Northfield Executive Whittler

Ed T

Ed T

Joined
Apr 23, 2002
Messages
3,818
I am not really good at reviewing knives, but wanted to share a recent experience.

Recently, I have received a number of great knives at great prices from the exchange. The one that really has me excited is the Northfield executive whittler I bought from Mike (Somniloquist).

This is a longer, slender pocket knife that has really has a "different" look.
I am struggling to put it into words. It is good, by which I mean I think it will actually bump my forum knife onto the shelf for a few days.

There are two elements here that really strike me. The shield is omitted from the scales to highlight the stag. It "ages" the overall effect. When I hold this knife, I think about the older gentleman that lived behind us when I was growing up. Leonard was very knowledgable about wood furniture and was a mentor for my dad when he and mom were collecting. That is a very nice image to be recalled from the simple execution of this knife.

The second element is the long slender wharncliff blade. It reminds me of a stiletto, but in a very functional, subdued presentation.

Again, I am having a hard time putting into words how striking this knife is. It really exceeds the expectations that I had.

I would welcome Mike's comments in this thread to hear what it was that he did not like, leading him to put it up in the exchange. I think this knife is one that may evoke a love it or hate it reaction.

The only criticism i would have is that the action feels a little soft. I think that is a consequence of the very long blades for the pattern.


Anyhow, if anyone else loves or hates this pattern, please sound off.
 
I carry mine every day in my scrubs as a Massage Therapist and it is a great knife. Solid build, slender and unobtrusive and great looking. Mine has developed a dark grey patina with blue undertones, the stag is getting nicely oiled from use. Overall I have to say it is my favorite slipjoint and currently my only true EDC knife. I bought it for my graduation this year and is currently the only Grad present I have received after 2 university programs, and have not regretted the choice at all.
 
I think the "Executive" whittler is the real 'finesse' knife in GEC's lineup. It's elegant, beautifully crafted and extremely handy and versatile as an office/gent's/urban EDC. I'd have to say that it's my favorite GEC so far. I plan to pick up another one in ebony soon.

GECWhittler02.jpg
 
rick has my 2nd most favorite handle material in the exec, i vacillated 3 weeks on the primitive bone before it was too late.this knife is truly the classiest pattern in the gec line, i ordered immediately when they were available & happy to say i have 2 of the gen. stags. when showing knives to friends this is the pattern that grabs first attention.it does'nt work in my lifestyle which demands more robust patterns for work but if i was a yuppie it would be in my kakis.
dennis
 
I've been waiting for GEC to release some slender and elegant patterns. That looks fantastic!
 
Does anyone have this and the Melon Whittler? I'd like to hear some opinions on what you like better about either pattern. Which of the 2 would you choose if you could only have one and why.
 
I agree with most of what has been said here. I think the design is really elegant and GEC's quality is obviously first rate. I think my issue with the pattern mostly had to do with my personal situation.

The thing is, I have far too many elegant and "gentlemanly" folders in my collection and some of them never get carried at all. This example unfortunately did not see much use beyond a week or so after I received it. I found the body and scales a bit slender for my taste and this is why I never warmed up to it the way I have to some other patterns.

Also, and this may shock and alarm some of my traditional friends here, I prefer stainless to carbon steel. If this knife's blade were made from a good quality stainless, I might have liked it more. I realize that Northfield doesn't use stainless and I certainly understand the appeal of carbon steel, it's just not my favourite. You may now start the heckling :eek::p

Though it is unquestionably a fine piece, I just got to the point where I thought I'd like something else more. Money is a little tight for me at the moment, so I need to sell one knife to buy another. This one unfortunately had to go. I used the money I received from Ed to buy a very non-traditional, rust proof fixed blade.

I hope you continue to enjoy that whittler, Ed! Carry it in good health. It was a very pleasant exchange and once again reinforced my belief of what a fine bunch of people we have frequenting this subforum.
 
As to the differences between the Executive and the Melon.

Just to recap, if you don't already know, the Melon Tidioutes came out first (in 2009). They had the spear main blade. For some reason, the spear was deemed to be too hard to produce (fit between the smaller blades), so subsequent Northfield versions were made with the Wharncliffe blade and renamed the Executive.

Off hand, I cannot see why one is harder to produce than the other. It seems if the Wharncliffe can fit between the tangs of the smaller blades, then the spear should be that much easier (since the tip of the spear curves up. Maybe because it had to fit further between the blades and was more prone to rubbing, whereas the Wharncliffe just fits between a little. (Yeah, I bet that's it).

I noticed on some of the early melons that the smaller blades tended to have a tad of horizontal play, which I could tighten up (perhaps to help fitment). The latter ones (Executive) seem better in this regard, (no play).

As far as personal opinion. It think the Melon would be tougher than the Executive. There is not as much worry to breaking the tip off the spear, or the blade hitting the tangs of the smaller knife when closed and hanging up, the spear should just slide through, whereas the Wharncliffe would catch and not fully close. (It could happen given the right circumstances, but the fit between the smaller blade tangs is pretty centered, so it is not likely).

That executive wharncliffe tip looks very fragile, dropping or hitting the tip is likely to cause breakage, IMHO.

Functionally I think both are similar with the melon being a bit more robust for the main blade. They can probably do the same jobs, except the spear can't easily do a pull cut, say to open a box, like a wharncliffe/sheepsfoot/coping blade can do. But you do have the coping blade for that.

The spear version, while named Melon whittler, is probably not long enough to completely slice through an apple, much less a melon, though I do like the extra length over a normal whittler. The spear would probably be the best version to say, cut a sandwich in half for the kids.

Functionality aside, I like the looks of the Wharncliffe over the spear. I am carrying a red bone 2010 Executive today.

Just a note, the small blade end of the knife is thicker than the main blade side, because there is an extra separator between the smaller blades and the backsprings do not taper in themselves. In other words, the backsprings are equal width their whole length but spread apart from the main to the secondary blades with a tapered separator.

It is kind of interesting. The Main blade end has a larger bolster, but is narrow, and the secondary end has a smaller bolster, but is thick. The pattern is not "equal end" in any dimension. (maybe the forth).

(end ramble)
 
joe-bob said:
Remember, it only has to cut halfway through an apple, or a melon.
Click to expand...

But I want to toss the apple in the air and, with ninja-like reflexes, slice the apple and have it fall onto two different.....uh never mind.

The fog of ignorance is lifting.
 
Thanks for the insight, Mike. I won't heckle you too bad. While I like the carbon, I know there are a number of folks in your campground as well! Steven has articulated that many of us are nuts for our preference for metals that rust easily. (I think it was the 08 forum knofe thread, and I suspect he would stand by it today, lol)


Thanks for the comparison to the melon whittler, eswartz.

I had wondered where the executive whittler fit into any "historical record". I looked in my Bernard Levine 4e and found it interesting that there was a model identified as a 3 bladed physuician's knife that is similar to the melon and executive whittler. (p. 251)

Anyone have one of those old Remingtons for comparision?
 
black mamba said:
Eric, where do they fit the batteries for that "electric" turquoise bone?
Man, does it "pop" like that in person? Lovin' it.
Click to expand...

I would say that it does not pop like that except under bright light. Haven't tried it outside in the sun.
 
My EDC since my Daughter gave it to me for my birthday. Certainly one of the prettiest modern classics IMO.

Regards

Robin

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