2018 BF Knife Poll 5.301 - Materials Battle Royale

Which handle material for the 2018 BF Knife?

  • Ironwood

    Votes: 137 38.8%

  • Elk

    Votes: 179 50.7%

  • Burlap Micarta

    Votes: 37 10.5%
  • Total voters
    353
  • Poll closed .
I voted for ironwood for the following reasons.

Elk is very nice... as long as it is not "saddle shaped", "too thick or fat", "chalky looking" or "just plain ugly"! Let's face it, elk stag is quite subjective when it comes to individual taste, runs the entire range of what I just described, and may be an issue shipping to some countries due to import/export laws. I fear elk will spawn a bunch of "less than desireable" forum knives, and ironwood is a better choice for those reasons. Of course, some ironwood is prettier than other plainer pieces of the same wood, but at least the size and shape (and therefore pocketability) are consistent.

Mt.Pokt showed a nice example of elk stag on his 303, but I ordered two of these and while one was fine, the other was really chalky looking and severely saddle shaped. I sold it because it was not acceptable to me at all.

CHANGE YOUR VOTES TO IRONWOOD to avoid unacceptable elk stag covers, or take your chances of getting an ugly/skinny/fat/saddle shaped or chalky example.
 
gunstockjack said:
I voted for ironwood for the following reasons.

Elk is very nice... as long as it is not "saddle shaped", "too thick or fat", "chalky looking" or "just plain ugly"! Let's face it, elk stag is quite subjective when it comes to individual taste, runs the entire range of what I just described, and may be an issue shipping to some countries due to import/export laws. I fear elk will spawn a bunch of "less than desireable" forum knives, and ironwood is a better choice for those reasons. Of course, some ironwood is prettier than other plainer pieces of the same wood, but at least the size and shape (and therefore pocketability) are consistent.

Mt.Pokt showed a nice example of elk stag on his 303, but I ordered two of these and while one was fine, the other was really chalky looking and severely saddle shaped. I sold it because it was not acceptable to me at all.

CHANGE YOUR VOTES TO IRONWOOD to avoid unacceptable elk stag covers, or take your chances of getting an ugly/skinny/fat/saddle shaped or chalky example.
Click to expand...
You make good points, and I know you've seen and handled more examples of elk than I have.

If the quality in a run of elk is too inconsistent, many will be disappointed.
With Micarta, every knife will look exactly the same. Where's the fun in that?
Ironwood has the potential to look amazing, and worst case is it's a little boring but not ugly.

Ironwood is the cover Goldilocks likes. :thumbsup:

:D
 
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: r8shell. I think a lot of people voting for elk are thinking they'll get WOW covers, and a few probably will. But none of the choices have the possibility of disappointment like elk does. We know what the micarta will be, and to me, it just isn't appropriate on a sub 4" pocket knife. A large, hard use knife or fixed blade, yes, but not a 3¾" stockman. Ironwood is the safest, best looking, and most appropriate cover material for this knife, which must be ordered SIGHT UNSEEN.
 
I voted for Ram's Horn, Bocote and burlap. Of the three choices now burlap is my third choice. Burlap would be the safest, logical choice.

Elk, being the most unpredictable, would I like some assurance that the Elk on my knife would suit my likes and dislikes, you bet I would! Do I think that is possible, no, not at this price point. Buck is a great company and has excellent customer service but they are in it to make money and doing custom, hand picked and fitted scales on 250 301s at about $100.00 is not gonna happen.

I haven't voted yet so I could be bought.:D Preston
 
I voted for ironwood, and would buy a burlap knife, but am most likely not going to buy a knife with elk on it. The elk that I would want might as well be smooth white bone, or at least even thickness and "standard" thickness at all points, like I would get with a knife with wood.

gunstockjack said:
I voted for ironwood for the following reasons.

Elk is very nice... as long as it is not "saddle shaped", "too thick or fat", "chalky looking" or "just plain ugly"! Let's face it, elk stag is quite subjective when it comes to individual taste, runs the entire range of what I just described, and may be an issue shipping to some countries due to import/export laws. I fear elk will spawn a bunch of "less than desireable" forum knives, and ironwood is a better choice for those reasons. Of course, some ironwood is prettier than other plainer pieces of the same wood, but at least the size and shape (and therefore pocketability) are consistent.

Mt.Pokt showed a nice example of elk stag on his 303, but I ordered two of these and while one was fine, the other was really chalky looking and severely saddle shaped. I sold it because it was not acceptable to me at all.

CHANGE YOUR VOTES TO IRONWOOD to avoid unacceptable elk stag covers, or take your chances of getting an ugly/skinny/fat/saddle shaped or chalky example.
Click to expand...
 
Both Ironwood and Burlap are far more 'safe' than elk, I've voted burlap but I'll happily change to nix the elk option when it comes down to the line. I have a feeling burlap isn't going to make it. :(
 
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gunstockjack said:
I voted for ironwood for the following reasons.

Elk is very nice... as long as it is not "saddle shaped", "too thick or fat", "chalky looking" or "just plain ugly"! Let's face it, elk stag is quite subjective when it comes to individual taste, runs the entire range of what I just described, and may be an issue shipping to some countries due to import/export laws. I fear elk will spawn a bunch of "less than desireable" forum knives, and ironwood is a better choice for those reasons. Of course, some ironwood is prettier than other plainer pieces of the same wood, but at least the size and shape (and therefore pocketability) are consistent.

Mt.Pokt showed a nice example of elk stag on his 303, but I ordered two of these and while one was fine, the other was really chalky looking and severely saddle shaped. I sold it because it was not acceptable to me at all.

CHANGE YOUR VOTES TO IRONWOOD to avoid unacceptable elk stag covers, or take your chances of getting an ugly/skinny/fat/saddle shaped or chalky example.
Click to expand...

The 2014 Forum knife thanks to the generosity of Mr. John Lloyd also had wonderful examples & some meehh.
But at least the knives had some distinct differences in appearance, it was your knife.
Mine was kind of middle of the road, not outstanding but I was glad to get one & it is still my favorite GEC knife.
I'll take my chances with Elk,life is a crap shoot enjoy the ride.
 
So ironwood is "safer" than elk. I can see that.

I know that I may not end up with the most gorgeous sample, and I'm fine with that risk. It would be uniquely mine, and special.

For me, voting for the safe choice isn't always best.

Safe (ironwood):​
IMG_20180524_114150.jpg

Less safe (elk):​
IMG_20180524_114215.jpg
 
Sabercat said:
So ironwood is "safer" than elk. I can see that.

I know that I may not end up with the most gorgeous sample, and I'm fine with that risk. It would be uniquely mine, and special.

For me, voting for the safe choice isn't always best.

Safe (ironwood):​
View attachment 911911

Less safe (elk):​
View attachment 911912
Click to expand...

Can I perhaps suggest the the correct corollary for your 'safe' volvo example is what might happen with elk?

volvo.jpg


:D:D:D
 
skblades said:
I am working with Buck right now on some samples. It sounds like they can put some pretty strict guidelines on the type of elk and pairing, matching etc. that gets used. I'll keep you posted.
Click to expand...
You may have just bought my vote!:D

Thanks, Stephen, for all that you have done to make this fun, exciting and enjoyable. Preston
 
Pomsbz said:
I have to say that the breadth of options that Buck are happy to talk about and offer has been incredible.
Click to expand...

I agree. SK has been an outstanding middle-man between Buck and the Forum Mob. And I don't think anyone can complain at all about Buck, they are giving us nearly everything we ask for. It's great to see how customer friendly they are.
 
skblades said:
I am working with Buck right now on some samples. It sounds like they can put some pretty strict guidelines on the type of elk and pairing, matching etc. that gets used. I'll keep you posted.
Click to expand...

This is great, would love to see what we're looking at.
 
Pomsbz said:
I have to say that the breadth of options that Buck are happy to talk about and offer has been incredible.
Click to expand...

Rookie82 said:
I agree. SK has been an outstanding middle-man between Buck and the Forum Mob. And I don't think anyone can complain at all about Buck, they are giving us nearly everything we ask for. It's great to see how customer friendly they are.
Click to expand...

And it's been FUN!
 
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