2019 Traditional Forum Knife...The First Poll

[gaj999]

... I know someone mentioned disliking guards with what Buck was willing to do before who knows what is possible maybe the guard can go...

That was me. I've been looking a little harder at the knife and trying to visualize what it would look like if I ground off most of the guard. I don't think grinding it all off would work, looking at it, but a little bump instead of a honking chunk would be ok ... I'm thinking of switching my vote. I wonder if the sheath would still work? More thinking to do.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I put in for the Buck Vanguard for three reasons:
1. It's a great design and would be fun to have in upgraded steel.
2. The 86 looks like a great knife but does not really excite me in a single-blade configuration.
3. The offering from Fox does not excite me either.

That notwithstanding, I will be happy to order one (or two) knives if the forum chooses either the Vanguard or the 86.

 

[sunnyd]

I have voted for the Buck Vanguard. I would look forward to this model fixed blade from Buck if it is so chosen.

 

[Pàdruig]

Many thanks to Frank, Gary, Mike, and Steve for their efforts in getting this off the ground once again for us all. It is nice to see the options presented, a few select cutlers and patterns that should appeal to the majority of folks interested in acquiring the 2019 forum knife.

Without knowing the flexibility and options that may or may not be available in regards to the Fox offering, it does not get my vote at this time. My experience with Italian cutlery is that they make very fine knives but this is a big knife pattern (reminiscent of a Buck 110) which is not a bad thing but I would almost rather just go with a Buck at that point, especially since I know what they can offer in terms of materials and options.

The Buck 192 is a handsome knife in a size that is both useful and easy to carry. Our experience from having Buck do our forum last year is that we likely will have a lot of options and materials to choose from and that is rather enticing. However, aside from slipjoints, I collect fixed blade knives and I have a number of them already in this particular size range and am even having a couple of customs made up. It is unlikely that the Buck 192 would see a whole lot of use, especially when compared to many of my other blades.

So, at this point, it does not get my vote. However, that is subject to change. I would be quite happy with this knife as our forum option so we will see how the discussion carries.

The GEC #86 is a pattern that has captured my interest since they announced it as a potential new pattern. I favor swell end jacks generally and the 86 is going to fit into that niche rather nicely. If they stick with their plans in regards to offering the proposed blade configuration, I will more than likely be getting a couple of them, especially if the cover choices appeal to me.

That all said, I question the thought process behind choosing a single Sheepfoot as the forum configuration. Though the 15 is a smaller frame, we still had a swell end jack (Barlow) with a single sheepfoot as our forum knife a couple of years ago. I don't count secondary sheepfoot blades as being overdone on other forum knives, simply because a coping blade is just as useful as a big main spear or clip. I have no shortage of straight edged blades so one might think I would be inclined to vote for something other than the 86. Well, as a GEC user, collector, and enthusiast, I would welcome an 86 with a single sheepfoot simply because we would be getting one a number of years before they would consider doing a single blade sheepfoot variation on this pattern as a general run.

At this juncture, the 86 gets my vote (albeit narrowly) but it is also subject to change, the discussion is still early.

 

[Ernie1980]

I like them all, but a custom 192 is too much to pass up Thank you to all who are making this happen!

 

[Pàdruig]

WOW!! I am shocked.. The "SoS Me Too" is in the lead..
John

I'm with r8shell on this, care to explain yourself? Though I certainly catch your drift, so to speak, if you are going to drop a disparaging comment, the least you can do is explain why.

I'm afraid I'm not up to date on interweb slang, so I'm not sure what this means.

Anytime GEC is mentioned, you should expect to field comments like this. He has yet to explain his bias so we will continue to be left in the dark for some strange reason or another.

Lots of us are tired of all the sheepsfoots. It's the reason the voting is so close with the fixed blade.

Honestly, I think it has more to do with the Buck traffic being steered over here, much like it was last year. I voted for Buck last year and I might even do so again this year but it cannot be denied that the rather active Buck forum has a significant amount of influence. (ETA: I don't necessarily have a problem with this, it is the BladeForums annual knife, after all)

 

[Rhinoknives1]

It was a close tie with the 86 & the Buck patterns.. love them both! Still I’m a lover of a Sheep’s footie Traditional type folder! Thanks to all that make this happen!

 

[paulhilborn]

Sheepsfoot or sheepsfoot?

Drop the "s" and I'll go with Sheepfoot

 

[aji1]

I am intrigued by the Fox, but it's a little too big for my tastes. A fixed blade will just spend a lot of time in a box; I don't need one often and have a couple I really like for those rare occasions. So the GEC for me (although I would prefer 440C), at least for now. Maybe I can convince myself to switch to the Fox.

 

[cigarrodog]

Just the fact that Frank, Gary, Mike, and Steve are willing to submit to this ordeal is praise worthy. Thank you.

Having said that... They are all very nice knives. I am initially voting for GEC. I treasure my last years’ Buck. They were more than accommodating. This years’ choice is good, but this model doesn’t interest me. I have far too many fixed blade, and don’t need another. If something like the Iconic 110 was the knife, then I would feel different. The Fox looks nice, but not feeling that one either. I’m certain the 86 will be a fine knife. A single sheepsfoot will be useful. It will all come down to the covers and details. Not that it is necessarily an option, but if it could be African Ebony, then please take my money.

Whatever gets chosen will be a winner.

 

[bikerector]

While it would be nice to have yet another EDC oriented forum knife, I think a fixed blade would cover some extra area that hasn't been covered by previous years. Sure, EDC's get carried more but there's also been a lot of years of EDC focused folders. IMO.

To muddy the water more, and EDC sized fixed blade would be neat (probably in the future based on the current offering limitations) like the GEC H20 fixed blades.

 

[Will Power]

I admit I wasn't too excited by the choices, since we so recently had a GEC single sheepfoot ( and my foot knife needs are met with a collection of Sheffield Lambsfoots ) but I do like the looks of that Case. If it's a barehead in dark wood or smooth white bone, I'd be pleased.


I'm afraid I'm not up to date on interweb slang, so I'm not sure what this means.

In my overbearing opinion I think the 86 Swell End would be VASTLY improved by being Barehead, this alone would distinguish it from the ordinary run 86 models, and anyway, single blades look - to use an 18th century word- more 'comely' when Barehead

The other thing about the 86 which you and many others bridle at is the blade! WHY has GEC arbitrarily decided that the single blade must be a Sheepfoot? I'd like a Spear on this frame or Drop-Point but I really feel there should be a choice of single blade here The Sheepfoot single is too limiting for many and if the frame is markedly Swell End it could look a bit awkward with this blade.

Can GEC re-think this blade choice, or rather, give us a say???

 

[Ice Tigre]

Can't believe I just voted for a Buck, and a fixed blade at that...

Fox looks nice but too big for me. And honestly I've never heard of the company, are they new?

GEC has always been way over priced for their quality, I've been boycotting them permanently, and see nothing here to change that. Especially as useless as a single blade folder is to me.

I've always felt much the same about Buck fixed blades. Over priced for very bland knives. But they're over priced in a much lower price bracket than GEC... If we can get a solid user that looks fancier than the average Buck without killing it with useless super steels, I have high hopes for having my first BF forum knife!

 

[H2O2HI]

Let me help you out:

The office? Yes! Call it your "industrial staple remover"
Church? Yes! Demons will shudder to know you have the Sword of the Lord and some Steel.
Elementary school? Yes! Combination ruler and rudimentary compass (you'll need some string and a pencil, too).
Supermarket? Yes! "Don't use that slicer Mr. butcher-man, I'd prefer to cut my own cold-cuts, let me take a step behind the counter"
The movie? Yes! It always more of a challenge to play five-finger fillet in the dark if you get bored with the flick.
College classes? Yes! It is your book weight to keep the textbook from closing while you take notes.
The gas station? Yes! Cleaning the dirt from under your nails with your knife will ensure scammers won't try to solicit you.
City council? Yes! You can accentuate your closing argument by stabbing the knife into the podium. Politicians love dramatic visual aids!
Weddings? Yes! Especially if you are the party of the bride--makes the groom's commitment so much more meaningful.
Funerals? Yes! The dead don't mind, and the living have other grievances to concern themselves with.
To visit relatives? Yes! Who'll be the favorite uncle now!?
Nice restaurants? Yes! Let's be honest. Restaurants don't keep good cutlery on hand. They'll know you're a discerning diner when you refuse second-rate butter knives to cut your steak.

See, you're covered, no problem!

I never knew there were so many uses for a knife. Maybe I'll just use my 8" chefs knife for an EDC. It's much more impressive than the 192.

 

[Pàdruig]

Can't believe I just voted for a Buck, and a fixed blade at that...

Fox looks nice but too big for me. And honestly I've never heard of the company, are they new?

GEC has always been way over priced for their quality, I've been boycotting them permanently, and see nothing here to change that. Especially as useless as a single blade folder is to me.

I've always felt much the same about Buck fixed blades. Over priced for very bland knives. But they're over priced in a much lower price bracket than GEC... If we can get a solid user that looks fancier than the average Buck without killing it with useless super steels, I have high hopes for having my first BF forum knife!

Let me preface my questions with the fact that I certainly respect your opinion. However, for the sake of discussion, I would be curious what you feel a GEC or even a Buck should be priced at? There is no doubt that the secondary market for GECs is utterly ridiculous but if folks are willing to pay such prices, who am I to say they shouldn't?

There isn't a production cutlery firm out there that can deliver the same consistency of quality that GEC can and regularly does. Should I pay Case prices for a GEC knife, knowing that there is a possibility of 9 out every 10 Case knives that might prove to be duds (an exaggeration, perhaps)? GEC isn't infallible and I point out their flaws regularly but they pale in comparison to what one can regularly expect from other firms.

For example, take the GEC 15 (pictured below) that was produced last year. It retailed for around $65, if I remember correctly, and that is at the low end of GEC's pricing. For $65, you are getting a knife with GEC's notable fit and finish, a well heat treated and thinly ground 1095 blade, all steel construction, and increasingly rare jet black ebony covers.

Now, with knowing what I stated above, what dollar value would you put on such a knife and why? Taking into account material, labor, and profit margins.

 

[btb01]

Honestly, I think it has more to do with the Buck traffic being steered over here, much like it was last year. I voted for Buck last year and I might even do so again this year but it cannot be denied that the rather active Buck forum has a significant amount of influence. (ETA: I don't necessarily have a problem with this, it is the BladeForums annual knife, after all)

Come on, I doubt there's anyone over there in the Buck Forum trying to "steer" votes and pad the poll in favor of the Buck option......

Get on over to the traditionals forum and vote for the Buck Vanguard to be the 2019 Bladeforums yearly knife! This is a great opportunity to get a custom Buck 192 for the BF community, and we get to chose the spec's.!!!

 

[Nature Boy]

Fixed. I’m looking forward to the two blade 86s, but can’t get excited about voting for a single sheepsfoot (I’ll still buy one if it wins).

 

[Elgatodeacero]

some folks could smother a volcano with their wet blanket comments.

i would like to hear positive reasons for a particular choice, as opposed to negative reasons to reject something. Happy thoughts......

I assume GEC says sheepfoot blade because the regular 86's will all be clip or spear. Sheepfoot is great cuz you cant stab yourself so easy. Also, maybe no other single blade 86's? which wouod make this a very unique knife. I feel that GEC knives feel best with larger single blade builds or smaller knives with 2 blades.

Boycotting GeC becuase they cost nore than Case seems like madness.... My 10 year old nephew coukd instantly see the difference in quality between his Case Sodbuster Jr. and his Dads Northfield 78.

Buck Vanguard is a pretty nice knife...... a super steel and fair trade ebony handles sounds nice.

Fox I have no experience with, so hard to say anything here.

When a standard Buck 105 or 119 costs around 60 bucks I cannot fathom how that is not a crazy Mora level value for USA made quality and an amazing service/warranty policy.

Maybe the same folks feel Moras are overpriced?!

Lets just select a Mora No. 1 with a green paint handle and the price will be 16 bucks delivered?...........

This is the final knife in a 10 year journey.... go BIG!

The Buck mafia is real

 

[H2O2HI]

Let me preface my questions with the fact that I certainly respect your opinion. However, for the sake of discussion, I would be curious what you feel a GEC or even a Buck should be priced at? There is no doubt that the secondary market for GECs is utterly ridiculous but if folks are willing to pay such prices, who am I to say they shouldn't?

There isn't a production cutlery firm out there that can deliver the same consistency of quality that GEC can and regularly does. Should I pay Case prices for a GEC knife, knowing that there is a possibility of 9 out every 10 Case knives that might prove to be duds (an exaggeration, perhaps)? GEC isn't infallible and I point out their flaws regularly but they pale in comparison to what one can regularly expect from other firms.

For example, take the GEC 15 (pictured below) that was produced last year. It retailed for around $65, if I remember correctly, and that is at the low end of GEC's pricing. For $65, you are getting a knife with GEC's notable fit and finish, a well heat treated and thinly ground 1095 blade, all steel construction, and increasingly rare jet black ebony covers.

Now, with knowing what I stated above, what dollar value would you put on such a knife and why? Taking into account material, labor, and profit margins.

My Daddy always used to say that in the end you get what you pay for. Dealing with Rough Riders can give you brain damage! The last one I bought astonished me when I found the pull crescent was too shallow to open the blade.
I honor those who collect antique knives for their beauty and history. And probably much cheaper than a new one.

 

[Prester John]

In my overbearing opinion I think the 86 Swell End would be VASTLY improved by being Barehead, this alone would distinguish it from the ordinary run 86 models, and anyway, single blades look - to use an 18th century word- more 'comely' when Barehead

The other thing about the 86 which you and many others bridle at is the blade! WHY has GEC arbitrarily decided that the single blade must be a Sheepfoot? I'd like a Spear on this frame or Drop-Point but I really feel there should be a choice of single blade here The Sheepfoot single is too limiting for many and if the frame is markedly Swell End it could look a bit awkward with this blade.

Can GEC re-think this blade choice, or rather, give us a say???

Yes, I agree. I would much rather see a spear.