- Joined
- Oct 18, 2007
- Messages
- 3,018
I just received a Northfield toothpick in blood red jigged bone yesterday in the mail. I don't have any pics because I can't find my camera and there's plenty of photos of this type knife on this board taken by much better photographers than me. But I digress.
I opened the tube in pouring rain last night and pulled out the knife. At first sight, I got that "why did I buy this" feeling, with my brain pulling up visions of all those cheap Taiwan-made toothpicks ubiquitous in gift shops in the 80's.
On second glance, all my misgivings faded away. That gorgeous chili pepper/cornetti sweep of the handle (sure to ward off the malocchio), truly blood red bone, those huge threaded bolsters. The perfect way the spine of the blade fits the handle when closed, providing a smooth package guaranteed to disappear into a pocket (surprising for a 4" knife) - the blade swedge definitely helps with this. The nail nick, biased toward the end of the blade, helps to open what would otherwise be a nailbreaker, and that nick fits perfectly into the curve of the handle, completeing asthetically what is a gorgeous knife. The pinned UN-X-LD shield is sweet too. The blade kick only slighty protrudes from the front bolster when closed. The pins are turned, but with more slop around them then you'd expect on say a Queen knife.
Opening it up, it was a bit gritty - some oiling and cleaning took care of that. It locks nice, with an almost flat continuation from spring to blade spine. The handle was made for holding, fits my hand perfectly, and definitely is more ergonomic than that on multi-bladed slipjoints (which are a compromise between a handle and sheath for two or more blades), more like a fixed blade. And that blade. Almost shaving sharp - needs some stropping to finish it up (have yet to do that). And instead of the anemic, filet knife blade you see on most toothpicks, this blade is of Laguiole proportions - nice, deep, and gorgeous, with very little belly - gonna be a laser once i strop it up. Only other flaw, if you want to call it that, is a bit of a discontinuity running along the (normally hidden) tang portion of the blade, but hey, this isn't a custom knife and it won't affect performance, so who cares. Buy one!
I opened the tube in pouring rain last night and pulled out the knife. At first sight, I got that "why did I buy this" feeling, with my brain pulling up visions of all those cheap Taiwan-made toothpicks ubiquitous in gift shops in the 80's.
On second glance, all my misgivings faded away. That gorgeous chili pepper/cornetti sweep of the handle (sure to ward off the malocchio), truly blood red bone, those huge threaded bolsters. The perfect way the spine of the blade fits the handle when closed, providing a smooth package guaranteed to disappear into a pocket (surprising for a 4" knife) - the blade swedge definitely helps with this. The nail nick, biased toward the end of the blade, helps to open what would otherwise be a nailbreaker, and that nick fits perfectly into the curve of the handle, completeing asthetically what is a gorgeous knife. The pinned UN-X-LD shield is sweet too. The blade kick only slighty protrudes from the front bolster when closed. The pins are turned, but with more slop around them then you'd expect on say a Queen knife.
Opening it up, it was a bit gritty - some oiling and cleaning took care of that. It locks nice, with an almost flat continuation from spring to blade spine. The handle was made for holding, fits my hand perfectly, and definitely is more ergonomic than that on multi-bladed slipjoints (which are a compromise between a handle and sheath for two or more blades), more like a fixed blade. And that blade. Almost shaving sharp - needs some stropping to finish it up (have yet to do that). And instead of the anemic, filet knife blade you see on most toothpicks, this blade is of Laguiole proportions - nice, deep, and gorgeous, with very little belly - gonna be a laser once i strop it up. Only other flaw, if you want to call it that, is a bit of a discontinuity running along the (normally hidden) tang portion of the blade, but hey, this isn't a custom knife and it won't affect performance, so who cares. Buy one!
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???.....? It's calling my name again. It carried great in the pocket vertically next to my wallet, and fit my hand like a glove. I especially liked the way the "tail" curved in - made it feel great in hand. Why the heck did I sell that? 
Great review! :thumbup:
