In a word "Hell no!" I have too many top favorites and like cycling out what's on my belt. Variety is the beauty of Fiddlebacks so I wouldn't limit myself even if I only owned 2.
Nonetheless, dammit Phillip!! This would have bothered me until I went through it so things got set aside for a bit. So hypothetically speaking, I'll play.
I enjoyed your rundown, and agree with your choice-- for you. That Bushnub is mighty fine, and my favorite of the three you sent my way.
Inspired by your response, I'll play along, too!
Hypothetically.
My options:
Bear Cub (1/8" TT), Patch (1/8" SFT), Sylvrfalcen (1/8"TT), Sylvrfalcen (3/32" SFT), Esquire (3/32" SFT), Esquire (1/8" SFT), Sgian Dubh (1/8" SFT), Stubby Muk (3/32" SFT)
I'll rule out the Bear Cub and Patch first, as they're juuuust this side of too big for regular, daily carry. Of the two Sylvrfalcens, the blue* 1/8" TT gets the clear nod; of the Esquires, the oreo 1/8" TT stays. The Sgian Dubh remains in the mix because I love its sturdy presentation and substantial-for-its-size blade; the Stubby Muk is fun, but not quite what I would want to use day to day to day to day.
*and the Sylvrfalcen
is blue, and a lovely middle color at that, but tends to show up purple-y in pictures(!). A maddening phenomenon, actually. Here it is looking blue-r, but with still more purple showing than is seen by the eye. ARGH:
Anyway, this leaves me with these three contenders:
The Sgian Dubh makes me happy, and would serve me well. It fits my hand really well, a
great little fistful (maybe don't quote me):
Again, I love how much blade this little power plug packs. However, it's also not quite long enough to keep my fingers out of the peanut butter when cutting sandwiches, etc.; given the choice-- which I am!-- I'd like to carry something a little bigger.
So, we're down to these two:
The Sylvrfalcen ticks lots of boxes, not least the one mentioned by
VANCE
:
The HB was my 2nd or 3rd Fiddleback. So early on it was my "only" one or two. It did many things for me while waiting for the next BLADE show.
The Sylvrfalcen is just soo cool though.
... especially when it has a tapered tang that echoes the blade's swedge:
Comfortable in hand, massive style points:
But, at the end of this particular day, I'd go with the Esquire:
For starters, if we're talking a whole year? I'd need to dance with what brung me, and that's Shadetree micarta. As much as I love the wild variety of beautiful woods on the various patterns, at the beginning and end it's Shadetree that first brought Fiddleback knives to my attention, and that still brings it all home for me.
And wouldn't you know, this Oreo Esquire does something for me in way that the
blue one somehow doesn't-- only in a manner of degree (I love 'em both), but ... one has to Decide.
Hypothetically. I'm shocked a
blue knife doesn't get the nod, but there you have it.
In addition to whatever cutting tasks come my way in a given time span, one of the things I greatly enjoy is showing off
@Fiddleback's work to others. While any of my knives is worth a showcase, this Oreo Esquire is especially fun to share, with all its 'extras'-- the swedge, the bolster treatment, the exquisite lines of the handle, how well its (original) Baron sheath suits it and sets it off to such advantage.
So, the Esquire. For now.
Hypothetically.
~ P.