Fiddleback Hiking Buddy (ala hidden tang) mini review.
I finally got the chance to get out and play with my new Fiddleback Hiking Buddy, sporting the weight saving technology of a hidden tang. Let’s go!
Knife…Check!
Camera…Check!
Batteries working…Check!
Memory card…Check!
So I roll. When I arrive in the sticks, I un-sheath the Hiking Buddy and put it to work. I have a bunch of wood poles that are used to prop up newly planted trees against the wind. I cut these into 2 foot sections and use them to test my knives. This gives me a consistent media for testing.
I currently neck carry puukkos, but I was looking for something a little different (and perhaps a little lighter). The hidden tang Hiking Buddy seemed to be just the ticket. I like it because it is so light in weight, but still has a useable handle and blade length. So many of the knives I see made for neck knife use have stubby, wide, blades that are all belly combined with uncomfortable skeletonized handles. I’m just not interested.
In use, the Hiking Buddy knife did exactly what I asked of it. I was impressed with the amount of control I had making feather sticks. Some knives I have tried tended to skip over the surface causing loss of control and/or cutting off previous curls. Or, digs too deep making thick slices and/or cutting off previous curls (My convex edge Fallkniven F1 falls in this category).
I next tried shaving off larger strips of wood for tinder. This also worked fine. The smaller handle made it more work than my Andrews Terrasuar, but it still got the job done.
Finally I tried shallow cuts, like you might do to smooth out a new hatchet haft you just made. Again, control was excellent.
Will it replace my bigger belt knives? No. But that’s not the role I ask of it. I am looking for something light and convenient to replace the job of a small folder when out in the sticks. For that it is near perfect. It is an excellent concept that is well executed.
That said, I had one problem. I have a bum tendon in the middle finger of my right hand (too much exercise while driving?). When I close my hand into a fist, my middle finger locks in that position. It is a bit painful and uncomfortable. While I like the length of the Hiking Buddy handle, the small diameter of the hidden tang handle was a problem for me. I am used to barrel handled puukkos that help give me a bit more girth under my middle finger.
As much as I like this knife, I have to now consider whether to keep it and deal with my hand problem. To sell it and get a larger diameter handled standard Hiking Buddy. Or, just go back to my puukkos. Not sure what to do right now.
That said, I think the handle is just fine for any normal-handed outdoorsman. Add to that the light weight of the hidden tang, and it is a dream to carry.
Now, time for the pics Mark requested.
OK…Pose knife…Power up camera… focus… Shoot….er…. Shoot…. What the?
Memory full? How can that be? I open up the memory card slot and see that it is quite empty. So what were those pics I saw when checking for memory when I first grabbed the camera? Hmm…Switch to playback mode..
What the? Pictures of one of our cats in a tutu? Think man, think! D’oh!
Internal memory. When I first grabbed the camera, I quickly switched to playback mode, just to see if anything was there (when I should have actually checked for the memory card). When I saw a pic, I figured I was good to go. Instead I have half a dozen, years old pics, none of which I took. I made the tactical decision to delete a few pics so I could still photograph the Hiking Buddy, but the strategic decision to leave the dressed up cat pics for my daughter (I try to be a good dad).
After taking a few pics and quickly maxing out the internal memory again, I took a break. I was then inspired to whip up a matching paracord bracelet to accessorize my new Hiking Buddy (No self respecting or fashionable bushcrafter would hit the woods without one).
Hope you enjoy the story and pics.
Cheers, TR
