2013 Traditional Forum's GEC Congress Jack happiness poll

How happy are you with the quality of this year's knife?

  • Not happy at all, will be selling or sending back

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Not happy but will give GEC the chance to fix it

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Got what I paid for and its gonna be a user anyway

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Very happy, not perfect but pretty darn close

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Ecstatic, perfect, couldn't be better

    Votes: 2 100.0%
  • Total voters
    2
T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
32,359
Alright, I'm curious, having gotten every one of the Traditional Forum's knives I've seen and read all the comments about the quality of the relevant years knives and subsequent comments that ranged from, "...perfect" to "disappointed" I was curious how you felt about the knife you got this year.

If it's your first, what do you think about how well it came out and if you have others, how you think yours compared to previous years you have?

I think that this year's knife is the best so far, I think we've learned from previous years, the volunteers had the knowledge and experience of the previous years volunteers to make the design and production of this year's knife the best so far.

We knew what we wanted, the polls were a lot more concise and moderated better, (nothing against the previous volunteers, is their input that made this year smoother).

I never felt like we never lost momentum or track of where we were with this year's incarnation, maybe that's because after 8 years of this I've learned to be a lot more patient.

I think a lot more members were vocal about the polls, the voting was controlled better, we didn't have people buying in poles when they had no intention of buying a knife and when members decided that the knife wasn't really for them they dropped out of the voting which I believe gave us all a knife closer to what the majority wanted. (I have a feeling that a lot out those people who opted out early in this year's knife are sorry they did ;) )

Now to the poll, I'm gonna keep this simple, on a scale of 1-5 how happy are you with this year's knife.

1) Not happy at all, I'll be sending it back our putting it up in the exchange
2) Not happy but I'm gonna give GEC the chance to fix it then it goes in my pocket
3)I got what I paid for, it's a user and is gonna get scratched and transformed anyway
4) Near perfect, (maybe the blade was a little dull or there was a light scuff lb the blade or scales)
5) Totally ecstatic, couldn't find a thing wrong

I know this poll doesn't address everything that might be wrong with the quality but I just wanted a general idea as to how happy you were with this year's knife.

Thanks in advance for your responses and please don't use this as a thread to resolve your issues with this year's knife as I would really like to keep this outta the GB&U Forum.
 
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I couldn't be happier with this year's knife it really is perfect to me, it was shaving sharp outta the tube, (which by the way the art work as in the last few years had been exceptional) the F&F was superb, no gaps, no proud backsprings or blades, center perfect, swedges perfect, brings lines perfect.

Hopefully everyone's as happy as I am with this year's rendition of a Congress Jack.
 
My only issue, and it is a minor one, was I was hoping for more of an antiqued linen micarta. A little more color, and a little more texture. Other than that, pretty spot on IMO.
 
Nice OP.
5 for the knife and 5 for the tube art.

This is my first BF knife and it's great, but I was lucky in that I got exactly what I voted for. It will be a user for me (all my knives are), and I carry it with pride. On Christmas Day I was drinking Laphroaig Pedro Ximenez (which is exceptional whisky) with a neighbour and good friend and I took pleasure in explaining about the knife and the process we went through to create it. This makes it that little bit more special, a collective creation, which in a way I find more exciting than a custom. It took a long time coming, but it made it before the new year and I'm extremely happy with the result.

Paul
 
This was my first year, so I don't have prior years to compare it to. I have several other GEC knives and it's at the top of the quality range of those, based on general fit, finish, and styling.

I wasn't a member in time to participate in the polls, and it's probably exactly opposite of everything I would have voted for at the time. But I took a leap of faith and ordered it, and I'm completely happy with the results.

Now if I could only bring myself to actually use and carry it.
 
I've got all the Traditional forum knives with the exception of the first years knife.
This Congress Jack is as good or better then the rest, and we've had a few nice ones!
My only beef is it's carbon steel, but as it was built to the specs of the majority, I'm pleased to have been part of it.
 
Won't be able to vote til it gets here.
Just to rub it in they sent a parcel pickup note today -you know "you have a parcel at the post office waiting to be picked up".
Upon closer inspection after wiping the slobber from my lips with the back of my arm-It was addressed to the Mrs.
grffn stffn toastpoffice hffn!!
 
Mink said:
My only issue, and it is a minor one, was I was hoping for more of an antiqued linen micarta. A little more color, and a little more texture. Other than that, pretty spot on IMO.
Click to expand...

This. It's a great knife though. That sheepsfoot is really great.
 
I'm on a 4 on this one. There is a small gap between shield and scale but other than that it is very nice. It is a very edc friendly pattern with great blades. I don't know if the scale will age with time but I'd like it to be more creamy. There also doesn't seem to be a lot of hype around it. I can remember the 2011 model was extensively talked about. Like last years this is a winner to me and I hope there will be another one next year. I'm also looking forward to regular production of the #13.
 
My two arrived safe and sound today.

Firstly let me say just how much I like the tube art. Beautifully done.

The one knife is absolutely perfect and may be the best modern production traditional I have ever seen.

The other one has a small flaw in that the spring for the pen blade is to weak to snap the blade closed. Instead the blade has to be actually pushed closed. Unfortunately because of the distance and shipping costs I cannot return it for a warranty claim, I will just live with it.
However I would never carry a knife with a flaw like that as it could potentially open in your pocket far enough to give you a real fright.

All in all I am very pleased with them. The fit and finish is excellent and even though these are patterns I do not particularly like, I was most surprised by how nice they were.

I really hope that next year we can have something in stainless, then I will actually start carrying a forum knife…….:o

My thanks to all who made this possible.

Steven
 
The only problem I have with this knife is it's final polish. Overall, it's not bad but there are obvious scratches on the shield, covers, and especially on the spine (springs). They aren't serious but are visible with the naked eye. It has been a problem since their (GEC's) start - poor polishing and has been the topic of more than a few threads.
 
I love this knife. I was so opposed to this pattern during the 2012 voting process, but after learning more about the history of traditionals and having this one in hand, I honestly admit I like it better than the 2012. The quality is very good for a handmade production model (as Ed mentioned, final polishing could be better). I really like the Micarta scales and hope to see more in the future.
 
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Love the design, execution. Just satisfied with the cover material. It was voted on and it was perfectly executed by spec. I would love to get one in the new jigging pattern used with the Diamond jack in antique yellow bone.
 
I voted a 5. Just love this knife, couldn't be happier. I've carried it every day since it arrived. It won't leave my pocket for the whole year. I'll post some pics soon, as it is well on the way to a nice patina.

I haven't been a member too long, but I did participate in last years forum knife also and this one is spot on. Fit and finish is great, there are no quality issues for me on this knife. Its not absolutely prefect but I would never expect it to be, VERY happy with the way it turned out.

I too am hoping the covers age a little and maybe yellow some with time, but the function of the knife is superb and the tube art looked great. I also really like the blade combination and size. I'm glad we went with the lengthier version. Here's hoping for another great one for 2014!

-Casey
 
Overall, I'd say it was the best made Forum Knife I own ( have the 08 Small Stockman Stag, 10 Moose Ebony and 11 Teardrop Jigged Bone).

I was not too struck on the pattern when it won, but I've come round as it's both unusual (a plus point) and very well executed.

No real complaints on the build (those Rat-Tails are excellent) the Micarta, as others have notes, could've been more antique/grainy for character.

Just THINK what it will be like when the blades and springs patina, a fine contrast with the white handles, NS bolsters, shield and liners! :D On top of this, let's not lose sight of the fact we've got an old and scarce pattern in our hands, not many can say that now!:thumbup:

Regards to all and especially to those who made this knife what it is, Will
 
I am very happy with this knife, it is the one I voted for in the polls. Both of mine are near perfect, no gaps, blades centred in the wells, polish is good (no scratches), great swedges. I really like the rattail bolsters and the bar shield. I usually buy two, one to put up and one to carry and usually pick whichever one is less perfect to carry. This year they were both identically great, made no difference which one I picked to carry. They have only one small flaw: the backsprings are flush with the liners when closed and fully open, but up a couple of mm at the half stop. This really doesn't bother me at all.

Dan
 
As one who spent the better part of two years working towards getting this knife made I have to say I've very happy to have them. I am carrying one now, and have been for the past week or so. The only problem I have with the manufacture is there's a very noticable place in the micarta where it's obvious that a gouge was made and it's been polished over. It's not overly noticable, but the break in what should be a clean smooth line is there. So, that means I have no problem whatsoever using the heck out of this knife.

Things I'd prefer? I like my springs a little heavier. And yes, the ivory is "off-white" and could use a little more tan tinting, but that may happen yet. I'm also debating making more of a wharncliff out of the main blade.

I too hope they make a few more runs in this pattern. I want one in tortoise shell resin. and with a curved shield.
 
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