Northstar vs. Aurora

[hollowdweller]

Here's a first run

The Northstar handle is not as long as the Aurora, but my hand isn't long as to what the Aurora is made for and the Northstar handle is fatter closer to the handle where I need it.

A better third choice would be the Koster. Compact like the Northstar but harder steel, scandi and contoured handle.

 

[longbow50]

I had one of the original North Stars until just recently, when I sent it to a friend in Germany as a Christmas gift. I never really had any problems with the knife, except the sheaths. It took me a bit of getting used to the handle, but the knife performed just fine for me and in fact, exceeded my expectations. It was one tough little knife. My friend Peter loves it and he's a big guy.

 

[on_the_edge]

Obviously, there are a lot of differing opinions on this, probably mostly based on hand size and possibly also simply knife size.

While my fingers are not as "full" as hollowdweller's based on the above pic, I find that my NS fits in my hand almost exactly as he shows his NS in his hand. I do not have an Aurora and have no plans to acquire one, but that it mostly because I am fully satisfied with my NS.

For me, I like the slightly smaller size and do not find the handle length to be much of a concern. I like my hand a little closer to what I'm carving rather than a little farther away. It gives me a feeling that I am being more precise. I also like the slightly downward sloping handle. Carving and using a hammer grip, I like my hand to lead a little bit relative to the edge, if that makes sense.

 

[hollowdweller]

Obviously, there are a lot of differing opinions on this, probably mostly based on hand size and possibly also simply knife size.
.

I think on knife version too. Look how fat the scales are on my first run Northstar is compared to the other ones in this thread. The handle is mostly fatter than the Aurora except at the very end on the NS and palm swell on the Aurora.

On the other pics the NS handles look thinner overall than the Aurora. Both of my NS's are the first run ones and have fatter handles like that.

 

[Cliff Nieporte]

When I called BRKT awhile back and asked how much it would be to rehandle my NS with a "NORMAL" handle - I was told $50.

FIFTY dollars?
When I think about how many great knives $50 can buy - I shake my head.

If the problem is the $50.00 price tag for a "NORMAL" handle,I would have to ask what your idea of a "NORMAL" handle is.

It might involve a little more than just removing & replacing the handle that's on there now.

If you like the knife otherwise,I would think it would be worth $50.00 to get it to where you can use it better.

Not every handle shape is going to be right for everyone. Some will be too big & others will be too small.
Some too slick & others too grippy.
Some too straight & others too contoured.

BRKT probably has the widest variety of handles that I've seen. There should be something in their lineup that suits you.

Cliff

 

[okbohn]

I've been swamped this weekend, but it seems to me that this thread is a great illustration of why a knifemaker makes various knives. Some people love the NS some hate it. Some love the Aurora, some hate it. It would be boring if we all drove the same cars too!

As to the lanyard extension on the NS--many people have removed it and liked it better. If you ever want that done, BRKT will do it for the cost of return postage.

 

[hollowdweller]

I've been swamped this weekend, but it seems to me that this thread is a great illustration of why a knifemaker makes various knives. Some people love the NS some hate it. Some love the Aurora, some hate it. It would be boring if we all drove the same cars too!

As to the lanyard extension on the NS--many people have removed it and liked it better. If you ever want that done, BRKT will do it for the cost of return postage.

The two things I think made the NS really cool and uniqe was the unusual lanyard loop and the tapered tang. :thumbup:

I know the tapered tang was too hard to do so they switched to skeletonized:thumbdn:

 

[okbohn]

Anothrer issue with the tapered tang is that it tapered the lanyard loop...some of them were sharp!