2011 Forum Knife Picture/Review Thread

Beautiful pic! It makes me happy to see all of these knifes getting out and being used and loved right away!

I used mine Friday evening to open some ales -

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Then today I got out my light box and took some shots of my three #85's.....

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What a beautiful design - Charlie's HJ is awesome in Ebony - the Cocobolo is rich and beautiful, and the forum knife is a versatile all-around useful tool.

I tried the screwdriver out on some electrical face-plate screws at a buddies house (aligning all the screw slots up) and the screwdriver fits the slots perfectly, and the handle provides a nice solid grip.

I also was able to open beers, but as some have noted, it takes a couple of passes at the cap unless you get really lucky.
The same is true of my long-time companion my Victorinox Waiter - it also has to be positioned "just right" to open a bottle, it even is a little harder to use than the GEC.

Thanks to all of the members who voted for this great design.

best regards -

mqqn
 
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Well, I'm pleased to say that I got my knives and I like them very much. One is for my dad, one is for a friend and one is for me. Only thing they need is a good sharpening....out of the tube it will shave some hairs, but it's not poppin sharp.

Andy will be posting a couple of threads in the near future re a "potential" extra that some lucky fool might have a chance to get. I the coming weeks, it will also be time to get moving on the 2012 BF knife. When the time comes, I'm sure some great folks will step up and make it a great knife. I would like to mention that GEC did a wonderful job working with us on a demanding project, and I would be overjoyed to see them do next year's knife. But that will be a decision for the 2012 Committee and the fine BF community.
 
2012 Whaler Go big or go home! just saying!!! i could even do a nautical themed illustration for the tube! would look awesome!
regards
gene
 
Nice set there, Andy. I'll second that ebony HJ. Charlie really commissioned a knife/scale combo that looks like it would fit right in 100 years ago.

The forum knife, and by extension those on the same frame, rides easily in the pocket and is light enough to be carried with little notice, but big enough for any general cutting job.

A whaler? Hmm, what about a marlin spike sailor's knife. Just thinking...
 
I picked up my knife at the Post Office yesterday. Stupid me was so eager to open the box that I mistakenly used the flat side of an Opinel that was in the kitchen drawer to lift the box flap, and the blade slammed shut on my index finger. Can you say "Ouch" and "Blood?" Needless to say, there was a delay in opening the box. :(

The knife itself is very nice. Thank you, Andy, for the fast shipping and great packaging!

I'm not sure that I want to keep this knife. It doesn't bring a smile to my face, which I was hoping that it would. I suppose that is because it is more of a "manly" knife than I prefer to carry.

TJ
 
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Mine arrived safe and sound on Friday. Sharpened it yesterday and now its in my pocket. Unless its opening a beer.
 
Totally Judy said:
I picked up my knife at the Post Office yesterday. Stupid me was so eager to open the box that I mistakenly used the flat side of an Opinel that was in the kitchen drawer to lift the box flap, and the blade slammed shut on my index finger. Can you say "Ouch" and "Blood?" Needless to say, there was a delay in opening the box. :(

The knife itself is very nice. Thank you, Andy, for the fast shipping and great packaging!

I'm not sure that I want to keep this knife. It doesn't bring a smile to my face, which I was hoping that it would. I suppose that is because it is more of a "manly" knife that I prefer to carry.

TJ
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Hi Judy -

Check out the 85 that GEC is making with a small pen blade alongside the spear - it is slimmer and the version in cocobolo is very attractive - maybe a little less "manly", and I know what you mean - the BF knife is definitely a man's pocket knife.

There has been quite a bit of interest in these, so I am sure you will be able to find a good home for yours if you so choose.

best regards -

mqqn
 
I just got home from an extended weekend (left last Wednesday) of deer hunting in Illinois and my forum knife was here awaiting me.

The packaging tube is gorgeous and arrived in perfect condition. Thank you Andy for all the hard work in shipping these out. My knife is terrific, except for the caplifter. Scales perfectly matched, main blade quite sharp (a few swipes on ceramic sticks plus stropping on leather and it just rolls hair off my forearm), blade does not contact spring upon snapping shut, and absolutely no light between liners. My shield is raised very slightly, but the edges are smooth. Action was a little sluggish, but a cleaning and lubing and it is now smooth and quick.

My first use of the caplifter was on a Guiness Stout. Knowing there has been a problem with them, I carefully placed the lip under a projection on the cap and it gripped about a third of the stroke, bending the cap slightly and then slipped off. The second effort bent the cap more, but it stayed on. The third swipe took it off, finally. Tomorrow will find me modifying mine, deepening the notch, no big deal. This is a wonderful knife, and the efforts of all involved are greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!
 
Need some advice regarding the shield on my knife. I noticed that mine is not set flush and almost completely sticks out from the scale, it slightly rocks when I press on it.

Is this something I can bang back in with a rubber mallot, or will I more likely crack the bone or do some other damage?

Should I be contacting GEC for warranty work?
 
Hi Chris -

Yes - you should contact GEC for any warranty issues with the knife. I have emailed you a contact at GEC to answer your question regarding the shield.

best regards -

mqqn
 
Dang you guys are killing me. I got today custom's notice about my forum knife and paid the custom's tax I got also notice 30 mins after via e-mail that my package from Andy L. is being transferred into delivery. so 3 to 4 days and I have my beauty here. Now I need to get its brother, #85... lol.
 
Just got my knife at lunch!!!:D It is awesome! By far my coolest knife!! Thank you to EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By the way Andy, I won't tell the others that you opened mine and made sure it was perfect before you sent it to me. You must have done that because it is PERFECT!!!! ;) Thanks again!!
 
:D The Eagles have landed!!!! ;) OUTSTANDING!!
Thanks again to ALL involved in the very Worthy project!!:thumbup::thumbup:
 
thejamppa said:
Dang you guys are killing me. I got today custom's notice about my forum knife and paid the custom's tax I got also notice 30 mins after via e-mail that my package from Andy L. is being transferred into delivery. so 3 to 4 days and I have my beauty here. Now I need to get its brother, #85... lol.
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I hope you get your *gift* before the holidays ;^ )

pwcb2005 said:
Just got my knife at lunch!!!:D It is awesome! By far my coolest knife!! Thank you to EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By the way Andy, I won't tell the others that you opened mine and made sure it was perfect before you sent it to me. You must have done that because it is PERFECT!!!! ;) Thanks again!!
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Shhhhh! That was supposed to be a secret! ;^)

6.0stroker said:
:D The Eagles have landed!!!! ;) OUTSTANDING!!
Thanks again to ALL involved in the very Worthy project!!:thumbup::thumbup:
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You are quite welcome! Thanks for being a part of the project!

PG5768 said:
Mine arrived safe and sound on Friday. Sharpened it yesterday and now its in my pocket. Unless its opening a beer.
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Sweet! That's what they do! I have used mine to cut open some boxes too. Works great!

cnas122 said:
Well, I'm pleased to say that I got my knives and I like them very much. One is for my dad, one is for a friend and one is for me. Only thing they need is a good sharpening....out of the tube it will shave some hairs, but it's not poppin sharp.

Andy will be posting a couple of threads in the near future re a "potential" extra that some lucky fool might have a chance to get. I the coming weeks, it will also be time to get moving on the 2012 BF knife. When the time comes, I'm sure some great folks will step up and make it a great knife. I would like to mention that GEC did a wonderful job working with us on a demanding project, and I would be overjoyed to see them do next year's knife. But that will be a decision for the 2012 Committee and the fine BF community.
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Hi Campbell - Glad to hear they arrived safe. Enjoy!

best regards -

mqqn
 
I will write a longer review with photos later, but have a few thoughts now:

  • I am thankful for the folks who put this together and very happy to have this special and unique knife.
  • I was a proponent of the caplifter/screwdriver and am glad it was included. The caplifter works just fine for me and I'm no pro. I'm pleased with the screwdriver, too. I see it as a pry bar and the length gives it a little more leverage than what we get from a Swiss Army knife.
  • The easy open works great. I keep my fingernails short and one of the reasons I don't have more slipjoints is that they are more difficult to open for me than all the thumbstud/opening hole options.
  • The caplifter, however, is very hard to open. The backspring seems too tight for the short lifter.
  • The blade came sharp, but not remarkably so.
  • The bone scales look and feel great. The opening cutaway provides a natural grip for my ring finger and is very comfortable.
  • The knfe smells strongly of oil, which could be good or bad, as per your preferences.
  • The walk and talk seems good to me with very distinct half-stops.
  • The overall finish is good/great, if not perfect.
 
cnas122 said:
In the coming weeks, it will also be time to get moving on the 2012 BF knife. When the time comes, I'm sure some great folks will step up and make it a great knife. I would like to mention that GEC did a wonderful job working with us on a demanding project, and I would be overjoyed to see them do next year's knife. But that will be a decision for the 2012 Committee and the fine BF community.
Click to expand...

When the time comes for thinking about ideas for next years knife, I would like to throw out the idea of an old fashioned cattle knife.
 
mqqn said:
Beautiful pic! It makes me happy to see all of these knifes getting out and being used and loved right away!

I used mine Friday evening to open some ales -
Click to expand...
WOW, They even printed a special tube for the Blade Forums Knife?
Are they still available? Linkage please if they are so I can check it out. :)
-Bruce
 
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