Fiddleback Forge

Overview

Fiddleback Forge is a handmade knife manufacturer specializing in high-end, fixed-blade knives designed for knife enthusiasts and outdoor professionals. Founded by Andy Roy, the company has built a reputation for meticulous craftsmanship, with each knife personally designed and finished by Roy himself. The brand occupies a premium position in the knife market, known for American-made quality and attention to detail rather than mass production or customization.

History

Fiddleback Forge was started by Andy Roy in his garage in 2007 as a passion project. The business transitioned to a full-time operation in May 2009 when Roy was laid off from his job as an antenna engineer, initially producing 6 knives per week from a basement shop. Over more than a decade, the operation expanded to a large professional shop in Norcross, Georgia with multiple full-time employees and apprentices, successfully producing tens of thousands of handmade knives while maintaining its focus on quality craftsmanship.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

All handmade knives are 100% produced in-house at Fiddleback Forge's Norcross, Georgia facility, including shaping, heat treating, grinding, sharpening, handle scales, finishing, and packaging. Machete steel is fabricated by craftsmen in El Salvador but is assembled and finished by hand at the Norcross shop. The company does not produce made-to-order custom knives, instead designing and releasing handmade knives on a regular schedule.

Notable Products

• Fixed Blade Knives - Handcrafted utility knives personally designed and finished by Andy Roy for outdoor and professional use
• Machetes - Hand-finished machetes with steel fabricated internationally but assembled and completed in-house

Reputation

Fiddleback Forge is highly regarded among knife aficionados and avid outdoorsmen for its commitment to handcrafted quality and American manufacturing. The brand is known for meticulous attention to detail and the personal involvement of founder Andy Roy in every knife's production. The company's refusal to offer mass customization and its limited production capacity contribute to strong demand and a loyal customer base, though this also means knives are not readily available to casual buyers.