Let's talk Northwoods

Looking back at the Northwoods Archive, I wish Northwoods would return to a more traditional style. I have grown tired of the all the Micarta versions. I have grown tired of the Rustic style Saber Grind blades. I loved this style on the Freemont Jacks when I first saw one a few years ago, but these used to be rare, something different. Now the Rustic style saber grind blades are the only style of blade Northwoods does.

I’d love to see a return to jigged bone, wood, and stag. If they want to get more exotic then source some awesome wood with custom-level grain patterns. Maybe briar wood used for pipes would look nice.

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Travman said:
Looking back at the Northwoods Archive, I wish Northwoods would return to a more traditional style. I have grown tired of the all the Micarta versions. I have grown tired of the Rustic style Saber Grind blades. I loved this style on the Freemont Jacks when I first saw one a few years ago, but these used to be rare, something different. Now the Rustic style saber grind blades are the only style of blade Northwoods does.

I’d love to see a return to jigged bone, wood, and stag. If they want to get more exotic then source some awesome wood with custom-level grain patterns. Maybe briar wood used for pipes would look nice.

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You are speaking my language. If they did what you are suggesting, it would certainly drive my interest up.
 
How about a nice heather burl wood, like this:

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I agree. I know that saber grind and micarta are kind of Northwoods' "thing." But the ones still in my collection are mammoth, wood and jigged bone. Oh, and all but one of mine are regular full flat grind. The saber look cool, but they don't stick around in my collection.
 
I remember asking Derek if there were any wood covers for whatever the next NW offering was going to be (probably way back in this thread or on facebook if not) and he said no because wood covers were typically the last to leave the shelves. That was when they didn't all sell out in 5 minutes. Shortly after that, they all started selling out in 5 minutes, shockingly without wood cover options. Trends change fluidly in this hobby, but micarta does continue to sell quickly.
 
jrawk said:
I remember asking Derek if there were any wood covers for whatever the next NW offering was going to be (probably way back in this thread or on facebook if not) and he said no because wood covers were typically the last to leave the shelves. That was when they didn't all sell out in 5 minutes. Shortly after that, they all started selling out in 5 minutes, shockingly without wood cover options. Trends change fluidly in this hobby, but micarta does continue to sell quickly.
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Probably because wood doesn't look as "cool" on social media.
 
JohnDF said:
Probably because wood doesn't look as "cool" on social media.
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Yes and No. Trends certainly can be observed on social media. So yeah Micarta has been trendier than wood. KSF helped set the trend early on, by tailoring patterns toward the modern folding/fixed blade collectors and steared the NW line into agressively shaped saber grind wharncliffe "rustic" blades that aren't shiney on large handle patterns. And then the KSF denim micarta and CK natural micarta craze hit. Micarta is commonly used on tactical fixed blades and known to be 'grippy' so it pulled in more and more modern knife collectors. Then custom slipjoint knife makers latched onto using all the old westinghouse micarta scraps from the 60's they could find, which are typically very different in composition than micarta being made today. Westinghouse micarta being old and rare is a huge selling point for a new customs. Micarta is a handle material that changes cosmetically with use. Combining that with whatever reason modern knife guys don't like polished blades, so patina'd 1095 steel plus micarta covers became desirable. Modern guys new to GEC started blueing brand new mirror polished blades and scuffing up polished linen micarta (ugg). So yeah it's been trendy over the last 3 years on social media. HOWEVER, if i were to go out on a limb i would say that WOOD has been the trendy cover material this year, specifically Ironwood gaining a lot of interest.
 
jrawk said:
Yes and No. Trends certainly can be observed on social media. So yeah Micarta has been trendier than wood. KSF helped set the trend early on, by tailoring patterns toward the modern folding/fixed blade collectors and steared the NW line into agressively shaped saber grind wharncliffe "rustic" blades that aren't shiney on large handle patterns. And then the KSF denim micarta and CK natural micarta craze hit. Micarta is commonly used on tactical fixed blades and known to be 'grippy' so it pulled in more and more modern knife collectors. Then custom slipjoint knife makers latched onto using all the old westinghouse micarta scraps from the 60's they could find, which are typically very different in composition than micarta being made today. Westinghouse micarta being old and rare is a huge selling point for a new customs. Micarta is a handle material that changes cosmetically with use. Combining that with whatever reason modern knife guys don't like polished blades, so patina'd 1095 steel plus micarta covers became desirable. Modern guys new to GEC started blueing brand new mirror polished blades and scuffing up polished linen micarta (ugg). So yeah it's been trendy over the last 3 years on social media. HOWEVER, if i were to go out on a limb i would say that WOOD has been the trendy cover material this year, specifically Ironwood gaining a lot of interest.
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Glad to see you posting here! Hopefully you can hook us up with some ironwood Northwoods this upcoming year.

Edit: oops, I confused your user name with J Rouch. I miss not having someone from KSF posting here... please disregard my post.
 
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