I pondered this some before making a decision.
I am, unabashedly, a fan of GEC and the knives they produce. I also like the 14, and even though it is on the diminutive side of things for me, it is still a useful companion to a much larger single blade knife with the 2-blade variant being far more palatable than the single blade versions. Though I would certainly agree with the others, the secondary should be something unique, such as a caplifter or punch, even a small coping blade would be nice. I will say that I am intrigued by the idea of a shield on a 14 though.
The current run of 15s that are on the schedule include an M&G SFO that is a 2 blade jack with a Federal Shield. This is simply fantastic and this will likely be the first M&G I attempt to acquire, it will possess an exquisitely classic look and I am really looking forward to it. If the same concept was applied to the 14 as a forum SFO, I might be inclined to sway in that direction.
However, with all of that said...
I voted for Buck.
Though there are a few things that stand out to me in regards to the Buck offering, the one thing that really sold me is something that
knarfeng
said in the previous 2018 Forum Knife thread that I think has since been moved offline. He mentioned something along the lines that a Buck that is produced in their custom shop typically meets or exceeds the F&F and craftsmanship that we have come to attribute to GEC and that we should expect a fine knife to be produced if we go that route.
This paired with the flexibility of options available and the opportunity for Buck to really please the crowd are what tipped the scales for me. I am a bit indifferent when it comes to steel choices, 1095 suits me just fine for my daily needs and if I need anything tougher, I have plenty of options at my disposal. However, I think the steel we choose should be something that will allow for the BF stamp, as I think that is an important part of the tradition and it would be a shame to skip a year. Otherwise, I will wait to voice my other preferences until the next polls are available.
So, here I am, raising a glass (currently filled with the blackest of coffee) and wishing Buck all the best, they have my vote this year. Many thanks to Frank and Gary for keeping us in line and getting things back on track. Many thanks as well to everyone who has pitched in to help,
@Dadpool,
@Leslie Tomville,
@skblades,
@knifeswapper (if I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me). Also, a very heartfelt thanks to Charlie and Barry for all of their past efforts, your absence has shown a spotlight on everything you guys have endured and worked on to make these special knives come to fruition.