M4Super90
Biochemical Superfreak
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2008
- Messages
- 1,036
I've been intrigued by Andy's new designs. I have to admit, when I saw the first drawings I had to ask - what the hell? But, Andy is wise I the ways of handle ergonomics. After all, thats what initially drew me to Fiddlebacks. So I recently purchased this "Wingman": 2016 0205 08 Wingman w/ oreo burlap over black liners & yellow pinstripes, SFT convex on spalted ⅛ A2. Heres the original picture from the Friday thread:
There were several factors that led to my decision, so please bear with me for a little back story. My grandfather owned a welding and machine shop. My father followed in his footsteps and did custom metal fabrication for most of his career. I spend my youth working on those shops and have always had a deep appreciation for any type of metal work and those that can transform a hunk of steel into something else with great precision. This can take many forms, but I see art in what most would consider basic machining and fabrication. I think that's one reason I have great fascination with knives in general. My grandfather use to take worn files and make his own knives. I still have one that has not been sharpened. Someday I hope to gain the skills to add a handle and finish the knife. Actually, its one of my retirement plans, after Ive used my fingers for all their meaningful tasks
(my grandfather was missing part of a pinky).
When I look at knives and consider the methods used to make them, I typically try to figure out what I would need to do to make an M4Super90 knife with perfect attributes for me. I emphasize, "for me", because that's really the only person I intend to satisfy. Handle functionality is key and I rank comfort as #1. Where would I start? As Louis Sullivan said, "form follows function". As an experiment, I though the best place to start would be an imprint of my grip. So I went and got some Play-Doh and made about a 2" cylinder out of it, grabbed it like a handle and squeezed a bit. You'd be surprised how similar that turned out to the handle profile of the Wingman reason #1.
Reason #2 - I've been looking for the right KPH for quite a while now. Blaine's (swonut) photos on the cutting surface vs. the blade length we very informative (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Maverick-Big-Pictures?p=15775063#post15775063). With the blade like a KPH, 1/8 A2 and the handle test, plus the same config as my favorite Patch (which I ate some crow on - more later), I figure I'd see what the Wingman is all about.
So whats the hesitation? Part of it is that I do not like features that force my hand into a specific position. This is true of knives as well as anything with a grip on it. Another example would be finger grooves on a pistol or rifle grip. The first thing I do on any AR15 I acquire is ditch the standard mil-spec grip with the bump below the index finger. I cant stand it. Phil (Comprehensivist) did a very eloquent job of describing these as hard characteristics in post #4 of his recent Sneaky Mod thread (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1369907-Sneaky-Pete-Review-amp-Handle-Mods). In my opinion, such features limit very small shifts of the users hand to get into the perfect position for them. Everyone is little different. To some extent, it may limit the number of positions you can hold the object. Thus, I am conflicted. However, I love innovation so I snagged the Wingman to get some experience with the new design.
As usual, fit and finish are typical Fiddleback. The blade is exceedingly sharp from the shop. Heres a shot in my palm. You can see where the intention is for the bottom swell to line up between your middle and ring finger. The top swell hits in the middle of the cup of your palm:
With a typical 4 finger push cut hold.
My first impression is its very comfortable. However, its a little small for my hand. If everything was about 10% bigger, I think it would be a complete winner as far as comfort. As an example, here it is in my wifes hand. If the proportions were the same in my hand, it would fit like a glove.
One of the things I really like is the curve in the upper side towards the rear of the handle which lines up with the fleshy pad at the base of your thumb joint.
I'm not sure how I feel about the 4 finger grip, other than it's a little cramped. If I shift to a 3 finger grip, its actually more comfortable and this is closer to how I see myself using it. The pommel is nicely contoured and locking it between the ring finger and the pinky is quite comfortable.
As I originally stated, I plan to use this just as a KPH so lots of skinning and breaking down deer & pigs, and in that function I think it will perform exceptionally well. I normally get my index finger farther out on the blade so I have more control over the tip when skinning. Its pretty much perfect for this, but if it was a tad larger I could do the same thing and get additional functionality from a full 4 fingered grip. Here's what my skinning grip looks like and how well the lines fit the palm in this hold.
With my thumb lifted so you can see the alignment.
So what the initial verdict on the Wingman? Is the handle perfect like my Play-Doh test? I haven't really made up my mind yet. Its certainly an interesting concept. I can almost guarantee it will do exceptionally well at skinning. I also dont think its fair to any design to form an opinion on a single persons review, especially considering I havent spent any time in the field with it. To be honest, I wasnt initially enamored with the Patch either and after some serious use its become my favorite EDC. As such, Ive asked several forum regulars to participate in a pass around so everyone could get to play with one of the new designs and provide thoughts.
Stay tuned for more photos and reviews added to this thread as the Wingman makes its way coast to coast over the next few months. I anticipate the knife will be back to me by September of this year and I will document its use while hunting this fall. Should be a great trip!
Phillip
There were several factors that led to my decision, so please bear with me for a little back story. My grandfather owned a welding and machine shop. My father followed in his footsteps and did custom metal fabrication for most of his career. I spend my youth working on those shops and have always had a deep appreciation for any type of metal work and those that can transform a hunk of steel into something else with great precision. This can take many forms, but I see art in what most would consider basic machining and fabrication. I think that's one reason I have great fascination with knives in general. My grandfather use to take worn files and make his own knives. I still have one that has not been sharpened. Someday I hope to gain the skills to add a handle and finish the knife. Actually, its one of my retirement plans, after Ive used my fingers for all their meaningful tasks
(my grandfather was missing part of a pinky). When I look at knives and consider the methods used to make them, I typically try to figure out what I would need to do to make an M4Super90 knife with perfect attributes for me. I emphasize, "for me", because that's really the only person I intend to satisfy. Handle functionality is key and I rank comfort as #1. Where would I start? As Louis Sullivan said, "form follows function". As an experiment, I though the best place to start would be an imprint of my grip. So I went and got some Play-Doh and made about a 2" cylinder out of it, grabbed it like a handle and squeezed a bit. You'd be surprised how similar that turned out to the handle profile of the Wingman reason #1.
Reason #2 - I've been looking for the right KPH for quite a while now. Blaine's (swonut) photos on the cutting surface vs. the blade length we very informative (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Maverick-Big-Pictures?p=15775063#post15775063). With the blade like a KPH, 1/8 A2 and the handle test, plus the same config as my favorite Patch (which I ate some crow on - more later), I figure I'd see what the Wingman is all about.
So whats the hesitation? Part of it is that I do not like features that force my hand into a specific position. This is true of knives as well as anything with a grip on it. Another example would be finger grooves on a pistol or rifle grip. The first thing I do on any AR15 I acquire is ditch the standard mil-spec grip with the bump below the index finger. I cant stand it. Phil (Comprehensivist) did a very eloquent job of describing these as hard characteristics in post #4 of his recent Sneaky Mod thread (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1369907-Sneaky-Pete-Review-amp-Handle-Mods). In my opinion, such features limit very small shifts of the users hand to get into the perfect position for them. Everyone is little different. To some extent, it may limit the number of positions you can hold the object. Thus, I am conflicted. However, I love innovation so I snagged the Wingman to get some experience with the new design.
As usual, fit and finish are typical Fiddleback. The blade is exceedingly sharp from the shop. Heres a shot in my palm. You can see where the intention is for the bottom swell to line up between your middle and ring finger. The top swell hits in the middle of the cup of your palm:
With a typical 4 finger push cut hold.
My first impression is its very comfortable. However, its a little small for my hand. If everything was about 10% bigger, I think it would be a complete winner as far as comfort. As an example, here it is in my wifes hand. If the proportions were the same in my hand, it would fit like a glove.
One of the things I really like is the curve in the upper side towards the rear of the handle which lines up with the fleshy pad at the base of your thumb joint.
I'm not sure how I feel about the 4 finger grip, other than it's a little cramped. If I shift to a 3 finger grip, its actually more comfortable and this is closer to how I see myself using it. The pommel is nicely contoured and locking it between the ring finger and the pinky is quite comfortable.
As I originally stated, I plan to use this just as a KPH so lots of skinning and breaking down deer & pigs, and in that function I think it will perform exceptionally well. I normally get my index finger farther out on the blade so I have more control over the tip when skinning. Its pretty much perfect for this, but if it was a tad larger I could do the same thing and get additional functionality from a full 4 fingered grip. Here's what my skinning grip looks like and how well the lines fit the palm in this hold.
With my thumb lifted so you can see the alignment.
So what the initial verdict on the Wingman? Is the handle perfect like my Play-Doh test? I haven't really made up my mind yet. Its certainly an interesting concept. I can almost guarantee it will do exceptionally well at skinning. I also dont think its fair to any design to form an opinion on a single persons review, especially considering I havent spent any time in the field with it. To be honest, I wasnt initially enamored with the Patch either and after some serious use its become my favorite EDC. As such, Ive asked several forum regulars to participate in a pass around so everyone could get to play with one of the new designs and provide thoughts.
Stay tuned for more photos and reviews added to this thread as the Wingman makes its way coast to coast over the next few months. I anticipate the knife will be back to me by September of this year and I will document its use while hunting this fall. Should be a great trip!
Phillip
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I'll try to keep an open mind pending some first hand experience with this model.
