OK ,I have been watching this from the sidelines and want to comment on what I think is the loss of interest in the 2009 CPF blade by Mr. Tichbourne. First of all I am no blade expert, but I just don't see myself spending that amount of money on one of the blade styles offered by Mr. Tichbourne. Not questioning his quality work and craftsmanship, its just that his traditional blade styles are not my cup of tea. Im sure there's a lot of traditional (antique??) blade style fans in here that love George's work, and will pay the sum for a folder, but I bet most of the crowd here is waiting for something "tactical" looking and wrapped in orange G10 ( or blue), than the fine mother of pearl and stag bone George is used to work with..or am I wrong?? Sorry to say we will have to look elsewhere. Mr. Tichbourne himself has stated that he is fairly new to the folder scene and his traditional way of making knifes translates into his current offerings. I'm sure he will be more than pleased to accommodate the crowd to whatever we choose, but unless a prototype is made that sparks the interest of the silent lookers, the 2009 CPF blade by Mr. Tichbourne will remain vapor until then. I dropped out of the 2008 blade list when I saw the final design and materials, and I will dare to say most of the guys in the list bought it for the collectible factor, the CPF stamp and the numbering.
Did you guys see the EDC forums knife project??? They kept the price realistic , and the little thing looks awesome in orange G10. Maybe this is the route the CPF 2009 should take, does not have to be this design but gives you an idea...
http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=25541.0
I know , but given we are nowhere near the 40 interest list Tichbourne needs to make this happen, maybe we should get REAL and try for something less exotic...If this is going to be a CPF branded item we should go for quantity for everyone to enjoy not a uber exotic knife with the CPF logo that just a handfull of people are going to own. This should be left for a knife specific forum not a flashlight forum.
Indeed , most of us have , me included. What I mean is that we are proposing a very high caliber knife to the wrong crowd, yes most of us are knife enthusiast too willing to shell out the cash , but some are not... $500 for a CPF branded Mcgizmo, sure
?? $500 for a CPF branded knife?? :thinking: . See what I mean ? Wrong crowd...
Hey bro hope all is well
Many of the comments you made are exactly the kind of comments I receive when I carry a custom folder or when someone happens to find out it's price. I have a few knives about $600-$800 and.
Truth be told I happen to know George and consider him a good friend. (Now let's begin)
Many comments you made are generalizations, and your speaking for a community as a whole. While I agree this is a flashlight forum we are all pretty much the same individuals. (People that have a passion for something)
I lump all the below collectors, users, accumulators together, because they usually try to find higher end pieces of other tools while collecting their own specific one.
Knives (custom & production)
Guns
Jewelery ( Starlingear, Bill Wall, Steel flame, Drapers)
Flashlights
Gear ( Tad )
I'm not a flashlight junkie so you will have to excuse me. I'm more of a knife whore.
To me a flashlight is just a flashlight. Something you buy which will give you light when you need it; no more no less. After discovering knives I started looking at all the above mentioned tools closely, and found that there are some awesome tools to be had within the industry.
I would love to spend $1000 and buy a Spy 007, because I know it's a wicked light due to the overwhelming response by the knife community as well as the flashlight community. (One day I will too eh) We are all inherently collectors of high end tools which are not just limited to one specific type of tool.
I have a passion to collect high end knives, and because of that passion I understand your passion in collecting Highend lights. You some how do not share the same opinion when you stated that this is a light forum and why are we doing a knife.
I like to think about knives in a different nature. Look at all the below things which make a good knife, and what George offers.
Steel
Handle Material ( choices )
Heat Treating
Amazing Grinds
Fit & finish
Lifetime warranty
Free lifetime Sharpening Services
Most importantly I buy the maker and then the product. Life is to short to give money to someone you don't respect or care for, no matter how good the product. Many knife nuts will tell you that a knife community is very small and almost everyone knows each other. Everyone helps each other with designs to materials to just overall support, because everyone wants the other to succeed. A custom knife is a different animal. A maker has countless hours of blood, sweat and tears into his craft. I wholeheartedly believe that each custom handmade knife has a bit of the makers soul in it, and each is unique.
I agree within this recession most people can not afford a high end folder, and would prefer a fixed blade. I do agree with the knife being affordable enough so many people can grab a piece of CPF.
Possibly a skeleton fixed blade. Could always be used in the field to something in the kitchen.
Discuss the price
Discuss the length
Discuss the shape of the blade and the Grinds
Discuss the sheath systems
Discuss Coatings and such
Ultimately last year the knife offered was a true steal. Cut's like a laser, and for the price you could not go wrong.
take care bro and lets get together and make it happen eh.
aj
p.s I do remember an old design of George that might be perfect for this. I will talk to him and see if he can bring it out from the past.