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At Fiddleback Forge, we often get questions about the differences between our handmade knives and those from large-scale production companies. While both can be high-quality tools, they represent fundamentally different approaches to knife-making. Our mission is to honor the tradition of artisan knives, focusing on the meticulous detail and unique character that only a hand can provide.

The Art of Individual Craftsmanship

The core difference lies in the process of knife-making itself. Every one of our knives is a product of individual craftsmanship. Unlike production knives, where each step is automated and performed by a different machine, our blades are shaped, ground, and finished by the skilled hands of an artisan.

Material Selection and Customization

Another key differentiator is the choice and quality of materials. We have the freedom to select specific materials, often sourcing premium, unique steels and handle materials that are simply not economical for mass production. This flexibility not only enhances the performance and durability of our artisan knives but also allows for a level of customization that is impossible in a factory setting.

The Distinctive Signature of a Handmade Knife

High-end production knives are designed for uniformity; every single one is meant to be identical to the last. While this offers consistency, it lacks the soul and character of a handmade knife. The subtle variations, the perfect balance, and the unique finish of each piece tell a story of its creation. For us, every one of our American-made knives carries the signature of its maker.

A Lasting Investment in Quality

Choosing an artisan knife is an investment in quality that goes beyond mere utility. A production knife is a tool, but our handmade knives are heirlooms built to last for generations. The durability and timeless design of a knife crafted with care make it a lasting part of your collection.

At Fiddleback Forge, our dedication to American-made knives, passion for the crafts, and commitment to using only the best materials set us apart. Browse our artisan knives today to find the next piece for your collection!

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When choosing a knife for bushcraft, hunting, or EDC, the blade's geometry and steel type are the two most critical factors for performance. At Fiddleback Forge, we believe the right combination of these elements is what elevates our premium knives from simple tools to trusted, lifelong companions. This guide explores how our specific grind and steel choices are intentionally designed to enhance your experience in the field, at the camp, and in your daily life.

The Workhorse Convex Grind

Unlike more common grinds, nearly every Fiddleback Forge knife features a robust convex grind. This geometry means the blade curves smoothly to a strong, sharp edge. By leaving more steel to support the edge, the convex grind offers superior durability and resistance to chipping, making it ideal for tough tasks like processing wood.

High-Carbon Steel: The Soul of a Tool

For many of our knives, we choose tough, high-carbon tool steels like A2 and O1. These steels are renowned for their incredible resilience and ease of sharpening in the field. As you use them, they develop a unique patina—a protective oxidation that tells the story of your adventures and helps guard against destructive rust.

Stainless Steel: Modern Performance

For users who prioritize corrosion resistance, we offer artisan knives made from modern stainless steels like CPM 154 and Magnacut. These materials are perfect for wet environments encountered while hunting or for an EDC knife that has to endure pocket carry in humid climates. They provide exceptional performance with less maintenance, without sacrificing toughness.

The Perfect Pairing for Your Pursuit

The magic lies in the combination. We pair the toughness of A2 steel with our durable convex grind to create the ultimate bushcraft tool. For a low-maintenance EDC or hunting knife, the corrosion resistance of S35VN combined with that same versatile grind offers worry-free performance. Each pairing is a deliberate choice to create the best possible tool for the job.

 

The perfect knife is born from intentional design. Whether it’s the rugged dependability of a convexed A2 blade or the modern performance of S35VN, every choice we make is meant to serve you better. At Fiddleback Forge, we obsess over these details so you can focus on the adventure. Explore our collection today and feel the difference that true craftsmanship makes.

Explore the Collection

Hunting is much more than pressing the trigger; it is an entire process you should enjoy year round. From preseason scouting to year round consumption of harvested wild-game meat, hunting can become more of your lifestyle than hobby. Some people think hunting is just as simple as pressing the trigger but to the true hunter, the experience extends long after you leave the field. You hear a lot of people say “I want to know where my food comes from” but so many of the same are quick to hand off their kill to a butcher. No disrespect to the great butchers out there but there are some hacks (no pun intended) in your industry with less respect for the game brought in to be processed. The only way to follow your game from field to table is to take it from field to table by yourself. In this month’s blog, I want to share some of the tips and tricks I’ve learned for butchering wild game. I believe in processing my own animals and staying hands on as much as possible through the process.

There is a direct correlation between the weight of ultralight gear sold in backpacking stores and the cost of said goods. In this economy, we need to be mindful we can do a deep dive into ultralight kits but at a steep cost. Our goal may be to reduce the weight of our pack by 10% (for me about 4-5 pounds) or more but it can also reduce the weight of the cash in our wallet in the process. It’s possible to not only reduce the weight of the gear you carry but also avoid spending more than you have to in the process. We can look at cost-saving alternatives like recycling certain gear and reusing others...

You may have overheard stories about the first one at BLADE Show. Perhaps you know of a rumor or two of the happenings from that epic weekend back in 2017. Maybe you are one of the lucky ones who was there and can verify what may or may not have happened. Cast all of that aside because new memories and experiences are scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend this year in Georgia. The Fiddleback Forge User Weekend is a combination of training, camaraderie, story telling, friendly ribbing, no shortage of fun, and plenty of opportunities to be immortalized in the memory books. If that doesn’t pique your interest, let me further explain what you can expect should you sign up.

“Flesh runs from steel”. That’s an old Filipino expression. You can probably recall the last time you accidentally cut yourself. We’ve all had it happen to us. When that blade touches your skin, you retract your hand or pull away. Getting cut hurts and we all have a visceral reaction to the idea of it. Compound this idea with thoughts of your kids or kids entrusted to you and your blood pressure and stress levels will skyrocket. You never want to see a child in pain and yet there will come a time when you must teach a child how to use a knife because one day, they’ll need to. This task can be daunting but there are some very easy rules a kid can follow that you are probably already familiar with. When emotions overpower how we think, we can default to a proven method of breaking down safety by looking to another tool kids should know how to use. If you’re familiar with the 4 Rules of Firearms Safety popularized by Jeff Cooper, you’ll appreciate this methodology.
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I think we all have a box or bin of knives at home that we purchased, regretted, became disappointed with, and stored away for safekeeping never to be lusted over again. I know my friends and I joke about this all the time. We’ve probably spent (or wasted) more money on knives that didn’t ultimately meet our expectations than most people will spend on knives they actually want. Perhaps we should have exercised a bit of expectation management or maybe the hype around a knife clouded our judgment. Whatever it was, we should have had more clarity in our decision making process and a formal way to determine if a knife is quality and suitable for our purposes. Much like a game plan that falls apart under stress from our opponent, how we examine a knife can be influenced by carnival-esque knife demonstrations, blade bunnies, the cash-laden mob around a booth, or countless other factors. Before you pull out that card, tap the electronic payment on your phone, or whip out the Benjamins, follow this advice when you are considering another knife at a show. 

It’s been a couple years since I traveled to Alaska and a couple years seems like way too long. Last time, I came with a handful of friends to explore the Kenai Peninsula and drive around the interior a bit.  That trip was incredible with plenty of fishing, laughs, and site-seeing. The opportunity came up this year to go back and highlight some of the good times I had before but from a new perspective through the lens my job at Fieldcraft Survival provides.  How do you attempt to replicate the awesome group chemistry you naturally had with your friends but this time in front of a camera for the audience to enjoy. The answer is, you don’t. You must simply trust you will have a great time in this rugged environment. When you have an opportunity to go back to Alaska, you don’t pass it up. While the world has changed some since 2019 when I was last here, I’m happy to report there is something familiar about this land. You see, the less things change the more the land keeps calling me back.

Author’s Foreword:
In August 2020, I attended GUNSITE Academy’s 250 Pistol Course. I had applied and received the Jeff Cooper Memorial Foundation’s scholarship (for more information, please visit jeffcooperfoundation.org) for free tuition to this baseline course all students must take. I attended and was one of 23 students broken up into two classes. At the end of the course, I earned the “Silver Chicken” which is the silver raven pin for shootoff winner. Upon completion of the course, I swore I would attend another class in the future to further my studies in the ways of the late great Lt. Col Jeff Cooper. I set aside some funds, ammo, and time and by September, had my deposit down on the 270 Rifle course.

In early June 2021, I was invited by my friends at Kifaru to join them on a backpack fishing trip to the high mountains of Colorado. If you’re not familiar with Kifaru, it is a company known for opening up the backcountry with their lineup of backpacks, sleeping bags, ultralight shelters, and hunting accessories. The company is led by Aron Snyder, a modern-day traditional bowhunting legend along with a team of employees that live the mountain life and who can often be found in the mountains at elevation. Kifaru is situated just outside of Denver, the mile-high city. Compared to my home state of Connecticut where I lived for many years at elevations ranging from 131’ to 390’ feet, the elevation of Colorado is significantly greater. What we consider mountains on the east coast, Coloradians think of them as molehills. Even though I moved to UT in January and have lived at 4524’ and work at 5587’, the trip with Kifaru would take me to double that elevation and help me identify some considerations at elevation. I can only imagine what this trip would have been like if I didn’t have half a year to acclimatize. As you’ll read, when you travel to greater heights, you need to be aware and consider some of the possible effects on your body and trip you wouldn’t expect at lower elevations.

Author’s Foreword:
I’m a perpetual student. I enjoy learning and will always be a student for life. Recently, I was invited as a guest to the Modern Warrior Conference. I could not make it last year for the event due to COVID restrictions and I wasn’t going to let the highly-survivable pandemic prevent me from going this year. An invitation like this isn’t handed out to everyone. This event started in 2020 as a fundraiser for a family member of a veteran and doubled this year in size. Given the interest of those in attendance and their willingness to train paired with the growing unrest found on Main St. America, I predict it will continue to grow and become a regular event. The information provided was both wide and deep and the student in me was refreshed with the wide array of content. Many of the readers of this blog definitely share the interests I have and should think about the importance of this training.

Have you ever purchased a knife for your wife/girlfriend, only to see it wind up permanently residing in your kitchen drawer? Unlike most men (who have no issues displaying their blades to the world throughout the day), women can find themselves uncomfortable or even ostracized when attempting to carry a knife out of the house. Luckily, there are numerous different ways for female knife enthusiasts to bring their hobby outside without sacrificing comfort or effectiveness.