2015 Forum Knife - It's Never Too Early To Think About the Next Blade Forum Knife

[r8shell]

A punchnut?

Better than the other way around.

I think this would be a neat pattern to do in a bright colored acrylic. Kind of a fancy version of those old celluloid advertising knives.

 

[Chris Montgomery]

Better than the other way around.

I think this would be a neat pattern to do in a bright colored acrylic. Kind of a fancy version of those old celluloid advertising knives.

That one made me laugh out loud.

Chris

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Back to fixed blades....

Nessmuks
Kepharts
Loveless Sport
Bird and Trout

All in big or small sizes would be cool.

 

[glassjaw]

I think this thread is one of my favorites.

Gabe

 

[Ballenxj]

Back to fixed blades....

Nessmuks
Kepharts
Loveless Sport
Bird and Trout

All in big or small sizes would be cool.

The Kepharts and Loveless Sport could be winners.
There are a lot of Bird & Trout patterns to choose from, and that in itself might require yet another vote. Not ruling it out though.

 

[eisman]

All you guys asking for fixed blades, and where were you when they had a forum fixed blade. As far as I know I'm the only guy with both a fixed and a folder from that year. And $80? You really don't want to know what they ran.

I bring this up for two reasons, 1. traditional fixed blades were rarely pocketable, and 2. we're going right back to the argument that the forum knife should be something special. I can get a Nessemuk, or a Sodbuster, or
many of the otherwise mentioned knives, and even custom made for they're not going to run much. As the multiple SFO's (from various dealers) show, there's a real market for limited exclusivity. Those are the knives it's fun to collect, and one of the rare ways we can actually get value from the purchase. Case makes loads of SFO's (take a look at One of the dealers who specializes in Case if you don't believe me) but because they're not that exclusive they sell well under MSRP for decades and rarely gain value. Whereas a 2011 BF Traditional can easily sell for twice the initial cost.

While I like fixed blades, the fact is this forum is dominated by folders, and if it were my money being shelled out I'd want to make sure the final product sold out. I'm even of the opinion (see my back threads) that the number should be limited to 100, and first come, first served, and the heck with the price. I've seen what happens when people say they'll buy and then can't produce; that dang near killed the whole forum knife concept a couple years ago.

Here's what I'd like to see this year, and I'll probably commission one. Or we can wait until Case/Bose do the pattern, but then for that kind of money a custom isn't out of line.

 

[RobbW]

I could really get into a Sharpfinger made by the "New Schrade", Canal Street. It would be nostalgic coming from them, and I bet nostalgic for most of the workers to build that pattern again. It's made by so many companies now I'm sure there are no copyrights on the design.

 

[Ballenxj]

All you guys asking for fixed blades, and where were you when they had a forum fixed blade. As far as I know I'm the only guy with both a fixed and a folder from that year. And $80? You really don't want to know what they ran.

OK, You have my attention, tell me what happened there, and what year was it?

I bring this up for two reasons, 1. traditional fixed blades were rarely pocketable,

This is why I mentioned a small necker knife above.
Is this the fixed blade forum knife you're talking about? That's a BEAUT! Tell us more about it, and what year it came out?

 

[knarfeng]

Here's what I'd like to see this year, and I'll probably commission one. Or we can wait until Case/Bose do the pattern, but then for that kind of money a custom isn't out of line.

That pattern would get my vote.
That combination of blades is close enough to my favorite, pen and sheepsfoot, that I would go for it. Bring it in at 3 5/8" in either that frame or a simple equal end and I'd be all over it. Stainless would be nice, but it probably ain't gonna happen on a forum knife. I'd still go for that pattern even in Carbon steel.

 

[eisman]

in 2012 both the Traditional and Custom forums did a "forum" knife. The two in the picture posted above were the ones chosen. The Traditional Forum was determined thru a rather painful process; the Custom Forum pretty much driven by one person. Charles Vestal built 15 knives, they were sold first come, first served (it took about 10 minutes as I recall). Payment up front and wait a year. If you can find somebody to sell you one you'll pay considerably more than they cost. I'm pretty sure Charles was tired of this pattern by the time he finished all of them.

One of the interesting points from that year is we did have a suggestion of doing a Loveless style folder; it was determined not to be "traditional".

 

[Old & In The Way]

That pattern would get my vote.

That one would get my vote too. :thumbup:

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

in 2012 both the Traditional and Custom forums did a "forum" knife. The two in the picture posted above were the ones chosen. The Traditional Forum was determined thru a rather painful process; the Custom Forum pretty much driven by one person. Charles Vestal built 15 knives, they were sold first come, first served (it took about 10 minutes as I recall). Payment up front and wait a year. If you can find somebody to sell you one you'll pay considerably more than they cost. I'm pretty sure Charles was tired of this pattern by the time he finished all of them.

One of the interesting points from that year is we did have a suggestion of doing a Loveless style folder; it was determined not to be "traditional".

The Wilderness and Survival Forum has also done fixed blade knives- one by Koster that I think had done issues with time, but did not participate due to the issues I had previously from the maker and on two of the three other knives. NWA- Nick Allen, produced a beautiful fixed blade of immaculate quality, while the other maker slapped together his knives, and still owes me two of them that obviously I'll never see. I will admit that I am a bit wary of dealing with fixed blades as a forum knife as a result, as I don't see the top companies dealing with us for our price point, and I am wary of mid range manufacturers or possible semi custom shops as a result of me experiences. And I am a hobbyest custom maker myself.

NWA:

Apparently from '07

Plus exclusivity shouldn't be what the porch is about!! Fifteen knives- while customs in the big bear Loveless design and gorgeous, would not embrace the feel here. If the forum knife isn't too big to organize then everybody shod be included. I would hate to see the forum knife go the way of so many other SFO's and be marked up in price three times before deciding it's too valuable to use!! If everybody that wants one gets one, it's easier for the knife to be used as a knife!

But above is just my opinion and I would love to get the Forum Cannitler, as I hadn't discovered this forum yet, but would use that beautiful knife as soon as I got it.

Here's to getting talk back to my preferred PunchNut! Or punch eureka stockman! Or punch small gunstock, or.........

 

[Codger_64]

I could really get into a Sharpfinger made by the "New Schrade", Canal Street. It would be nostalgic coming from them, and I bet nostalgic for most of the workers to build that pattern again. It's made by so many companies now I'm sure there are no copyrights on the design.

That would be "Trade Dress" to TBLLC and Canal Street would not touch it with a ten foot pole, having already had several dealings with Stewart Taylor's legal machine.

What could be done is to purchase a number of the pictured SGS-1 Schrade gift sets, have the knives etched and a custom matching brass plate adhered over the printed Schrade logo in the tray. But then you are well beyond the suggested price point. The stock SGS-1 sets are now fetching $100+ on the secondary market.

But I don't think one could reproduce the fiberboard gift box, lid and tray, do the etches and provide a pair of knives for less unless one went with the China-made Taylor knives. Is that what you want? Stewart would likely do that if it was requested. I am not aware of many Schrade collectors who would want one of those sets though, custom etches or not.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

All you guys asking for fixed blades, and where were you when they had a forum fixed blade. As far as I know I'm the only guy with both a fixed and a folder from that year. And $80? You really don't want to know what they ran.

I bring this up for two reasons, 1. traditional fixed blades were rarely pocketable, and 2. we're going right back to the argument that the forum knife should be something special. I can get a Nessemuk, or a Sodbuster, or
many of the otherwise mentioned knives, and even custom made for they're not going to run much. [/IMG]

Here's what I'd like to see this year, and I'll probably commission one. Or we can wait until Case/Bose do the pattern, but then for that kind of money a custom isn't out of line.

I don't think I was on the forum then.

1. No reason we can't make one pocketable.
2. Just because it's a common pattern, doesn't mean it can't be tweaked to something special.

I like your suggestion too. I'd have to get one.

 

[Codger_64]

As an added thought, I am going to be visiting the principals of a major knife manufacturer here sometime in the next couple of weeks. I would be glad to mention the idea of a forum fixed blade knife to them if you were interested. However understand they do not specialize in traditional knives, but do have a selection of small fixed blades. Also they are not in the low pricepoint market.

 

[philllll]

Here's what I'd like to see this year, and I'll probably commission one. Or we can wait until Case/Bose do the pattern, but then for that kind of money a custom isn't out of line.

That one is a beauty! I could get on board with that.

This is why I mentioned a small necker knife above.

An ESEE Izula style necker is not tradtional.

 

[Will Power]

Eisman's points are in my opinion, absolutely valid.

While I'm not against a fixed-blade per-se, I question the likelihood of getting a consensus or getting a lowish price on one. Traditional fixed are for me not really a small knife,I dislike neck knives and being in Puukkot-land I'm not that much in need of a lightweight, inexpensive practical fixed-blade

The Erickson he shows as an example is a real draw. Alternatively, GEC's 57 frame could be used or the forthcoming 38 for a SINGLE-SPRING 2 Blade knife:thumbup: There's there's the alluring prospect of an 81 as a single-spring Senator Clip/Sheepfoot. Many targets could be hit with this type of knife: costs kept low due to an existing frame with different blades or materials, not yet had a single-spring 2 blade knife, collector aspect/something rare could be useful too for some (the 2011 Knife goes for a lot, not important to me mind) Did I mention the need for stainless for once?? Oh yes and Smooth Bone another first

All food for thought.

Thanks, Will

 

[RRaconteur]

That Erickson!!! I love everything about that thing! Money has been tight, and the Frau has been cracking down on knife purchases lately (probably for good reason &#128516, but I would buy one of those for sure!


Michael

 

[gunstockjack]

There are some other drawbacks to producing a short run fixed blade: shipping is more expensive, sheaths need to be considered, and packaging is another possible stumbling block. (it's likely we can't just print a label and put it on a blank tube, like last year)

Personally, I think a folder is the only viable option here, and like last year we will need to work with a manufacturer who is willing to produce a short run of knives for us. I believe that leaves us with only two, or possibly one mfg. option.

That said, the new 38 frame coming out by GEC might be just the ticket for a knife similar to what Eisman posted. Check it out on GEC's webpage. http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/gallery/38-2/

 

[Mink]

That pattern would get my vote.
That combination of blades is close enough to my favorite, pen and sheepsfoot, that I would go for it. Bring it in at 3 5/8" in either that frame or a simple equal end and I'd be all over it. Stainless would be nice, but it probably ain't gonna happen on a forum knife. I'd still go for that pattern even in Carbon steel.

I do believe GEC is tooling up for that pattern right now. Might be a sign.