GEC vs Northwoods

I have been on the fence about picking up a Northwoods Fremont Jack.
This thread was great reading for me. Thank you.
 
Like many others have said, GEC makes most and it may be all now of Northwoods knives. Their quality levels are both excellent and I am a fan of both knives you are choosing from. Either or is a good choice. Their sizes are not too far off so I with which ever one looks more pleasing asthetically. The Viper is always attractive and popular but the Fremont has a great blade shape too.
 
Nader Elhayek said:
So what would you pick if you could only have one?
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Between those two, I would pick the Viper, because I dislike the blade grind on the Freemont. I agree with others that quality is the same, as both are GEC made. And Im a big fan of stag, so either of the two is a great choice in that regard.

Gec model 47 Viper, Specifications 3 3/4" Closed. Swayback handle, Wharncliffe blade, flat grind.
DSC_7806__18633.1394665421.1280.1280.jpg


Northwoods model 27 Freemont, Specifications 3.75" Closed. Sleeveboard handle Sheepfoot blade, saber grind
DSC_2525_1200__04127.1382470892.1280.1280.jpg


MerryMadMonk said:
The Fremont and the Viper side-by-side for comparison:
fremontviper001_zps631d6b18.jpg

I prefer both! :D
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Helps a Lot! And I agree Both is a best answer. Your photo shows the two knives, though specs say the same handle length, are not the same size. It would also help if you could post the weight of each knife, as that helps determine size differences.

However, I would choose neither, as I am currently not exceeding 3.5" handle sizes. Im a big fan of the 3 3/8" #15 pattern.

A single blade #15 with wood covers, weighs 57 grams in a Barlow bolster, and 49 grams in a short bolster.
Im also a big fan of ebony, and long pulls, and since ease of opening is an issue with the Viper, here is an alternative to that issue, for half the price, also with a single blade and straight cutting edge like the two you are considering (the #15 does not have an overly firm pull even if you use the nail nick):
http://gunstockjacksknivesandcollec...53113eo-stl-huckleberry-boys-knife-ebony-wood
IMG_3770-500x500.jpg


Here is a Barlow I strogly recommend, that is in stock
http://gunstockjacksknivesandcollec...ow-sfo-single-spey-blade-in-african-blackwood
IMG_4325-500x500.jpg


fwiw, bone adds 8 grams over wood, and barlow bolsters add 8 grams over short bolsters. In hand, I actually prefer the balance of the Barlow bolster, over the short bolster which makes the knife seem more blade heavy, unless you go with bone handle, or a capped head like this:
http://gunstockjacksknivesandcollec...oute-152114ec-single-spear-blade-ebony-wood-d
IMG_4097-500x500.jpg


yes, take a moment to digest your choices. Beware the slippery slope, many of us cant buy just one knife :-)
 
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All will be the same.

100 Mammoth Ivory
50 Yellow camel bone
50 Blue Camel Bone
100 Green Linen Micarta
 
Glad to hear this, Derrick! I'm gonna get me a Mammoth this time round for sure.
I'm big fan of the Northwoods Fremont, personally. Very solid in build and finish but having that blade at the ready with just a pinch to open is a great added feature IMO. I don't own a #47 so can't comment.
 
I love all of the photos comparing the Viper to the Fremont Jack. I do have a question about the blade grind on the Fremont. The blade looks very thick. Can someone with both knives comment on the blade thickness and grind on the Fremont?
 
Easyrider said:
I love all of the photos comparing the Viper to the Fremont Jack. I do have a question about the blade grind on the Fremont. The blade looks very thick. Can someone with both knives comment on the blade thickness and grind on the Fremont?
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OK, I don't have a Freemont but do have a Forest Jack with the same saber grind. The saber grind will not deep cut material as well as a full flat grind due to the more obtuse angles. It really depends what you are using your knife for, I like the style of the Northwoods saber grinds but would pick the Viper to chop up me apple:)
 
Can someone explain what the saber grind excels at? I know FFG is great for slicing stuff, but what is the saber grind great at?
 
Saber grind is the strongest, and paired with a convex edge is a great chopper, with the extra weight giving more bite, and the convex keeping it from sticking. Not the most practical for a slipjoint, but pretty to look at.
 
And in fairness, the saber grind on these works very well in daily use. The blade is thin enough that it is not an issue. At least not on the ones I have carried.
 
The day I got my Fremont I sliced up a sales receipt that was thinner than phonebook paper... couldn't have done better with my Leek. Can't wait to try it on some catfish when I get my boat out of the shop next week.
 
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No offense, but I think the blade on both the fremont and the forest jack could have been thinner.
(The day I can afford to have GEC make me a SFO I'll have my perfect knife.)

With that said I must admit that the saber grind is more appealing to the eye than FFG.

MerryMadMonk you must have been lucky. None of my knives from GEC has been that sharp, most haven't been sharp at all.
 
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