2018 BF Traditional Knife

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SV-97 said:
As said, Frost own hen&rooster for the US, Klaas for Germany/Europe. Frost does whatever they want and Klaas produces 100% in Solingen.
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Well done for reaching out my friend :) However, I have to say that I don't think Robert Klaas, once a great name in German cutlery, can now make any claims for their products to have any integrity at all. They have licensed their name out, to the extent that even THEY don't know where knives carrying their name are made. As a result, they are viewed with suspicion, even contempt (well deserved in my opinion), and while they are not the only old firm to follow this route, like the others, they have nobody to blame, but themselves. Personally, I'd rather have a knife I know to made in China (I'm old enough to remember when knives made in Japan were also viewed with contempt), rather than one where the provenance is dubious :thumbsup:
 
Well we're still waiting for GEC to declare any interest in this year's effort......they have made the vast majority of Forum Knives but in the past couple of years I've had the distinct impression that they were beginning to regard it as almost an imposition on their production schedule o_O maybe it's a subtle hint:D
 
Will Power said:
Well we're still waiting for GEC to declare any interest in this year's effort......they have made the vast majority of Forum Knives but in the past couple of years I've had the distinct impression that they were beginning to regard it as almost an imposition on their production schedule o_O maybe it's a subtle hint:D
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I have to say, it's been refreshing to hear from some companies who don't just think they're doing us a favour :rolleyes:
 
First off, big thanks to SV and SK, (and anyone else I missed) for gathering all this info. I’m watching closely to see where this goes. Hopefully someone in charge here can step into the conversation and let us know if there’s anything in discussion with GEC or if any of the ideas mentioned in this thread might be the way to go. Personally I tend to prefer singleblade, but might be on board for a stockman or scout. I like natural covers best and have no real preference on stainless or carbon. However, seeing a lot of makers starting to dip into “higher end” steels makes me think it might be an idea to incorporate that into the forum knife, this years knife showing this years trend kinda thing. Lots of good ideas in this thread to work on, perhaps to use to get a jump on next years as well?
 
Jack Black said:
Well done for reaching out my friend :) However, I have to say that I don't think Robert Klaas, once a great name in German cutlery, can now make any claims for their products to have any integrity at all. They have licensed their name out, to the extent that even THEY don't know where knives carrying their name are made. As a result, they are viewed with suspicion, even contempt (well deserved in my opinion), and while they are not the only old firm to follow this route, like the others, they have nobody to blame, but themselves. Personally, I'd rather have a knife I know to made in China (I'm old enough to remember when knives made in Japan were also viewed with contempt), rather than one where the provenance is dubious :thumbsup:
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I actually read it up quickly on their site. There it states that Frost is only a retailer for the US market. Not really sure whom to believe at this point. I have a few incoming to convince myself of their quality (or lack thereof). As for the Frost cutlery stuff, I have to agree, I definetly wouldn't buy it and always had them in mind as a kind of crappy-knife company. With Klaas themselves I don't believe in any way that their not made in Germany. But at this point I'd agree that they're not the right choice for the forum knife.
 
"... Buying from say, China, only enriches the Chinese military government and armed forces, a US importer, and their stuff is never built right or built well...."

What a load of hooey!

This is not the 1950's. The government there does not own or control all the factories.

The Buck 37x, 38x, and others are made in China. They have the same FOREVER warranty that their Idaho made knives do, so they must be "built right".
Some other US knife companies that contract with Chinese manufacturing include SMKW (Rough Rider, Marbles, and other house brands) USA, Taylor, and BTI Schrade, Cold Steel, Spiderco, Gerber, CRKT, and many more.
I believe WE and REATE are both well thought of high end knives manufactured in China.
Apple/MAC has the iPhone, iPand, and their laptops made in China.
As for a Made in USA Television, I don't think there has been one for at least 40 years.
Cellphones/Smartphones, none are made in the USA.
That car in your driveway or in your garage, regardless of brand has Chinese parts and components - as well as parts and components from Mexico, South America, Canada, and Europe.

A friend of mine moved his Yacht Manufacturing company from Tampa, Florida to China.
He produces multi-million dollar 100 foot plus motor yachts in China now, and they are "built right", and his company, and facilities are not owned by the government. He also has a MUCH lower US Tax bill on his corporate income. His Corporation is still based in Tampa; the manufacturing, and upgrading of existing yachts (regardless of who the original manufacturer was) is done in China. His labor costs were also greatly reduced, and he does not pay "slave labor" rates, nor does he use sweatshop labor for anything.

As for "enriching the government and military" do you really think for an instant that Corporate taxes and your income taxes don't line the pockets of the politicians and buy military hardware here in the USA?!
 
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I think everyone is getting a little too worked up.

1. It’s gonna take someone willing to do this and have Spark’s blessing.
2. It’s gonna take capital.
3. There’s gonna be QC issues that no one wants to deal with and even less if it’s an another country. It would be a nightmare to return some, get through customs, deal with patrons impatient attitudes and refunds.
4. It’s not a small undertaking to fulfill 500 orders - either from a manufacturer or dealer.

Has anyone gotten Barry’s attitude toward this? What about Charlie’s?

It’s great to speculate, but to start throwing out the details of a project that will have very little to do with the members besides buying them is naive. There’s a lot of consumerism, ego, and naivety in this thread and very little pragmatism.

I will absolutely be procuring an example or two...if it ever happens. Realistically, I will buy whatever is produced and will have next to nothing to do with the process besides procuring. Moreover, all the speculation out here is probably gonna make the two who will likely be responsible for this project run away.
 
HST said:
I think everyone is getting a little too worked up.

1. It’s gonna take someone willing to do this and have Spark’s blessing.
2. It’s gonna take capital.
3. There’s gonna be QC issues that no one wants to deal with and even less if it’s an another country. It would be a nightmare to return some, get through customs, deal with patrons impatient attitudes and refunds.
4. It’s not a small undertaking to fulfill 500 orders - either from a manufacturer or dealer.

Has anyone gotten Barry’s attitude toward this? What about Charlie’s?

It’s great to speculate, but to start throwing out the details of a project that will have very little to do with the members besides buying them is naive. There’s a lot of consumerism, ego, and naivety in this thread and very little pragmatism.

I will absolutely be procuring an example or two...if it ever happens. Realistically, I will buy whatever is produced and will have next to nothing to do with the process besides procuring. Moreover, all the speculation out here is probably gonna make the two who will likely be responsible for this project run away.
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There has been plenty of heat displayed in this thread, for sure... Barry has chimed in a few times. Charlie has yet to do so, though Barry has alluded to the fact that Charlie is in talks with GEC regarding some ideas.

But yes, there is enough here in this thread to scare away any would be organizer....
 
Is there any reason we can't have Buck make two different forum knives in their custom shop?

Let's say, a 301 or 303 for all the traditionalist and something in the 500 series for us modern types? Like a 501 or 503 without a nail nick, upgraded FFG blade steel, and scales. Place Bucks anvil logo and our BF stamp on the base of the blade, one on each side. Figure out where to put a date, if we even want one. Below Buck's anvil would be a nice spot. Leave off all other markings and logos.

Have BF members order directly from Bucks custom shop. Set a date that orders have to be in by, with payment in full required before the start of production. After that date, you are out of luck. Payment could go directly to Buck, cutting out some of the worries about finances. Shipping could be done directly from Buck to forum members. Forum members outside the US could still be a problem though.

A presentation pouch or box would also be a nice option.
 
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sabre cat sabre cat I think you have had one of the best ideas yet! How about a 301 AND a 501, (a 55 would work as well)? Two such different options would probably satisfy the vast majority of members. Many might opt to get one of each. How about it skblades skblades ?
 
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I do believe the last several years knives have turned out excellent . With that said it will be hard for any company to top or even come close to Gec's overall quality coupled with Charlie's ideas for a true traditional design .
 
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