the perhaps most of all, the handles are not an issue in any way. I should characterize them as smooth but with a very slight profile. Overall, it's a hit out of the ballpark.

Spot on! Very happy with mine:thumbup:


Chris D.

 

[NoFair]

Sweet. Almost as nice as the full height convex S35VN one

 

[BigGreenJeep]

I'm patiently (haha) waiting for mine to clear Canadian customs and hoping it will arrive next week......

 

[Dcaggie06]

We really need to start a FBs and Emberlits thread...

Great pic man!

 

[trestle]

Sharp is good, mine won't even cut paper.

 

[calc]

That sheath looks very nice.

 

[Fiddleback]

Sharp is good, mine won't even cut paper.

Send it in and I will swap it out or re-sharpen it for you, your choice. I'll even send a label. We sharpen a lot of knives each week. Sorry about that.

 

[Fiddleback]

That sheath looks very nice.

I like a firesteel loop on a user knife sheath too.:thumbup:

 

[calc]

I like a firesteel loop on a user knife sheath too.:thumbup:

Absolutely, it rounds out a setup nicely.

 

[FeralGentleman]

the handles are not an issue in any way. I should characterize them as smooth but with a very slight profile. Overall, it's a hit out of the ballpark.

Very nice swonut. If these reviews keep coming in I might end up with a production BF sooner rather than later.

The handle issue you are referring to is the grooved texturing on the scales? I bet they are pretty grippy as such.

 

[Mistwalker]

I don't find the grooves in the handle to be a problem at all, they improve purchase without being too aggressive or causing hot spots.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe they are just left over from contouring. I have handled a lot of CNC handles, but the only ones I have with these type of grooves are Bill Harsey designs and this Fiddleback, and I know the ones on the Harseys are an intentional step to improve "traction"

 

[dhunley1]

I think the grooves in the scales are a nice touch. It looks cool and gives it a bit of extra grip. I can't imagine them creating any sort of hot spots. I plan out getting out for a little bit tomorrow to play with mine, so I'll see how they feel in use.

 

[swonut]

I don't find the grooves in the handle to be a problem at all, they improve purchase without being too aggressive or causing hot spots.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe they are just left over from contouring. I have handled a lot of CNC handles, but the only ones I have with these type of grooves are Bill Harsey designs and this Fiddleback, and I know the ones on the Harseys are an intentional step to improve "traction"

I did not mean to imply they were "left over" from the milling process, although that is what I said. (This reviewing thing is difficult) and probably could have better stated that they were the result of using a 3/8 ball end mill to achieve the profile resulting in a finish that is both pleasing to the eye and solid and in the hand.

Grab on to one and you will be very impressed.