Fiddleback Runt Review -- Small but Mighty!

[SA Condor]

So this has been a long time coming. I think the Fiddleback Runt is a very underrated little knife. I think many people want one just because it’s a ‘cute’ little knife or just because they are hard to get. I’ve been carrying my Runt now almost exclusively now for several months. Let us not be fooled . . . it is a small knife, but it is a very capable and functional design too! It handles the everyday tasks like a dream. You know . . . cutting strings, opening a bag, a box, the mail, getting a sliver out, sharpening a pencil, cutting a snack in half, and just taking out and admiring multiple times a day.

Shiny and clean:

Sharpening the girl’s pencil:

Visiting cool places:

But I wanted to push the Runt a bit further (that and I needed my patina to match Mistwalker’s matching HB!), so I decided to use it exclusively in the kitchen for a few days! Let’s be up front and honest . . . this is NOT a kitchen knife! It can handle the tasks of a paring knife or just cut up a quick snack for the kids with flying colors. But, even though it’s not a kitchen knife, this little knife CAN be used in this role if you had to and it performed admirably for it’s size. I made soups, sandwiches, full on suppers and my little Runt handled it all. Obviously using a chef’s knife would have sped up the process, but the Runt did it all. So I am now confident that if for some reason I was stuck without a larger knife, my Runt is more then capable to do what I need it to do.

Tomato massacre:

Developing some patina:

This knife is a testimony to Andy’s amazing work! Even the little guy is an amazing performer. It’s so small it gets to be taken almost everywhere. Thank you Andy for all joy you bring us all!

 

[hasco]

Nice review and great pics! I like that sheath too! I have never held a runt yet but if you and Bud don't knock it off with all of the cool runt pics, I might be tempted to buy another fiddleback model.

 

[Uncle_P]

Thanks for the review. Really like the patina that is developing, especially on the spine.

 

[malada]

Love the patina. What did you use for that effect?

 

[SA Condor]

Nice review and great pics! I like that sheath too! I have never held a runt yet but if you and Bud don't knock it off with all of the cool runt pics, I might be tempted to buy another fiddleback model.

Thanks! Heber and I went back and forth a couple of times and landed on this sheath. Cool thing is, there was more interest so he's made and sold others! You know you want a Runt . . .

Thanks for the review. Really like the patina that is developing, especially on the spine.

Yeah, it will be interesting as I keep on using it to see how it looks in the end.

Love the patina. What did you use for that effect?

I used it in the kitchen for 3 days straight and cut up all sorts of fresh fruits, veggies, and meats. Then after I was done, I left it laying in the bits that didn't go into the pot! You can see the tomato massacre pic up above . . . I left it sitting there with the 'guts' still on it. That's what has given it the effect.

 

[VANCE]

I've carried a runt for 95% of the time the 1.5yrs and love it

 

[Fiddleback]

Great looking knife! I am glad when you all post pictures of yourselves using and enjoying these tools.

 

[thurin]

Luke,

Thanks for the review. I'm jealous of the places you've been able to take it. I'll echo and say it's a great EDC.

 

[dcycleman]

Looks like awesome scenery, what country(s) is it?

 

[SA Condor]

I've carried a runt for 95% of the time the 1.5yrs and love it

I can understand loving the Runt, it's a great little knife! I've always admired your TT Curly Koa Runt, that is one gorgeous knife. I'd love to get another Runt with wood handles and one more that is TT and has a solid color Shadetree Burlap. This one I have might be handed down to my little adopted daughter since I got them at the same time!

Great looking knife! I am glad when you all post pictures of yourselves using and enjoying these tools.

The good looks of the knife . . . all credit goes to you my friend! And I do enjoy using my Runt. It gets opportunity for use everyday.

Luke,

Thanks for the review. I'm jealous of the places you've been able to take it. I'll echo and say it's a great EDC.

This little Runt is going to have all sorts of opportunities for more travel. Next time I'm back in the US, I plan on hitting Colorado, so my Runt will get to visit your beautiful State too!

Looks like awesome scenery, what country(s) is it?

Those pics were taken in Bolivia, South America. I've got a TON of scenery pics from our travels around the country . . . I'm afraid they are lacking in knife content though! It's a beautiful country.

 

[McVeyMac]

Thank you for sharing Luke. I have one Runt where the handle matches a Bishop, Camp and an Asp that I own. So, being color coordinated in any situation is obviously important to me. The Runt is so small that I have not gotten into the habit of carrying it. Partly because I am able to carry 3 and 4" examples on an EDC basis. But, you are enticing me to re-think the Runt as an EDC. I have the cutest little RLO IWB/pocket sheath that has been wet formed for the Runt. It is sized such that it almost fits snugly into the watch pocket of a pair of jeans. I am sicker than most in that I usually EDC 3 fixed bladed knives, RH pocket SP for defensive/emergency situations, LH pocket for EDC cutting tasks and a neck knife for backup just in case. Since the watch pocket is on the RH side, I am not sure that they both will fit, and I am not ready to lose the SP. But you have me thinking about how to incorporate the Runt into the mix.

 

[SA Condor]

Well, I aquired another Runt in a trade! Now I just have to wait for it to make its way to another continent! I think I'll keep the new one shiny I'll post up some pics when it gets here. I look forward to comparing the two.