No matter which knife wins the right to be called the 2012 Forum Knife, it might be nice if we had some handle option ideas already put down. So tell everyone the handle options you’d like to see, so MCM can see what is do-able and maybe find out costs and get a feel for what folks would like. There's no wrong answers - just spitballin' some ideas here to see what sticks.
And MCM, Thanks again for taking on this project.

Here’s my thoughts

IF it’s the 710, I think Carbon Fiber all the way. The scales are just too flat to really show off the different layers in the two tone G10.

IF the Rift wins my original idea was blue and black g10 with bronze hardware to represent the blue, black, and gold classes. To the best of my knowledge, the blue and black G10 hasn’t been used for regular production knives since the Kulgara, it’s use has mostly been for special knives, which this one will be, so I would think it’s appropriate. But we just had a couple with blue and black, so I could see where folks might want something different.

For either: I believe it was Patrick that suggested some silver twill and it’s been a while since we’ve seen silver twill and I really like it. It might be an alternative to CF to keep the price down a bit but retain the look. I could see silver twill scales with some blue anodized liners, or stand-offs and thumb stud, shiny hardware, and maybe that inlaid blue anodized medallion looking really “sharp”!

I agee with what you said about the 710 + CF. I like b/b g10 on the Rift. But, I think CF on the Rift would make it very unique. The twill might be pretty cool with the clearcoat on the blade. I have no experience with bronze hdwre. I do have Nickel plated hdwre on my Gold Grip. That finish is really nice and I wouldn't mind seeing that quality of hdwre used here. CF with Nickel hdwre would be nice. Or b/b contoured g10 with bronze hdwre would be cool, too. Or how about the silver twill with Nickel hdwre? Can we get the cog shaped hdwre instead of the standard shape? As I stated in the other thread, I think it's gonna be pretty hard to go wrong here.
What other options do we have?
For scale material?
For hardware and hdwre finish?

Well my 2 cent worth would be a Rift with the silver twill or possibly some wood handles.I think the blue and black G10 has been used enough for now,and we wanted somthing different within reason.I think the walnut bone collectors went over well..Anyway I'm still in and thanks to all who made this happen.
Also...I do plan to sell mine on fleabay for a proffit in about 10 or 15 years

Great idea on the thread.
But its going to be tough to nail down with the 710 and Rift so close.

As the Rift is in the lead:
A CF Rift with polished silver hardware sounds nice to me, as the M4 w clear Cerakote is a bit grey.
The brightwork would really wake it up.
I need to get the actual cost and post the price of M4 and CF V.S M4/ G-10.
To give everyone a better idea before we vote on the "Official: Scale thread.

the steel blade is a lot more important to me and i don't care that much about the handle material ...
though, if i have to give an opinion, i would say silver twill would be great. CF too ...

I will vote for Carbon Fiber. The Carbon Fiber would help set it apart and make it more unique/special. And since it being the 2012 forum knife I think it deserves top shelf scales. I dont mind paying a little more for the CF, IMO it would be worth it.

CF with bright Nickel plated hardware and a cog style thumb stud and axis, would be my preference.

Let it be bright but not coated like the 930 with that awful black nickel stuff that floats off with handling PLEASE.

quote:

Let it be bright but not coated like the 930 with that awful black nickel stuff that floats off with handling PLEASE.

I don't think that is what I'm talking about, is it joe?
Maybe someone with both a 930 and a Gold Class Grip could help us out here.
The Nickel plating on my Gold Grip seems to be really excellent.
I have had absolutely no issues with it coming off?!

Even I get caught up in the 'wanting the Forum knife' madness Keyman. No biggie.

I hope the finish on the Gold 551 has held up. I owned a 930 and the black nickel coating wore off in a number of places, maybe that's changed