2019 Traditional Forum Knife...The First Poll

[Rookie82]

And even if you are crazy about the 192, you can't deny how unspecial and mundane it could turn out being.

I don't agree with this section at all. Buck gave options in last year's voting that are not even options in their custom shop. That could happen again this year, and the knife could be very unique and mouth-watering when finished. I respect your opinion that you like the GEC better, but I could turn your statement around and easily say the GEC could be offered as shown, with olive drab green micarta, and no other features to vote on, and it would turn out mundane to my eye.

 

[wintermute]

People are wanting a flat grind on the Buck...we’ve already seen how fat they grind those on the small blades from last year’s knife.

How thick would they grind the Vangaurds being 2-3x the thickness of the 301 at the spine? I’ve never looked at these knives in the big box stores but most I find on the net are a Sabre/hollow grind.

Apples and oranges. I was talking about the proposed (supposedly - not sure who proposed it, right now it's just hearsay) sabre grind and thick stock on the GEC sheepsfoot. I'd use that knife in a way different manner than the Vanguard. I'm going to buy the forum knife no matter what, but a thick, sabre-ground sheepsfoot doesn't make that much sense to me.

 

[Ajd3530]

It’ll be interesting to hear what sort of steel and handle materials would be available at that price point. Sucks that we probably won’t have that sort of info until after this poll runs it’s course though. Many things could change a vote.

That rams horn version posted earlier is very attractive.

That's my thinking. A good deal on the most basic 192, produced in the tens of thousands, is around $70?? I don't understand how they could make one with choice/exotic handle materials, improved steel, fancy trimmings, a special stamp, and different grind, and only produce about 300, may be 400, for under $100. It just doesn't seem logical.

 

[Jsega51]

If we want to finish out our Bladeforums stamp I'm pretty sure we can only use CPM154 like last year. No super duper S30V for us. Plus at that price a big hunk of S30V is gonna be over $100

I wasn’t even thinking “super steel” for the blade so that we could get fancy with the handle. Maybe that 5160 carbon steel or a “lower grade” stainless since these knives are first and foremost hunting knives, not designed for real hard use.

 

[wintermute]

Doesn't make it special.

To me it does - I can actually afford it then.

If we want to finish out our Bladeforums stamp I'm pretty sure we can only use CPM154 like last year. No super duper S30V for us. Plus at that price a big hunk of S30V is gonna be over $100

Taking a guess here, but the majority of the Traditional forum-goers don't strike me to be the S30V type of crowd. Not interested right now in having to buy a sharpening system that costs more than my knife.

 

[Pàdruig]

I have no experience with GEC's saber grind. I know they have done it in the past and they plan on doing it with the upcoming 97s. Perhaps some folks who own some of their past examples could chime in and let us know how it performs and what we can expect.

 

[Buzzbait]

I have no experience with GEC's saber grind. I know they have done it in the past and they plan on doing it with the upcoming 97s. Perhaps some folks who own some of their past examples could chime in and let us know how it performs and what we can expect.

GEC did it on an older run of #85's.

 

[tmd_87]

To me it does - I can actually afford it then.



Taking a guess here, but the majority of the Traditional forum-goers don't strike me to be the S30V type of crowd. Not interested right now in having to buy a sharpening system that costs more than my knife.

A hard super steel would have won last year if we weren't aware that the tang stamp wasn't going to stamp with a hard steel.

 

[Jsega51]

Apples and oranges

You’re right! Thick blade stock doesn’t always equate to a thick grind. It is apples and oranges. GEC makes slicers, I’m sure this knife wouldnt be any different.

They said thicker, how much is a mystery but I’m guessing it won’t be crazy, these are pocket knives.

 

[pjsjr]

It’ll be interesting to hear what sort of steel and handle materials would be available at that price point. Sucks that we probably won’t have that sort of info until after this poll runs it’s course though. Many things could change a vote.

That rams horn version posted earlier is very attractive.

That's a very good point and maybe will be addressed beyond what Stephan, skblades, has already mentioned.

. To sum up, basically the knife will be under $100 and we would have a lot of play with some cool materials.

 

[Pàdruig]

Steve (@skblades) has already stated that last year's knife would have retailed for $122 and we got it for $71. That is a $51 difference and can surely be the determining factor on whether or not someone can afford the forum knife. I suspect that we can expect much of the same with the 192. The only profit margins being set is by the manufacturer itself so we are essentially getting these knives at wholesale or slightly better.

 

[Will Power]

OK more reflections on the updated 86:

Great improvement that it's Barehead, I feel most single blades look better in that style, why chop off nice bone, wood or stag to put a cap on it?? There are reasons, but quite wrong

But....sabre ground?? Thick.... In terms of both aesthetics and use a single blade Sheepfoot or Wharncliffe or Lambfoot (straight edged blades) are far better suited to a Swayback style frame, that way the blade lies lower in the frame making it nicer in the pocket. Moreover, it's more practical in use as such blades are often draw/pull cut so the Swayback is far more suitable. Think CASE Swayback Gent, low riding near sunk joint, Lambfoot on curved frame-very good in the hand or pocket, ditto an Ettrick or any Pruner is better with a Sway frame. Or the Sheepfoot as shown on a modded 47 frame, works and is SPECIAL! I just feel that a Sheepfoot is the entirely wrong blade for this frame I'm afraid, EE frames or this Swell End are far better suited to Spears, Clip or Drop-Points. Yes, there have been Sheepfoots on a Swell End frame before. But myself, I dislike all that high riding blade, it's so weird in the pocket when carrying plus it looks awkward. Alright trying to make it heavy or thicker stock, but sabre ground...could be hatchet like

Here's a Lloyd with Sheepfoot and Swayback frame, quite a big knife-about the 86 size but svelte in the pocket and great in the hand

Lloyd, left in this picture with other low riding types

 

[Augie]

View attachment 1073574

I'm seeing a satin finish blade, lined bolster, ebony handled classic.
knarfeng You could put this on the original post if you wanted better guidance there.

Got my vote, that would be an absolutely stunning knife in ebony, would be very classic.

 

[Will Power]

Which is why I think this 86 frame is not suited to a Sheepfoot and why I believe a Spear would be far more appropriate.

I'm still for Buck

 

[mykel m]

I changed my vote to the 86 because the 192 doesn't appeal to me in the slightest and I would not buy one if I could.
Now if we could get a 118,105 or 102 in a carbon steel or as mentioned before a GEC fixed blade I'd be voting for a fixed, but as it stands now I gotta go with the folder despite its short comings.
Gotta say also a saber grind on a full sized sheepfoot looks weird, but it's the folder in the lead so it gets my vote.

 

[JTB_5]

A couple thoughts I've had since last night:

I believe that while most folks voting for a fixed blade would still be interested and purchase a folder, I think that alot of folks voting for a folder have very little interest in a fixed blade.

And. I can go to just about any reputable sporting goods store and buy a Buck 192. I can look online and find numerous runs of 192s with all sorts of handle material/steels produced over the last 20 years. There have been hundreds of thousands of Buck 192s produced. Any of us could pick one up anytime, anyplace, anywhere. On the flip side, this will be the ONLY chance we have of ever getting a forum knife in on the pilot run of #86s. This would be the only, to my understanding, sheepsfoot produced on the 86 frame this run. With GECs trend of producing more numbers of less patterns each year, it might be 5, 6, 7 years before they make another run of 86s. Also, we have a chance of getting a sabre grind sheepsfoot. Has GEC even done that before?? If not, we could have the first.

I suppose to wrap up my thoughts, even if you aren't crazy about the #86, you can't deny how special and unique it could turn out being. And even if you are crazy about the 192, you can't deny how unspecial and mundane it could turn out being.

This is what I have been saying.

I've gotten this sense as well, and it would be a small shame if it is true, since fewer folks would end up participating in the process of picking and buying.

Would that GEC could take that sheepsfoot, give it a little downward cant, and angle the spine and swedge down slightly. Then you've have an 86 lambsfoot!

 

[mykel m]

OK more reflections on the updated 86:

Great improvement that it's Barehead, I feel most single blades look better in that style, why chop off nice bone, wood or stag to put a cap on it?? There are reasons, but quite wrong

But....sabre ground?? Thick.... In terms of both aesthetics and use a single blade Sheepfoot or Wharncliffe or Lambfoot (straight edged blades) are far better suited to a Swayback style frame, that way the blade lies lower in the frame making it nicer in the pocket. Moreover, it's more practical in use as such blades are often draw/pull cut so the Swayback is far more suitable. Think CASE Swayback Gent, low riding near sunk joint, Lambfoot on curved frame-very good in the hand or pocket, ditto an Ettrick or any Pruner is better with a Sway frame. Or the Sheepfoot as shown on a modded 47 frame, works and is SPECIAL! I just feel that a Sheepfoot is the entirely wrong blade for this frame I'm afraid, EE frames or this Swell End are far better suited to Spears, Clip or Drop-Points. Yes, there have been Sheepfoots on a Swell End frame before. But myself, I dislike all that high riding blade, it's so weird in the pocket when carrying plus it looks awkward. Alright trying to make it heavy or thicker stock, but sabre ground...could be hatchet like

Here's a Lloyd with Sheepfoot and Swayback frame, quite a big knife-about the 86 size but svelte in the pocket and great in the hand

Lloyd, left in this picture with other low riding types

Yes, yes and more yes.

 

[riversidedep]

Love the idea of a fixed blade forum knife, so I'm choosing the Buck.

 

[mykel m]

I've gotten this sense as well, and it would be a small shame if it is true, since fewer folks would end up participating in the process of picking and buying.

Would that GEC could take that sheepsfoot, give it a little downward cant, and angle the spine and swedge down slightly. Then you've have an 86 lambsfoot!

Wouldn't that be nice.
Perhaps someday GEC will do a Lambsfoot. Don't know why they haven't already.

 

[Will Power]

mykel m Thanks, wish I could bring it about If we got to vote on that blade on the 86 my vote would be changed and I don't think I'd be alone I'd also abide by the majority vote and buy, even if Spear didn't win......