2018 BF Traditional Knife

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NJBillK said:
Ok folks, I have heard back from the Manly contact and this was his message:

Good Morning Bill,

I heard back from the shop. We are very interested, as you probably know we've done already 3 forum knifes.

We can make a custom/forum made modified Manly Wasp without pocket clip. We will use CPM154 steel that we will source from Niagara Specialty Metals. For the scales we can use 3d milled G10 or smooth polished G10, we are also looking into micarta and ironwood as an option.

Slip joint folder with CPM154, G10 (possibly micarta), custom laser engraving including forum logo and serial number, 500pcs - $75
I will confirm the cost for Ironwood as well, but I believe we should be in the same price range.

What would be the time frame for the order? We would like to know how much time do we have to design a knife, make prototypes and plan for 500pcs production run.
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I am waiting to hear back from him on the usage of Ironwood and Micarta. They do use the materials on other knives.

I will be asking about their more traditional patterns as well.
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Those manly knives are super cool! Realistically, though, less than one percent of the people who have completed the poll have expressed interest in the Manly knives even with it being one of the three branded choices. So I think an order of 500 from them would be difficult to fill.
 
Copperberry said:
Those manly knives are super cool! Realistically, though, less than one percent of the people who have completed the poll have expressed interest in the Manly knives even with it being one of the three branded choices. So I think an order of 500 from them would be difficult to fill.
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Unless the knife is another TC Barlow, I think 500 is probably unrealistic anyway :thumbsup:

Sorry Karl, but I doubt the results of that poll will have much significance, whatever the 'results' of it are :thumbsup:
 
Jack Black said:
Unless the knife is another TC Barlow, I think 500 is probably unrealistic anyway :thumbsup:

Sorry Karl, but I doubt the results of that poll will have much significance, whatever the 'results' of it are :thumbsup:
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Oh I absolutely agree that it’s an unofficial poll with no bearing on what gets ordered!

That said, more than 100 data points constitutes a pretty good sample study for gauging collective interest. It’s like a political election — the polls have no bearing on the outcome itself, but they give you a pretty good idea who’s in the running. At this point I would be VERY surprised if the 2018 forum knife were something other than a GEC or Buck. I’m happy to be proven wrong though!

I’m going to get one of whatever we choose, provided it’s in the general price range that others have been.
 
500 is not a realistic number unless it is another TC Barlow, which will not happen. 250 is a more reasonable number for a forum knife, I would think, but might be high if the pattern is not a popular choice. Whoever takes on the project will need to invest considerable funds and have a means of distribution.

Someone mentioned Hess knives, and their blades are made by GEC on special order as far as I know. Andy Hess pretty much does all the hafting with a little help, I imagine, at times. Fixed blades are problematic, however, due to sheath and shipping requirements.

Overseas manufacturing is problematic and difficult, so good luck to anyone who attempts the off-shore build.

JMHDAO :confused:
 
scrteened porch said:
I think anything AGR does is Chinese, which we don't seem to like.

I salute all those who think the forum knife is worth the wrangle. I'm already exhausted.
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You've got to pace yourself. Get in, get frustrated, get out, get excited, get back in, get frustrated, get out, get excited, get back in. . .

:D

In all seriousness, though, here are some considerations that seem to bear repeating, until everyone acknowledges them:

1. We aren't going to need 500 knives unless the pattern is highly coveted (like a #15 barlow or beer scout)
2. We are mostly likely going to need the help of a vendor to handle the shipping of the knives, so working with Enigma or Manly is going to depend on that vendor's willingness/ability to work with those overseas folks.
3. GEC options are limited to the patterns they are producing or will be producing in an upcoming run.

There may be some others, but I think these are fixed issues for us to accept. Perhaps someone with better memory and more careful combing of the thread could add to this list (or correct it if it is mistaken in some detail or another).
 
With respect to order size, guessing in advance sounds like a process that's fraught with peril. :confused::eek:

I'm also a member of a flashlight enthusiast forum (BLF) which usually does a couple of "group buys" per year, and their approach is to find out the manufacturer's minimum order for the light in question (custom-produced to the forum's specs, designed by forum members), solicit interest in the form of posts in a thread ("I'm in!"), and then start the order process once there are enough folks committed to buying one. They typically get more interest than the minimum, at least in my experience, which helps account for the relatively small percentage of folks who commit to buying a light and then don't actually order one.

It feels like there should be a way to secure a forum knife that doesn't involve a massive capital outlay -- along with the attendant financial risk that comes along with it -- from one person/dealer involved in bringing the forum knife to fruition. I'm not sure what that way would be, just thinking aloud here.
 
Copperberry said:
Oh I absolutely agree that it’s an unofficial poll with no bearing on what gets ordered!

That said, more than 100 data points constitutes a pretty good sample study for gauging collective interest. It’s like a political election — the polls have no bearing on the outcome itself, but they give you a pretty good idea who’s in the running. At this point I would be VERY surprised if the 2018 forum knife were something other than a GEC or Buck. I’m happy to be proven wrong though!

I’m going to get one of whatever we choose, provided it’s in the general price range that others have been.
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With a title which states it's 'Just for fun', and some very limited, and arguably fairly random options, put up yesterday, by someone who is entirely new to this process, with respect, calling it an 'unofficial poll' is like calling me an amateur weight-lifter because I just carried my shopping home from the supermarket! :D Trying to use its 'results' in any way whatsoever is probably unwise, to say the least ;) For example, to give GEC, Manly, and Buck as the three named options, and then say, because someone voted for any of those companies, that it “gives a pretty good idea of who's in the running” is, to be kind, nonsense. I can’t see the results of the poll because I didn’t vote in it, partly because I thought it was extremely silly, but also because none of those options meant much to me. If GEC offer us a good pattern, at a reasonable price, that would appeal to me, the same goes for the others – And any other companies that individuals here may suggest or take it upon themselves to approach – But at the moment, I can’t say, and I doubt anyone else can say either, because they’re not in possession of all the facts. If there are to be meaningful polls, they’ll come later, at the moment this is just a bit of silliness :) While I find it amusing, I’m sure there are long-term members who view some of the discourse of the past couple of days with a sense of horror! :eek: Pull up a chair, sit back, take it easy for a while :) :thumbsup:
 
JTB_5 said:
You've got to pace yourself. Get in, get frustrated, get out, get excited, get back in, get frustrated, get out, get excited, get back in. . .

:D

In all seriousness, though, here are some considerations that seem to bear repeating, until everyone acknowledges them:

1. We aren't going to need 500 knives unless the pattern is highly coveted (like a #15 barlow or beer scout)
2. We are mostly likely going to need the help of a vendor to handle the shipping of the knives, so working with Enigma or Manly is going to depend on that vendor's willingness/ability to work with those overseas folks.
3. GEC options are limited to the patterns they are producing or will be producing in an upcoming run.

There may be some others, but I think these are fixed issues for us to accept. Perhaps someone with better memory and more careful combing of the thread could add to this list (or correct it if it is mistaken in some detail or another).
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Exactly. Also, there is considerable financial risk involved.
 
I am almost certain that Enigma couldn't do a run of 200 knives for us.

I am in for Buck. USA made, and it would be special because @greentrout is right - we're getting to customize a knife and no one else can do that. If we go with GEC, werewe're g to have to pick one of the patterns they're running anyway, and I don't see how that's any different from getting a "regular production knife with special handles," only in this case, Buck had offered us or choice of steel, which actually is pretty special. 1095 is what we're probably guaranteed from GEC.
 
Jack Black said:
With a title which states it's 'Just for fun', and some very limited, and arguably fairly random options, put up yesterday, by someone who is entirely new to this process, with respect, calling it an 'unofficial poll' is like calling me an amateur weight-lifter because I just carried my shopping home from the supermarket! :D Trying to use its 'results' in any way whatsoever is probably unwise, to say the least ;) For example, to give GEC, Manly, and Buck as the three named options, and then say, because someone voted for any of those companies, that it “gives a pretty good idea of who's in the running” is, to be kind, nonsense. I can’t see the results of the poll because I didn’t vote in it, partly because I thought it was extremely silly, but also because none of those options meant much to me. If GEC offer us a good pattern, at a reasonable price, that would appeal to me, the same goes for the others – And any other companies that individuals here may suggest or take it upon themselves to approach – But at the moment, I can’t say, and I doubt anyone else can say either, because they’re not in possession of all the facts. If there are to be meaningful polls, they’ll come later, at the moment this is just a bit of silliness :) While I find it amusing, I’m sure there are long-term members who view some of the discourse of the past couple of days with a sense of horror! :eek: Pull up a chair, sit back, take it easy for a while :) :thumbsup:
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Jack, I'm not trying to offend anyone, steer this process in any direction, or claim in any way that the poll I put up has 'results' of consequence. The three brands I listed are the three that thus far have had contact with forum members. It will be interesting and exciting to see if more knife makers throw their name into the hat for a 2018 forum knife! I was simply curious about what the members of this forum seem to be leaning towards, and the standing of the poll thus far are satisfying my curiosity. When I then use the expressed interest of others to state my opinions within this thread, they are still just my opinions and I'm not trying to upset you or build the illusion that I have any say in this matter other than my one vote down the road. I'm just trying to partake in the discourse because I think it's fun.
 
Copperberry said:
Jack, I'm not trying to offend anyone, steer this process in any direction, or claim in any way that the poll I put up has 'results' of consequence. The three brands I listed are the three that thus far have had contact with forum members. It will be interesting and exciting to see if more knife makers throw their name into the hat for a 2018 forum knife! I was simply curious about what the members of this forum seem to be leaning towards, and the standing of the poll thus far are satisfying my curiosity. When I then use the expressed interest of others to state my opinions within this thread, they are still just my opinions and I'm not trying to upset you or build the illusion that I have any say in this matter other than my one vote down the road. I'm just trying to partake in the discourse because I think it's fun.
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Karl,
I think that was a little harsh and was not deserved. I certainly realize you are just participating and having fun with the rest of us. No need for you to stop posting or "take it easy". Continue participating the way you feel comfortable, my friend.
 
NJBillK said:
Unfortunately, the designer (who's name is on the knife, and profits from them) is only a gold member on here, not a vendor not a craftsman. Though he does sell his knives directly to us via the exchange.
So I do not know how this would work logistically.
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As for logistics, they do ship internationally. The Designer is the manufacturer in this case. But if having a designer that's only gold here is a no-go to you I could draw something up when the masses have chosen a basic pattern. That would of course still require them to agree on producing a foreign design and making this many knives.
 
traumkommode said:
I am almost certain that Enigma couldn't do a run of 200 knives for us.

I am in for Buck. USA made, and it would be special because @greentrout is right - we're getting to customize a knife and no one else can do that. If we go with GEC, werewe're g to have to pick one of the patterns they're running anyway, and I don't see how that's any different from getting a "regular production knife with special handles," only in this case, Buck had offered us or choice of steel, which actually is pretty special. 1095 is what we're probably guaranteed from GEC.
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Yeah, I also believe it's too much for them but wanted to throw it out there because you never know for sure
 
JTB_5 said:
You've got to pace yourself. Get in, get frustrated, get out, get excited, get back in, get frustrated, get out, get excited, get back in. . .

:D

In all seriousness, though, here are some considerations that seem to bear repeating, until everyone acknowledges them:

1. We aren't going to need 500 knives unless the pattern is highly coveted (like a #15 barlow or beer scout)
2. We are mostly likely going to need the help of a vendor to handle the shipping of the knives, so working with Enigma or Manly is going to depend on that vendor's willingness/ability to work with those overseas folks.
3. GEC options are limited to the patterns they are producing or will be producing in an upcoming run.

There may be some others, but I think these are fixed issues for us to accept. Perhaps someone with better memory and more careful combing of the thread could add to this list (or correct it if it is mistaken in some detail or another).
Click to expand...

Just wanted to add, Jack posted early in this thread that he was working with Charlie and Bill regarding this years forum knife.
 
Copperberry said:
Jack, I'm not trying to offend anyone, steer this process in any direction, or claim in any way that the poll I put up has 'results' of consequence. The three brands I listed are the three that thus far have had contact with forum members. It will be interesting and exciting to see if more knife makers throw their name into the hat for a 2018 forum knife! I was simply curious about what the members of this forum seem to be leaning towards, and the standing of the poll thus far are satisfying my curiosity. When I then use the expressed interest of others to state my opinions within this thread, they are still just my opinions and I'm not trying to upset you or build the illusion that I have any say in this matter other than my one vote down the road. I'm just trying to partake in the discourse because I think it's fun.
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You're certainly not upsetting me Karl, not at all, as I said, I find this amusing :) I hope I haven't given you any offence either, I'm simply responding to your posts. The three brands you listed are NOT brands that have been in touch with forum members, they are brands which forum members have been in touch with, that's a significant difference .Your poll may be satisfying your curiosity, but please don't start talking about percentages or data points, or pretending that it's "A pretty good sample study" rather than a bit of fun :thumbsup:
 
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