Keep it Alive in 2025

I’ve never understood how Case refuses to do a 300 piece order for the largest gathering of traditional knife buyers, yet they have SFOs at a 200 square foot country store local to me with custom logo work on the blades.

Also, don’t they do the PB&J bone for SMKW, which I’d imagine is well under 300 pieces since it sells out so fast. I might be completely wrong, I just personally think reaching out to Case again might come up with some good news.

If we could get a classic pattern done in unique (not garish) bone or wood and carbon, it would be very special indeed.
 
OK fantasy kicks in :D This is what I'd like but it's not made by anybody -although GEC could take note ;) The top knife in Horn.

Single-blade CLASP knife in the English style or how about Saddlehorn in the American style Clip? Whatever, better steer clear of Horn due to production difficulties...Micarta polished or Osage Orange wood

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Bill Howard's company is a relatively small one that has had a massive impact for near 19 years. They have made numerous Forum Knives and have benefitted from that themselves as it was a symbiotic relationship. However, production realities mean he has to carefully schedule releases thus a Forum Knife now has to fit in with those realities. So, I would consult him as to whether a single blade Barehead model could be in the pipeline- think 15 Boy's or 92 Talon- or a Farm&Field like the Bullnose. This keeps production simple, wood or a fancy micarta means it's a safer option and it would appeal to user and collector alike. Hopefully sub 200 USD as well and it can carry the BF tang-stamp.

I think CASE is an avenue worth re-investigating for the reasons a previous poster gave. A single blade Slimline in Carbon with special bone would not be poor or even their humble Penknife but in their fabulous Chestnutbone?

Foreign options may seem rational too, I love Laguioles and use them a lot, many French clubs order 'specials' But this is not a knife for everyboby (what is, the surgeon's knife? :eek::D) Likewise I wouldn't mind something from Rose-Craft, their Sodbuser work knife looks tidy, BUT how can foreign knives get the mark of BF? Tricky, and most of all this current tariff turbulence that many countries look set on adopting or countering could mess up everything and I mean everything, shortages, rationing etc :eek:
 
Will Power said:
OK fantasy kicks in :D This is what I'd like but it's not made by anybody -although GEC could take note ;) The top knife in Horn.

Single-blade CLASP knife in the English style or how about Saddlehorn in the American style Clip? Whatever, better steer clear of Horn due to production difficulties...Micarta polished or Osage Orange wood

View attachment 2838034

Bill Howard's company is a relatively small one that has had a massive impact for near 19 years. They have made numerous Forum Knives and have benefitted from that themselves as it was a symbiotic relationship. However, production realities mean he has to carefully schedule releases thus a Forum Knife now has to fit in with those realities. So, I would consult him as to whether a single blade Barehead model could be in the pipeline- think 15 Boy's or 92 Talon- or a Farm&Field like the Bullnose. This keeps production simple, wood or a fancy micarta means it's a safer option and it would appeal to user and collector alike. Hopefully sub 200 USD as well and it can carry the BF tang-stamp.

I think CASE is an avenue worth re-investigating for the reasons a previous poster gave. A single blade Slimline in Carbon with special bone would not be poor or even their humble Penknife but in their fabulous Chestnutbone?

Foreign options may seem rational too, I love Laguioles and use them a lot, many French clubs order 'specials' But this is not a knife for everyboby (what is, the surgeon's knife? :eek::D) Likewise I wouldn't mind something from Rose-Craft, their Sodbuser work knife looks tidy, BUT how can foreign knives get the mark of BF? Tricky, and most of all this current tariff turbulence that many countries look set on adopting or countering could mess up everything and I mean everything, shortages, rationing etc :eek:
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I like where you're headed with this. So how about:

GEC 15, shadow pattern green linen micarta, all steel, clip point with long pull. Keep it under $150.

Spark could probably sell a thousand of those.
 
I have regrets about the numerous GECs in the tube that I will never use or sell (too lazy) and the 50 billion other knives haunting my house in drawers, boxes, bags, closet, and toolbox. Tomahawks, machetes and choppers hide under the bed. Perhaps there are others here who have decided they've had enough. Could that drive down demand?
 
Will Power said:
Single-blade CLASP knife in the English style or how about Saddlehorn in the American style Clip? Whatever, better steer clear of Horn due to production difficulties...Micarta polished or Osage Orange wood

1743674723037.jpeg
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I think fat spear 23 would do the trick perfectly.
 
abcdef said:
I have regrets about the numerous GECs in the tube that I will never use or sell (too lazy) and the 50 billion other knives haunting my house in drawers, boxes, bags, closet, and toolbox. Tomahawks, machetes and choppers hide under the bed. Perhaps there are others here who have decided they've had enough. Could that drive down demand?
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I have a solution to avoid that. I keep one drawer (let's say it's a drawer) for knives. Whenever it gets near to full, I review and pick best of the best, and sell others. Next time it gets full I'll clean out some moderns, because I think I am keeping a few non-GEC traditionals that I have. GECs are not for sale per se. And what's outside the drawer is in use (very few, mostly fixed blades). Users are also not for sale for obvious reasons. You might try similar startegy if you like.
 
abcdef said:
I have regrets about the numerous GECs in the tube that I will never use or sell (too lazy) and the 50 billion other knives haunting my house in drawers, boxes, bags, closet, and toolbox. Tomahawks, machetes and choppers hide under the bed. Perhaps there are others here who have decided they've had enough. Could that drive down demand?
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Im with ya as some times i look upon my collection and wonder, as much as i like all of them, some I just cant legally carry. But no, because for those of us with morals and ethics and enjoy the hobby, there are those without; and its not a hobby to them. its a business. its just $$$$$. That's why I refuse to go to rendezvous these days. That's why the prices were driven that high, not only due to the new interest, but certain bad actors in the community. I do keep tabs on the ebay flippers, trade extorters and scalpers as much as I can. Cant blame the dealers because why should they leave money on the table. but ill put the soapbox away for now as this is not the place for it. Hope springs eternal...
 
Tyson A Wright said:
I like where you're headed with this. So how about:

GEC 15, shadow pattern green linen micarta, all steel, clip point with long pull. Keep it under $150.

Spark could probably sell a thousand of those.
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Good idea on the Shadow :thumbsup: Let's make in Green M Clip, and Red M Spear :)- that would make two thousand...

Been wondering IF a Drop-Point or Wharncliffe could be housed in the 15 frame ? Something different and feasible perhaps ? :)
 
For me the primary reason that I didn't get the 2024 was cost. My current financial condition precludes any knives for anything near that price point.

If it is to be from GEC, my vote is for a single blade. I don't have a GEC sodbuster, so a smaller one would be enticing. I like linen micarta handles, so that would be a plus.

Other options that I would support would be a Buck 501. Even the Opinel would be interesting. We could get one with exotic handles.

Too bad the Viper option seems to be off the table. The Viper swayback that knifeswapper knifeswapper lined up is my favorite of the four forum knives that I have.
 
I'd like to take the forum knife in a different direction from the one it has taken in recent years. Simplify it a bit, and knock the price down some.

If I ruled the world, I would make the 2025 forum knife either a 71 Bullnose or a 47 Hay'n Helper with a single sheepsfoot blade. They're both shadow patterns, so that would help minimize costs. The forum knife is special, so we'd have to distinguish it from prior runs. A never before utilized cover material should do the trick. Imagine either model with Black Diamond Richlite covers. Farm & Field on the pivot and BladeForums on the tang. Both designs would be beautiful. Unfortunately I think such a knife would wake the flippers from hibernation.
 
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lambertiana said:
Other options that I would support would be a Buck 501
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Being a Buck fan boy and liking the 501, I would love this option. I don't know how Buck would react. They(Buck) say they are out of the SFO business dealings.

Buck has done a few 'stealth' run 501s, all have been nice.
Here’s the Larin 501…
 

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Good ideas and practical from L lambertiana and kamagong kamagong :thumbsup:

If flippers emerge from hibernation then so what if sales are restricted to one knife per member and a 6 month joining minimum regardless of post count ? 250 knives would certainly be enough for the Traditional contributors and more. I have to say I suspect the motives of some chest beaters in the past who used the occasion to sneer at 'unfamiliar' people not from the mythology 'porch' conveniently forgetting that this is a Blade Forum's knife not solely a Traditional one. Or those who were annoyed they couldn't buy many knives for their numerous and possibly mythological descendants or forebears.....;) in some cases this was just pique at not being able to reap profits whilst conveniently denouncing flippers 🤑 How many people are there on the Traditional Forum anyway ? Clearly not enough to cover the 2024 knife allowing for the discouragement of overseas members, high price and questionable desirability of the knife.

Given all this, a simple and popular single-blade from GEC makes the most sense: 15, 71, 92 or 73 particularly IF it can have a distinct bolster or handle material- this I suggest would suit nearly all of the parties concerned, provided Bill Howard has room in his production schedule.

I'd also like a small fixed blade as an alternative, could Buck be tempted into offering something, perhaps in White or Yellow synthetic?
 
Will Power said:
Given all this, a simple and popular single-blade from GEC makes the most sense: 15, 71, 92 or 73 particularly IF it can have a distinct bolster or handle material- this I suggest would suit nearly all of the parties concerned, provided Bill Howard has room in his production schedule.
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Agree agree agree! That was pretty much exactly the set I was thinking of.
 
Meanwhile !!
At Stately Spark Manor !!
"Your breakfast Master Kevin."
"Thank you Alfred. Yawwwnn has the newspaper arrived?"
"Yes Master Kevin but I'm afraid you might find it disturbing."
"Oh No not 'The Kookaburra' and his horde of knife zombies again?"
"I'm afraid so Sir. They are prying open the gates to the estate as we speak."
" Fear Not Faithful Butler....The antagonistic Australian airhead and his misguided minions...can be easily appeased....To The Spark Cave!!!"

Can our hero prevail??
Will the Kookaburras clamourous cackling be quickly quelled??

TO FIND OUT THE ANSWERS
TUNE IN NEXT TIME

SAME PORCH CHANNEL
SAME PORCH TIME.
 
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