James, there is a lot going on with this project, but if we do it the way I anticipate next year, this year's will seem simple in comparison.
The running of the poll during the lifespan of the buildoff is mostly to keep interest in the project, and hopefully to bring more collectors to this forum if only just to spectate. Stacy offered to sticky this thread and I think I will take him up on that offer once the submissions by knife makers to participate closes on April 15. That's the only date I want to adhere to, since it allows me to prepare and mail the designs to the participants all at once.
As for the June 30 deadline, let's aim for it, but if guys need more time then there's no reason to not extend it a bit. This is all for fun and interest and benefit, after all. The poll on the designs will close on the June 30th deadline though. Voting for the knives will start once the knives are done and hopefully that won't be TOO long after June 30.
Including me, we now have 6 makers taking part.
And, to make it clear about the design- makers will receive a to scale pattern shortly after April 15, of their choice of one of the three posted. Once they receive the design, they are free to copy it exactly, or base a completely different design of their own making loosely on what they receive. Or do something in between, it doesn't matter.
The interesting thing will be to see how these knives will be voted on, and whether or not there will be a value in the knives staying true to the design, or a maker's interpretation is favored by voters. Everyone will see the baseline, and have a standard place to start. Where they go from there, well, only time will tell.
