*Official 2018 BF Knive: Poll 1/8: 2 Blades (Jack), 2 Blades or 3 Blades

[fishface5]

Sorry if I'm obtuse but in those well pics, the third well would be gone in the opposite end version so it would be thinner, right? But would the same-end jack require a spacer making it slightly thicker?

 

[r8shell]

A serpentine Jack is really not an unusual pattern, but I don't think Buck has ever made one. If you count the China made 372 Muskrat, they have made a two bladed opposite ended serpentine.

 

[Will Power]

It was very nice of Buck to provide samples of cover materials and maybe we'll get more samples, but the construction is best appreciated with the knife in hand. Pick one up. It's only $30-40. It's different than a Schrade or Camillus or Case or GEC. Open up one of the secondaries. Imagine the blade and spring disappear. What's left inside the handle is a jack or double-end jack, depending on which blade you opened. Take a look inside the well at how everything fits together. Repeat with the other blade.

If this were just any 2-spring knife made by Schrade or Camillus or GEC, I would vote for a jack. But it's a Buck. And it's different than knives from other manufacturers. The clip blade on the 301 does not completely fill the well. I'd prefer double-end jack so that there's not a huge empty space on one side. We have to work with the 301 pattern. The blade isn't going to grow longer.



Although I voted for the double-end, I kind of want the single-end to win just so that I can see what people say about the huge space on one end when they get it and have it in hand.

I don't understand the strong objections that a few people have voiced. I have not seen any explanation given. Both have 2 springs. Both have the same blades.

A premium 301 with upgraded blade steel and fancy handles is already available. Frank has one. They were made for BCCI. If you want one and have the cash, you can buy one. A 2-blade would be the 1st from the Buck factory in the USA. If you want one, you'd need to get a forum knife.

My biggest CONCERN is that there will be sticker shock and people will be turned off by the price. A 2-blade will actually be cheaper for us than a 3-blade. But many of the customizations are going to add up. It's going to be a lot more expensive than the standard 3-blade knife with black plastic or dymondwood handles. Is everyone aware of the cost? A base price of $80 and a ball park of $100 has been mentioned a couple of times but not everyone reads through these multiple page topics. It would be best to put the price estimates in BOLD at the top of each poll and to list out the running cost and additional cost of each customization. Price could make it or break it for a lot of folks. If the knife is $30-40 they would sell crazy fast regardless of whether it is 2 or 3 blades. But they're not going to be that cheap. And $80-100 is a tougher sale. Price is likely more important than the features being voted on in the polls.

Exactly! I could not have said it better, but if I did try I may get accused of obsessive posting
Conventional Jacks are not only usually Swell End types but would have liners for each spring-like in a Barlow. Inside a Buck the arrangements are all different from CASE GEC etc. To have a Jack with some gaping canyon and no liners is going to look....well it will look like a parts knife or a frankenstein knife

My verdict is, an opposite end 2 blade will be suitable on aesthetic and build levels and be like a big 309. Something, different, feasible and uses available blade parts.

A Jack version would certainly make me prefer the conventional Stockman, no question.

 

[redsparrow]

Sorry if I'm obtuse but in those well pics, the third well would be gone in the opposite end version so it would be thinner, right? But would the same-end jack require a spacer making it slightly thicker?

Both the same end and opposite end jacks would be the same thickness. One blade and one spring removed on both options.

 

[Will Power]

r8shell Nice Jack Rachel, but then, it does have a slim Pen as minor not a wide Sheepfoot, probably each blade has its own liner and it doesn't sport slant bolsters.

 

[Jack Black]

opposite end - well

same end - well

Thanks for posting these

Have to say, that "gaping canyon"/"dirt trap"/"massive gap" looks about the same either way

 

[WValtakis]

Have to say, that "gaping canyon"/"dirt trap"/"massive gap" looks about the same either way

Yup, hoping the 3 blade option can gain some ground back.

~Chip

 

[Jack Black]

Yup, hoping the 3 blade option can gain some ground back.

I should add that, from the look of it, I find that gap perfectly acceptable/normal Chip. I'd still like to see samples before I change my vote I certainly don't ever recall the votes swinging around so much

 

[WValtakis]

Something that just occurred to me, with Buck's linerless design would the Jack version have the two tangs riding against each other?

~Chip

 

[supratentorial]

Keep in mind that there's still an extra tang in redsparrow's photos. He's a powerful wizard but the tangs were impervious to his magic. You will still need to use the power of imagination to mentally remove the tangs.

Any knife with multiple blades from Buck will have some space due to each blade being on a separate spring. The double end shifts part of that empty space to the other end. It should be clear from the photos without needing to use red arrows.

If the manufacturer was GEC, I'd probably want a jack on two springs. But it's not made by GEC. Buck's clip blade doesn't completely fill the well.

I do think there needs to be more consideration of the price.

There are some very strong opinions. Remember that the forum knife is supposed to bring us together! Have fun, guys.

 

[r8shell]

There are some very strong opinions. Remember that the forum knife is supposed to bring us together! Have fun, guys.

I think this is what it looks like when we're having fun. You should see us when we're cranky!
I will be happy with whatever is picked, but I'm advocating for the Jack because I don't want to see it ruled out before we see the mock-ups, if there are any.

 

[gaj999]

Something that just occurred to me, with Buck's linerless design would the Jack version have the two tangs riding against each other?

Good question. Seems like they would unless Buck added a washer. But then the blade/washer combo would be wider than the spring. Adding a liner would work, but that's going to boost the price.

 

[fishface5]

See that's what I was thinking

 

[rswanson]

I know I'm being an agitator but we already know what a three blade stockman looks like and it's pretty good. We don't need to discuss blade wells, wasted frame space, or washer inserts. Buck has all this dialed in with the 301. Maybe it's not as "ultra-traditional" as a Schrade 881 but it still looks pretty nice to my eye.

Someone early in the thread said "why does everything about this knife need to be different?"

I think a custom-covered, CPM154, flat ground large stockman from an iconic manufacturer of traditional knives giving us their first forum rendition sounds pretty fresh to me.

Time is drawing short, vote three blades!

 

[skblades]

I think the regular stockman is the safest choice given the circumstances. I think why pick a stockman and remove a blade. It will be less expensive for a two thats a big plus but the 301 will be weird with two blades where there's meant to be 3 not a fan bc the frame will remain the same with 2 blades

It is my understanding the the frame will NOT remain the same but will be slightly smaller as there will an entire blade and spring missing.

Also Buck says that the samples won't be done until Monday, but I'll do my best to get them early.

 

[Vaporstang]

Voted!

 

[Ernie1980]

Looking forward to seeing those samples Steven!

 

[afishhunter]

It is my understanding the the frame will NOT remain the same but will be slightly smaller as there will an entire blade and spring missing.

Clarification, please.
Is Buck saying the closed length will be slightly smaller if the two blade configuration is chosen?
I can understand the width being less since there would be one less spring and blade, but I fail to understand why or how that would affect the length.
And if the length was changed, wouldn't that increase rather than decrease the cost?
(Different tooling, for the frame and springs, etc.)

 

[supratentorial]

Clarification, please.
Is Buck saying the closed length will be slightly smaller if the two blade configuration is chosen?
I can understand the width being less since there would be one less spring and blade, but I fail to understand why or how that would affect the length.
And if the length was changed, wouldn't that increase rather than decrease the cost?
(Different tooling, for the frame and springs, etc.)

I think he meant thinner, not shorter, when he said "smaller".

I know I'm being an agitator but we already know what a three blade stockman looks like and it's pretty good. We don't need to discuss blade wells, wasted frame space, or washer inserts.

If we put all 3 blades on 1 side then we could consolidate all of the empty space... maybe use the space to store a small sharpening stone.

Something that just occurred to me, with Buck's linerless design would the Jack version have the two tangs riding against each other?

~Chip

And on the regular production 3 blade knife, the blade flats tend to get some rub marks also. But we will likely vote for a full flat grind.

300Bucks posted this in the original poll before it was closed and this new poll was started. Some good info:
"As a fantasy I was hoping for a Clip/ Warcliff choice in a two blade format. But, can be happy with sheepsfoot also. Actually, I have a couple of two blade 301s I have modified to opposite end Clip and Sheepsfoot. I was doing this because I just seldom use a spey blade. ( The 303 is the better whittler's knife to have a spey.) The knife feels better in my hand with push cutting pressure in the two blade format. But, in using factory sheepsfoot blades the tip will likely ride too high for some peoples liking. Including me. If a standard production sheepsfoot is used the owner will likely end up grinding on the tang foot to lower it slightly, and this effect will only increase as the knife is sharpened. In the 3 blade configuration the sheepsfoot is the middle blade and the spey blade protects the point slightly. I still will take my chance's because I like the slimmer and lighter 2 blade 301, but if you want to be a traditional traditionalist then better vote for the 3 blade. I would hope the blades are placed on the traditional factory ends. In the traditional sense then it would just be a 301 with the spey removed, not blade jumbled around... 300Bucks"

 

[afishhunter]

supratentorial
(Quote) "The washer inserts is not going to happen but it would still be relevant to the 3 blade since 2 of the blades would still be on the same side." (End Quote)
The three blade would have two blades on the same end; the Clip and the Spey. However, they have the Sheepsfoot between them, which is hinged on the other end.
Two blade opposite end or three blade, no two tangs would be in contact with each other.
Two blades same end would need something to prevent the tangs from contacting each other, else when you opened one blade, the other might open with it, due to the friction.
(From the looks of the vote though, the 2 blade same end is unlikely, since it is running a distant 3rd place.)