2013 BladeForums Traditional Knife Official KICKOFF!

I'm looking forward to the process - and whatever the outcome, I have complete confidence in the team selected. I'll buy at least one of whatever is offered ... I may not keep it if it does not "click" with me but I will support the effort. I've spent a lot more for a lot less over the years in various other recreational pursuits. What I have come to appreciate is the materials selection and excution of a well built trad folder - even if its not a pattern that I particulary like. Bring on the first poll.
 
I've been asking for a Congress Jack for two years. Here's why:

1. Nobody makes one.
2. It's a very hard to find pattern.
3. It's a very handy pattern.
4. It's a variation of the swayback that's been pretty popular.
5. It's almost a wharncliff blade (for those who have to have one) and yet it's an even older style blade (for those who don't like wharncliff's).
6. It's got a secondary blade (which gives a lot of options).
7. It's not a huge, hard to carry knife.
8. It's uses a basic pattern that every MFR has in stock.
9. It's old.
10. It's traditional.
11. It's not something that needs to be cobbled up to be original.
12. It works just as well in stainless and micarta as it does in carbon and tortoise (or bone, or whatever).

Here's a shot from Levine's for those who can't picture a final product:
CJPage_zps409f9456.jpg


And here's what a real one looks like:
P1050981.jpg
 
As long as it has 3 blades: cotton sampler, melon tester, and spatula, with third-cut pecan jigged fossilized dinosaur bone handles and rhodium bolsters, I think it'll be a hit!
 
I'm going to try to put the first poll up tonight, after all. Hang tight, everyone. The first one will be pattern, then probably blade configuration. We'll also need to cover blade steel, cover material, and probably a few other things, depending on what gets picked.
 
I know the poll will speak, but I think we need to go with a single blade this year. It would be a first!
 
We have a week for this first poll, so there's no rush to vote. Have a pitcher, look at some pitchers, and feel free to cogitate before you exercise your franchise. I'm sure pattern advocates will post pics in either this thread or the poll thread.

silenthunterstudios said:
Blaine, thank you, and thank you to Dave. I was going to sit back and relax, looking over some pitchers, but it looks like we are on a roll. Can you include some pics or drawings of specific pattern choices? After reading the thread I started, I realize I don't know half the patterns out there that I thought I did.
Click to expand...
 
pertinux said:
If I recall, last year Canal Street wasn't in a position to produce a forum knife for Bladeforums, and I'm not promoting them as a manufacturer for this year's.
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Last year the decision was to go with 1095. I have seen no knives from Canal Street with a straight carbon steel blade.

To a certain extent, the design we choose, and the blade steel we choose, will determine which knife companies will be willing to bid on the knife.

Queen has a number of traditional designs and uses
420HC
D2
1095
If we choose one of those alloys and a pattern that they don't have to tool up for, they would likely bid on the knife.

Canal Street has fewer patterns than Queen. They use:
420HC
D2
14-4CrMo.
440C
If we choose one of those alloys and a pattern that they don't have to make tooling for, they will likely bid on the knife.

GEC makes a fair number of patterns and has been willing to generate new tooling, based on the concept of making more knives using that tooling. They use:
440C
O1
1095
If we choose of those alloys and a pattern that they either don't need new tooling for, or they see a benefit to themselves in making that tooling, they would likely bid on the knife.

Last year we chose 1095, that left out Canal Street. We chose a pattern that Queen did not make. That left them out. That left GEC.

I'm not promoting any company, just thinking out loud.
 
First off, I just want to say thanks to everybody who is putting in the time and effort to make this possible.:thumbup:

I've said it before, but it would be nice to have something besides 1095 and bone this year. I hope we stick with the NS liners like the past couple years. It really adds a bit of class to the knife IMO. It will be interesting to see what we pick this time around.
 
I'm still of a single blade mind for 2013....

I think a Sodbuster with premium materials would still be within reach of the common folk....
 
Hi All, I'm Dave, I will be helping Blaine with this years Bladeforums knife. Like my partner I would like to Thank the people who really make this place the learning oasis that it is, The Moderators, both Knarfeng & Peregrin they do all the work around here. And of course we wouldn't have this sanctuary with out Spark! Thank You all.
There also have been members that have been through this process before and have learned what works and what don't, for them I am grateful, T. Erdelyi and Waynorth (even though he doesn't know it yet) will I'm certain be a big part of the project.
Let just all have fun and pick this years addition. We have a fine pedigree to live up to!
Blaine has started the pattern poll so let the games begin!
For the new folks everything will be discussed and everyone's vote counts the same. There have already been plenty of links to how it works, so lets get to it.
Thanks all, any ???? give us a shout!

Dave
 
Heyyyy Ohhhhhn.....you guys are off to a great start, KISS, (Keep It Simple ******) is the acronym to follow when it comes to polls, not to many at one time, keep the choices limited to the top picks, you're not gonna please everyone no matter how hard ya try.

It is very easy to get lost in data when you're tryin' to run to many simultaneous polls, take yer time don't feel pressured by the members or intimidated... ;) You guys are runnin' the show the democratic process has pulled a few surprises in the past but the process works.

Good luck to all involved, we have a tough act to follow with last year's knife, I think it's one of our best.
 
T. Erdelyi said:
Good luck to all involved, we have a tough act to follow with last year's knife, I think it's one of our best.
Click to expand...

You have that right my friend!:thumbup: Last years knife took it up a notch in my book.:)

And I am VERY familiar with the keep it simple stupid concept in my life. :D

Dave
 
mcrow said:
What has the price point been in recent years for these knives?
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We have been trying for the last few years to keep it to $100 but last year was an exception I believe the knife came in at $125 shipped.
(someone please correct me if wrong)

Dave
 
If I'm not mistaken my end was $118 -$120 shipped I'd hafta look up the transaction took be sure, we've tried to keep it as close to that $100 mark as possible, I believe when it was determined when we went over, there was a point in time you would back out with no animosity.

Still, with one of our largest orders ever, they sold and sold quick.
 
you're not gonna please everyone no matter how hard ya try.
never a truer word spoken.
As a matter of great importance to ME however...
we have not had Rams horn or Elk yet have we?
 
jc57 said:
As long as it has 3 blades: cotton sampler, melon tester, and spatula, with third-cut pecan jigged fossilized dinosaur bone handles and rhodium bolsters, I think it'll be a hit!
Click to expand...

and don't forget a lot of etching on all blades.

Blaine and Dave-thanks for stepping up. Rest assured that my flippant comments and suggestions will end here and I support you all the way.
Have not voted yet but I'm in no matter what we decide.
Thanks guys.
 
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