Well got my Big Sneaky buuuut....

[Skystorm]

Was able to pick this one up from the smash n grab at Bladeco the other night, Those guys ship really fast!

Been waiting for a BS or a Hunter to come up in one of the green burlaps for quite awhile so I was pretty excited to finally nab one, with a trinity pinout to boot. I have had 37 Fiddlebacks to date and still have 20 of them. I spend a good hour with each new one admiring the fit, finish and just general overall awesomeness of each one. Upon my usual opening frenzy, excitement turned slightly sour with this one though.


The Big Sneaky! The handles on the SP line are fantastic with the BS being no exception it just fits right into your hand. I would love to see a Hunter or Duke with a Sneaky handle.

I did see this in the Bladeco pic but figured it was just an optical thing against the background or some weird reflection. I was wrong, it's definitely off kilter.

This is a bit harder to capture in pictures. Actually that's not true, it's probably easy for someone who knows how to take a picture I'm just not one of those people.

Big Sneaky's butt has got some funky grinds going on.

Then we go back around the other side and the scales don't quite match each other. Again, a bit difficult to capture on cam for me.

Two of the things I have always admired about my current FB collection are Andy's near fanatic attention to detail and the absolute symmetry of each side compared to the other. This one sadly doesn't display either of those characteristics. My gripe I think comes with the gut feeling that this particular guy was either finished in a hurry on friday or by someone inexperienced at the grinder. I'll admit that being a fellow craftsman I can be a bit picky at times. That's picky, not nitpicky. I've got quite a few others to compare this one too and this guy is lacking.

I hesitated even reviewing this since i'll probably be labeled a whiny child, whatever, life isn't always rainbows and unicorns. I find solutions more productive than a complaint and in that vein of thought I will be fixing Mr Sneaky up this week. I don't want to return it, exchange it or want my money back. I like it even though it didn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling. It's not the first thing I've gotten in life that needed a bit of work.

Crap happens, Sure I could send it to Andy and I am more than positive he would do whatever it takes to fix it up but I like small to do projects and I need to keep practicing my grinding skills anyway. I had a couple buddies over today and we were chatting about knives in general when we got on this one the opinions ranged from whatever, it just makes it more handmade/unique to wth, almost 4 hundred that thing should be perfect.

I usually fall somewhere in the middle, when life hands you lemons, break out the SAWZALLLLLL!!!!

I'm not crapping on Andy or Fiddleback, this one just didn't meet the expectations I had formed from my previous FB purchases. No biggie, I'll fix it up, carry on and keep buying more of Andy's knives.

 

[viral]

Hey skystorm, I got the nessmuk from bladeco and one of the scales didn't seem to be completely finished. I'm not sure what the deal is. it's the lighter spot on the scale and it's rough. I'm not dogging or poopin on his work, just noting what mine is like.

 

[xxwjtxx]

I've had a few with a canted thumb ramp ; fortunately, its always slanted in a direction fitting to my dominant hand .

Sounds like a fun DIY project; fire up the sawzall and grab he acetolyne torch-- then again nothing a little tip first batoning into cement won't hurt either (jk)

 

[Joe Duder]

That sucks man. Way to keep a cool attitude towards the whole situation. :thumbup: I have a Sneaky with a bit of an off ramp as well. Doesn't really bother me, because the rest of the blade is perfect. I know you said your going to try and fix it yourself and that's great. I'll second your thoughts that Andy wouldn't think twice about taking that Big Sneaky back and perfecting it for you.

I'd like to see pics of the final product.

That's a killer looking Big Sneaky btw. You chose well.

 

[Dcaggie06]

Hey skystorm, I got the nessmuk from bladeco and one of the scales didn't seem to be completely finished. I'm not sure what the deal is.View attachment 436344 it's the lighter spot on the scale and it's rough. I'm not dogging or poopin on his work, just noting what mine is like.

The ladyfingers offered there looks the same way, it might just be that batch of wood...

 

[plue]

I'm not going to call you a "whiny child", but I will say that this post seems a bit passive aggressive. I agree, it sucks that the knife is not perfect and I would also not be pleased with it, but just call him on it straight up and send that baby in. The more you catch these things and send them in, the more it helps Andy keep his quality up and improve his work.

I hope you find a way to be more pleased with your knife, Skyler.

Cheers.

 

[Fiddleback]

Man, I apologize for this happening guys. As we grow, we are going to try to improve as these issues pop up. I will talk to everyone this morning about QC'ing at every step. This shouldn't have happened.

Please send the knife in and have me fix it. Its a perfect example of why the warranty exists. Then I could look at the handle and check into what each problem is. I do the tang finishing on the small wheel of the KMG. This is a hand operation and this time it looks like I hurried through it and/or didn't do my own QC checking well enough. I will fix both of those if you send the knife back. I'd like to see the shape of the handle too. I've never made one knife I consider to be perfectly symmetrical. I do the shaping myself, and my handles are organic. I know the mastersmiths are very stringent about symmetry, but I have always been more about organic shapes. I would still like to see the handle to see if this knife missed a step, or whether I think I carved it carelessly.

That handle sanding pic shows a knife I took back down to the grinder to fix something in the shape that looked off to me. Looks like it never got re-sanded. I will discuss tray discipline (my fault for updating the knife and putting it back in the tray), and also about QCing during the entire process with the team this morning.

Looks like most of this is completely my own fault, and my own work folks. I can't apologize enough, and thank you for taking the time to help me correct it. Please make use of the warranty and send the knife home.

 

[Fiddleback]

Recently a great mentor of mine pointed out a handle of mine that was a little off in its symmetry. It was a knife I had made for myself and been carrying. The Asp. I had never noticed it. I was very embarassed. I came home and reshaped and re-finished the handle till I was crosseyed looking at it. Its as close as I can get it. I don't carry the knife anymore, and never liked the handle as much as before though. The mentor gave me some advice to conquer the problem. Stop contouring the handles. It makes symmetry a snap. But man, thats what makes a Fiddleback a Fiddleback. I decided to keep contouring and accept that I make organic hand shaped handles. I can fix mistakes, but I will always make them. I'd rather keep carving them, and fix the occasional not quite right one. I hope thats what you guys would want too.

 

[cmroberts1]

Recently a great mentor of mine pointed out a handle of mine that was a little off in its symmetry. It was a knife I had made for myself and been carrying. The Asp. I had never noticed it. I was very embarassed. I came home and reshaped and re-finished the handle till I was crosseyed looking at it. Its as close as I can get it. I don't carry the knife anymore, and never liked the handle as much as before though. The mentor gave me some advice to conquer the problem. Stop contouring the handles. It makes symmetry a snap. But man, thats what makes a Fiddleback a Fiddleback. I decided to keep contouring and accept that I make organic hand shaped handles. I can fix mistakes, but I will always make them. I'd rather keep carving them, and fix the occasional not quite right one. I hope thats what you guys would want too.

That is what I want. Every one I have gotten...10 now....have been damn near perfect. I have no complaints. Never be embarrassed by this. I used to make pool cues with a prominent cue maker and almost everyone had a very slight flaw. Who wants something made with a cookie cutter......

 

[wbaxley]

That is what I want. Every one I have gotten...10 now....have been damn near perfect. I have no complaints. Never be embarrassed by this. I used to make pool cues with a prominent cue maker and almost everyone had a very slight flaw. Who wants something made with a cookie cutter......

+1 Handmade means handmade....

 

[xxwjtxx]

Honestly,
I was chatting with another local fiddlebacker and both of us came to the conclusion that each of these knives have their own personality. And although sometimes they may have minor imperfections and flaws that's what give them their own unique "mojo".

+1 "For hand made means hand made". And no disrespect to sky; his review was honest-- it isn't always all rainbows and unicorns; when providing constructive criticism (esp. as another craftsman) it is important to be fair and objective, which he was.

 

[Mistwalker]

Recently a great mentor of mine pointed out a handle of mine that was a little off in its symmetry. It was a knife I had made for myself and been carrying. The Asp. I had never noticed it. I was very embarassed. I came home and reshaped and re-finished the handle till I was crosseyed looking at it. Its as close as I can get it. I don't carry the knife anymore, and never liked the handle as much as before though. The mentor gave me some advice to conquer the problem. Stop contouring the handles. It makes symmetry a snap. But man, thats what makes a Fiddleback a Fiddleback. I decided to keep contouring and accept that I make organic hand shaped handles. I can fix mistakes, but I will always make them. I'd rather keep carving them, and fix the occasional not quite right one. I hope thats what you guys would want too.

Please do not ever stop contouring the handles. You make the best handles I've ever had the pleasure of using for hours at a time.

That is what I want. Every one I have gotten...10 now....have been damn near perfect. I have no complaints. Never be embarrassed by this. I used to make pool cues with a prominent cue maker and almost everyone had a very slight flaw. Who wants something made with a cookie cutter......

+1 Handmade means handmade....

+2. it's the little imperfections here and there that set hand made knives apart from CNC knives, and part of what gives them a soul or a spirit that all machined knives lack.

That said, the ones in the SP above are something I would have known Andy would want to adjust. I have had over a dozen FBs and never had anything like that, but if I ever had, I would have known Andy would be bothered just knowing it was out there and would definitely fix the issue.

 

[catalystman80]

I'm not crapping on Andy or Fiddleback, this one just didn't meet the expectations I had formed from my previous FB purchases. No biggie, I'll fix it up, carry on and keep buying more of Andy's knives.

Great attitude storm, I got one of your sheaths for my bushcrafter, so I know you practice what you demand. Looking forward to seeing some of your future knives.

+1 on the organic handles. I love non-contoured handles as well (such as the broomstick style handles of BHK Woodsman pro), but I think I grab for my FBs much more often because of the handles. FBs without the contours won't look and feel right.

 

[viral]

Customer service win. I buy hand made knives because they are hand made. I accept that they may not be perfect, and in most instances I wouldn't mind, I voiced my issue, not because I care if it is scuffed. I'm going to use it and it's going to happen. But I know Andy isn't a big fan of easily fixed flaws on his knives out in the market. The fact that the maker is willing to take the time and fix it, that's what sets him apart.

 

[Skystorm]

Andy,

I will send it in if that is what you wish rather than me fixing it. I just want to be clear that I want that particular one back, I know how those craftsmen tempers can be and I'll be the first to admit I have had a couple come back myself that I took one look at and then beat it to death with a battle mistress and started over then had to fix the bench too. I did not really consider it as a warranty issue since it's neither broke or falling apart.

To be clear, I do not expect cnc cookie cutter perfection, I've never been able to do it myself and I don't really want to. I do however think that it should compare and be on the same level as the many that I currently already have and I do not think that is being unreasonable. For those that have never used a grinder or sander, it takes all of one second to screw something up.

I very seldom write reviews and the only reason I did is because I have the utmost respect for Andy and crew and am positive he would want to know both positive and negative of anything he puts out and not just 'give me your money and go away'. It's a good knife but I don't want a good knife, I can get that anywhere. I want a friggin awesome knife because that is what Fiddleback always delivers me.

 

[Fletcher Knives]

Before I start, all of this is meant friendly and happy. I know sometimes it's hard to show inflection in text.

First and foremost, I'd like to address the possibility of anyone inexperienced being at the grinder. NOT IN THIS SHOP!

I'm not going to name any names, because these knifemakers are still highly respected in the community and we don't want to offend them, but we have a situation we've run into that really rubbed us the wrong way with inexperienced people being involved. The best example is an employee here that ordered a knife from a very well-known maker, paid normal pricing and everything. When he received the knife, the grinds were absolute crap. When the maker was contacted about it, the reply was that an apprentice had actually been the one that ground the knife and that's why it looked the way it did. Our immediate reaction was, "why are you paying top dollar for a knife that wasn't even made by the guy whose name is on the blade and why would this even be allowed to leave the shop? That seems like a bait and switch." The situation got kind of resolved, with the emphasis on kind of.

One thing that reinforced in us was the understanding that you NEVER let an employee or apprentice work on a task they aren't ready for and plenty experienced with. Mine and Andy's apprentices and employees have to prove to us that they can perform tasks as well or better than we can before we let them take over a process. I realize I'm talking about this at great length, but it's because I know how we feel about the old bait and switch and I want to assure everyone that we will NEVER assign tasks to employees and apprentices that they aren't outstanding at and there are some tasks that we NEVER hand off because that's our maker's mark on that blade.

Second is stuff being slightly less than perfectly square. QC is top priority, after customer service. With all these knives being hand made, Fiddleback customers are going to run into things being a tiny bit off here and there. Andy tightens things up as he can, but it's a process. As always, he cares about his customers and will jump to fix anything that they aren't perfectly happy with. He will bend over backwards to make sure customers get something they're ecstatic with. One thing to keep in mind is that Andy will be the first person to admit the he isn't a master and doesn't make everything absolutely perfect. As knifemakers and craftsman, we're always improving, which means nothing is ever perfect. To be flawless is to be God, and nobody here is ever going to pull that off. So, just keep in mind, Andy is always improving, and if there's anything you're not happy with in the meantime, Andy will do everything he can to fix it.


With all of that said, obviously none of this applies to me. As we all know, my junk is perfect and I'm the best knifemaker in the world. ha ha ha.

No seriously. My stuff is awesome. I'm just sayin.

 

[Skystorm]

Before I start, all of this is meant friendly and happy. I know sometimes it's hard to show inflection in text.

With all of that said, obviously none of this applies to me. As we all know, my junk is perfect and I'm the best knifemaker in the world. ha ha ha.

No seriously. My stuff is awesome. I'm just sayin.

The only problem with Fletcher is getting your hands on Dylan's 'junk'. Wait a sec......

 

[Fletcher Knives]

The only problem with Fletcher is getting your hands on Dylan's 'junk'. Wait a sec......

LOL. That's the highlight of the day!

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I think your post was well written and respectful Skyler. You're 100% right about the grinder being a second away from thrashing something. I've had it happen.

The Kephart that I carry is as close to perfect as I could imagine. Even the layers in the G10 match, something I suspect that Andy and company use as a guide to check symmetry. I haven't made many knives, but I have done a few sets of scales. Those with a lot of contouring are very very difficult to get right. More often than not I end up grinding them more than I had intended in order to get them to match. Doing a lot of them so that each set is the same (or close) to the last set is a sure sign of a talented and experienced maker. That process would give me fits and nightmares!

Good on both of you for being respectful and mature. I think most people that handcraft things strive for perfection. They better anyway, or they probably won't be around for long.

 

[Bamboo]

I would just like to reiterate that we always want to know if there is any problem with our knives. That is how we learn and continue to grow, which is at the heart of what we are trying to do here every single day.