Will there be a 2017 forum knife?

[cbr1000]

Charlie Waynorth should be deemed the patron saint of the Bladeforums knife. I was part of the "management" process one year, and it was probably the most disorganized year for the knife. Charlie and Barry have made this a much more pleasant process for all involved (in my opinion), and I think that comes in no small part from wrangling the cats straight out of the gate. Looking forward to this year's knife, as all the years prior. It's not exactly what I want, but that's half the fun - it gets me to look outside the box.

That being said, I didn't know tweed herringbone micarta was a thing! That's so friggin' cool! Regardless if we can get tweed or not, since a barlow is meant to be hard-working and not fancy, I say any sort of coarse-grained micarta, like canvas, would be great on this knife.

Thank you for saving this year's knife Charlie!

In homage of Charlie Champagna, the "patron saint" of blade forums we should turn his PJ's into micarta instead of tweed.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Didn't have time to read any of this but I wanted to subscribe as this for the moment is the only semi unofficial discussion thread. Now to go back to page 1 and get caught up.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

It would be nice if we could make it a full 10 years on the BFC tang stamp, we'll only have 2 dots left after this year.

 

[Sabercat]

I thought I'd put together a visual based on what Charlie's suggesting (and we're discussing) here: a TC Barlow with light colored Micarta scales (these are the Bone Micarta from Mike's #77 Barlow) and a nail nick sheepsfoot (from a #15 Crown Lifter). You'll have to forgive the black streaks in the Micarta -- my #77 just came that way -- and the Crown Lifter etch, which obviously wouldn't be on the BF knife, but hopefully it might gives you an idea of what we're talking about. I'd buy one!

I like the idea of a Harris Tweed Micarta, although I think having the Micarta specially made (rather than sourcing an existing Micarta) might bring the price up.

Looks great btb01! I actually really like those black streaks in the micarta - haven't seen one looking like that until now.

I agree that although the Tweed micarta would be awesome and unique, I suspect the cost would rival or even exceed bone or wood. I'm expecting a more common type of micarta - which is okay.

While I agree the lighter colors would look great, I wouldn't mind something a little more unique. With all of the "chrome" on these, I kind of think a Larkspur Blue micarta may look cool - a la a 1957 Chevy Bel Air.

 

[LastRodeo]

Those covers look amazing! I tend to lean toward micarta that has some variation in texture and color. The linen and paper micarta just seems a bit drab to me, especially in ivory or bone. You've also go to beware of the very light micartas because the threads or paper sometimes absorb the dark buffing compounds and it's impossible to get it out. This seems to happen a lot less on the darker or colored micartas. I'm definitely in no matter what, missed out last year and won't let that happen again.

Eric

Eric, I would be honored to gift you a knife from this year's offering. Put me down for 2 Charlie.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Alright I think I'm caught up now looks like a TCP Barlow in micarta with a sheepsfoot, correct?

That's great as I've always wanted a TC Barlow but the timing was always off for me. I love a sheepsfoot blade too. Thanks Guys, you know I'm in for 1.

 

[Dave from State Farm]

I am interested in this and would love to be in for 1 please and thank you!

 

[Fodderwing]

If I could have chosen any pattern out there the GEC TC BARLOW or NORTHFIELD 77 BARLOW would have been it. Only preference would be two blades but I would be thrilled either way. I am new to this and don't know how you go about securing one. But please count me in also.

 

[pwcb2005]

Another Arkansan! I used to be the only one on the Traditional Forum I think.

 

[leghog]

Why? The 2016's took a while.

Totally different knife. Unsold TC Barlows won't last long.

Also, didn't take long for the 2016 knife inventory to reach zero.

 

[Dadpool]

I only own one micarta GEC knife, a 47, but its properties are the opposite of most of what's been proposed so far: it's dark burgundy, which reads almost black in most light; it's uniform; and it's "fine-grained" (I don't know the correct term, but what I mean is that the weave is barely evident) linen as opposed to something coarser, like burlap.

This knife is one of my all-time favorites, so I thought it might be fun to highlight the other end of the micarta spectrum -- and I also think a darker micarta could be absolutely lovely on the 2017 forum knife.

I'm not opposed to lighter colors, other materials, etc. -- not in the slightest! From what I've seen, GEC does micarta very well, and I suspect I'll be happy no matter what gets chosen.

 

[hamsco]

Thank You Charlie, Jack, Sparks, GEC for your effort on this and past knives.

TC Barlow / Sheepsfooot / Cresent nick Fantastic !!!

Micarta scales ... I would rather have smooth bone or wood, but completely understand the cost constraints.

I agree with Dadpool about the dark tight grain. I like it better than the canvas grain, but the Ivory micarta is a close second.

I am in for two. (one for present for Barlow loving brother) ( If supplies allow )

I am excited about this 2017 BF knife !!!

 

[22-rimfire]

So, has THE knife been decided?

 

[meako]

Not by a long shot.
We still have to vote. ahh cmaarn we HAVE to .voting is fun.

I have some serious issues with tartan/tweed/ micartan/micarta.
It looks as though tweed micarta is already available and possible-thats good.
Tweed woollen fabric is available in USA and it may not be necessary to import from the costly Isle of Harris remembering that the Scots are "careful" when it comes to finance.
although a cruel person would say they are
known for having deep pockets and very short arms-thats good -but some costing needs to be done before we all hop into our kilts and start dancing on our swords.
It could work.
If we opted for a nice pale colour and it came out dark that would create conflict.
If we opted for pre existing micarta what are we getting thats any different or more succinctly 'specific to the project'
And heres the biggy-
I warn ye noo! dinna use the tartan lest ye want tae be cursed forever! AYE ! Cursed ah tell ye. With the loook of burberry. t doesnae bear thunking aboot.

 

[danno50]

It would be nice if we could make it a full 10 years on the BFC tang stamp, we'll only have 2 dots left after this year.

My sentiments as well!
Dan

 

[MrBitters]

I'm in for one however the final knife design falls out... just let me vote on something.

I enjoyed 2015's process as much as I enjoyed the final knife.

 

[Will Power]

Natural Micarta on the right (Natural Deer left ) can look very effective in this shade and should be uniform. More complex micartas might come out with a lot or variation, this could cause a hoo-hah...

Very recent run of GEC's Burgundy Micarta from last month. I think the dark rich colour would also be suitable, plus there's never been a RED Forum Knife

Regards, Will

 

[Camillus]

I was about to lend my voice and express concern about where this is going, but I do like the idea of a blood red micarta TC barlow!

Light micarta just doesn't work - it means dirty marks and satin bolsters, neither of which is desirable at this price level.

 

[Planterz]

I believe Charlie already mentioned that it requires a substantial price increase to "tool" a new bolster die for that purpose. I agree it would have looked really sweet, though...

Definitely a cool idea but I don't think it would come out looking like the TC bolsters. IIRC, the "TC" is actually stamped into the bolsters while they're red hot, rather than engraved on. Apparently the stamping dies are quite pricey.

Ah, I didn't realize it was a die. I assumed CNC, which is relatively inexpensive (minus the cost of the machines, which is not). I don't know exactly how GEC makes their knives. CNC and laser engraving is almost a nothing thing once you have the (extremely expensive) equipment and the person with the know-how to do it. Dies and molds are something different entirely. Looking at those bolsters again they do indeed seem stamped rather than machined.

 

[philllll]

Ah, I didn't realize it was a die. I assumed CNC, which is relatively inexpensive (minus the cost of the machines, which is not). I don't know exactly how GEC makes their knives. CNC and laser engraving is almost a nothing thing once you have the (extremely expensive) equipment and the person with the know-how to do it. Dies and molds are something different entirely. Looking at those bolsters again they do indeed seem stamped rather than machined.

Most of the machinery they use is really old school stuff. There's a cool youtube series of a GEC factory tour, check it out!

[video=youtube;ZeHWa5jyO74]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeHWa5jyO74[/video]