Photos 2019 Traditional Blade Forum Knife

[afishhunter]

When either Frank or Gary or both make a post telling us who will be handling the 2019-Blade Forums Knife details, ordering and mailing, then the polls on who should make the knife, what the knife should be, etc. will begin. Until then, all this is just a cluster. That said, it fun though.

I may be mistaken, but I believe the first poll will be to decide what company will make the forum knife --- if, and only if there is more than one contender that meets all of Spark's qualifications.
The polls on the details come after that.

If no dealer is willing to come forward, no forum knife.

Frank and Gary are both fine, knowledgeable gentlemen. They vote along with the rest of us on the make, pattern choice(s) if applicable, and all the other details.

I don't know if they voted for Buck or GEC. The majority voted for Buck, so that is the company that we used. The majority voted for a 301, and to eliminate the spey blade, and the majority voted for every other detail we got.

 

[Prester John]

I may be mistaken, but I believe the first poll will be to decide what company will make the forum knife --- if, and only if there is more than one contender that meets all of Spark's qualifications.
The polls on the details come after that.

If no dealer is willing to come forward, no forum knife.

Frank and Gary are both fine, knowledgeable gentlemen. They vote along with the rest of us on the make, paternal choice(s) if applicable, and all the other details.

I don't know if they voted for Buck or GEC. The majority voted for Buck, so that is the company that we used. The majority voted for a 301, and to eliminate the spey blade, and the majority voted for every other detail we got.

It was pretty close on the grooved bolsters. I came "THIS CLOSE" [visualize Maxwell Smart] to changing my vote to tie!

 

[Will Power]

While I'd prefer a US made fixed-blade, we could certainly have a Sheffield-made one if that's what people wanted. If it is decided to go with Sheffield, my thoughts would be single-blade, carbon steel, wooden covers, brass liners, nickel silver bolsters

Think I've run this past you before but anyway. I know Sheffield makers don't really go in for jigged bone too much these days but how about asking after Smooth Ivory Bone? No jigging or dyeing needed, just polishing. Camel could be good in this too. I think it's a very effective scale slab for a single blade knife and patina is enhanced by a light colour handle.

 

[Pàdruig]

The only way to be able to determine which cutler to go with is to find one or more who are willing to provide a knife for us and individuals to serve as the ambassadors/go-betweens.

Once a list has been compiled, then the powers that be can begin to set up the voting.

 

[Jack Black]

Think I've run this past you before but anyway. I know Sheffield makers don't really go in for jigged bone too much these days but how about asking after Smooth Ivory Bone? No jigging or dyeing needed, just polishing. Camel could be good in this too. I think it's a very effective scale slab for a single blade knife and patina is enhanced by a light colour handle.

Well we'll see what happens

 

[knifeswapper]

we are like fleas on a dog, debating which way we plan to steer the dog.

Not to make anyone mad or offend anyone - but I have been thinking this for several days now. All factories have a high regard for groups or clubs; but if we think we are just going to come up with a pattern and then send in the order - we are probably fooling ourselves. The more this thread goes on as just a discussion, I'm afraid we may actually be alienating dealers / factories. I know that I am not thin skinned, but I have been aggravated by many of the comments.

So, if I might make a recommendation. Start a write-in poll of makers now, and let it run for a week or two. Then start at the top of the results having the most appropriate member / dealer contact the maker and discuss options. Maybe even get options from the top three. From those results, start another poll of the top options. Just a thought.

 

[rdave]

Great discussion here - I am learning a lot about makers and models of which I hadn't any info on... Some of the discussions have veered off into directions I am not keen on. But, am open to all opinions particularly when we are at this 1000 foot broad discussion level and I don't take any opinions personal. Thanks for the knowledge - I am hoping to buy a BF 2019 slipjoint this year.

 

[Modoc ED]

Not to make anyone mad or offend anyone - but I have been thinking this for several days now. All factories have a high regard for groups or clubs; but if we think we are just going to come up with a pattern and then send in the order - we are probably fooling ourselves. The more this thread goes on as just a discussion, I'm afraid we may actually be alienating dealers / factories. I know that I am not thin skinned, but I have been aggravated by many of the comments.

So, if I might make a recommendation. Start a write-in poll of makers now, and let it run for a week or two. Then start at the top of the results having the most appropriate member / dealer contact the maker and discuss options. Maybe even get options from the top three. From those results, start another poll of the top options. Just a thought.

I agree with you Mike but first someone is going to have to step up and volunteer to run the logistics as @SK Blades did. It wouldn't do to run a poll on what manufacture we would want to use, get the one with the most votes and then have no one who is authorized by Staff to approach them. So in my mind (no wise cracks here) we need to have someone step up and volunteer to run the show before we can even run a poll.

 

[knifeswapper]

I agree with you Mike but first someone is going to have to step up and volunteer to run the logistics as @SK Blades did. It wouldn't do to run a poll on what manufacture we would want to use, get the one with the most votes and then have no one who is authorized by Staff to approach them. So in my mind (no wise cracks here) we need to have someone step up and volunteer to run the show before we can even run a poll.

Can't agree with that logic. For example, I can work with GEC - but it would be silly for me to try and work with anyone in Sheffield. So you get someone to sign up in the blind and they may not have any clue how factories need to be approached about issues like this - and honestly someone with a little clout will get vastly different results than a cold call.

 

[abbydaddy]

Can't agree with that logic. For example, I can work with GEC - but it would be silly for me to try and work with anyone in Sheffield. So you get someone to sign up in the blind and they may not have any clue how factories need to be approached about issues like this - and honestly someone with a little clout will get vastly different results than a cold call.

In the past, at least while I have been hanging around on the porch, the options have been determined by the people actually willing to coordinate the process. @skblades wasn't going to work with GEC, he works with Buck. Since Buck was the option chosen we went with @skblades.

So far this year, I think you have expressed willingness, and as far as I understand that willingness is based on a Lionsteel option. Jack Black has expressed willingness to work with Sheffield, but I don't know what other arrangements need to be made to actually make that possible.

Since no other dealers have stepped up, essentially you are the only real option at this point. The thread is still new, it seems to me that usually there are a couple spitballing threads before anything really formal comes together. This is the fantasy stage.

We can't get to the polls until a dealer has volunteered to organize, and then Spark has to approve, and then we get to start really aggravating everyone with quibbling over details. Or at least that is my understanding. I am not privy to anything beyond the public threads.

But what I am basically trying to say, is that despite all the options that inevitably get suggested, the options are determined by the people actually willing to be the dealer in the process. As an individual, I cannot front the cost of a 500 knife order (or even take on a prepaid load) so I can wish for whatever I want, it changes nothing. The dealer who can actually make the purchase and shipping happen is the one who determines who they want to work with.

It's nice to have options, and we always trawl for options, but some years the only option is take it or leave it. We'll see what options we have when some official options develop.

 

[JohnDF]

Can't agree with that logic. For example, I can work with GEC - but it would be silly for me to try and work with anyone in Sheffield. So you get someone to sign up in the blind and they may not have any clue how factories need to be approached about issues like this - and honestly someone with a little clout will get vastly different results than a cold call.

I'm not overstepping or volunteering either one of you, but it seems we have Mike knifeswapper as a good connection for GEC , and Jack Jack Black as a good connection with Sheffield. Each one knows how to approach their perspective manufacturers with some clout. Seems Jack would just need a U.S. business to handle the shipping/distribution/payment component. So now that I say it out loud, it seems Jack would be more of a contact point and not necessarily the dealer in charge.

 

[knifeswapper]

In the past, at least while I have been hanging around on the porch, the options have been determined by the people actually willing to coordinate the process. @skblades wasn't going to work with GEC, he works with Buck. Since Buck was the option chosen we went with @skblades.

So far this year, I think you have expressed willingness, and as far as I understand that willingness is based on a Lionsteel option. Jack Black has expressed willingness to work with Sheffield, but I don't know what other arrangements need to be made to actually make that possible.

Since no other dealers have stepped up, essentially you are the only real option at this point. The thread is still new, it seems to me that usually there are a couple spitballing threads before anything really formal comes together. This is the fantasy stage.

We can't get to the polls until a dealer has volunteered to organize, and then Spark has to approve, and then we get to start really aggravating everyone with quibbling over details. Or at least that is my understanding. I am not privy to anything beyond the public threads.

But what I am basically trying to say, is that despite all the options that inevitably get suggested, the options are determined by the people actually willing to be the dealer in the process. As an individual, I cannot front the cost of a 500 knife order (or even take on a prepaid load) so I can wish for whatever I want, it changes nothing. The dealer who can actually make the purchase and shipping happen is the one who determines who they want to work with.

It's nice to have options, and we always trawl for options, but some years the only option is take it or leave it. We'll see what options we have when some official options develop.

That is why I think the brand options need to be limited before we continue. I'm not going to spend 30-40 hours trying to organize something in parallel with a couple other dealers - so one can be picked. That sounds lazy, but I'm a one man shop trying to keep everything running around here. I will be happy to coordinate with the factories I have a relationship with; but unless this gets a lot further down the road relatively soon - we won't get on their schedules.

You don't need a coordinator to step up today if you are just limiting the makers to a handful. But I will let the current process play out; and if I can help once something is decided on - I will.

 

[Spencergarden]

Just popping in to say I like knives, I love knives with caplifters, and a preemptive thanks to all those who work on the forum knife this year.

 

[JTB_5]

Here you go, guys: 1st Poll

 

[knarfeng]

Not to make anyone mad or offend anyone - but I have been thinking this for several days now. All factories have a high regard for groups or clubs; but if we think we are just going to come up with a pattern and then send in the order - we are probably fooling ourselves. The more this thread goes on as just a discussion, I'm afraid we may actually be alienating dealers / factories. I know that I am not thin skinned, but I have been aggravated by many of the comments.

So, if I might make a recommendation. Start a write-in poll of makers now, and let it run for a week or two. Then start at the top of the results having the most appropriate member / dealer contact the maker and discuss options. Maybe even get options from the top three. From those results, start another poll of the top options. Just a thought.

For the moment I'm going to close this thread so that folks can reflect on the above comments. But don't send Gary and I any write-ins.

 

[knarfeng]

I think we should skip the dealers and organise this ourselves.

Not happening.
300 knives at $100 apiece is $30,000 dollars. One of the requirements is that the money be handled securely. Personally, I'm not willing to take on that kind of liability, nor ask any private individual to do so.

Last year, skblades handled the money. We paid Steve and he paid Buck. He also placed and tracked the order for us.

I'm not sure I follow. Last years knife was organized by a dealer..??

It most assuredly was. skblades is a dealer member here. He organized the polls and handled the order for us. See comments above.

Oh, wait, I forgot that we don't do straightforward.

See my response to the first quoted post.