Over the last year or so, I've tried to scale back my new knife purchases a bit and limit myself to one,
maybe two, knives from any GEC release I'm interested in. I've had a few missteps along the way (
*ahem*#25's*ahem*), but for the most part, I've done a pretty good job sticking to that plan. The downside is that it sometimes feels like I have to wait a long time to get my hands on a pattern that everyone else here is already showing off. Thankfully, I got my first #78 in the mail yesterday.
The Northfield jigged bone was a good choice. I like the unique jigging/checkering (it feels really nice, too). I'm also really happy with the pull on the blade, which is a little stronger than other recent GECs (but I'm guessing a little lighter than previous #78 runs I've read about). The high-polish blade sometimes puts me off knives in the Northfield line, but it's nothing a little patina can't fix.
I also took some comparison shots with a couple other similarly-sized GEC spearpoints. I like that the shape of the #78 is sort of halfway between the straight #77 spearpoint and the... let's call it "bulbous" #85 spearpoint.
Paul, I'm sorry to break it to you my friend, but the knife that makes up the "K" on your CK pocket slip clearly has a thumb stud, so I'm afraid you're going to have to limit posting photos of it to the "Traditional and Modern Pairings" thread.
I actually found my Northfield fairly easy to pinch open. It should get even easier once there's some patina on the blade. As others have suggested, you could always add an EO notch (the ones I've seen so far look great on this pattern).
