seeking suggestions >> an all-around for my dad

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46and2

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Feb 12, 2013
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I've decided to get my dad a new knife, and a Fiddleback in particular, but am not sure which model would be best suited - and I don't own one, myself (yet).

He's an avid hunter of White Tail, Squirrel, and Pheasant, and fishes for everything from Large Mouth Bass to Catfish to Speckled Trout, Reds, Flounder, and various River Trout.

The knife would need to field dress and process a deer (a small axe does the bone/joint work), clean a trout, and help make fires, and so on. No carving, only light fire/kindling work.

What would you guys pick? Something with some belly, but not too big or thick to screw up the fish cleaning aspects, at least that's what I'm thinking. Is a Ladyfinger too small? A Hunter too big? How about a KPH, or a Bushfinger?

Thanks.
 
1/8" Bushfinger convex high grind. I only say 1/8" because of the fish cleaning tasks...
 
Can't go wrong with a bushfinger....but I immediately thought 'Recluse' when I read your post. 1/8th convex. It's a slightly thinner blade, spine to edge so it may "filet" a bit better than others. plus the straight back (to the tip) will make it a good small game skinner.
 
Elite_KG said:
1/8" Bushfinger convex high grind. I only say 1/8" because of the fish cleaning tasks...
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This or a similar Recluse. The Bushfinger is the best general purpose knife I've had, but I'm looking at trying out a Recluse later.
 
These guys have you on the right track. I think you need to focus on the models with 4" blades, and find one with what you consider to be enough belly for the task. The Recluse, Bushcrafter, Bushfinger, Ladyfinger, and KPH are all options.
 
Thank you for the suggestions.

I suspect a Ladyfinger, Recluse, or Bushfinger would all do fine. I'm leaning toward the Ladyfinger at the moment, and may end up having to try all three to find the one that's just right for him. Oh well, I've been wanting one of these knives too so I can just keep one or both of the others for myself I suppose.

I'll start watching the Friday sales and the exchange for each of these in 1/8" and full height convex.

Thanks again.
 
Recluse sounds perfect for what your looking for. 1/8" thick would be best, but my 5/32" can do all of those things well.
 
I've bought 2 KPH's for Hunters in my family. I have no doubt that they will handle any game field dressing that are thrown at them. I also have a Taurassur that was a scandi grind that I gifted to my brother. That knife in a high convex would siut the needs as well.
 
Well, obviously I have a bias :) ...but

that new Woodchuck would be a great small game knife for a meat hunter.

Nice idea, this is the sort of thinking that will keep you in your Dad's will.

:)
 
Almost as many suggestions as models ;)

I have had several of Andy's knives and my current favorite is my 1/8" Hiking Buddy. I have not had a chance to dress an animal with it yet but hav dressed many animals in the past and I am sure it would be great. Does great work in the woodshop and the kitchen so far.

Bill
 
Thanks again for the responses.

I'm drawn to the KPH each time I look at one, Kismet, but wonder/worry about its suitability when it comes to the finer and more delicate tasks one encounters in a Bird & Trout and Squirel sense or for making thin Tomato slices on occasion. Seems pretty great otherwise, functionally speaking, and I quite like the design as it is. Am I mis-judging its abilities / weaknessnes?

Decisions, decisions.

There truly are some excellent choices in this range.

I think I'll skip the Recluse and explore both the Ladyfinger and Bushfinger, and likely a KPH.

Conversely, compared to the KPH, I'm quite interested in the Ladyfinger (for my dad and I), but worry that it'll be less than ideal whe it comes to deer and such. One-knife quests like this always have these compromises, no doubt, but one hope to find the best combo.

My questions at this point seem to be:

* how well (or how poorly) would a KPH perform in the delicate and slice-y tasks?

* how well (or how poorly) would a Ladyfinger perform in the heavier deer-related tasks?

* and where does the Bushfinger sit in the mix - is it the best overall as it seems to be, and truly good enough for these tasks, for a one-knife scenario?

Bearing in mind that my dad, and I, have heavier choppers an axes and such covered.
 
I have several different models of FBF's and although I fish more than hunt these days, I am partial to the Kephart. Based on prior experience, I believe that the Kephart blade will definitely do everything you listed for your dads needs and then some! I am sure there will be those that will argue that a Kephart blade will not skin as well as other more curved blades...however being an older dude, I still remember the days when everyone used a standard Buck knife for everything and somehow we all made it work just fine!

You are making a really good decision already by considering one of Andy's knives because his work is awesome. Good luck on your decision!

Gordy
 
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The Ladyfinger is more than tough enough for any of the listed tasks. That would depend more on grind (full height vs. sabre convex) and blade thickness. The Ladyfinger feels more nimble than a Busfinger and imho is better a delicate tasks.

The Bushfinger handle feels better when working hard and the wider blade and lack of guard makes it better for food prep. Both would do fine for processing deer (if you don't use them to split the pelvis etc.)
 
I'm finding my Bushfinger to be the most all around useful knife I've ever owned. I bought it as a hunting and general outdoors knife, but it gets used in the kitchen every day. I have not tried any of the other knives you mentioned yet.
 
With the help of everyone's feedback I committed to my first one:

2013 0913 015 – Bushfinger, Antique canvas on black g10 with a lime green g10 pinstripe, Tapered tang, Convex on 1/8” thick 01 steel - $290

20130913IMG_0830-vi.jpg
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Hopefully I'll be able to score a matching Ladyfinger and KPH in he coming weeks/months, that Antique Canvas is nice...
 
Great choice, might have gone for the Osage myself if I didn't have 2 Bushfingers already:thumbup:
 
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