- Joined
- Apr 13, 2001
- Messages
- 546
[not my knife but a good example of a Northstar with mosaic pins]
I finaly got my Northstar today. It is a black canvas Micarta with mosaic pins.
Impressions;
1. This is a quality made knife.
2. Blade grinds are well executed and designed.
3. There is a noticeable lack of tool marks everywhere except near the finger groove serations and they actually help the traction in that area.
4. The mosaic pin work is exceptional. Such work in this price range is RARE today.
5. The Micarta grip is well contoured and polished.
6. Over all the design of the knife is almost ideal. The tip is both robust and very strong as well as being thin enough to be useful. The spine of the blade is thick enough to insire confidence yet the blade is ground thin enough to make it a good slicer.
7. For hunting uses I think it will be a good caping knife
:grumpy:
1. There is a good sized scuff on one grip panel that either did not receive the final polish stage or is the result of a slip of the hand.
2. The over all size of the knife is good but, for my hand, the grip is a tiny bit too small. Several knife guys that looked it over today had much larger hands than mine and flatly said the grip was too small for them. Several other guys and a number of ladies remarked it was perfect. I did notice they had smaller hands than me.
3. The utility sheath (shown above)BRK&T designed was not ready for this first porduction run. They shipped instead a simple pouch sheath and a card for a free utility sheath later.
Final impressions;
Reactions to my Northstar today ran about 100% positive on appearance and workmanship. Most folks that handled it were amazed that a knife of this quality and workmanship was purchased for just over $100.00.
Reactions to handling and feel-design ran about 70% positive and about 30% negative. Most of the complants were on grip size and lack of finger protection from the blade. I explained the concept of knives with lack of a bolster or oversize finger guards to everyone that complained but a certain number of folks thought these factors would prevent them from purchasing a Northstar. Of course none of these folks had a chance to actually use this knife for anything. All these comments were based on first impressions alone.
As for me...Even though the grip is a touch too small I think the Northstar is well on the way to becoming my favorite sheath knife for general utility duty. It is certainly not for sale and that says alot because I do not keep knives that I don't like.
:Cheers:
.. I have recently purchased the micro's on eBay for 35. to 40. each, and I have yet to see many better values than that in a good solid tool at such a good price in a while. I figure to keep a few extras on hand for some gift giving at Christmas time. At the current prices, it is a win~win 2 be sure. 
