Let's talk Northwoods

I see the spot you're talking about. I wonder where they source the material from. The denim micarta looks very nice.

 

There was a post somewhere that said it's a friend of Derricks. Anybody can be "a friend" so I don't know what that means and didn't ask. You could probably give them a call or email them if you're curious enough. If I remember correctly I believe the information I read came from KSF - although that was awhile back and it's possible I'm remembering incorrectly, but I'm fairly sure it's a friend of his. The burlap micarta is hit or miss for me. I've got some that are great. No air pockets or holes in the covers. Then there's some that I see that I wouldn't want. I'm glad they offer it because it's unique. They've done so many runs with it that I won't buy anymore myself. I wish they would go back to using wood and stag.

 

All part of the game. It's fun, but it ain't guaranteed. The burlaps have allot of variation, but not like the bones. I thought some of the mammoth bones looked terrible... But that word mammoth sells.

These runs are fun, varied, rewarding but sometimes disappointing. It's a fun ride. And dealing with KSF is always a pleasure. They do the very best they can, they are a distributor, not the maker.

 

Don't they own Northwoods and have the knives made to spec? So while they aren't a manufacturer they are in a sense the maker.

 

For every one person that wants a knife with perfect covers there's another person that hopes to get one with holes in the acrylic and wonky burlap.

@kaput yup, snap a few pictures for your posts and off to the for sale forum.

@kaput @Josh K I bet KSF are the supplier of the covers to GEC. Seems like that's how the process works at times. Over the years I've seen dealer posts regarding sourcing cover material.

 

Luckily for me at times

 

You'd have to think 95% of the covers comes from GEC. Adding in stuff to spec from a 3rd party tends to become a nightmare fast.

KSF has been really good in the past posting pics of all the knives that have a variation in the covers with the natural material and catching any seconds and posting them separately too. That one must have just snuck through.

 

I think what Derrick is going for is a dialed-in, this-is-what-to-expect-from-KSF-because-this-is-what-Northwoods-is-known-for, at least with all the rustic blades. The covers might be that he bought in bulk and got a good deal since he suggested they're trying to do lots of NW runs this year. Might have been a way to make it easier and less costly for production. CK does a similar thing; I think there are certain covers Mike likes, and he likes for there to be consistency in his SFOs. So usually either natural canvas or linen, sawcut bone, and blackwood or ebony.

 

I don't think there will be a "factory second" from Northwoods any longer. They are just "rustic"

 

Addressing the questions I saw and also remember...

There are always varieties in the burlap. We can always do a refund when the handle material doesn't meet your expectations. We shoot pictures of unique handle materials, but things like the burlap, though they are, technically, unique, we do not shoot them individually.

We do source the handle materials. The burlaps are all made by a knife maker friend of mine. We don't release who.

We do have factory seconds from time to time. They go very quickly and they are discounted appropriately.

We source great mammoth. It varies a lot and what one person thinks is terrible is someone else's grail. That is the way it is with these unique handle materials.

 

Thank you for posting here. I like your mammoth, like your iron clad customer service, and return policies. Hopefully you guys don't change anything with the Northwoods line. Well, except move to Kansas City instead of Chattanooga... and maybe some wood covers every once in awhile in the Northwoods line.

 

amazing thin grind on the Big Bay. Very nice knife as usual.

 

Speaking of grails and since your answering questions, when might we see these again?

 

^^^^Those sure are purdy!

I'd expect it won't be more than year before we see more. (Right, Derrick? nudge-nudge )

 

Very nice knives Al and it is really great to see you posting after a little time away , or have I just not seen your postings ?.

Harry

 

My little and big:

 

Burnsides please sir! : )

 

Thanks Harry! I seem to be hitting "posting hibernation" periods more lately . Still read a lot, tho.

 

Slight delay in shipping, so I'm a bit late to the game. Got my shipment late last night though. I'm blown away by these! Totally in love with the mammoth texture and character.

 

Looks like soup mammoth!