Production Fiddleback Forge Recluse in U.P.

kyhunt

kyhunt

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Mar 20, 2007
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Well I've had the Recluse now for about 6 weeks or so. I said I wanted to give it a review after I took it to the WLC class and Camp IN. Let me start by saying that I took several knives (9 exactly) but apart for a few hours on Thursday night nothing was used except for the Recluse. The only reason I had switched in the first placed is because the Recluse and myself had been in the rain all day so I thought I would try a stainless knife that night for a few hours but quickly went back to the Recluse by morning.


As you read this review keep in mind that I'm neither an expert on knives or bushcrafting. Really just learning. So this review is by just an average outdoorsman that loves good knives.

I will back this review up all the way to the beginning.

Looks and fit are stunning.













Light carving making a spoon. Why make a spoon? I have no idea but it worked fine.









Ok, that was it up until the WLC class besides some light kitchen work that it also excelled at being a great slicer.

Now onto the class and the Camp in in the U.P.

Here the knife is being used to make my first figure 4 trap. The Recluse easily cut the wood to be used for the trap. The fine point was very handy in cleaning up the notches.





Here we are making a fireboard and drill for a bow and drill. The Recluse handled the chore of drilling the intial hole in the fire board with no problem.Never could get a fire going with the bow and drill though.





While I didnt get pictures of the following I would still like to comment on a few things. The recluse handled batoning like a champ on more than one ocassion on the trip. First it was used to baton the wood seen in the figure 4 trap. Secondly it was used to baton pieces off a 6 inch diameter piece of fire wood to make kindling for a fire one night.

The squared off spine makes an excellent striker for a firesteel. Why use the spine instead of a dedicated striker that I had in my pocket? Because the instructor said so.

The knife handled all camp kitchen work for the week.

After all this is said lets not overlook the wonderful handle. No matter what I was doing with this knife I never found it uncomfortable or slick. Many folks say that wood is to slick in wet conditions. Well I'm here to say its not. My recluse is wearing Ironwood scales. It rained lightly most of Tuesday and poured all day Thursday and never once did I have a problem with grip on this knife.

And last after all of this and just a couple of passes on a strop it still could slice thin slices of apples. Why? Because I love a thinly sliced apple.





I have several knives that feel lonely lately. If your considering a Recluse get one. If your not considering a Recluse then reconsider.
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How did I miss seeing this one there? I had a go with the one in Reid's fun box but not the one on your belt. Glad you like it.

Kev
 
I'm suprised I didnt show you. I thought I showed it to just about everyone. I had bought an Auroa specifically for the class a few months ago. But it never made it out of the pack. Yeah I'm loving this knife.Tempted to sell the Auroa and buy another one of these.
 
BRKT really did Andy's work justice. I need one too!
 
They did really good on this one. I'd be interested to see what you thought of one of these.
 
Do you have any experience with Andy's custom version? Just wondering how hey compare. I have thought about getting one but would rather have one from the man himself, but if they are comparable in performance I might give it a try.
 
Thanks for posting. Looks like a great knife.
Special thanks for posting a pic of the spine of the knife. To me that's as important as a side view of a knife, and without seeing it I can't really tell if I like a knife or not. With that being said, I really the Recluse.
 
kyhunt said:
And last after all of this and just a couple of passes on a strop it still could slice thin slices of apples. Why? Because I love a thinly sliced apple.
Click to expand...

there's an episode of Firefly where they explain why Zoe and Capetian Reynolds always slice their fruit and never bite into it. i won't spoil it for you. :D
 
quick kill said:
Do you have any experience with Andy's custom version? Just wondering how hey compare. I have thought about getting one but would rather have one from the man himself, but if they are comparable in performance I might give it a try.
Click to expand...


No I dont. But I would like to someday and do a side by side comparison. There was a video on you-tube where someone had both.
 
fixer said:
there's an episode of Firefly where they explain why Zoe and Capetian Reynolds always slice their fruit and never bite into it. i won't spoil it for you. :D
Click to expand...


I was not worried about any grenades in mine. I just like the thin slices. Yep I enjoyed that show. Have it on video.
 
Thanks for the review. Glad to hear the knife is getting used, and pleasing folks.

I finished this one last week, and shipped it this AM. Wenge with black pins, liner, and bullseye filler.

sept10100_2940-vi.jpg


sept10100_2942-vi.jpg
 
I've been looking at that knife in Biack Micarta also. Curious as to how it fits in the KSF sheath. Probably just needs to get broken in for a good fit.
 
Kyhunt, thanks for the review and letting me handle the recluse at Camp-In. It was fun meeting you and your son.
 
fixer said:
there's an episode of Firefly where they explain why Zoe and Capetian Reynolds always slice their fruit and never bite into it. i won't spoil it for you. :D
Click to expand...

I don't recall that conversation, and now I'm super curious. What was the reason?
 
SpookyPistolero said:
I don't recall that conversation, and now I'm super curious. What was the reason?
Click to expand...

Little tiny grenades in the apples.:D


Yep XMP it was good to put a face with a name. Had a good time. It was my first time that far up north. Alot of little towns I feel in love with. Marinette Wi I wouldnt mind moving to. TTD yep I say its a winner.
 
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