Forum Knife Updates and comments

eisman said:
And yet you can buy a Swayback, or a Zulu Spear, or a Mini-Trapper, or a Backpocket, or a Saddlehorn (all knives that came out as collaborations) for well under $100. They just are made in different materials.
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As far as I am aware, those sub-$100 Case models have Tru-Sharp blades. I think that soft 420HC holds much less interest for the non-traditional BF crowd that we would have to depend on to get to 500 knife orders. Last time we checked, Case had a 500-knife minimum order. I have doubts about selling 500 of those unless we opened it up to folks who are not BF members, and that's unlikely to happen again in the future.
 
I know jack squat about steel. Could someone please explain the pros and cons to CPM 154 steel? And, if you are so inclined, adding some other steel types and information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Larry
 
t.willy said:
That being said I thought it would be a smiller lighter knife then the GEC #35.
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Nope, it’s a 4” stockman frame, 2 springs. That extra 1/4” and extra width are gonna make it fill the hand vs the 35. It’ll probably take you some time to love it. Definitely give it a good chance.
 
boykinlp said:
I know jack squat about steel. Could someone please explain the pros and cons to CPM 154 steel? And, if you are so inclined, adding some other steel types and information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Larry
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Stainless steels progressed through new alloys and materials but also through the process to make the steel. Crucible Metal had a steel they called 154CM. Then they found a way to make it better by turning it into a powder that was then used to make the billet (block of steel). CPM154 is Crucible Powder Metal 154.

The refined grain gives better edge holding, toughness, and corrosion resistance.

154CM on the left, CPM154 on the right.

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boykinlp said:
I know jack squat about steel. Could someone please explain the pros and cons to CPM 154 steel? And, if you are so inclined, adding some other steel types and information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Larry
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The "PM" in CPM stands for "powder metallurgy". It's a method for making exotic steel alloys, many of which cannot be made using standard melt technology. They spray the molten alloy and turn it into a powder. Then they load the powder into a heated press (Extreme High temp and extreme high pressure) and press it until the particles melt together to make a billet. It's a lot more complex than that, but that's the high level description.

One of the results of the process for steels containing carbides is that the size of the carbide particles is really small. Much smaller than the carbide particles in a melt alloy. The small carbide particles mean that you can achieve a finer, more stable edge, and still get the abrasion resistance of the carbides.

CPM154 is popular among custom makers because it is a stainless steel containing carbides that takes an extremely fine edge and holds it better than melt alloys and better than some PM alloys. It is said to hold an edge measurably better than regular 154CM or D2. 154CM holds an edge noticeably better than 440C.

The cons are that there are other PM alloys which are even more abrasion resistant, though they are not as famous for taking such a fine edge.
 
Jsega51 said:
Nope, it’s a 4” stockman frame, 2 springs. That extra 1/4” and extra width are gonna make it fill the hand vs the 35. It’ll probably take you some time to love it. Definitely give it a good chance.
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Thanks Jake. Ether way I'm still looking forward to getting this one in hand.
 
Jsega51 said:
Nope, it’s a 4” stockman frame, 2 springs. That extra 1/4” and extra width are gonna make it fill the hand vs the 35. It’ll probably take you some time to love it. Definitely give it a good chance.
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For me, carrying heavy is all about thickness, not weight. Well, up to about 6 ounces, anyway. I've got an Elephant Toenail that I like that doesn't see much pocket time as I usually wear light weight shorts. I guess I'd call it carrying big. A three-spring SAK is a good example. Not that heavy, but I really notice one in my pocket. Same with the Buck 110LT. Light as a feather, but a tad thick. My favorite knives are all single spring, and the Churchill is high on that list. I'm happy that we went with the two-spring version of the 301 and now I have my fingers crossed for slim scales. This could be a really nice EDC.
 
knarfeng said:
As far as I am aware, those sub-$100 Case models have Tru-Sharp blades.
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I have one with a CV blade that cost less than this years Forum knife. And I think we pushed 500 pieces this year, and that was done limiting the number a single person could buy.
 
knarfeng said:
The cons are that there are other PM alloys which are even more abrasion resistant, though they are not as famous for taking such a fine edge.
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Other pros are that it's relatively inexpensive, easy to work, and easy to sharpen compared to some of the more exotic PM alloys. And I can't pass up a chance to pimp CPM-M4. It takes a screaming sharp edge and holds it well. But then it isn't stainless. Dang. Every silver lining has a cloud.
 
eisman said:
I have one with a CV blade that cost less than this years Forum knife. And I think we pushed 500 pieces this year, and that was done limiting the number a single person could buy.
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To those outside of the Traditional Forum, CV is no more enticing than TruSharp.
We did not hit 500 knives this year, though we came close.
The limit on how many one can buy is highly unlikely to be removed.
 
CV is not always that enticing even to those in this Forum....:D:D;)

I'm very pleased indeed that we've been able to get a modern steel on a traditional type knife, there's a lot to be said for it:thumbsup: An obsession with carbon knives to the detriment of others could be off putting for many people who would otherwise like to get interested in Traditonals.....I suspect
 
Will Power said:
CV is not always that enticing even to those in this Forum....:D:D;)

I'm very pleased indeed that we've been able to get a modern steel on a traditional type knife, there's a lot to be said for it:thumbsup: An obsession with carbon knives to the detriment of others could be off putting for many people who would otherwise like to get interested in Traditonals.....I suspect
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A very good point Will. My main dislike for Case SS is their tumble polishing that rounds off blade points & shoulders of the nail nicks.
The few patterns that they offer in "As Ground" do not have those undesirable traits but unfortunately are only offered with Delrin covers.
It would be nice if they would offer some with bone or stag
 
oldtymer said:
A very good point Will. My main dislike for Case SS is their tumble polishing that rounds off blade points & shoulders of the nail nicks.
The few patterns that they offer in "As Ground" do not have those undesirable traits but unfortunately are only offered with Delrin covers.
It would be nice if they would offer some with bone or stag
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I think this 63090 is one of the few knives that Case made with Bone handles and As Ground blades. There may have been a few more patterns with Grey Bone and As Ground but I don't remember for sure.

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The quandary is caused by the current market in traditional patterns. Too many manufacturers gone forever, or nothing left of them but their names still being stamped on copies of their old patterns made elsewhere.

In the US, pretty much all we have left is Case and GEC, with Buck, being a much more varied producer, still providing some traditional patterns but it is not their main business line.

So to be blunt about it, you've pretty much got GEC as the only maker in the traditional space that is happy to accept SFOs and make knives to customer spec, in the sizes of orders a forum is able to come up with. I was quite pleasantly surprised that Buck would take on the business this year, and that a dealer would agree to handle the orders and everything else at no profit. If people want another Buck semi-custom next year, that might be another option.

I would not count on that lightning to strike twice. We have lost several of our most active member dealers since I joined, so the pool of likely candidates to bring another forum knife to fruition is small.
 
Will Power said:
CV is not always that enticing even to those in this Forum....:D:D;)

I'm very pleased indeed that we've been able to get a modern steel on a traditional type knife, there's a lot to be said for it:thumbsup: An obsession with carbon knives to the detriment of others could be off putting for many people who would otherwise like to get interested in Traditonals.....I suspect
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Think I’m one of few who prefers stainless, so looking forward to the Buck. I’ve got just 2 carbons in my collection right now, including Charlies ancient 2.0. Love the knife, don’t love attending to discoloring on spine & liners. It’s a bit like having a pet .
 
Laurelbb Laurelbb Ha Ha! Yes you've a point, it is a bit like having a pet, rewarding but high maintenance literally :D I have dozens of carbon knives and so I must be like the mad old person with 600 cats;)

Unlike cats or dogs, at least carbon pets don't get stricken with diarrhoea :eek::D Not unless you think of Celluloid knives...:D
 
Actually for people who want small run forum knives made by Case, you are just on the wrong forum. The Case Collector's Club (a paid membership - $20 a year, cheaper than a Gold membership here) has a forum that has in the past made special "Forum Knife" releases that are individually serial numbered, as well as other limited edition releases that are available similar to the lottery system some dealers here use, where each CCC member is allowed to mail in a card to put their name in the hat to be able to buy from a limited run of 500 knives or knife sets, usually each quarter.

Point being is that Case already provides this kind of service to their customers, just not through this web site.
 
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