Fiddleback Forge

What Fiddleback Forge does

Fiddleback Forge is a privately held American knife manufacturer founded by Andy Roy in 2007 in his garage and operating full-time since May 2009 after Roy was laid off from an antenna engineering job. The company is based at 5405 Buford Hwy, Norcross, Georgia, where Roy designs, makes, and personally hand-finishes every knife. The product portfolio centers on fixed-blade knives featuring a signature convex grind (inspired by the Himalayan Imports Khukuri), tapered tangs, and premium materials — high-carbon tool steels (A2, O1, 80CRV2) and modern stainless steels (CPM 154, S35VN, Magnacut, Nitro V, AEB-L), with handles in canvas/burlap micarta, ironwood, bocote, curly maple, stabilized woods, and G10. The catalog spans 130+ knife models covering bushcraft, hunting, EDC, and outdoor use cases.

The business operates exclusively through direct-to-consumer e-commerce via a Shopify storefront (fiddlebackforge.com), shipping worldwide using USPS Priority Mail and UPS. New handmade knives are released weekly through the 'Fiddleback Friday' drop at 9 PM EST, with newsletter subscribers receiving previews first; the company explicitly does not accept custom orders. Pricing for handmade knives ranges from approximately $360 to $550+, with examples such as the 3 Finger Joe at $360, Bushboot at $410, and Lion Killer at $550. Complementary product lines include Mid-Tech Production Field Knives (CPM 3V and S35VN blades with hand-finishing at the Georgia workshop), 12" and 16" machetes with 1070/1075 steel, branded apparel and merchandise, knife 'spa' maintenance services starting at $50, and the Fiddleback University knife-making class program (1-day and 2-day in-person workshops taught by Roy).

Three primary customer segments are served: avid outdoorsmen and hunters who need reliable field tools, knife aficionados and collectors (with documented customers owning 60+ Fiddleback knives), and aspiring knife makers enrolling in classes. The company holds no institutional funding, employs 1–10 people (currently operating as a one-man shop), and is entirely owned by Andy Roy following his 2023 exit from Pop's Knife Supply. Marketing is built on weekly newsletter previews, the 'Sharpest Tools in the Shed' live video show with Knife Outpost, an active BladeForums sub-forum, and content marketing on the company blog.

Name

Fiddleback Forge

Legal name

Fiddleback Forge, Inc.

Website

https://fiddlebackforge.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fiddleback Forge is a privately held Norcross, Georgia maker of handcrafted, high-end fixed-blade knives founded and personally produced by Andy Roy, selling direct-to-consumer worldwide through weekly Friday drops, mid-tech production lines, machetes, and in-person knife-making classes to outdoorsmen, collectors, and aspiring makers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Handcrafted Outdoor Cutlery and Knives

NAICS

Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing (3322)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Hunting & Shooting Specialty Knife/Tool Retail (CRAMAKAH)

Keywords

• Handcrafted outdoor knives
• Fixed-blade cutlery
• Bushcraft knives
• Knife making classes
• Premium custom knives

Headquarters

HQ city

Norcross

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Handmade Knives: One-time purchase of handcrafted knives made by Andy Roy. Each knife is unique, handmade at the Norcross, GA shop. No custom orders accepted. Knives sell out quickly due to limited availability.
2. Mid-Tech Production Field Knives: Production knives derived from proven handcrafted designs. Uses pre-fabricated stock with hand-finished touches at the Georgia workshop. More affordable alternative to fully handmade knives.
3. Knife Making Classes: In-person classes taught by Andy Roy at the Norcross, GA shop. One-day and two-day intensive workshops teaching knifemaking skills.
4. Apparel and Merchandise: T-shirts, tank tops, patches, challenge coins, trucker hats, handkerchiefs with spider designs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fiddleback Forge manufactures handcrafted, high-end fixed-blade knives at its Norcross, GA workshop, primarily sold direct-to-consumer via its own e-commerce store. Master knife-maker and founder Andy Roy personally designs, grinds, and finishes every handmade knife, with a signature convex grind, tapered tang construction, and premium handle materials. The company also offers mid-tech production field knives, machetes, leather sheaths, knifemaking classes (Fiddleback University), and branded apparel and merchandise.

Product overview

Fiddleback Forge is a handcrafted knife company founded by master knife-maker Andy Roy in 2007, producing American-made fixed-blade knives from their Norcross, GA workshop. The product portfolio centers on handmade knives (over 130 models including bushcraft, hunting, and EDC knives) released via weekly Fiddleback Friday drops, supplemented by Mid-Tech Production Field Knives for higher volume, machetes, knife-making classes (Fiddleback University), and branded apparel/swag. All knives feature convex grinds, tapered tangs, and premium materials with no custom orders accepted.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Handmade Knives Fully handcrafted fixed-blade knives made by Andy Roy at the Norcross, GA workshop, featuring convex grinds, tapered tangs, and premium handle materials like micarta, natural woods, and G10. Over 130 knife models are available across bushcraft, hunting, EDC, and outdoor categories. No custom orders accepted.
• Mid-Tech Production Field Knives Production knives derived from Andy Roy's handcrafted designs, using pre-fabricated stock with hand-finished assembly at the Georgia workshop. Features CPM 3V and S35VN stainless steel blades with canvas or black micarta handles. A more affordable alternative to fully handmade knives.
• Machetes Field machetes available in 12" and 16" lengths with 1075 carbon steel blades and natural canvas micarta handles. Steel fabricated by craftsmen in El Salvador and assembled and finished at the Norcross, GA workshop.
• Fiddleback University Knife Making Classes In-person knife making workshops taught by Andy Roy at the Norcross, GA shop. Offered as 1-day intensive or 2-day comprehensive classes for beginners to professional knife makers, teaching knifemaking techniques and Andy's streamlined processes.
• Sheaths Leather sheaths designed and produced by JRE Industries, sold separately from knives. Fiddleback Forge does not bundle sheaths with knives so customers can select their own.
• Apparel and Swag Branded merchandise including t-shirts, tank tops, trucker hats, challenge coins, and pocket square handkerchiefs featuring Fiddleback Forge branding.

Quantifiable outcome

• Andy Roy has made and sold tens of thousands of knives over his career
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pop's Knife SupplycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Andy Roy partnered with three other knife makers to buy Pop's Knife Supply from long-time friends James and Kay Poplin after 40 years in the knife business. In 2021, Andy reduced production and returned to one-man shop. In 2023, Andy accepted a payout and stepped down from daily operations at Pop's Knife Supply.
• Give Us PawsminorOthersFiddleback Forge's charity of choice. Give Us Paws is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Houston, Texas that provides subsidized and free, in-home training of eligible candidates' dogs as service animals. Focuses on veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and limited mobility.
• JRE IndustriesminorOthersSheath supplier for Fiddleback Forge machetes. JRE Industries designs and produces the sheaths for machetes made with steel fabricated by craftsmen in El Salvador.
• Diomedes Industries (Jason Moulenbelt)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Jason Moulenbelt of Diomedes Industries for the Arete knife design. The Arete was originally designed for Fiddleback Forge in collaboration with Jason Moulenbelt.
• Knife OutpostcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of 'Sharpest Tools in the Shed' weekly video show. Robert of Knife Outpost co-hosts with Andy Roy, covering knives, current events, and weekly releases. Episodes stream live on YouTube and Facebook.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bark River Knives: Premium American handmade fixed-blade knife maker specializing in outdoor, hunting, and bushcraft knives with premium steels. Closest direct peer in production philosophy (small batch, handmade, premium materials) and customer overlap with Fiddleback's enthusiast segment.
• Benchmade: Premium American knife maker offering high-end fixed-blade and folding knives to outdoorsmen, hunters, and enthusiasts. Directly comparable in target customer (avid outdoorsmen and collectors) and premium positioning, though Benchmade operates at significantly larger scale with broader distribution.
• ESEE Knives: Specialty outdoor and survival knife maker focused on hard-use fixed blades for hunters, bushcrafters, and military users. Comparable handmade/small-batch production approach and overlapping customer base with Fiddleback's avid outdoorsmen segment.
• TOPS Knives: Tactical and outdoor fixed-blade knife maker with strong emphasis on handmade/small-batch production and direct-to-consumer sales. Targets the same hunting, survival, and military end-users as Fiddleback at comparable premium price points.

Broad incumbents

• Zero Tolerance Knives: Premium knife brand from Kai USA targeting tactical, military, and enthusiast users with high-end materials and construction. Comparable premium positioning and overlapping collector/operator customer base, though distributed through traditional retail channels.
• Spyderco: Major US knife manufacturer offering a broad portfolio of premium fixed-blade and folding knives for outdoor, tactical, and everyday carry users. Overlaps with Fiddleback in target customers and premium positioning but is much larger and more diversified.
• Buck Knives: Long-established American knife brand with broad hunting, outdoor, and everyday carry product lines sold through wide retail distribution. Comparable end-products but operates at much larger scale and lower price points than Fiddleback's handmade offerings.
• KA-BAR: Iconic American fixed-blade knife brand with deep military, hunting, and outdoor heritage. Comparable product category (fixed-blade outdoor knives) but operates at much larger scale with broader retail distribution and lower average price points.

Emerging players

• White River Knife and Tool: Small-batch American knife maker focused on premium fixed-blade outdoor, hunting, and EDC knives. Comparable handmade/small-batch production approach and direct-to-consumer sales model targeting similar outdoor enthusiasts.
• Brad Zinker (independent maker): Independent custom knife maker producing high-end folding and fixed-blade knives for collectors. Comparable one-man/micro-shop production model, premium pricing, and enthusiast customer overlap, though focused more on folders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@KnifeOutpost
• Facebookfacebook.com/FiddlebackForge
• Xx.com/fiddlebackforge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fiddleback-forge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fiddleback Forge