2019 Traditional Forum Knife...The First Poll

[Camillus]

That’s one reason we should give it serious consideration as next year’s knife

 

[Camillus]

All this talk about the ineffectiveness of the blade profile. I am not convinced. Its a fairly common profile for a hard use rigging knife.

Here are some examples of a similar blade used on sailors knives

There is one more thing to add. The #86 should be made in mahogany (jobillo wood). It would be perfect.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I’d be down for a sheepsfoot fixed blade. I have one that’s a work knife. It’s great for stripping wire, cuttin’ up cardboard, all kinds of stuff. You can’t go wrong with such a utilitarian blade shape.

 

[yablanowitz]

If you all want to argue saber vs. flat, keep the blade width and thickness in mind as well. A saber grind works fine on a thin two inch wide blade, much less so on a thick half inch wide blade. I doubt this GEC will be very thick stock, but it isn't going to be an inch wide, either.

 

[akaMatt]

I'd like to see this sheep in stag's clothing, personally!

 

[Prester John]

I am still in a place with my knife collecting that I buy far more than I let go. Sort of in a "I'll try anything" phase. If I get in a knife that doesn't appeal to me right away, it goes in my knife chest to be revisited at another time. There has only been one or two knives that I have sold almost right after acquiring them. One being the 46. Beautiful knife but it was simply obnoxious to open the blades with their beastly pulls.

Last year's forum knife was sort of disappointing for me but I arranged a trade with a fellow member here for more appealing elk and I stuck it in my chest to be revisited another day. I brought it out last weekend and actually enjoyed having it in the pocket whilst I was doing chores. There is something rather refreshing about having a robust knife with thick grinds and a tough steel. You don't have to worry too much about damaging it in harder use.

I guess my point being: I will likely buy whatever the offering is until my mindset changes in the future (if it ever does) but I don't feel that everyone should feel obligated to purchase a forum knife. Unless, of course, they are involving themselves in the voting process.



I agree with this to an extent (see above). If micarta becomes the chosen material, I would have a very hard time wanting to buy it. I like Micarta but I only like it on my fixed blades and it is great on my Sodbuster style knives but I do not care for it on my traditional cutlery as a whole. The Micarta on the 2017 TC was likely done in order to keep some of the costs down, I don't recall there being much of a vote on it. I think we were told Micarta and then we voted on the color. I would kind of hate a repeat of that...



This is a great point and it also leads to the inevitable conversation involving flippers. Frank and Gary are doing their darnedest to make flipping as minimal as possible but the exclusive GEC 86 done for the forum at the price we inevitably will pay will have the flippers frothing at the mouths and I expect we will see some rather repulsive behavior in the not so distant future.

That said, the initial cost of a special release GEC 86 will be an excellent opportunity for folks to get in on a nice knife at a substantially lower price.

Thoughtful and articulate post, Dylan.

 

[black mamba]

Since I have no strong feelings about any of the three choices, I'm not going to vote. I have gotten to the point where I have so many knives that I already use, that adding another is just gonna further fill the display boxes. A saber ground sheepfoot at just under 4" would be an excellent work knife, but (heresy of heresies!) would be more practical with a thumb stud or as a flipper. As a hunter for 55 years, I already have dozens of 7½ to 9 inch fixed blades in both stainless and carbon, so the Vanguard would likely see no use either. I figured the Fox would stumble out of the gate, and it has.

As a long time porch dweller I will buy at least one of whatever they come up with, but I see less and less value to the forum knife as a symbol of Traditional Forum unity. The process has become tasteless to me, with badgering and sniping at each other to promote individual desires. I think it's wrong that the dealers who invest so much time and effort into this offering don't get any financial benefit, and also wrong that Spark does not. Maybe only paying members should be allowed to vote and to buy one.

 

[Ajd3530]

I reckon somebody needs to tell all those droves of folks that carry and use their Northwoods with sabre "bohncliffe" blades on the daily that their knives are terrible slicers, impractical, and "semi-useless"...

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

I know this is the traditionals forum so I will be tactful with my next comments.

There is a relatively well known modern manufacturer of high end folders. They are known for being overbuilt and notorious for having absurdly thick blades. There is a common sentiment that these knives are relatively useless for cutting. However, a forum member plunked down a large chunk of change, bought one their knives, and proceeded to demonstrate to us folks here on BladeForums that it does indeed cut and cuts just fine, it may not be as efficient of a slicer as a kitchen knife or the thinnest of slipjoints, but it cuts and therefore is not useless.

Any knife that has a good edge and can cut is worth more than not having a knife at all or having one that simply doesn't have an edge.

I think folks here would be surprised to find that a saber ground GEC blade is going to cut just fine and will likely even be more desirable as a knife that can be subjected to harder use.

Having actually owned saber grind 86’s before, I couldn’t agree more.

Scientifically, the edge won’t be as “slicey” as a full flat grind. If it’s a 1/2” tall blade made of 1/8” stock, saber ground 3/4 of the way up, you’re talking about a difference in angle of 2.5 degrees per side.

I’ll take that 2.5 degrees of steeper grind angle (with perhaps less cutting drag and increased edge durability) in exchange for something unique any dat.

Much ado about nothing. Take it for what it is, a grind we haven’t seen before on a sheepsfoot, which is a blade shape not being produced on other 86’s.

 

[JSutter]

Interesting thoughts posted so far. I know what features get my attention for traditional pocket knives. Half the fun is deciding if I can justify buying another one. I already have “more” than I “need”.

Someday, maybe this year, (by choice, not because of any illness or something) many of mine will go to our daughter, son in law, and grandkids. - Our daughter not quite so much, but our son in law appreciates these & will know what to do. Also, I believe traditional pocketknives help little grand sons (and tomboy grand daughters) learn adult responsibility while growing up. And our world can always use more good grownups who were taught to love traditional folders.


So, everyday I pick two special slip joints (inherited, gifted, or my most wanted) and put them in my watch pocket. Throughout the day, I reach for one of them first, and smile while using it.

For this poll, since Sheffield didn’t make it, I voted Buck Vanguard. Neither of the others quite do it for me, and I’ve always wanted a Vanguard.

See! I am fair & open minded. The best knives aren’t JUST traditional folders. Traditional fixed blades are also best. Any other knives are only second best or plain junk.

 

[afishhunter]

Imagine my dilemma. When my knife needs sharpened, I just go open a new box. It's awful. Buck is down the road, and often I'll have them sharpen my knives for me. But, if I'm in a pinch or a weird mood, I just go to the stock shelves and grab a new knife...I need help.

This is literally what is within arms reach at my work station.....

View attachment 1076490

I like that 301.

 

[cbr1000]

Since this poll is almost over, throwing out a reminder for Mike to consider voting options: Ebony covers, Satin blade with no etch, Satin diamond shield, with Satin rat tail bolsters please

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

Since this poll is almost over, throwing out a reminder for Mike to consider voting options: Ebony covers, Satin blade with no etch, Satin diamond shield, with Satin rat tail bolsters please

And I’d like to request no satin at all. (Evil laugh)

 

[Will Power]

I reckon somebody needs to tell all those droves of folks that carry and use their Northwoods with sabre "bohncliffe" blades on the daily that their knives are terrible slicers, impractical, and "semi-useless"...

"Droves"?? With very limited runs and everything sold out for later resale in 10 secs it's hardly droves And, ARE there actually any Northwoods Sheepfoot knives?? Perhaps?..

Sabre is OK for sabres or hatchets or big fixed choppers yes Otherwise not so much.

 

[TOM K.]

I also vote for a satin blade!
And in my opinion a sabre grind cuts and slices just fine.

 

[Modoc ED]

View attachment 1076667
I also vote for a satin blade!
And in my opinion a sabre grind cuts and slices just fine.

Not well enough!

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

Not well enough!

(Wrings hands) IT’S NO BIG DEAL AND IT LOOKS COOL!

 

[knifeswapper]

In my opinion,

Not well enough!

 

[PaulS.]

Why do you buy knives? What is the logic? Do you need more knives? Different people have different motivations. I don't know what yours are. Mine are primarily sentimental.

Well, before I found the Porch, I bought one knife and carried it until I lost it (I don't recall ever wearing out a knife). Many years ago, I saw the Buck 302 in rosewood dymondwood and really liked it, so I bought one. I carried it for years. I still carried it when I discovered the Porch (and still have it). The Porch opened my eyes to the wide variety of traditional knives available. I found Buck used to make the 302 in yellow delrin, so I kept my eyes open, because I really wanted it. One day, I saw one on the secondary market for a good price and jumped on it. After completing the purchase, I noticed it said 301, not 302. Hmmm. My research disclosed it was a pattern knife made to test the feasibility of the single blade pattern. I also found only 49 were made. I just couldn't make it my EDC because of that.

Other than that one knife, which resides in storage, I'm not a collector. I've bought many knives since joining the Porch, including a couple GECs, but none of them were exactly what I wanted. I gave away most and put the rest in cars, picnic baskets, etc., so I still get some use out of them. As anyone who has seen my recent posts knows, I settled on a Case teardrop in smooth natural bone with no shield as the closest to what I want. I still carry the 302 occasionally. It's stainless, but has brass bolsters with their own patina from years of use, so it's sentimental to me. I also carry the teardrop Will Power gifted me occasionally due to his amazing generosity.

I haven't bought a knife in 2019. Nothing I've seen has appealed to me more than what I already have. I won't buy a knife I won't use. I can't see purchasing the GEC because I won't use it. I would probably have purchased the Buck, had it won, if it was done in ironwood, buckeye burlwood, or stacked leather. Buck doesn't do many fixed blades in stacked leather like other companies.

Anyway, to answer your question, that's why I buy knives. And I certainly don't need any more.

 

[meako]

It was yet nothing more than a distant feature on a roughly drawn parchment chart.
How would the newly formed 19th Legion negotiate such terrain in their present state of unrest and uncertainty?
There must be a way ! he told himself as he furled the map and took a swig from his cup. The Centurions eyes glazed over as the sound of the Cohorts arguings blurred with the general hubbub of the world outside the tent.
He drifted and was on board the ship.
No land in sight...the sails flapped in the light breeze, the sun blazing in the cloudless sky... the crew busy in the rigging...ropes neatly coiled...
The junior legionaries, two on each oar pulling in unison with the drum beats ...driving the ship cleanly through the foaming brine...the more senior men mucking out the livestock...an unpleasant chore but myeahh had to be done...that would teach them not to voice their opinions too loudly thought Centurion Meako Stultus Cyrtae ...he would make a Cohort of these "Wombats" yet he thought happily.The breeze freshened. The sound of a creaking rowlock distracted him for a moment...he made a mental note to have one of the crew grease the annoying squeak. The creaking noise grew louder and insistent...as he turned to locate it the sky darkened ...the breeze had blown into a roaring gale and yet the sails hung limp, oars collided ,splintering ,the ship pitched sickeningly in the waves and wallowed around in circles ..... the irritating grinding of that corroded rowlock had now become a constant whine....
"Master?... master... master......Master!"

"Pedicabo! it was all just a dream." The beckoning whine was none other than Mekus, his dogsbody...starving mongrel...would have been more apt a description...but far too insulting.....to starving mongrels everywhere.
"Well cretin? have you news for me? " demanded Meako Stultus Cyrtae brandishing his Centurions Olivewood stick and tapping it gently on the woven rush mat beneath his feet.
Mekus rose from his customary crouch and saluted the Centurion ...right fist into left breast then extended palm down to arms length..
" I have not been able to find a volunteer for you Master "
The bluntness of the response surprised the Centurion.
"I admire your honesty for once Mekus .... you are either brave or stupid....But let me tell you this my warty,little Toad...you either find me a volunteer to deliver my annual gratuity or I shall have your worthless carcass strapped to the rear end of an Ass and entered in the Ass v pack of Wolves event week next....and yes! That's the ass of an Ass....
Now begone !"