A 2016 Forum Knife. An apology, and The Crossroads!

I witnessed the idea leap forth and then lag behind...but If the Forum knife was decided to be a GEC made Coffin Jack I would DEFINITELY be in.
I WANT a CJ they are usually so expensive/limited/rare (to get the look right).....I might stoop to buy an one even if the handle scales were gag store fake vomit and the blade was corroded old pop can....
 
T. Erdelyi said:
I like that, that'll work for me.

Has anyone mentioned a Sleeveboard Jack, like maybe a Coffin Jack?

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ABSOLUTELY! This gets my vote.
 
waynorth said:
Well, I have enjoyed the spirited discussions here, and would like to say thanks to all who have contributed their pictures and ideas. It all contributes to future knife designs. If not the next Forum knife, maybe a production knife or an SFO. I bring your ideas up with GEC, and we bounce them around, trying to distill or blend them into this project as well as others.

Here is what I am thinking might be a good one to proceed with.
As you all might surmise, I like getting first shot at a new handle pattern for our annual knife. It makes the final product a little more special. We did a single spring last year, so let's go with a double blade or single blade Jack. That's with one or more blades from one end.
We could do a good old clip and pen, or we could do a sheep foot and clip, like the Carpenter's knife in many old catalogs. Or we could do a single blade.
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Of these options, I like the carpenter's knife the best. A double blade jack is a bread and butter pattern that's very common. Does anyone have a photo of a single blade jack on an equal end? I can't think of any aside from tool kit knives that have an attachment on the other end for removable tools... or maybe a florist knife that typically had a short blade. Single blades do seem to be popular on patterns even when they weren't traditionally single blades. Most modern tactical knives are single blades. I suppose it depends if we want to be traditional or not. Typically they had a secondary blade.

The carpenter's knives used several handle types but I haven't seen any oldies on an equal end pattern. If we go with a carpenters knife, I think it's important to keep the size around 3 1/2 inches and nest the blades deep in the handle. The #15 pattern would be a traditional shape and size for a carpenter's knife but the sheepfoot would need to be lowered (instead of angled up) so that it doesn't interfere with the use of the other blade. Putting the pulls or nail nicks on opposite sides may help also. I think a larger frame may be too bulky. They were typically 3.5". In addition to keeping the knife pocket friendly, it keeps the sheepfoot blade short enough that it can still be used for very controlled cuts.
 
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Well said Jake.

I agree, the 3-3/4'' equal end does not go well with a single blade, or a traditional carpenters profile.

Since we can't have a scout, that's why I think a 3 blade 2 spring cattle knife would be the best fit for a forum knife. :D It's traditional, unusual and a new pattern for GEC!
 
supratentorial said:
Does anyone have a photo of a single blade jack on an equal end? .
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The Queen/Dan Burke Rancher collaboration comes to mind. This pic of this one was found on the 'net, but I have one and it's a heavy beast. Measures almost 1" in width and 4 1/4" closed. I like the idea of a carpenter's jack much better.
 
Thank you for the photo, biglmbass. The Victorinox alox solo is another example of a modern equal end with a single blade. My question was more vague than I intended. I've seen modern equal end knives with single blades. But I haven't seen any oldies.... let's say 1890-1940. I think the popularity of single blades on all patterns is somewhat of a modern phenomenon. I think the popularity is probably related to modern knives typically having single blades.
 
supratentorial said:
Of these options, I like the carpenter's knife the best. ...Does anyone have a photo of a single blade jack on an equal end?

...If we go with a carpenters knife, I think it's important to keep the size around 3 1/2 inches and nest the blades deep in the handle. The #15 pattern would be a traditional shape and size for a carpenter's knife but the sheepfoot would need to be lowered (instead of angled up) so that it doesn't interfere with the use of the other blade. Putting the pulls or nail nicks on opposite sides may help also. ...In addition to keeping the knife pocket friendly, it keeps the sheepfoot blade short enough that it can still be used for very controlled cuts.
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+1 :thumbup::thumbup:
A carpenter's knife as Jake described could make an excellent Forum offering IMO.
Here's an Equal End Single Blade Jack that I like a lot. Adding a low profile sheepfoot blade may make it even better.

Photo by KSF
 
Thank you, redsparrow. I'd still like to see some oldies though. I can only think of modern examples. Also, has anyone ever seen a lambsfoot on an OLD equal end knife? Is that traditional or out of place. I've only seen them on curved jacks. If it is traditional then that might be a way to combine multiple wants.

redsparrow said:
Sunken joints like on the Victorinox would be a fantastic improvement for GEC to provide on their Equal End.
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I agree. Sunk joints would be great. ...also, you caught my typo before I corrected it. I meant "solo", not "soldier".
 
Jake, a yahoo search for "Equal End Jack Single Blade" didn't turn up much. Two captions stated a Winchester and this Camillus were single blade ...can't say for sure. :o Seems they are quite rare. Maybe someone else can be more definite. :)
 
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Okay guys - I just caught up the sheet and we are looking at 136 interested parties, with the only two real topics of discussion being the 3 3/4 EE (still the favorite) and then the lambsfoot idea close behind. Charlie has access to the sheet if needed.
 
Charlie I love the idea of a sheep and a clip and also love the old carpenters knives. :thumbup:
 
how likely,difficult ,common, and far out would a split spring be on an equal-ended frame? is it something gec tends to do on their whittler patterns at all? or is this just whistlin' into the wind. if it goes carpenter SupraT is definitely right about the opposing pulls, and all the folks who've mentioned making sure the blades ride low. anything else seems like it would get caught up in other stuff and things in the pocket(for those heathens like myself, who don't tend to use slips). thanks,Neal
 
Thank you, redsparrow. The blade is closed but that main blade looks like a typical size for a double end 2-blade. I don't see a second blade but that would be an odd knife with a short blade. Single blades on equal ends seems to mostly be a modern phenomenon.

Neal, It sounds like Charlie is shooting for a different build (single blade or 2 blades on 2 springs) but split backspring whittlers with an equal end shape are very traditional.
 
jprime84 said:
Okay guys - I just caught up the sheet and we are looking at 136 interested parties, with the only two real topics of discussion being the 3 3/4 EE (still the favorite) and then the lambsfoot idea close behind. Charlie has access to the sheet if needed.
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What sheet? Forum knife? Am I on it? I'm interested.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
What sheet? Forum knife? Am I on it? I'm interested.
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Hi Woodrow, the bottom line is, there will be no Lambsfoot knife this year. It looks like a 2 blade EE so I'm not quite sure what or why the list as Charlie will surely post a poll of some kind to sort out the details.

Best regards

Robin
 
Pipeman said:
Hi Woodrow, the bottom line is, there will be no Lambsfoot knife this year. It looks like a 2 blade EE so I'm not quite sure what or why the list as Charlie will surely post a poll of some kind to sort out the details.

Best regards

Robin
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I figured that was where we were at. I just didn't understand the "we are looking at 136 interested parties" bit.
 
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