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.
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 without a fragile secondary bevel. 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.
For many of our hand forged knives, we choose tough, high-carbon tool steels like A2, O1, and 80CRV2. 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.
For users who prioritize corrosion resistance, we offer artisan knives made from modern stainless steels like CPM S35VN and CPM 3V. 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 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.
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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.
McKenna Mueller
Author