Let's talk Northwoods

[knerd]

Got a black linen Delta Jack sitting in the PO box. Can't wait until I get home. This is my 1st Northwoods and 1st traditional (if you exclude SAK's).

 

[blanco112]

I got mine today. I have to say fit and finish is on par with my other GECs. None are perfect. Every single one I have has some flaw, whether it's the grind, the centering, rubbing on multiblade knives, or a weak snap. In this case the latter is the problem on my black micarta (the blue camel is tucked away), very similar to the BF Barlows. I'm working it back and forth now and it seems to be improving.

Other than that the knife looks great. I like the blade shape, even if it's a bit short for the handle. Very sharp, perfectly centered and everything else seems to be in place as it should.

 

[strokednbored]

Looking good here.

The pull is very similar on both after some lube, but the camel bone makes a much more distinctive "THOK" sound - almost hollow - opening and closing whereas the micarta is more of a "snick". I wonder if it's the micarta deadening the sound vs. the bone? I don't have duplicates of another knife in different materials to test this "theory".

 

[Kas99]

I think the shields could really use some work. For the life of me i cant figure out what that line is on the blue one...

 

[Kas99]

It sucks because the knife is perfect

 

[knerd]

I like it! Blade is sharp (for a factory edge), centered and tight. Grinds look good for a $100+ production knife. Handle has a few areas that need attention (gaps & bolsters not flush).

Maybe I just got lucky, but for a production knife it's pretty great!

 

[tomsch]

My two DJs are on the USPS truck to be delivered later today. Original tracking showed yesterday but I guess 1st class shipping is a little variable this time of the year. I'll post my impressions once they arrive since I do have 6 other Northwoods currently. Hmm...... this will make 8 total! May be time to seek professional help

 

[pmek5]

Fit & finish is right on. Even flush at half stop.

 

[davemonkey]

Mine came in the mail yesterday. Very pleased with it. I agree with knerd F&F (on this one anyway) is above standard. Here it is with it's cousin Yellow Rose.

 

[NewBlades16]

Has anyone else noticed the copper coins have a different knife? It looks different than any other Northwoods...I wonder if it’s the new Bark River Northwoods collaboration silhouette?
I also like that Derrick went back to the older style “knife purse.”

wrong post

 

[NewBlades16]

Fit & finish is right on. Even flush at half stop.

I missed out on the green and the black micarta. I really wanted the green. Not so much the black. But I landed the other 3. The blue camel has a deep blue I really like.

 

[NewBlades16]

These are handmade objects and will have inclusions. Get a diamond in VVS1 or IF, they cost 5 times as much sub VVS1. I doubt GEC has ever made a perfect pocket knife and even more so for less than $200. This isn’t to mean as a consumer we don’t expect the best, especially when we’re paying premium, but it is a handmade object made mostly with human hands. There’s gonna be “Character flaws.”

As to these Delta Jacks. I find the blade spot on for the handle. I’m not sure it could’ve been much bigger. The grinds on mine are as good as it gets from GEC. No uneven grinds, but if I were to be totally neurotic, my Green Burlap has a millimeter off on the top swedge grind. The action on my Micarta(s) were abysmal, at first. After cleaning and nano-oil, they are acting perfectly. Even after washing, drying, and new oil, there’s still some muck being pushed out at the top of the knifes spring and joint. Not a lot, but it does leave dirt on a white towel. Repeated working the knife and oil while wiping the top and that’s remedied. Almost every GEC I get I have to do this to and only with Queen do I still get muck from time to time when re-oiling.

View attachment 808545

I collect Northwoods and use them without regard. Never had a problem. Even if I did, you have GEC’s and KSF’s lifetime guarantee. KSF’s customer service is the best in the knife world. I’ve never had a problem or concern that wasn’t resolved to my complete satisfaction. Complaining out here is where you should not complain first, call KSF, and I bet, you won’t have a complaint any longer.

I digress, here’s my knives fresh out of service. Of the three which one for the Holidays?
Not me. I will not be using it. Pull it out, flip it open and and monkey with it. Nahh. Just put the knife in your pocket and use it. No regard. Also, They are actually considered production knives. You are right, no knife is perfect. This run is a fine example of GEC's quality production process. Trying to talk about specifics of the knives so the knife police do not come.
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The sheath....Not me. I will not be using it. Pull it out, flip it open and and monkey with it. Nahh. Just put the knife in your pocket and use it. Remember regard, Just use the knife.. Also, They are actually considered production knives. You are right, no knife is perfect. This run is a fine example of GEC's quality production process. Trying to talk about specifics of the knives so the knife police do not come.

 

[NewBlades16]

I wonder why they decided to switch sheaths?

 

[knerd]

I would've loved to snag a blue one. I was just happy to score a black linen. Heck, I was happy to just score any of them.

I got concerned after I placed my order due to all the recent talk of f&f problems. I'm pretty impressed w/ my Delta Jack. Everything is within production knife standards. Back spring is flush at all points and the blade is g2g.

 

[NewBlades16]

I would've loved to snag a blue one. I was just happy to score a black linen. Heck, I was happy to just score any of them.

I got concerned after I placed my order due to all the recent talk of f&f problems. I'm pretty impressed w/ my Delta Jack. Everything is within production knife standards. Back spring is flush at all points and the blade is g2g.

Yes they are nice.. For a production knife, cannot get much better, can you? Is it a safe queen or a user?

 

[knerd]

^ User. No safe queens here.

 

[tomsch]

Received my green and red burlaps today. Both are great with no obvious F&F issues. Fit in the hand is perfect and the blade length is also very good. Of the two I like the green better so will likely pass on the red one. Overall this is a great knife!!! Typical GEC dullness which I'll fix on my Wicked Edge this week. The only thing that is a little perplexing is the pocket sheath. Not really into the flap which adds too much overhead to pull out the knife and fiddle with the flip and then try to dig the knife out. I'm going to take a straight edge and cut off the flap portion to make it more like the original pocket sheaths and see how that goes. Since the green burlap will likely turn into a daily user I'll just drop it in my pocket anyway. Pics to follow....

 

[cobbgoblin]

Got my green burlap micarta today. Excellent knife, though its action was a little sluggish out of the box. After a little oil flush in the pivot and opening and closing about 100 times, a bunch of gunk was removed and the action improved significantly. Great job KSF and GEC!

 

[davemonkey]

Received my green and red burlaps today. Both are great with no obvious F&F issues. Fit in the hand is perfect and the blade length is also very good. Of the two I like the green better so will likely pass on the red one. Overall this is a great knife!!! Typical GEC dullness which I'll fix on my Wicked Edge this week. The only thing that is a little perplexing is the pocket sheath. Not really into the flap which adds too much overhead to pull out the knife and fiddle with the flip and then try to dig the knife out. I'm going to take a straight edge and cut off the flap portion to make it more like the original pocket sheaths and see how that goes. Since the green burlap will likely turn into a daily user I'll just drop it in my pocket anyway. Pics to follow....

I'll likely not be using the sheath either. That's not to say I don't like it. It's very attractive and well made. And like the coin it's a nice addition, part of what makes Northwoods unique. But It's to bulky/cumbersome for pocket carry. So it will be put to the side along with my other assorted boxes, tubes, bags, pins etc.

 

[JB in SC]

My red burlap showed up today, very nice overall. A couple of minuscule liner gaps near the tang. Grinds look good, centering good, about a half (or less) a thousandth proud at the half stop. Mine is very sharp, like shaving. About a 5+ pull, easy to pinch open. Snap is pretty good but could use a good flushing. Beautiful sheath that would work in cargo jeans.