2014 Forum Knife

While we wait for Charlie's next move (poll maybe?) I will express a few random thoughts on the matter.
First, it's probably not fair to judge the book by the cover, since the GEC project setup is obviously way more appealing than the CSC one. On the other side, both specimens have siblings that we can use as reference (the CSC Half Moon Trapper and the GEC #78 American Jack) which makes it somehow easier to picture the final knife. I was hoping for something totally different myself (something on the CSC Barlow frame, or a totally new frame for GEC - maybe a saddlehorn?) but I wasn't lucky. :p
I would go for the single bladed clip version, no matter what offer we take. Time for a single bladed BF slipjoint ;)
As for steel, I'd also like a stainless version...but it's a hard fight for us Raquel Welch fans :rolleyes:
As for the pull tension, if we go with GEC, I'll just pray :D
Now, back to the only important thing in this post: thank you Charlie, CSC and GEC :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
quattromori said:
While we wait for Charlie's next move (poll maybe?) I will express a few random thoughts on the matter.
First, it's probably not fair to judge the book by the cover, since the GEC project setup is obviously way more appealing than the CSC one. On the other side, both specimens have siblings that we can use as reference (the CSC Half Moon Trapper and the GEC #78 American Jack) which makes it somehow easier to picture the final knife. I was hoping for something totally different myself (something on the CSC Barlow frame, or a totally new frame for GEC - maybe a saddlehorn?) but I wasn't lucky. :p
I would go for the single bladed clip version, no matter what offer we take. Time for a single bladed BF slipjoint ;)
As for steel, I'd also like a stainless version...but it's a hard fight for us Raquel Welch fans :rolleyes:
As for the pull tension, if we go with GEC, I'll just pray :D
Now, back to the only important thing in this post: thank you Charlie, CSC and GEC :)

Fausto
:cool:
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I'm pretty sure the GEC is a new frame. Look at the measurements, their not the same as the 79 frame. And just by looking at it it does not appear to be as bulky looking...to me at least, it looks more slender.
 
Just on a personal note. I am in for one no matter the choice, but I strongly prefer GEC and would buy more than one at the price mentioned. My experience with the half-moon I had was less than stellar and required me sending it back and Eric correcting a few issues. I understand their QC has improved since that one was made, but still gives me pause.

YMMV
 
gunstockjack said:
If the GEC design is chosen, I, for one, would like to see it have lighter spring tension than the 78, which is a real nail breaker with a pull of around 9 on the 1-10 scale. I pulled one out to check my memory, and they are stiff. Makes it tough for those of us with RA to open. I have it opened to max tension and sitting on my desk alongside a similarly sprung 23 jack also opened to the corner of the tang. I'll check them after they set like that for a few months and I hope they are easier to open.
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+1 :thumbup:

I've learned to live with the pull on my #78 American Jack (it's eased slighty with use and after doing the same thing that Barry did with his); however, if the 2014 Forum knife were to arrive at our doorsteps with a similar pull, I believe we would be in for an epic train wreck. I generally favor strong pulls, but the #78 is problematic.
 
MerryMadMonk said:
Yep :) but close enough to the #78 to cause concern... at least on my part.
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This is not meant to be curt or short and doesn't apply to just you Al but I just don't understand why people that don't like a heavy pull on a knife continue to buy GEC knives when most of their knives probably average a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. I personally like a heavy pull but there are plenty who do not. Anyway, I'd prefer CSC but that will be determined in the polling.
 
I like a good strong spring, but prefer them to be in the 6-8 range max. Early model GEC 73's and 23's (the only patterns made at first) have notoriously stiff springs, along with the not-quite-as-stiff 78, but other patterns like the 92, 15, 66, etc. are more in the 5-6 range and open much more easily. The long nail nicks generally offer less mechanical leverage than the crescent nick, so spring tension may seem stronger with these.

I used to have less trouble with my hands when I was younger, and I think this is a lot of us older guys complaint, especially if you have some arthritis. I have strong thumbnails, but some patterns chip them anyway, so I tend to prefer a folder that offers somewhat less resistance than the 78. That said, I still love the pattern.



O'course I would like to tweak it just a little:



Apologies to you pile side pen fans. ;)
 
I wouldn't mind and kind of would like it if there was no shield on the 2014 Forum Knife so as not to take away from the figuring of the stag.
 
Modoc ED said:
I wouldn't mind and kind of would like it if there was no shield on the 2014 Forum Knife so as not to take away from the figuring of the stag.
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I was thinking the same thing, Ed. Depending on the thickness of the stag, the shield might sit rather deep in the scale (being difficult to get a nice, flush shield due to variations in stag thickness). And, as you said, let more of the natural stag beauty show through unimpeded. :cool:
 
Modoc ED said:
I wouldn't mind and kind of would like it if there was no shield on the 2014 Forum Knife so as not to take away from the figuring of the stag.
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I'm not a huge fan of stag myself but I always thought that (aside from custom knives - maybe!), stag covers look better without a shield. As for the GEC frame, it might be new but it looks alot like the #78 frame (great for reference). :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Those Canal Streets look nice, but GEC outdid themselves again. My vote is for GEC. I am a sucker for long pulls on knives though. Both single and double blade versions look great.
 
Reading about the pulls is interesting. My #15 Radios are about perfect. Haven't tried a # 78.

And Sophia Loren must be Raquel's cousin.
 
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TO THE POLLS!
townsfolk-HouseofFrank2.jpg
 
Modoc ED said:
This is not meant to be curt or short and doesn't apply to just you Al but I just don't understand why people that don't like a heavy pull on a knife continue to buy GEC knives when most of their knives probably average a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. I personally like a heavy pull but there are plenty who do not. Anyway, I'd prefer CSC but that will be determined in the polling.
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Personally, 7-8 pull is what I prefer. The American Jack (#78) had a pull of about 9+ to me. I have some of the earlier GEC knives (#23, #53, #54) with strong pulls and the #23 is the only one as strong as the #78. When cautioned by a couple of dealers that the #78 had particularly strong pull, I accepted the challenge :) ... I know that with use it will get better over time; however, I doubt there would be a majority of people (based on what I've read here over the past couple of years) who would be happy with that strong of a pull on the Forum knife.

I know Charlie will take care of us... just adding some info that he may not be aware of about that particular pattern (#78) which looks like a first cousin to GEC's proposed pattern (#77).
 
Thanks for all your work on this, Charlie. And the unsungs in the background too.

Right now I'm leaning towards the GEC offering but would prefer no wharncliff. Also, if GEC gets the nod, I'd prefer a pull more like unto their White Owl's or the SFO's they have done for Charlie. Not nail breakers like on the 73 I finally sold off.
 
Both look good, though I'm leaning toward the GEC single blade.

Either way, I'm in for one. Also, I'd prefer a shieldless knife this go-around, as well, especially if it's a CS, as their glued shields tend to fall off, based on first-hand experience on 2 of 3 CSC knives I've owned.

Thanks, Charlie, et. al. for the behind the scenes work being done for us.
 
I would also prefer a pull similar to that of the Charlows, and the 73s with lanyard holes. I have a 73 that I bought here with some damage, that is my beater. It snaps like a pee-oed snapping turtle, but is a workhorse. It has smoothed out over time though. GEC lessened the pull on a single blade 23 of mine, and I think after a couple cyclings, it will smooth out.

I would hope they wouldn't want a flood of forum knives coming back to be redone in regards to the pulls.
 
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