Let's talk Northwoods

geek said:
Wow you guys take some great photos. This is J Rouch - sorry I'm late to post, I'm pretty much a lurker on BF in general. But I wanted to say hi and let you guys know a bit about what's going on with Northwoods. 1st thing - Derrick was my best friend and I miss him dearly. We have worked together on Northwoods as a brand for years. I officially took over the Northwoods brand completely during the 1st Bear Lake drop (That one was a nightmare) We oversold, it wasn't a great time. So many people we had to refund - apologize and go by completed orders via timestamp to straighten it all out.

Our vision for Northwoods was always to be a simple, refined, pocket knife you could be proud to own. We worked hard to build a premium brand and I'll keep on doing that - Obviously our last drop of Madison Barlows didn't go well due to overwhelming traffic. Basically several thousands of people shooting for a few hundred knives. We prepped the web host about the drop - just as we've done before and this time the bandwidth was just not there - it was a rough launch - but we're constantly working on improving that experience. I don't want you guys to just think that it was OK for us either - We're refining that process continuously and I'm confident we'll improve it.

I always joked with Derrick that it was odd we didn't offer wood on the Northwoods - and as you can see, wood covers were back and I hope to keep offering unique materials that aren't just the old standards - I wish I could make everyone happy, but I only have 5-6 choices per run. I wish I could get more knives into the hands of people wanting them. I'm working on it - Thanks for your patience and support. You guys are awesome.
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It’s always good to hear from those directly involved in what most of us consider a fun part of our lives. Derrick always seemed like one of the good guys so it obviously hit you a lot harder being his friend. I understand.
As far as your supply and demand problem, keep working on it. It’s certainly better than the alternative. Thanks for keeping in touch.
 
geek said:
Wow you guys take some great photos. This is J Rouch - sorry I'm late to post, I'm pretty much a lurker on BF in general. But I wanted to say hi and let you guys know a bit about what's going on with Northwoods. 1st thing - Derrick was my best friend and I miss him dearly. We have worked together on Northwoods as a brand for years. I officially took over the Northwoods brand completely during the 1st Bear Lake drop (That one was a nightmare) We oversold, it wasn't a great time. So many people we had to refund - apologize and go by completed orders via timestamp to straighten it all out.

Our vision for Northwoods was always to be a simple, refined, pocket knife you could be proud to own. We worked hard to build a premium brand and I'll keep on doing that - Obviously our last drop of Madison Barlows didn't go well due to overwhelming traffic. Basically several thousands of people shooting for a few hundred knives. We prepped the web host about the drop - just as we've done before and this time the bandwidth was just not there - it was a rough launch - but we're constantly working on improving that experience. I don't want you guys to just think that it was OK for us either - We're refining that process continuously and I'm confident we'll improve it.

I always joked with Derrick that it was odd we didn't offer wood on the Northwoods - and as you can see, wood covers were back and I hope to keep offering unique materials that aren't just the old standards - I wish I could make everyone happy, but I only have 5-6 choices per run. I wish I could get more knives into the hands of people wanting them. I'm working on it - Thanks for your patience and support. You guys are awesome.
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Thanks for checking in. We miss Derrick too and wish his company all the success. Hope the future is bright for Northwoods.
 
Thanks for stopping in! It’s always nice to feel connected to the source, and I hope we’ll see you around more frequently. I remember the 1st Bear Lake run. I did end up with one in mammoth, but it was neither of the two that I had paid for! I’d say things have improved since then, though some obvious frustrations, on both ends, persist. Best of luck with continued success! I am one who is hoping for more wood...and more flat grind blades...8D604913-99E1-4024-8C54-0512D988C6E2.jpeg
geek said:
Wow you guys take some great photos. This is J Rouch - sorry I'm late to post, I'm pretty much a lurker on BF in general. But I wanted to say hi and let you guys know a bit about what's going on with Northwoods. 1st thing - Derrick was my best friend and I miss him dearly. We have worked together on Northwoods as a brand for years. I officially took over the Northwoods brand completely during the 1st Bear Lake drop (That one was a nightmare) We oversold, it wasn't a great time. So many people we had to refund - apologize and go by completed orders via timestamp to straighten it all out.

Our vision for Northwoods was always to be a simple, refined, pocket knife you could be proud to own. We worked hard to build a premium brand and I'll keep on doing that - Obviously our last drop of Madison Barlows didn't go well due to overwhelming traffic. Basically several thousands of people shooting for a few hundred knives. We prepped the web host about the drop - just as we've done before and this time the bandwidth was just not there - it was a rough launch - but we're constantly working on improving that experience. I don't want you guys to just think that it was OK for us either - We're refining that process continuously and I'm confident we'll improve it.

I always joked with Derrick that it was odd we didn't offer wood on the Northwoods - and as you can see, wood covers were back and I hope to keep offering unique materials that aren't just the old standards - I wish I could make everyone happy, but I only have 5-6 choices per run. I wish I could get more knives into the hands of people wanting them. I'm working on it - Thanks for your patience and support. You guys are awesome.
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geek said:
Wow you guys take some great photos. This is J Rouch - sorry I'm late to post, I'm pretty much a lurker on BF in general. But I wanted to say hi and let you guys know a bit about what's going on with Northwoods. 1st thing - Derrick was my best friend and I miss him dearly. We have worked together on Northwoods as a brand for years. I officially took over the Northwoods brand completely during the 1st Bear Lake drop (That one was a nightmare) We oversold, it wasn't a great time. So many people we had to refund - apologize and go by completed orders via timestamp to straighten it all out.

Our vision for Northwoods was always to be a simple, refined, pocket knife you could be proud to own. We worked hard to build a premium brand and I'll keep on doing that - Obviously our last drop of Madison Barlows didn't go well due to overwhelming traffic. Basically several thousands of people shooting for a few hundred knives. We prepped the web host about the drop - just as we've done before and this time the bandwidth was just not there - it was a rough launch - but we're constantly working on improving that experience. I don't want you guys to just think that it was OK for us either - We're refining that process continuously and I'm confident we'll improve it.

I always joked with Derrick that it was odd we didn't offer wood on the Northwoods - and as you can see, wood covers were back and I hope to keep offering unique materials that aren't just the old standards - I wish I could make everyone happy, but I only have 5-6 choices per run. I wish I could get more knives into the hands of people wanting them. I'm working on it - Thanks for your patience and support. You guys are awesome.
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Hi from a new guy...…. I tried to acquire a knife during your last drop...… Very frustrating, underpowered web system...…. But for me an extremely frustrating fact was that some people were able to buy 2 + knives during the drop when some people ( me included ) had their knives snatched from their carts while they ( me ) were filling in their pay info and ended up with zilch.... You can't perhaps plan for the overload in bandwidth, but you can certainly limit how many knives one individual can purchase... FWIW, I'll attend your next drop if there is a one knife limit imposed...…. And good wishes for an improved supply and future endeavors.....
 
Hi Jay, nice of you to pop bye and give us some insider knowledge. I think you are doing a great job keeping the Northwoods name going and despite some of the hiccups at the end of the day you are creating a great and unique product. You are never going to please everybody in the traditional world. Keep up the great work buddy.
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geek said:
Wow you guys take some great photos. This is J Rouch - sorry I'm late to post, I'm pretty much a lurker on BF in general. But I wanted to say hi and let you guys know a bit about what's going on with Northwoods. 1st thing - Derrick was my best friend and I miss him dearly. We have worked together on Northwoods as a brand for years. I officially took over the Northwoods brand completely during the 1st Bear Lake drop (That one was a nightmare) We oversold, it wasn't a great time. So many people we had to refund - apologize and go by completed orders via timestamp to straighten it all out.

Our vision for Northwoods was always to be a simple, refined, pocket knife you could be proud to own. We worked hard to build a premium brand and I'll keep on doing that - Obviously our last drop of Madison Barlows didn't go well due to overwhelming traffic. Basically several thousands of people shooting for a few hundred knives. We prepped the web host about the drop - just as we've done before and this time the bandwidth was just not there - it was a rough launch - but we're constantly working on improving that experience. I don't want you guys to just think that it was OK for us either - We're refining that process continuously and I'm confident we'll improve it.

I always joked with Derrick that it was odd we didn't offer wood on the Northwoods - and as you can see, wood covers were back and I hope to keep offering unique materials that aren't just the old standards - I wish I could make everyone happy, but I only have 5-6 choices per run. I wish I could get more knives into the hands of people wanting them. I'm working on it - Thanks for your patience and support. You guys are awesome.
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Thank you from all of us for the nice photos complement, as well as for visiting. Don’t be a stranger. Derrick was your best friend. I am truely sorry for your loss. We miss him too. One of the nicest people on the planet. You and his famiy have continued that tradition.

That hint of wood covers and that Northwoods will continue is encouraging. Best wishes.
 
Had these out to wipe down today..

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Norcaldude said:
I was wondering how they compared.
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I think it is just the path GEC has chosen. As many of you have observed, there has been a general progression from nail breakers to lazy walk-and-talk (much like Case knives are now). The Madisons are much like the 2017 forward knives where the walk-and-talk is less snappy and pull are just a little weaker. Very few of the 2016 knives I've handled were weak or not snappy but almost all of the larger 2017s on were (like the 43s, 78s, and 82s). The Madison Barlows most definitely fit this trend as well. It may be a methodology change in pulls or new machinery or new people. I cannot answer the reason why the pulls are weaker.

Anyways, the pull to half-stop is 5.5-6 (it is pinchable) and from half-stop to full open is a 6-6.5 with an authoritative thunk. The close is very snappy as well with a solid thunk. Also there was no blade rap on mine. Dead on centering and just generally almost perfect fit-and-finish. I've had a couple of the older run Madisons and they were "functionally" better than the newest run. Maybe not on fit-and-finish or materials but definitely on function. I am not sh*tting on GEC or knivesshipfree.com but just stating my observation. I bought three of the 2018/2019 run Madisons but passed them on to other forum members.
 
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lavishmammal said:
I think it is just the path GEC has chosen. As many of you have observed, there has been a general progression from nail breakers to lazy walk-and-talk (much like Case knives are now). The Madisons are much like the 2017 forward knives where the walk-and-talk is less snappy and pull are just a little weaker. Very few of the 2016 knives I've handled were weak or not snappy but almost all of the larger 2017s on were (like the 43s, 78s, and 82s). The Madison Barlows most definitely fit this trend as well. It may a methodology change in pulls or new machinery or new people. I cannot answer the reason why the pulls are weaker.

Anyways, the pull to half-stop is 5.5-6 (it is pinchable) and from half-stop to full open is a 6-6.5 with an authoritative thunk. The close is very snappy as well with a solid thunk. Also there was no blade rap on mine. Dead on centering and just generally almost perfect fit-and-finish. I've had a couple of the older run Madisons and they were "functionally" better than the newest run. Maybe not on fit-and-finish or materials but definitely on function. I am not sh*tting on GEC or knivesshipfree.com but just stating my observation. I bought three of the 2018/2019 run Madisons but passed them on to other forum members.
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Great observations LM...… Having spent my life working in a short run job shop, process consistency is a tough nut...… Especially when equipment is elderly and influenced by the various operators "touch , feel", etc...… One person's Ugga-Dugga pull on the wrench is likely different than someone else's Ugga-Dugga.. Then there is the material side; is the spring steel used in 2014 the same as the 2018?...… I'm sure GEC doesn't spec out and test materials like Boeing or Ford so how consistent are the components?..... So over time you could have various processes and materials going in the same product with different outcomes..... But I think that adds to the romance and interest in knives from a mom & pop shop like GEC.... It is because they are different that keeps us reading, writing about & buying them....
 
geek said:
Wow you guys take some great photos. This is J Rouch - sorry I'm late to post, I'm pretty much a lurker on BF in general. But I wanted to say hi and let you guys know a bit about what's going on with Northwoods. 1st thing - Derrick was my best friend and I miss him dearly. We have worked together on Northwoods as a brand for years. I officially took over the Northwoods brand completely during the 1st Bear Lake drop (That one was a nightmare) We oversold, it wasn't a great time. So many people we had to refund - apologize and go by completed orders via timestamp to straighten it all out.

Our vision for Northwoods was always to be a simple, refined, pocket knife you could be proud to own. We worked hard to build a premium brand and I'll keep on doing that - Obviously our last drop of Madison Barlows didn't go well due to overwhelming traffic. Basically several thousands of people shooting for a few hundred knives. We prepped the web host about the drop - just as we've done before and this time the bandwidth was just not there - it was a rough launch - but we're constantly working on improving that experience. I don't want you guys to just think that it was OK for us either - We're refining that process continuously and I'm confident we'll improve it.

I always joked with Derrick that it was odd we didn't offer wood on the Northwoods - and as you can see, wood covers were back and I hope to keep offering unique materials that aren't just the old standards - I wish I could make everyone happy, but I only have 5-6 choices per run. I wish I could get more knives into the hands of people wanting them. I'm working on it - Thanks for your patience and support. You guys are awesome.
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Are you the J Rouch from the GEC 2015 production schedule? If so what is the
“ROU-HIGO-1.0 209 pcs.”? I’ve been wondering for like 2 years looked it up every which way and could never find anything.
 
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