2018 BF Knife Poll X: The Final Say

Choose your Knife Package!

  • Non Grooved Bolsters & Standard Cardboard Box: $81 (+/- 5%)

    Votes: 146 39.2%

  • Non Grooved Bolsters, Cardboard Box, & Leather Pouch: $88 (+/- 5%)

    Votes: 29 7.8%

  • Non Grooved Bolsters & Pine Box: $92 (+/- 5%)

    Votes: 2 0.5%

  • Non Grooved Bolsters, Pine Box, & Leather Pouch: $99 (+/- 5%)

    Votes: 10 2.7%

  • Grooved Bolsters & Standard Cardboard Box: $104 (+/- 5%)

    Votes: 161 43.3%

  • Grooved Bolsters & Pine Box: $115 (+/- 5%)

    Votes: 24 6.5%
  • Total voters
    372
  • Poll closed .
Modoc ED said:
What do you wanna bet that that $23.00 (+/- 5%) will be a deal breaker for some?
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If your argument centers on affordability, then we’re on the same page. I have previously stated that. Saying something is or isn’t worth it is a matter of opinion, not fact.

As it looks now, we are all lollygagging about a dead issue. It’s going to be non-grooved.
 
Super close right now... 50.9% to 49.1% after a week of voting and 367 votes cast! Another nail biter finish!
 
I can feel this getting messy... this poll has a "electoral college" feel to it where the option with the most votes isn't going to win.
 
FLymon said:
I would say that I have seen grooves worth that or more, but I have never seen grooves on a Buck knife that I would want at any price.
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veitsi_poika said:
This is what the original Buck 301 grooved bolsters looked like... if they are anything close to this, my vote is for Groovy Baby ;)

View attachment 928214
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Since there's only been the early Schrade made Buck 301 with grooved bolsters not a lot to compare! Preston
 
Man this is going to be close! Almost bed time in this part of the world, I'll wake up to the results. Go smooth bolsters!
 
Charlie & Gary: I changed my vote from Non-Grooved to Grooved because of your deep experience with the history of traditional knives. I’ve found that even when I have a different initial aesthetic take, I eventually come around to your views when I think about the “why” of your opinions, and when I gain more experience learning about the historical development of a certain traditional pattern.

I remember Charlie stating that having Clip AND Wharncliffe blades on the 2009 BFC Barlow was historically rare and would give “braggin’ rights” so I voted that way. It looked “different” at first, and I didn’t really care for the look as we were voting on blade configuration. But now I’m so glad that design won out because I love my Wharncliffe BFC Barlow. It’s different, awesome, and much sought after.

I feel the same about the grooved bolsters this year. At first they didn’t appeal to me because of the nature of elk handles, but now that I’ve had some time to consider them, and to see historic examples of them on premium knives, they do look “right”.

Don’t know if one changed vote will ultimately be enough, but for what it’s worth...
 
waynorth said:
Traditionally, grooved bolsters signified a premium knife. They give a knife a richness of detail. Plain is easy to find. Well done grooved or rattailed bolsters are timeless! Worth the cost I say!!
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I can't agree with you more Charlie.

Looking at online photos of elk handled knives with lined or grooved bolsters, I didn't see any that I thought would have looked better smooth.

I'm not loving the idea of spending extra money, but we only have one shot to get this 100% right, and I'd hate to sacrifice the finishing touches on an amazing knife over the price of a Blu-ray.
 
Behr95 said:
I can feel this getting messy... this poll has a "electoral college" feel to it where the option with the most votes isn't going to win.
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I suppose if grooved won, it wouldn't seem messy. But in my mind, it's as simple as can be. You want grooved, then vote grooved. You want smooth, then vote smooth. I don't get the confusion from everyone that it's "weighted" or unfair. No one that wants grooved, is going to vote for any one of the 4 options that are smooth. No one that wants smooth, is going to vote for any of the options that are grooved. Simple.
 
I want to say, that if this knife goes the +5% over the cost and we end up with a $109 dollar knife, plus shipping, I believe we will have violated the $100 limit mark too thoroughly. I'm not even sure Spark will sign off on a $104 knife. If Grooved wins out, I will give it my best to get the price to hit more on the -5% mark.
 
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FWIW, Stephen, I whole heartily agree this is 'the final say'. It is close and has been a fantastic ride through the entire series of polls. Thank you again for all that you and Buck have done. I'm looking forward to this knife, go grooved, take state! Preston
 
Spark gets the final say no matter what. And that's cool, it's been a hell of a ride indeed!:thumbsup:
 
Charlie, your argument has convinced me too . . . you prefer grooved bolsters! ;)
I still don't, as I just think they don't work on THIS knife. Like I said before, in general I prefer the bling, just not here.
As I'm in for two either way, it really doesn't matter a whole lot to me. The knife is a stone cold steal, with or without.
 
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