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- Aug 21, 2011
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Where is our folder?
- Thread starter Tommythewho
- Start date
Ethan Becker
Moderator
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- Sep 1, 1999
- Messages
- 3,564
We keep scheming.......
Ethan
Ethan
Me too!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2011
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- 456
CPM steels seem to be all the latest trend, but, there are other steels out there that are better (in many cases) and less expensive. If you look at the Ka-Bar BK&T philosophy, it isn't really wrapped up in getting the latest steel or material out there. The idea is that they can make a blade that a lot of people will enjoy, many can buy, and it will be a good price.
I personally am not fond of D2 at all. I know it has high wear resistance, but, from what I have experienced (never had a D2 Ka-Bar), it is brittle to the point of near uselessness. I keep throwing this out there because the Sweedish steels are so overlooked, but AEB-L/13C26 and 14C28 would be great value options for a blade made by BK&T/Ka-Bar. Don't believe me? Like Ethan said, the German DIN 1.4116 kitchen knives are in the same class and loads of people love them and if given a higher hardness, I think it would be a good option (I'd prefer the Sandvik options).
I am not trying to talk down to the other members of the board who posted about S30V, but, for a production run of a folder in that steel, I think it is safe to say to dream on. I would love to see it happen, but I just don't think it is a possibility.
I have used AEB-L in my personal knife making (similar to 13C26 and 14C28) and it is incredibly tough and wear resistant. Unbelievably, it even outperforms S30V when I tried to cut kydex with it. My AEB-L knife at 59hrc is the only knife I cut tough materials with and the edge lasts. There is another post on the forums somewhere comparing this steel to others and I never heard a bad comment about it. Steels like CPM S30V are nice, but for the price of the Swedish mid level carbon steels, I don't think you can go wrong, especially if you heat treat them to around 59.
A ti frame lock would be sweet, but again, material costs would be kinda high, so SS or even a normal liner lock would be fantastic as well, just as long as it is made in the states and by BK&T/Ka-Bar and as long as it has the traditional BK&T style...
I personally am not fond of D2 at all. I know it has high wear resistance, but, from what I have experienced (never had a D2 Ka-Bar), it is brittle to the point of near uselessness. I keep throwing this out there because the Sweedish steels are so overlooked, but AEB-L/13C26 and 14C28 would be great value options for a blade made by BK&T/Ka-Bar. Don't believe me? Like Ethan said, the German DIN 1.4116 kitchen knives are in the same class and loads of people love them and if given a higher hardness, I think it would be a good option (I'd prefer the Sandvik options).
I am not trying to talk down to the other members of the board who posted about S30V, but, for a production run of a folder in that steel, I think it is safe to say to dream on. I would love to see it happen, but I just don't think it is a possibility.
I have used AEB-L in my personal knife making (similar to 13C26 and 14C28) and it is incredibly tough and wear resistant. Unbelievably, it even outperforms S30V when I tried to cut kydex with it. My AEB-L knife at 59hrc is the only knife I cut tough materials with and the edge lasts. There is another post on the forums somewhere comparing this steel to others and I never heard a bad comment about it. Steels like CPM S30V are nice, but for the price of the Swedish mid level carbon steels, I don't think you can go wrong, especially if you heat treat them to around 59.
A ti frame lock would be sweet, but again, material costs would be kinda high, so SS or even a normal liner lock would be fantastic as well, just as long as it is made in the states and by BK&T/Ka-Bar and as long as it has the traditional BK&T style...
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2011
- Messages
- 2,009
I would love a BK 11/14 sized folder in 1095cv. I would prefer a lock back design over a frame lock.
Honestly at this point if Ethan released a BK&T folder it would sell, regardless of steel and personal preferences. As long as the price is right.
It sounds like he is having a hard time getting the price down in relation to his other high value knives. Give it time and it will come.
Jeremy
Honestly at this point if Ethan released a BK&T folder it would sell, regardless of steel and personal preferences. As long as the price is right.
It sounds like he is having a hard time getting the price down in relation to his other high value knives. Give it time and it will come.
Jeremy
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2007
- Messages
- 1,379
No, that's a collaboration between Esee and Blue Ridge Knives called the Zancudo. It's a inexpensive little folder.
- Joined
- May 6, 2012
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- 2,232
Yeah I just looked it up...Good thing. Not a bad little knife for $30 I guess. I prefer the Rat-1 or Rat-2 are Cryo II or Thermite.
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- Jan 6, 2007
- Messages
- 1,379
Agreed. The Rat-1 is a really great folder for the money. I love mine.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2003
- Messages
- 19,864
"getting the price down"
"value for money"
etc...
y'all know Becker is about value and price-point
let me break it down for ya...
everyone SAYS they'd buy a Becker folder for $200, and some of us would, but most everyone, esp "not the fans" would whine about it, and ... it would stall.
let's say $150? more competitive, yet, we all know you guys want a Chris Reeve knife for < $100. not likely to happen.
it's going to be made IN America. by Americans. with probably American steels. you can't get that cheap.
if we get a folder, it's going to be special. you're going to have to pony up. no whiners
whiners want something for nothing. go buy some Spydercoco clones, 3 for $10 
heck, it might even be limited edition. unless it completely sells, then they'll do more
for Science! i mean, for value :}
"value for money"
etc...
y'all know Becker is about value and price-point
let me break it down for ya...
everyone SAYS they'd buy a Becker folder for $200, and some of us would, but most everyone, esp "not the fans" would whine about it, and ... it would stall.
let's say $150? more competitive, yet, we all know you guys want a Chris Reeve knife for < $100. not likely to happen.
it's going to be made IN America. by Americans. with probably American steels. you can't get that cheap.
if we get a folder, it's going to be special. you're going to have to pony up. no whiners
whiners want something for nothing. go buy some Spydercoco clones, 3 for $10 heck, it might even be limited edition. unless it completely sells, then they'll do more
for Science! i mean, for value :}
daizee
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2009
- Messages
- 11,130
I'm ok with 'for Science!' until the bullets start flying.
I know we're a buncha Ka-bar fanboys here too, but I should point out that a Becker folder doesn't necessarily have to come out of Olean if it's not their core manufacturing capability (dunno the licensing deals in place). Benchmade turns out solid USA-made products in the $150 range with many guest designers, for instance. Of course if Ka-bar DOES want to make that leap, then three cheers from me! Hell, I might even make some paper dolls...
-Daizee
Amen. BK11 or 24 in home made pocket holsters. I rarely ever even consider carrying folders anymore. Only if I'm in a "play with a flipper lockback all night" mood.