Really Liking The Handyman

Mistwalker

Mistwalker

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Joined
Dec 22, 2007
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My Fiddleback Friday brought no sharking for me, but it did bring my second piece of Fiddleback Forge history in the form of a Handyman that was one of the knives Andy submitted for being accepted into the Knifemakers Guild.Another stellar example of Andy's ability to create highly functional works of art. I really like this model a lot, and this one has an amazingly thin tapered tang. It has wonderful contours, sublime ergonomics, and fantastic balance. The spalting is beautiful and the grinds are fantastic. The autumn rains are here so it has rained the last two days. These are just some quick shots taken during a brief break in the showers.

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I'm sure some of the Guild Show knives will be kept pristine, and that is a good thing. They are special knives. I just can't bring myself to do that. This knife is one of six that were judged by the Guild the day a dear friend was accepted into the Guild. I won't be beating up on it doing experiments or teaching skills, at least not intentionally, but I will definitely carry it and use it with great pride :)

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Man, you are making that thing look good. Love the shots as always. I hope you love that model as much as I do.
 
Fiddleback said:
Man, you are making that thing look good. Love the shots as always. I hope you love that model as much as I do.
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Pfffft, I didn't make it look good, you did that, I just took the photos. But yes liking it very much. I like that it is a bit bigger than the Hiking Buddy, but not bigger enough to keep it from being a great edc and day hiking type knife. The handle contours are fantastic and the blade profile has an excellent balance of point and belly for my uses. I'm think it will make an awesome small game knife this winter also.
 
By chance, do you have a side by side pic of the handyman and hiking buddy?

I've been very busy with life of late and haven't been around much. This is the first time I'm seeing the handyman and it is a good looking knife.
 
Shamr0ck said:
By chance, do you have a side by side pic of the handyman and hiking buddy?

I've been very busy with life of late and haven't been around much. This is the first time I'm seeing the handyman and it is a good looking knife.
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Sure man, no problem. They are really close in size, but I like the Handyman contours more. Great little knife.

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mistwalker said:
Sure man, no problem. They are really close in size, but I like the Handyman contours more. Great little knife.

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The Handyman is so cool, looks like a great user. Can you tell me the steel on the one in the picture?
 
mistwalker said:
Sure man, no problem. They are really close in size, but I like the Handyman contours more. Great little knife.

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Thanks for the comparison pictures. I like my HBs and the handyman looks like another winner. KSF had one in ShadeTree over black with an orange pinstripe. It is one it's way to MD. !!
 
Shamr0ck said:
Thanks for the comparison pictures. I like my HBs and the handyman looks like another winner. KSF had one in ShadeTree over black with an orange pinstripe. It is one it's way to MD. !!
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Congrats ! If you like your HB's I'm pretty confident you're going to really like the HM. Let us know how you like it when you have it in hand.
 
Shamr0ck said:
Thanks for the comparison pictures. I like my HBs and the handyman looks like another winner. KSF had one in ShadeTree over black with an orange pinstripe. It is one it's way to MD. !!
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Hey, no problem B, I love the HB model as well so I think you should like the Handyman. I really like it a lot. This one is has gone everywhere with me since I got it :) I'm amazed one of them even made it to a dealer. Usually they sell fast on Fridays. But Derrick does end up with some very cool pieces. He has the only 5/32 Raptor I have seen to date, and I wish I could afford it.


prom52 said:
Congrats ! If you like your HB's I'm pretty confident you're going to really like the HM. Let us know how you like it when you have it in hand.
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My thoughts too Peter, close in size but a different feel. I think I like the Handyman better.
 
That is an impressive knife Brian. More so because it is one of Andy's handmade Guild knives. The thin taper is truly amazing. I like the taller guardless blade vs. the Hiking Buddy. It reminds me of a shorter K.E. Bushie blade. The taller handle with more open curves on the bottom looks like it will allow more comfort and control in various grips.

This model in a tapered 1/8" A2 with black bolsters & burlap is on the top of my wish list (along with a CPM Padre :) .)

Thanks for sharing the photos.

Phil
 
Comprehensivist said:
That is an impressive knife Brian. More so because it is one of Andy's handmade Guild knives. The thin taper is truly amazing. I like the taller guardless blade vs. the Hiking Buddy. It reminds me of a shorter K.E. Bushie blade. The taller handle with more open curves on the bottom looks like it will allow more comfort and control in various grips.

This model in a tapered 1/8" A2 with black bolsters & burlap is on the top of my wish list (along with a CPM Padre :) .)

Thanks for sharing the photos.

Phil
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My thoughts too. It's impressive for what is there, and special because of why it was made. I am on the same page. I love the similarity to the KE Bushie in the guradlessness. The only issue I have run into with the guardless models is in sheathing. Without the guard it is hard to make them lock in place with the welt, and relies on depth, form, and/or friction to secure it in the sheath. If I ever have to part with this one, it may just end up stuck in the person putting me in that position first :D
 
So I know this is totally thread hijacking but I really want some more info on joining the knife makers guild. I went to one GA meeting a few months ago and think I'm ready. What do I need to do?
 
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nice comparison Brian. I spent the weekend working on a Spyderco Mule Team 20 and I can say that I like the rounded pommel and the lack of blade guard. The handy-man is on my short list. It looks like the hiking buddy evolved. From good to great.
 
FatFriend Customs said:
So I know this is totally thread hijacking but I really want some more info on joining the knife makers guild. I went to one GA meeting a few months ago and think I'm ready. What do I need to do?
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To join the GA Knifemakers Guild bring 5 knives that you have finished by yourself to the next meeting, get jurried in, and pay your dues. The bigger Knifemakers Guild is a different beast and for that you've got to present your knives to voting members and they've got to sign off on your application.
 
Man great pics as always Brian, you've gotten me into so many new FB models in recent years, and the comparison photo with HB is very helpful. For a smaller knife, I love the way the HB tapers off at the butt; makes it very comfy for someone with bigger hands. But I really like how the Handyman seems to have a bigger palm swell with a comparable blade profile.
 
My handyman arrived late last week and I've been using it daily ever since.

Great model!
 
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