Northwoods #53 Presidential review/ compare contrast

Stich2442

Stich2442

Joined
May 6, 2012
Messages
3,557
Mods, I know there is a Northwoods Presidential thread, if you think it should be merged feel free, I didn't want to cannibalize the existing thread.


Out of package shots









I've been carrying my Northwoods #53 in mammoth ivory for over a week now, combination late Christmas, birthday, and early Father's Day gift from my wife and girls. I've been using it for everything, and am enjoying it very much. Blade combination is perfect in my opinion and zero blade rub on mine, spear is a great size for food and utility task, wharncliffe is a size I really like not too long, great for up close utility and detail work, it's as if my #54 and #68 mated and evolved into Darwinian perfection, perfect blend of ruggedness and class. I know Garcia Jr. thought the slip to be too large, I thought the same thing at first, but thought that in a shorter slip after use and time the knife being so thin would slip out, the larger slip closes over the knife aiding in retention, not a problem with the bulkiness of the #54 and smaller slip.
One thing I've noticed is the nickel silver shield and bolsters tarnish very very quick, so I'm not sure if GEC is sourcing it's material for bolsters from another source as I've never had a GEC with nickel silver tarnish. The tarnish sort of compliments the colors in the mammoth, but I've polished them a few times with a jewelers cloth, but have given up trying to keep them shiny. Also want to thank Derricks staff++++ very helpful, and also received a post card a week later from Derrick thanking for choosing KSF and Northwoods along with several emails also thanking and maintenance and care info, first class operation through and through.



Next to the #54 and #68



















Today






Thanks for looking,
Pete
 
Extremely worthwhile review, thank you.

Some atmospheric as well as useful shots too, that fishing rod and pack makes me want to take out my gear again. Haven't been fishing for years I'm sad to say.

Odd about the tarnishing of those bolsters though, could it be due to the Mammoth reacting with it? Sounds unlikely I know, but I've NEVER had a GEC show tarnish on the bolsters and I have quite a few :D Quite a mystery that.

Regards, Will
 
Great write up Pete and equally great pics to help size it up as well :thumbup: The Mammoth Ivory you selected is spectacular. I will also echo your sentiment about Derrick and his crew. I have found my experience with them to be most pleasurable(this includes returning an item). Top notch all the way around. Happy late Christmas/birthday and early Fathers day my friend :)
 
willgoy said:
Extremely worthwhile review, thank you.

Some atmospheric as well as useful shots too, that fishing rod and pack makes me want to take out my gear again. Haven't been fishing for years I'm sad to say.

Odd about the tarnishing of those bolsters though, could it be due to the Mammoth reacting with it? Sounds unlikely I know, but I've NEVER had a GEC show tarnish on the bolsters and I have quite a few :D Quite a mystery that.

Regards, Will
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The mammoth reacting was my thought also, as I have also never experienced this sort of tarnish with GEC, perhaps someone else with mammoth will chime in.

Pete
 
rockgolfer said:
Great write up Pete and equally great pics to help size it up as well :thumbup: The Mammoth Ivory you selected is spectacular. I will also echo your sentiment about Derrick and his crew. I have found my experience with them to be most pleasurable(this includes returning an item). Top notch all the way around. Happy late Christmas/birthday and early Fathers day my friend :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff, Derricks crew has always provided great service, one time I ordered a knife on a Saturday morning, it was in Boston Sunday, and at my door on Monday with free shipping, can't beat that.

Pete
 
Do you store the knife in the slipcase? If so I would suspect that the leather is reacting with the bolsters rather than the mammoth.

Eric
 
ea42 said:
Do you store the knife in the slipcase? If so I would suspect that the leather is reacting with the bolsters rather than the mammoth.

Eric
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Don't think it's the slip, for one it was shipped in it, came nice and shiny, plus KSF sheaths are vegetable tanned leather, also the #54 when not in hand has spent the last 6 years in the slip with no reaction, I have knives from my grandfather that have spent 50+ years in sheaths without any tarnish. I know depending on how long mammoth ivory sits around has a high moisture content, and most source providers try to sell it quickly before it loses too much weight, the most tarnish is at the seams where the bolsters are touching the mammoth and the shield, it's not really a big deal, I just find it curious as I've never experienced this with any GEC, Case, Boker etc.

Pete
 
Dang, Pete! That is one fine lookin' folder, sir! Thanks for your write-up... :thumbup::cool:

Now I want one, too.

-Brett
 
Thanks for the review, Pete. I received mine over a week ago. I have carried it 3-4 of those days, in its pouch, and the bolsters are still shiny.
I have had brass parts (guards of a fixed blade usually) of a knife turn green when stored in leather, but not all of them. There are similar metals in nickel bolsters . . . . . . .hmmmmmm?
 
waynorth said:
Thanks for the review, Pete. I received mine over a week ago. I have carried it 3-4 of those days, in its pouch, and the bolsters are still shiny.
I have had brass parts (guards of a fixed blade usually) of a knife turn green when stored in leather, but not all of them. There are similar metals in nickel bolsters . . . . . . .hmmmmmm?
Click to expand...

I am not sure Charlie what could be causing the reaction? I've been carrying and using knives with nickel silver bolsters everyday for over 35 years and have never had to clean them ( unless I felt like doing a little spa treatment ) or have them react? The only variable in the equation is the mammoth.
I decided to clean them again this is either the 3rd or 4th time in 10 days.



After cleaning
Again really not a issue, I just found it peculiar, I'll see if there is a reaction in the next day or so.

Pete
 
Incredibly beautiful knife, Pete. The depth of colors and texture on that mammoth is stunning! Congrats. :thumbup:

-Greg
 
Thanks for the great write up!

As for the tarnish...not sure. I just got off the phone with Bill. All the same materials. He said you could send it in and he would clean it up. Let me know if I can help.

Thanks again for all the pics!
 
okbohn said:
Thanks for the great write up!

As for the tarnish...not sure. I just got off the phone with Bill. All the same materials. He said you could send it in and he would clean it up. Let me know if I can help.

Thanks again for all the pics!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great product and service, honestly it takes less than 30 seconds to clean off, no need to send it in to Bill, but thanks for the offer. I just had never experienced this sort of reaction, wasn't sure what could be causing it? Figured I would mention it in my review, not by any means a complaint, but to see if anyone else has experienced this sort of tarnish before. Good to know that GEC hasn't changed materials, as you can see by my other GEC's in my first post ( along with many others ), they have been carried and used for awhile without any tarnish or reaction. Cleaned again earlier today, so I'll see maybe it was a fluke? I'll see if it tarnishes again in the next day, as I don't think this one will be out of the pocket anytime soon.

Thanks again Derrick and your crew,
Pete
 
Pete--

Bill and I thought the same thing--at first, we we thought, "I wonder if he has toxic skin." But of course, you have other knives of theirs....

Crazy.

Derrick
 
okbohn said:
Pete--

Bill and I thought the same thing--at first, we we thought, "I wonder if he has toxic skin." But of course, you have other knives of theirs....

Crazy.

Derrick
Click to expand...

I would have thought the same thing if I were you or Bill and if it were my first knife I would of also, it's funny I was thinking the first day have I turned into one of those people with toxic sweat? But Like many here I have way too many knives :-) and have not had this happen, It kind of looks cool when it gets the copper patina look, and I don't have any regrets it's a great product.

Pete
 
That's funny about the tarnish. I tried to force the bolsters on the blue one to go dark, but it stayed shiny even through mustard & ferric chloride...

P5051162
 
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