2018 BF Traditional Knife

[akaMatt]

It seems there may need to be a poll for determining moving forward with Buck (many pattern options) or GEC (#14). At least by my interpretation there is still considerable resistance to Buck by more than a few.
I would be happy with either, as I have purchased neither, and am likely limited to one purchase this year (at least at the projected price point). The upcoming run of 14s will likely play into my decision regardless of whether it is or is not the forum knife.

 

[Jack Black]

I'd assume that the percentages are in line with the percentages of produced quality stainless traditional knives to 100+ years of carbon steel, the lack of perceived collectability of stainless traditional lines outside of Victorinox specific collectors and the tiny proportion of stainless traditionals made by GEC who almost have a monopoly of modern representation on the porch.

They may also indicate that most traditional users here favour carbon I have lots of stainless knives, including a few getting on for 100 years old, and plenty which are collectable, but given a choice, I much prefer carbon

 

[Norcaldude]

Here's a 2 blade Buck 301 that was auctioned recently. I'm not sure if it is a factory error or if a tinkerer removed a blade and spring. Just thought it would be a good example.

That's an ugly and cheap looking knife, in my opinion.

 

[supratentorial]

That's an ugly and cheap looking knife, in my opinion.

It's from the secondary market and there's glue all over the front but I take it that you don't like the Buck 301 in general. I think the last 301 that I bought new was $30-35 shipped so it is an inexpensive knife. With a steel upgrade, full flat grind, custom cover materials, custom tang stamp, etc I suspect a SFO will cost a lot more. If I recall correctly, the BCCI limited edition 301 was originally around the cost of a GEC.

 

[Ramrodmb]

Can you see it with full grinds, nice scales and not that shield? It has potential.
I think it could be cool, but similar to 2015.

 

[Sacto]

I was hoping if we omitted the Spey, we would have the clip and sheepfoot on the same end, like a Schrade wrangler. But maybe I’m in the minority on that preference. Also not sure if that much customization is even an option.

 

[sitflyer]

Buck isn't going to re tool one of their models for a short run.

 

[skblades]

Buck isn't going to re tool one of their models for a short run.

Well, yes, and no. I asked about the different blades, and it IS possible. But they would have to be engineered, adding significant cost to the knife.

Also, why not add more options in the mix? Buck just informed that the 532 is also an option. Not in the catalog but still made at the factory. It would definitely be unique!

 

[btb01]

IF we do go with Buck this year, that would seem to mean a stainless knife. In which case, I'd hope we have a carbon-steel knife next year. There may be some vocal advocacy for stainless in this thread, but just look at the knives the people who post here carry, almost all of them are carbon

In terms of Buck, even though I probably wouldn't get a chance to carry it much, I regard the 110 as iconic

Personally, I like GEC's #14 frame, and the Sleeveboard Penknife is a nice idea. The only thing that puts me off is GEC's seeming inability to crink their blades and avoid blade-rub, but maybe I'm misinformed about that

Jack, for what it's worth, the few GEC knives that I own with opposing blades on the same spring were all produced in the last year or two, and are all completely free of any blade rub. This includes a couple #13 Whittlers (splitback), a #35 Churchill and the #35 2016 BF Harness Jack. That's a small sample of only two patterns, of course, but if it's an issue they'd had in the past, perhaps they've improved on it.

 

[Peregrin]

There may be some vocal advocacy for stainless in this thread, but just look at the knives the people who post here carry, almost all of them are carbon

AU contraire!

Flippers ruin a lot of these kind of things. I'd be all for limiting purchases, or even prohibiting their sale on the Exchange for a year or something.

Limiting purchases might help. Trying to monitor what's sold on the Exchange is not an option, in my opinion.
Possibly limiting purchases to paid BF members? Although that's never been done before, it has been mentioned in the past.
Upgrading to a paid membership goes a long way to saying thanks to Spark for allowing a forum knife too, if something can be worked out.

 

[rdave]

AU contraire!


Limiting purchases might help. Trying to monitor what's sold on the Exchange is not an option, in my opinion.
Possibly limiting purchases to paid BF members? Although that's never been done before, it has been mentioned in the past.
Upgrading to a paid membership goes a long way to saying thanks to Spark for allowing a forum knife too, if something can be worked out.

something here doesn't seem right

 

[NJBillK]

I see a two birds with one stone opportunity... why don't we have Buck do the 2018 knife and then get the ball rolling for GEC to do the 2019 knife?


- Kevin

Great call.

I see this as a golden opportunity to get a #35 scout or a Sowbelly.

 

[Jack Black]

Jack, for what it's worth, the few GEC knives that I own with opposing blades on the same spring were all produced in the last year or two, and are all completely free of any blade rub. This includes a couple #13 Whittlers (splitback), a #35 Churchill and the #35 2016 BF Harness Jack. That's a small sample of only two patterns, of course, but if it's an issue they'd had in the past, perhaps they've improved on it.

Thanks for that Barrett, good to hear an up to date perspective

AU contraire!

There's always The Awkward Squad!

 

[sitflyer]

Well, yes, and no. I asked about the different blades, and it IS possible. But they would have to be engineered, adding significant cost to the knife.

Also, why not add more options in the mix? Buck just informed that the 532 is also an option. Not in the catalog but still made at the factory. It would definitely be unique!

Sounds like things have changed a bit with Buck then, that's pretty cool news. The 532's are pretty nice, I've got a few from special runs, not the most pocket friendly knife though, due to its overall length, albeit they are one of the nicer knives they make.

 

[traumkommode]

In defense of stainless, I will say that the stainless of 100 years ago is nothing like the stainless of today. I meet so many people from the primitive skills/earth skills community here in western North Carolina who make a blanket statement that "stainless sucks and carbon is the the way to go because it sharpens easier and holds an edge longer." Perhaps this used to be true. But in my experience, there is no difference in sharpening or even REPROFILING time of GEC's 1095 plain carbon and any of the CPM-154 that I've had my hands on. Granted, I don't use Arkansas stones to sharpen or reprofile, but still - in terms of performance, there is no arguing that something like CPM-154 is going to outperform 1095 of a knife like the ones we're talking about.

Having said that, and being a stainless-heart proponent of stainless steels, patina is fun. If carbon/tool steels didn't get red rust, or stink, then I wouldn't have any complaints about them at all.

 

[Jonny D]

Buck 532 would be sweet

 

[NJBillK]

Well, yes, and no. I asked about the different blades, and it IS possible. But they would have to be engineered, adding significant cost to the knife.

Also, why not add more options in the mix? Buck just informed that the 532 is also an option. Not in the catalog but still made at the factory. It would definitely be unique!

The 532 is nice looking, but that huge ricasso is an immediate turn off. That looks to be about 1/2" of wasted edge realty...

 

[gunstockjack]

Here are some knives that we can maybe work with; these are the 55 pattern lock back and the 303 medium stockman patterns, both made in the USA.

This 303 has brass frame and elk covers with standard 420HC blades (April's "Buck of the Month" and retailed for around $100); the 55 is a standard production model with brass frame and 420HC satin blade and retails for under $50. It is a nice little lock back knife that really doesn't get the love it should; maybe it's the lackluster wood covers used. This would be a great for the 2018 knife because it is one blade (hence cheaper to mfg.) and is easily customized. Imagine the 55 with polished 420HC blade and colored micarta covers (blue would look awesome, for example) or possibly elk or buckeye burl or any of the many materials Buck has on hand. I don't know about upgraded steel blades for the 55, but Buck's 420HC is really a pretty good all-around stainless as far as 'bang for the buck'.

​

The 55 is nice and slim for pocket carry.

​

 

[Jack Black]

In defense of stainless, I will say that the stainless of 100 years ago is nothing like the stainless of today. I meet so many people from the primitive skills/earth skills community here in western North Carolina who make a blanket statement that "stainless sucks and carbon is the the way to go because it sharpens easier and holds an edge longer." Perhaps this used to be true. But in my experience, there is no difference in sharpening or even REPROFILING time of GEC's 1095 plain carbon and any of the CPM-154 that I've had my hands on. Granted, I don't use Arkansas stones to sharpen or reprofile, but still - in terms of performance, there is no arguing that something like CPM-154 is going to outperform 1095 of a knife like the ones we're talking about.

Having said that, and being a stainless-heart proponent of stainless steels, patina is fun. If carbon/tool steels didn't get red rust, or stink, then I wouldn't have any complaints about them at all.

If anyone is knocking stainless, it isn't me. That 100 year-old stainless does the job, and I probably have a couple of hundred stainless knives, including my own knife, BUT I PREFER CARBON STEEL for my traditional pocket knives, and I know I'm not alone here. Carbon/stainless debates are pretty regular here, and sometimes pretty dumb. Point is, some prefer one or the other, that's largely down to personal taste

 

[gunstockjack]

Imagine the 55 with full polished blade, blue canvas micarta covers with no exposed pins and brass or maybe nickel silver frame. OOOOOooooooh!