Northwoods as users (i.e. worth it at current prices?)

prairie.dog said:
There's some really great info on this thread, everyone's opinion is really appreciated!! It sounds to me that Northwoods actually aren't exceptional users, which is what I'm after. To be clear, it's not the cost in general that would give me pause, it's whether the value/usefulness is there to back it up. I wouldn't give a second thought to carrying around a $300 knife. Actually, I was having this conversation with my wife the other day. I find it laughable that so many people say they would never carry an $xxx dollar knife, but a good chunk of those same folks likely have a $500+ smartphone on them at all times, which is infinitely more delicate and depreciates far faster than a knife. Seems to me I need to familiarize myself more with some other GEC patterns and keep my eyes peeled on the exchange here. I will say, before Northwoods, the first traditional that really caught my eye was a TC barlow, but those seem to be almost as elusive as the Northwoods :rolleyes:.
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when I first saw northwoods, I thought, since it was a roughly finished knife, it would be a lot easier to use. However having a few pass through my hands, I actually couldnt get used to em in hand. It was also examples of one of my favorite gec pattern, the 15. Maybe I just wasnt so keen on the micarta.
 
I’ve got a couple Northwoods and they are great but I would never spend secondary $$$ on one. I use all my knives without hesitation and Northwoods are no different. One thing to note is some of the rustic series can develop a touch of wiggle once the heat treat scale wears away. Nothing to make in unusable, actually still less than a lot of Case knives I’ve handled. The Saber grinds on them look great but make them a little less slicey as well. To be honest I’d sooner pick up a GEC branded equivalent of most Northwoods considering the price difference.
 
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There's nothing wrong with the Northwoods. They are just expensive. I can cut anything reasonable with this knife without any problems. The bolster and arrowhead (on both sides!) is not unattractive. The logo is unobtrusive and has an interesting aesthetic. You don't have to want one for yourself, but they aren't bad knives. They're excellent.
 
JohnDF said:
I guess we all have different experiences in life... I see an arrowhead.
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I see an arrowhead too...which is one reason I bought a Northwoods as I get paid to look for arrowheads. There was only one Northwoods I really wanted, a Lincoln Jack, as I prefer the 15 frame and of their saber grinds I only like the clip points....it also had to have a natural cover. After sometime one came up on the exchange and a deal was struck. It gets pulled out but is no heavy user, I have other knives for that. upload_2020-6-13_11-34-31.jpeg
 
Of course, the current market price could well go down if these knives drop out of perceived favour;) (worth considering...) However, if a person likes a knife enough and can buy it within their means then it could make a very satisfying user, that sabre grind on a pocket-knife discourages me I'm afraid.

These are after all the same quality as usual GEC products (means consistently good but not above this) they're made of common or garden carbon steel-no interesting modern steels, have brass and yes some have 'exotic' scale materials-not always the best for consistent use. I think the lure and obsession stems from 'limited runs' and feeding frenzy when they drop, some people simply want to have something that others don't have, a conceit but in the end they're a pimped up GEC ;) I use and carry some customs and a CASE/Bose Collab or two but it's because they use interesting steels and have a high level of finish plus they work well and feel right in the hand etc their collectibility or availability mean nothing to me.
 
Everyone's personal opinion varies. Myself, I would be hesitant to carry and scuff up a knife I paid $350+ for, but many guys do so without a second thought. Think of it this way, if you buy a high value collectible knife and use it, the value of everyone else's just went up since the availability of mint knives just dropped by one. :)
 
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I bought this one in 2014 if memory serves.
Flat ground...beautiful Stag..Canoe....I put the others for comparison....and if you want ridiculous $ check out the asking prices on GEC Sunfish and the other frying pan blade models...make sure you are sitting down..
As for Northwoids shield...I have a very vivid imagination ..as we all know...Arrowhead(obviously) on its side ,o_Oa cute little fish....but thats about it....I won't ask what you blokes are seeing.
Anyway...if you can get one you want to use...give it a try...if doesnt perform you can always on sell it.
Cheers.
 
prairie.dog prairie.dog Even the Northwood's that I thought I wanted, I missed as they sold out so quickly. So, I gave up and don't even try to acquire one any more. Which Northwood are you particularly interested in? I live close to their store and still can't get them easily. The regular GEC's are just as good.

As far as worth it on the secondary market.... to me no. But I'm not a collector and if I bought one for $275 it would probably get used about as much as a $15 Rough Ryder. FYI I mostly edc a SAK day to day.
 
22-rimfire said:
Which Northwood are you particularly interested in?
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The Michigan Jack is probably my top choice. I had the first call on a denim micarta one for like $180 a year or two ago here on the exchange, but I was new and didn’t know how the messaging part of the forum worked (didn’t have paid membership). Seller hung his email out for a bit then moved on. Still upset I missed out out on that one.
 
It comes down to how much a person appreciates and more importantly, based on their station in life, can justify the finer things in life. As a fine woodworker and knife tinkerer, I 100% appreciate the craftsmanship, but for me personally, would rather have 8 or 10 Case knives for what one NOrthwoods costs. Again, for me, I simply can't justify the cost - I have way too many other hobbies ... I could buy a new golf driver or super high end premium putter, or a decent guitar amp, or be on my way to buying another nice electric guitar, or a nice 12" disc/belt stationary sander for my shop, or buy a new pistol with what a Northwoods cost. It comes down to priorities and other interests ... I just would never do it, but if you can justify it - by all means, go for it - I love to see guys actually carrying and using high end knives, not just tucking them away.
 
brownshoe said:
For that kind of money in an EDC, I like Bose/Case line. The stainless construction, 154CM blades, pivot bushing, etc. make them a solid carry knife.
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Bose/Case aren't as sexy as Northwoods. o_O

I'm half-joking, but I'm also half-serious.
 
Will Power said:
This Collab is a hot user, curvy! The rusting Mora is akin to the ageing Arrowheads, I see Christmas tree actually.

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I recall seeing ads for that knife in Blade magazine years ago. I had a subscription at the time and remember wondering, "Who the heck is Tony Bose?" Even though I had no idea who he was, I couldn't help but think that his knife had style.

I regret not buying one when they were on closeout for $100. :(
 
kamagong said:
Bose/Case aren't as sexy as Northwoods. o_O

I'm half-joking, but I'm also half-serious.
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Not for me. Don't like unfinished knives with big advertisements :)

Well I have the 4th Northwoods, when it was run by a cutler, not a marketing firm. It was actually made in MI, and like all the early ones, is a replica of a real Scagel, with the kris stamp, primitive stag covers, no bolsters, and the weirdest plastic box I've seen. Now that's sexy.
 
brownshoe said:
Not for me. Don't like unfinished knives with big advertisements :)

Well I have the 4th Northwoods, when it was run by a cutler, not a marketing firm. It was actually made in MI, and like all the early ones, is a replica of a real Scagel, with the kris stamp, primitive stag covers, no bolsters, and the weirdest plastic box I've seen. Now that's sexy.
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This....those were the good ones....

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brownshoe said:
Not for me. Don't like unfinished knives with big advertisements :)

Well I have the 4th Northwoods, when it was run by a cutler, not a marketing firm. It was actually made in MI, and like all the early ones, is a replica of a real Scagel, with the kris stamp, primitive stag covers, no bolsters, and the weirdest plastic box I've seen. Now that's sexy.
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I'm with you. I have trouble understanding why Northwoods knives elicit more enthusiasm than the Bose/Case annual collabs.

Those early Northwoods from the Dave Shirley era had character. I have experience with the No. 8.

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