The unofficial, non binding, carries no weight, 2020 forum knife possibility discussion thread

[knarfeng]

I think it's a shame that in all the years of BF knives, there is no Case representation. Is it a verified fact that Case is not interested in making a club/forum knife as an SFO? They were the biggest contributor from 1980-2010 for making club knives for the NKCA and others. I think a Case peanut would be a great BF knife for 2020, especially if a unique handle material were available.

Last time we checked, Case required a minimum order of 500 knives. And that would be for a standard, in-production pattern.

 

[knarfeng]

If I had my druthers, the 2020 knife would be the same as the 2018 knife, but on a 303 frame.
The 3 1/4" closed length of the 303 is very handy. As many people have pointed out, most of the forum knives have been fairly large. It would be nice to have a smaller knife for a change.

 

[Fixall]

I'm always down for a fixed blade, but in the past it hasn't seemed to trend to well with the other forum members. I think a Buck 102 or Buck 117 with an ebony handle and premium steel would be the bees knees!

Out of the knives that I think are in the realm of possibility, I'd like to see a GEC #48 Improved Trapper as I think it's just a beautiful knife.

If I could have a choice of anything... I'd like to see a BF Canal Street Cutlery forum knife now that they are back in the game. Not sure their five cutlers could handle (or would even be interested in) the order. though

 

[Murdamook]

If I had my druthers, the 2020 knife would be the same as the 2018 knife, but on a 303 frame.
The 3 1/4" closed length of the 303 is very handy. As many people have pointed out, most of the forum knives have been fairly large. It would be nice to have a smaller knife for a change.

This.

 

[Will Power]

Since this is purely a speculation thread Let's go

A simplification would be to use an existing GEC pattern, off the shelf, that has some special distinct aspects: 15 with Wharncliffe. 68 White Owl Spear/Pen. 92 Talon Spear single. Those three are just suggestions but the frame or blade combo are different from previous Forum Knives. It does rule out stainless.

knarfeng Frank's musings are also an excellent practicality, Buck made a great FK in 2018 and a smaller sized one with some different scales/blades would be excellent, 303 or 309.
Buck can also do a fine off the shelf fixed blade with special features too.

Fixed blade SHOULD be given an airing as it's something that's never been done. HESS Knifeworks produce quality stuff and the price looks acceptable. A small Fixed such as their Small Caper or Bird&Trout really would be a welcome change Some people don't go for fixed it's true but a small one can be coat pocket carry and their knives look great!

Even though I'm a European, the Forum is predominantly American, thus I think it is wiser & just more practical to opt for American makers (think, warranty, returns etc) Sheffield is mooted but frankly, I seriously doubt the firm in question could produce c.500 knives in acceptable uniform quality. My experiences of them would suggest not....plus, warranty & shipping? No. Lionsteel is a first-rate manufacturer but its products are an acquired taste for some I lap them up but the more conservative (stick in the mud) look askance. So, too controversial, sadly.

Hess B&T in wood

Thanks, Will

 

[Reaper AL]

A small B&T fixed blade would be nice. The lionsteel knives are also a great idea although they have modern steel which I am not against either. A case backpocket with a skinner blade would also be a great idea. A sow belly would be nice. Just a few ideas that run through my mind

 

[The Shatz]

I liked the northwoods idea!!

 

[Jack Black]

I stated interest in having a Sheffield produced knife last time. I however do not know the feasibility of such an endeavor. I suspect allot of the burden would fall upon Jack Black to make it happen. It would also need to NOT be a lambsfoot as to not detract from the guardians knife. Maybe a "rabbit knife" pattern? Also if a Sheffield cutler is chosen they would need to hold to the standards of Jacks hartshead barlow,which as I understand it took quite allot of ground work by Jack to achieve.

Sadly, I don't think it would be possible David, the Sheffield cutlers just don't seem to be able to maintain a consistently high standard anymore. The Hartshead Barlow took a huge effort, a lot of trips to Sheffield, a lot of phone calls, and a lot of grumbling

I like a lot of the mooted ideas, including a Hess, but what I really miss about the Traditional Forum Knife is the democratic process which was once very much part of OUR knife. There aren't that many folks who've been around long enough to remember it, but at one time, everything about the knife was decided by the members here, with a team of volunteers bringing the project to completion. Of course that was when there was also an annual BF knife, and the annual discussion threads weren't swamped with folks who never posted here any other time, and the numbers wanting a knife were much smaller than in recent years. Hoping the discussion will at least be polite this year (it sometimes hasn't been), and not make too much work for the mods. I think the annual Traditional Forum Knife should reflect the best of The Porch, not the worst of Bladeforums

 

[Elgatodeacero]

We should also be giving thought to how many dots or stars we get on the tang, as this seems to give some moral authority with mods and owner for future knives in the series (so ten dots or stars helps us get 10 years). But we should keep this to ourselves so mods can be convinced that the dots are just decoration and not the morally and legally binding compact with future generations as written in knife law.

 

[bax229]

A Hess B&T would be nice...been eyeing them for a while

 

[gaj999]

Give me a GEC scout knife. Punch, lifter, sheepfoot, main spear! On 35 frame?

Sounds good. The 53 frame would be even better. Maybe with spey, sheeps, spear or clip, and a lifter that I will grind into a punch myself.

 

[gaj999]

No matter what we choose, someone will be left out. Some folks won't buy a locker or a fixed blade because they won't buy a knife they won't get to carry. Some won't buy anything too small. Others balk at knives that are too large. Or they don't like single blades. Or multiple blades. I suspect that's why we end up with a medium-sized knife with one or two blades every year ... even then, that medium is too big or too small for some people. So why not step out and do something different this time?

 

[Ramrodmb]

We should also be giving thought to how many dots or stars we get on the tang, as this seems to give some moral authority with mods and owner for future knives in the series (so ten dots or stars helps us get 10 years). But we should keep this to ourselves so mods can be convinced that the dots are just decoration and not the morally and legally binding compact with future generations as written in knife law.

If it happens, it will have 10 dots or stars to signify 2020. Then one taken away each year. Much the way Case knives are marked. Nothing to decide there.

 

[Bugdoc]

While being a newer member here, I believe the 2018 project was quite democratic. I would very much like a fixed blade.

 

[mbkr]

If I had my druthers, the 2020 knife would be the same as the 2018 knife, but on a 303 frame.
The 3 1/4" closed length of the 303 is very handy. As many people have pointed out, most of the forum knives have been fairly large. It would be nice to have a smaller knife for a change.

Excellent idea. I'm in.

 

[Elgatodeacero]

A GEC mini trapper with clip and spey or clip and sheepsfoot would be nice, maybe saw cut red bone........?

A fancy Buck 303 to go with our 301’s would also be really nice, and would make quite a matched pair.

Fixed blade seems like it has many possibilities also.

Im not sure we are guaranteed ten dots or stars....... I could see the imperial powers changing to a year stamp (“2020”) on the tang instead of dots to avoid confusion with old forum knives or to avoid feeling compelled to finish out the dots/stars. With laser marking I bet a company like Buck could do almost any tang markings.

A Buck 110 Slim Pro without thumb stud and without pocket clip would also be cool, maybe with orange micarta covers?

 

[JustinR]

I'd love to see a small 4 blade senator (spear, pen, coping, nail file)...GEC 68 frame for simplicity.

I would also love to see GEC take on a lobster....although I'm sure that won't be cheap even if they were willing.

A Buck 303 pen knife would also be pretty sweet.

 

[Modoc ED]

Buck did a mighty job with our 2018 Blade Forum Knife - packaging and all. Franks proposal of a 303 size version sounds like a plan or any other pattern from Buck for that matter..

 

[tmd_87]

I really like the idea of a buck 303. But I think a full stockman with all three blades. Or maybe delete a blade and add punch?

 

[Modoc ED]

Forgot to say - I'm not adverse to having a fixed blade but with Buck as the manufacturer they can supply either a folder or a fixed blade. GEC can too but I'd like to give GEC a rest this year and go with another manufacturer.