2013 Forum knife?

[PaulBosley]

Who's going to tell Ken he has to make 4-500 half congress. I think he is already back ordered for a while...talk about being stuck in the shop LOL

 

[TLARbb]

id be all in on a sodbuster, but i foresee a big problem in regards with the blade shape. I know that i myself, and others love the belly of the sodbuster, but then i know that the other half likes sodbuster with a point, and more of a drop point shape. maybe some sort of compromise in the middle?

By way of inspiration, I submit the TLAR sodbuster built for me by Keith Johnson:

Ed J

 

[Casey4545]

My vote goes to a half congress, saddlehorn, or cotton sampler pattern. Linen micarta would be awesome

 

[eisman]

In all seriousness, since Sodbusters are much cheaper, it will allow more members to take part as well as make it easier for us to buy multiples for collecting & gifts.

Not exactly true; remember there's a break even point where the manufacturer has to look at profit and building a special run of any pattern will increase the mfr cost. Also, the more you build the less likely to increase in value the pattern becomes.

I present that the knife we choose should be a less common pattern for two reasons; 1. it's a chance to own a pattern you may never see again, and 2. it makes for a unique way to accent the forum. In addition there's a good chnce the manufacturer will continue to use the pattern (as happened this year).

A run of 250 knives is about right. More than that and the availablity decreases the value. In manufacturing (and sales) the ideal is to have all the run sold out before delivery. We came darn close to that this year, and despite the additonal competition offered by the influx of several thousand more knives of the same pattern the Forum knife still appears to be holdng value (as evidenced by recent aftermarket prices).

 

[hank_rearden]

A large serpentine jack with pinched bolsters. Oh yeah, with a pinned Case xx shield.

 

[neeman]

I mean look how sexy that pattern is, this is one of our own here Ken Erickson 1/2 Congress.

Here is a Queen 4" single spring in Cocobolo
Very slim

And S&M make a lovely Congress Whittler, which is very interesting and special
(Mike's image)

 

[Jack Black]

By way of inspiration, I submit the TLAR sodbuster built for me by Keith Johnson:

Ed J

That's a great looking Sodbuster Ed :thumbup:

 

[din]

Id like to see a Seahorse or sleevboard Whittler with a Wharncliffe main blade...just sayin...

I could go for a seahorse, not crazy about sleeveboards, but I can't stop thinking about that texas jack.

 

[Doug Add]

I posted earlier, a picture of Pete's Northfield 62, with the idea that if we do a congress I would like to see that curved shield which matches the slope of the frame. Tony's picture here shows it again, and in yeller! What if we could get GEC to revive the rotten banana bone for this one?

 

[ConBon]

With the popularity of the #25, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a Barlow. But I would love for my first peanut to be a BFC GEC collaboration .

Cheers,
Connor

 

[CWL]

Not exactly true; remember there's a break even point where the manufacturer has to look at profit and building a special run of any pattern will increase the mfr cost. Also, the more you build the less likely to increase in value the pattern becomes.

I present that the knife we choose should be a less common pattern for two reasons; 1. it's a chance to own a pattern you may never see again, and 2. it makes for a unique way to accent the forum. In addition there's a good chnce the manufacturer will continue to use the pattern (as happened this year).

A run of 250 knives is about right. More than that and the availablity decreases the value. In manufacturing (and sales) the ideal is to have all the run sold out before delivery. We came darn close to that this year, and despite the additonal competition offered by the influx of several thousand more knives of the same pattern the Forum knife still appears to be holdng value (as evidenced by recent aftermarket prices).

Interesting point, however, all the Forum knives are special runs, so the manufacturers have still managed to make a profit. In making a Sodbuster pattern, there shouldn't be need for any special tooling, the real additional costs is in sourcing the horn/bone scales and any special steel chosen for the blade.

Me? I don't really care about any increase in value down the road. I just want the 2013 Forum knife. I have seen many posters saying that they can't afford them in the past and I think it a shame. Everyone who wants a Forum knife should be able to afford one.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Here is a Queen 4" single spring in Cocobolo
Very slim

That's nice, that would probably fit the BFC tang stamp and would look really sweet with some Winterbottom Bone scales.

 

[yablanowitz]

That's nice, that would probably fit the BFC tang stamp and would look really sweet with some Winterbottom Bone scales.

Yes, it does.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

See, don't it look sweet, a little chnange to the one blade, maybe a sheepsfoot and a spear?

 

[dannyp]

A run of 250 knives is about right. More than that and the availablity decreases the value. In manufacturing (and sales) the ideal is to have all the run sold out before delivery. We came darn close to that this year, and despite the additonal competition offered by the influx of several thousand more knives of the same pattern the Forum knife still appears to be holdng value (as evidenced by recent aftermarket prices).

Have you ever checked GEC's production totals on their website? I wouldn't even guess they made several hundred more of the same pattern. 250 is the most they've made of any pattern with a single cover material. The BF knives will most likely hold their value regardless of how many are made as long as there are people who commit to buying the majority of them upfront. There are always new folks who come along later looking to pick one up.

Me? I don't really care about any increase in value down the road. I just want the 2013 Forum knife. I have seen many posters saying that they can't afford them in the past and I think it a shame. Everyone who wants a Forum knife should be able to afford one.

Well stated.:thumbup: This is exactly how I feel. It's about trying to include as many members in the fun as possible, while still coming up with something unique and well made.

 

[dannyp]

See, don't it look sweet, a little chnange to the one blade, maybe a sheepsfoot and a spear?

I wonder if a full length spear would work? There may be some clearance issues on a single spring knife. A long thin pen blade would be pretty sweet on the pattern if it would fit. I will disagree with you on the bone though, Ted. If we are going to go with an existing pattern, I'd rather have some fancy scales. We've had bone the last two years.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I'd be afraid to price pearl , as far as the spear you're right another blade would be better but what can ya pair with a sheepsfoot with that curved backspring, a small hawkbill?

 

[9blades]

I'd love to see a half congress in ebony!

 

[dannyp]

I'd be afraid to price pearl , as far as the spear you're right another blade would be better but what can ya pair with a sheepsfoot with that curved backspring, a small hawkbill?

I was thinking more along the lines of figured wood, horn, or stag. Maybe a small clip like on the Case/Bose Norfolk? How about a short spey like on a Stockman? That would definitely be unique.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I was thinking more along the lines of figured wood, horn, or stag. Maybe a small clip like on the Case/Bose Norfolk? How about a short spey like on a Stockman? That would definitely be unique.

I like a spey blade, as a mechanic it saw a lot of use as my gasket cleaner, I think a lot of negative hype comes from it's original intended use, gotta think outside of the box, it has more than 1 use.