Poll: 2018 BF Trad. Knife Buck Options - You Choose

Which Buck Model?

  • 303 $

    Votes: 48 14.7%

  • 301 $

    Votes: 131 40.1%

  • 501 $$

    Votes: 79 24.2%

  • 503 $$

    Votes: 4 1.2%

  • 112 $$$

    Votes: 17 5.2%

  • 110 $$$

    Votes: 9 2.8%

  • 532 $$$$

    Votes: 17 5.2%

  • 55 $$

    Votes: 14 4.3%

  • 113 $$

    Votes: 8 2.4%
  • Total voters
    327
  • Poll closed .
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Not open for further replies.
I think there is only 1 clear choice of action moving forward. Now that a GEC dealer has stepped forward, the momentum shift toward a GEC is too large to ignore. My proposition would be that a poll be done with the GEC 14 vs the Buck 301 and see how that shakes out. The politics got crazy in the other thread, and I would not want this thread shut down just like the original 2018 Blade Forum thread was.

I believe the best course will be that vote and let it be decided finally and democratically. I will postpone my efforts until we know if Buck is the chosen manufacturer.

Thank you to everyone this far!
 
skblades said:
I think there is only 1 clear choice of action moving forward. Now that a GEC dealer has stepped forward, the momentum shift toward a GEC is too large to ignore. My proposition would be that a poll be done with the GEC 14 vs the Buck 301 and see how that shakes out. The politics got crazy in the other thread, and I would not want this thread shut down just like the original 2018 Blade Forum thread was.

I believe the best course will be that vote and let it be decided finally and democratically. I will postpone my efforts until we know if Buck is the chosen manufacturer.

Thank you to everyone this far!
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First, I'd like to echo the rest of our grateful formites that have thanked you for all your kind efforts here. Second, you make a great point with the aforementioned. Words of reason and wisdom to be certain.. As for me I am sticking with you and Buck.
 
I'd just like to point out that it is only April, and we have another 8 months in 2018.

There is plenty of time for a GEC pattern to come off this year other than the 14 (of which there will be many sfo cover variations), and additional patterns could be discussed between Mike at CK and Bill at GEC to determine possible contenders before putting it to a vote. There have been a lot of possible variations on the 301, and they will also affect cost, so we need to not get in a hurry to determine the winning candidate. I think a selling price range needs to be established before voting as well. Let's not get the cart before the horse, there is no immediate determination required on this year's forum knife, and even if it isn't delivered until January, it isn't critical to most of us; let's just all settle down a bit.

JMHDAO
 
Gunstockjack, April is gone. May is here in two or three shakes. And these things take a lot of time and effort by multiple folks so the process needs to start happening if we are going to get things done by January 2019 shipments.
 
skblades said:
I think there is only 1 clear choice of action moving forward. Now that a GEC dealer has stepped forward, the momentum shift toward a GEC is too large to ignore. My proposition would be that a poll be done with the GEC 14 vs the Buck 301 and see how that shakes out. The politics got crazy in the other thread, and I would not want this thread shut down just like the original 2018 Blade Forum thread was.

I believe the best course will be that vote and let it be decided finally and democratically. I will postpone my efforts until we know if Buck is the chosen manufacturer.

Thank you to everyone this far!
Click to expand...

The GEC option might be: "GEC #14 or a possible mystery pattern to be revealed later"

Unless, the mystery pattern is off the table and I missed it.

I do think it is time for putting the two camps up to a vote..... Provided knifeswapper knifeswapper agrees.


That being said, I too would be interested in a BUCK SFO lockback.... Definitely bareheaded, but not so much on the burlap micarta.
 
gunstockjack said:
I'd just like to point out that it is only April, and we have another 8 months in 2018.

There is plenty of time for a GEC pattern to come off this year other than the 14 (of which there will be many sfo cover variations), and additional patterns could be discussed between Mike at CK and Bill at GEC to determine possible contenders before putting it to a vote. There have been a lot of possible variations on the 301, and they will also affect cost, so we need to not get in a hurry to determine the winning candidate. I think a selling price range needs to be established before voting as well. Let's not get the cart before the horse, there is no immediate determination required on this year's forum knife, and even if it isn't delivered until January, it isn't critical to most of us; let's just all settle down a bit.

JMHDAO
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with sunnyd sunnyd for timing. Once we start pushing delivery into September and most definitely early October I get slammed. From where I'm sitting, offering the BF knife needs to move far faster than January. Hunting season and Christmas time are break neck for me.
 
skblades said:
I tend to agree with sunnyd sunnyd for timing. Once we start pushing delivery into September and most definitely early October I get slammed. From where I'm sitting, offering the BF knife needs to move far faster than January. Hunting season and Christmas time are break neck for me.
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This whole 2018 thing just started this month! The last few years knives have been delivered in the fall, October earliest, December latest. I should know!
 
gunstockjack said:
This whole 2018 thing just started this month! The last few years knives have been delivered in the fall, October earliest, December latest. I should know!
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I don't disagree with you on any point. No one understands what you have done in the past more than I might. I'm referring to My schedule and my ability to offer my services for a forum knife. Simply that and nothing more.
 
gunstockjack said:
I just don't see the need to rush when CK just offered up their service yesterday; nothing against BKI or anyone, just let's give the alternative a chance to be considered.
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Also something I'm not pushing is a rush. The forum can choose the manufacturer they want and take the time they want. Maybe time efficiency is what sunnyd sunnyd was referring to? I don't know. I don't personally understand why this project should take 9 months, but I'm not pushing anything.
 
I believe Chris told me the #14 addition to their schedule would take them into November. Can't remember for sure, but the schedule on their site is into September without it - and it is looking like a 3000+ knife run with all the standalone and add-on sfo's. So, my guess is that we are looking at all but maybe one pattern on the books for this year - and then you would be sitting right on Christmas. Items many times get inserted in the schedule, but seldom moved up. Anything could happen, but that is why I would stick to the #14.

I agree with skblades skblades in that we probably need a friendly choice of the Buck 301 -vs- GEC 14 soon so the details can start getting worked out by one maker.
 
skblades said:
Also something I'm not pushing is a rush. The forum can choose the manufacturer they want and take the time they want. Maybe time efficiency is what sunnyd sunnyd was referring to? I don't know. I don't personally understand why this project should take 9 months, but I'm not pushing anything.
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Time management/efficiency is exactly what I was referring to. In addition to folk's schedules, the holidays and builds ahead of BF's just makes things that much more complicated. I meant no offence to anyone personally. Just say'n was all.
 
skblades said:
I don't personally understand why this project should take 9 months, but I'm not pushing anything.
Click to expand...

I don't know Buck specifics, but think the methodology is generally like a stocking manufacturer. Buck makes/keeps stock of generally the same knives for dealers; so they have a shorter schedule because they need to make items to restock as dealers buy. This is the typical methodology. They do have custom and one-off work, but it is not difficult to fit on a schedule when you are essentially back-filling. At least this is the way most larger traditional makers work. Case is a little different because they do have a limited time on most of their runs - but they may still have thousands of their popular variants on their shelves at any given time.

GEC is a "just it time" maker. They are not large enough to stock hundreds of thousands of dollars of inventory. And their target has not been large retail stores like Wal-Mart, Amazon, etc. So, they do not make the same knife over and over again. Thus, they put out a schedule and tune it such that their knives sell as they are made. It would be great if dealers could re-order popular products, but then GEC has to inventory it - and they don't have the capital for that.

In the past, GEC only kept a 45 day schedule. But now there are some runs that take them 45 days. Also, they have streamlined a bit such that every station is always working, so as the finishing group is finishing Bullnose, the slab group may be working on the slabs for the pattern 3 ahead - thus those components / tooling / stamps are ordered 4 ahead.
 
One thing I don't quite get is why folks are pushing so hard for a GEC #14 for a forum knife/for GEC to make the forum knife this year.

Some things need to be considered.

I assume that the manufacturer of the forum knife will continue to rotate year on year.

I assume that GEC will be selected to make forum knives in future years, as it has in past years.

GEC has made the last two forum knives and doesn't need to be selected each year to make the forum knife.

Buck is as traditional as American knives get, but hasn't made us a forum knife as yet.

The #14 pattern is not anything special in terms of design, being based on an old Camillus pattern (the #15 sized Camillus Navy knife).

The #14 pattern will be available in a large range of handles and configurations, so there is likely plenty of options for those looking for a nice #14.

Indeed a forum knife version of the #14 could turn out to be one of the less attractive versions, which would be counter-productive for those wanting GEC to make the forum knife on the basis it would have more x-factor than a Buck-made knife.

We have a large amount of influence and support within GEC with the right lead time and preparation. There is more value in us (with the support of people like Barry, Mike and Charlie) asking GEC to produce a new pattern for the forum knife, than there is in us using that opportunity to get what is essentially just another handle material variation in a production pattern.

I am not opposed to a GEC this year, I just think we need to look at the big picture. Just having a good pattern, that is US made, and has some cool knife history to it suits me fine. If I need a fancy GEC there are plenty of those in the pipeline.
 
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skblades said:
I don't disagree with you on any point. No one understands what you have done in the past more than I might. I'm referring to My schedule and my ability to offer my services for a forum knife. Simply that and nothing more.
Click to expand...
knifeswapper said:
I believe Chris told me the #14 addition to their schedule would take them into November. Can't remember for sure, but the schedule on their site is into September without it - and it is looking like a 3000+ knife run with all the standalone and add-on sfo's. So, my guess is that we are looking at all but maybe one pattern on the books for this year - and then you would be sitting right on Christmas. Items many times get inserted in the schedule, but seldom moved up. Anything could happen, but that is why I would stick to the #14.

I agree with skblades in that we probably need a friendly choice of the Buck 301 -vs- GEC 14 soon so the details can start getting worked out by one maker.
Click to expand...

I just wanted to say that you both have handled this phenomenally.

- Steve, as long as you have been posting on this topic, I have been finding myself impressed with the way you handle yourself, your business, your customers and hobby/livelihood. I will be looking further into your business, as I have previously (and unfortunately) written Buck off as not my taste. You personally have addressed that, and I am thinking I was wrong for quite some time.

- Mike, I have bought from you a bunch of times and I have always found you to be an upstanding character that is honest rather than looking to appease at the sake of not knowing for sure. I appreciate your integrity, honesty, investment and contributions to our community.

One thing that I do know is that it isn't likely that many people will be making their decision based upon their preferred vendor. Thank you both Very much.
 
Camillus said:
One thing I don't quite get is why folks are pushing so hard for a GEC #14 for a forum knife/for GEC to make the forum knife this year.

Some things need to be considered.

I assume that the manufacturer of the forum knife will continue to rotate year on year.

I assume that GEC will be selected to make forum knives in future years, as it has in past years.

GEC has made the last two forum knives and doesn't need to be selected each year to make the forum knife.

Buck is as traditional as American knives get, but hasn't made us a forum knife as yet.

The 14 pattern is not anything special in terms of design, being based on an old Camillus pattern.

The 14 pattern will be available in a large range of handles and configurations, so there is likely plenty of options

Indeed a forum knife version of the 15 could turn out one of the less attractive versions.

There is more value in us (with the support of people like Barry, Mike and Charlie) asking GEC to produce a new pattern for the forum knife, than there is us seeking what is essentially just another handle material in a production pattern.

i am not opposed to a GEC this year, I just think we need to look at the big picture. Just having a good pattern, that is US made, and has some cool knife history to it suits me fine. If I need a fancy GEC there are plenty in the pipeline.
Click to expand...
Check this post just above yours regarding the GEC 14.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...ions-you-choose.1575193/page-20#post-18043884
 
Woodrow F Call said:
The GEC option might be: "GEC #14 or a possible mystery pattern to be revealed later"

Unless, the mystery pattern is off the table and I missed it.

I do think it is time for putting the two camps up to a vote..... Provided knifeswapper knifeswapper agrees.


That being said, I too would be interested in a BUCK SFO lockback.... Definitely bareheaded, but not so much on the burlap micarta.
Click to expand...
I agree... I'm guessing the 14 will have a ton of SFO's. It would be difficult for me to decide which to pick (301 or 14) without knowing specifics of what blade and cover material will be on each brands knife. It would be easier to decide if some specifics were available.
At this point what would be polled? The 301 has undecided pulls, cover material, and blades. I haven't seen specifics for the 14 and have seen posts about another pattern being an option from GEC. Like gunstockjack said, we should hold off at least a few weeks or more and get some more details. Whatever the forum knife is I likely will get a 301 as long as its not synthetic covers. Can we go ahead with a poll for the 301 to iron out the details so at least that's out of the way while we allow time for the GEC option?
 
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I think the 301 options might be more numerous than the 14's particularly if knifeswapper knifeswapper handles shipping and all as he has to limit the cover material for international shipping.
 
I just feel that a 2018 Forum knife should be made and hopefully delivered in 2018, not stretching it out to next year because GEC has a huge run of 14s that have to be turned out. My 08 knife, 10, 11,13,14,15,16,17 knives were all made in that year and delivered in that year, that is all the Forum knives I've owned,

This is how it should be.
 
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