Some of you have already seen a lot of the pics in this thread but having had it a bit I wanted to do an actual review here in this section. I have been following Andy's work for the better part of two years now. Having seen several threads and lots of pictures I knew that he makes some beautiful knives, but getting to see them in person and handle them at Blade just took it to a whole new level for me. A couple of months back I talked to Andy about a smallish knife for bushcraft...but bushcraft from my personal perspective...we talked about prefs and hand size and thus a couple of weeks ago came the Bushfinger. He apparently understands my favorite activities because he did a fantastic job on the knife, not only aesthetically but in function. I really just don't think I could be happier with a knife for all around general use.
This was how the knife arrived and I have to say that Andy Roy definitely has style.
And this is the beauty I found waiting inside the package. This is the knife design Andy has dubbed the Bushfinger.
Specs:
Steel.........................Spalted O-1 Tool steel 5/32in / 4mm
Grind.........................Hi Sabre Convex
Balde length...............4.3in / 11cm
Handle Length.............4.5in / 11.4cm
Over-all length............8.8in / 22.4cm
Handle Scales..............Natural Canvas Micarta
Liners and Bolsters.......Black Canvas Micarta
Pins...........................Natural Canvas Micarta/Carbon Fiber
Bullseye Lanyard Hole...Stainless Steel/Carbon Fiber
Maker: Andy Roy of FiddlebackForge.com
I love this sheath Andy made too, it works great for me both on my belt or in my pocket... where my knife often rides on hikes through the woods. He did an absolutely a fantastic job on this thing, I love his craftsmanship. While I normally don't care much for metal belt clips I have found this one to be well made, well located and comfortable, and I love the ability to quickly relocate the knife.
Andy did a super job on the little details that make this knife a work of art. I love how he mated the scales and bolsters together at an angle. His plunge line is just super, and the symmetry, which is a big thing with me, is simply fantastic.
This knife is very comfortable in every grip I have used it in over the last two weeks.
I do a lot of cooking so naturally it is something a use a knife for a lot. The Bushfinger is perfect for me because it works great for food prep, it is a perfect size for great controllability. It did great with the veggies
It sliced through the tenderloin like it wasn't even there.
The line of the edge being just below the lowest line of the handle lets me use the entire edge by holding the handle in a pinch grip and rocking the edge on the cutting board to slice and chop things like fresh garlic or fresh herbs. Yep, the Bushfinger does a great job at food prep without looking like a kitchen knife in the process (which I like VERY MUCH!).
Finally getting the knife out in the woods I found it has a great working edge.
I used a hawk to rough out a spoon, and then used the Bushfinger to clean it up some. I have no clue what type of wood it is but by damn it's hard. I whittled on it for about an hour and a half with with no hot-spots at all, only a little tenderness in my thumb from pushing on the squared spine, which by the way throws great sparks from a firesteel. The knife is really a pleasure to work with.
Then I did a little batoning with it making some notches in an adjustable pot hanger. The knife handles really well. Andy's hi sabre grind is more user-friendly than some of the thinner knives I have used while still giving me the strong spine I like a knife to have.
I decided to use a piece of the hard wood left from roughing out the spoon to give the tip a work out. It was about 3/4 of an inch thick and the tip handled boring a hole in it very well.
I also whittled/notched a couple of trap triggers from a wood that reminds me of Cherry, not sure if it is or not but very similar in looks and density. The knife really is a pleasure to work with.
After all I have done with it the original edge will still whittle some nice feather sticks. Having put it through its paces for the last couple of weeks I think this is the perfect bushcraft knife for me personally. Thank you Andy, job very well done, this is exactly what I wanted and I don't recall ever being happier with a knife purchase.
It is also aging quite nicely too
This was how the knife arrived and I have to say that Andy Roy definitely has style.
And this is the beauty I found waiting inside the package. This is the knife design Andy has dubbed the Bushfinger.
Specs:
Steel.........................Spalted O-1 Tool steel 5/32in / 4mm
Grind.........................Hi Sabre Convex
Balde length...............4.3in / 11cm
Handle Length.............4.5in / 11.4cm
Over-all length............8.8in / 22.4cm
Handle Scales..............Natural Canvas Micarta
Liners and Bolsters.......Black Canvas Micarta
Pins...........................Natural Canvas Micarta/Carbon Fiber
Bullseye Lanyard Hole...Stainless Steel/Carbon Fiber
Maker: Andy Roy of FiddlebackForge.com
I love this sheath Andy made too, it works great for me both on my belt or in my pocket... where my knife often rides on hikes through the woods. He did an absolutely a fantastic job on this thing, I love his craftsmanship. While I normally don't care much for metal belt clips I have found this one to be well made, well located and comfortable, and I love the ability to quickly relocate the knife.
Andy did a super job on the little details that make this knife a work of art. I love how he mated the scales and bolsters together at an angle. His plunge line is just super, and the symmetry, which is a big thing with me, is simply fantastic.
This knife is very comfortable in every grip I have used it in over the last two weeks.
I do a lot of cooking so naturally it is something a use a knife for a lot. The Bushfinger is perfect for me because it works great for food prep, it is a perfect size for great controllability. It did great with the veggies
It sliced through the tenderloin like it wasn't even there.
The line of the edge being just below the lowest line of the handle lets me use the entire edge by holding the handle in a pinch grip and rocking the edge on the cutting board to slice and chop things like fresh garlic or fresh herbs. Yep, the Bushfinger does a great job at food prep without looking like a kitchen knife in the process (which I like VERY MUCH!).
Finally getting the knife out in the woods I found it has a great working edge.
I used a hawk to rough out a spoon, and then used the Bushfinger to clean it up some. I have no clue what type of wood it is but by damn it's hard. I whittled on it for about an hour and a half with with no hot-spots at all, only a little tenderness in my thumb from pushing on the squared spine, which by the way throws great sparks from a firesteel. The knife is really a pleasure to work with.
Then I did a little batoning with it making some notches in an adjustable pot hanger. The knife handles really well. Andy's hi sabre grind is more user-friendly than some of the thinner knives I have used while still giving me the strong spine I like a knife to have.
I decided to use a piece of the hard wood left from roughing out the spoon to give the tip a work out. It was about 3/4 of an inch thick and the tip handled boring a hole in it very well.
I also whittled/notched a couple of trap triggers from a wood that reminds me of Cherry, not sure if it is or not but very similar in looks and density. The knife really is a pleasure to work with.
After all I have done with it the original edge will still whittle some nice feather sticks. Having put it through its paces for the last couple of weeks I think this is the perfect bushcraft knife for me personally. Thank you Andy, job very well done, this is exactly what I wanted and I don't recall ever being happier with a knife purchase.
It is also aging quite nicely too
