Northwoods D2 or GEC 1095 for whittler

Aias

Aias

Joined
Aug 1, 2012
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Hello Ladies and Gents,

I've recently taken more of an interest in whittling and am trying to decide between a 4.25" Northwoods Stockman (D2) and a GEC # 79 Workhorse Whittler. I have a few GEC's and love them--their steel, their F&F, etc... but I cannot get a good read on the Northwoods model; I read some reviews, but they are not very recent and they were mixed. So any feedback or advice is much appreciated. Basically, I'd just go ahead and get the GEC because I just love their knives, but think that a D2 whittler may justify the switch to Northwoods. I have no problem sharpening, so that is not an issue.

Thanks!
 
Where is Northwoods getting their steel from? If it's from Queen then it is heat treated by Peters Heat Treating and I would know it is good. Not sure about other sources.

Dave
 
Not sure. I read that some of their knives are made by Queen, but nothing specific on this xl stockman.
 
I love GECs 1095 too. The pen blade on my #57 is fairly useful for carving. I prefer fixed blade carving knives because they work far better for me. Mine were forged with 1095.

I don't have any experience with d2,but it wouldn't be my first choice for carving.
 
I'll second Strigamort's comment regarding the #57. I've got one with the clip as the main blade, pen and coping as secondaries. I've whittled a bunch with mine and edc it most days. Very comfortable to carve with, and I love GEC's 1095. A fixed blade would be a more comfortable carver it's true, but it's nice to have one in your pocket.

Just my thoughts.
 
My thought on the #79 is that it's a bit large. You may find yourself wanting a smaller, thinner blade (or two) to get into tighter spaces for more detailed carving. #57 fits the bill for me at 3.5" with those two thin secondary blades.

Sorry to get off track here -- you're asking about D2 vs 1095. I've only had experience with 1095. Anyone else for D2?
 
I would go with the GEC 1095.

I find it much easier to get the kind of fine edge you want for whittling with 1095 than with D2.

But I am not much of a D2 fan.

I always have a hard time getting the edge I want on D2.
 
Thanks guys. I've seen the fixed carving knives--some are really nice looking, but I'd like a folder with three blades to keep in my pocket. I was considering the #57, but I have a #76 Outlaw Jack which is 3.5" and it is a bit small in my hands... which is why I was looking at the #79. GEC's 1095 is pretty darn impressive I carved a training tanto out of a fallen tree limb (some kind of conifer) with my #42 trapper and after over an hour of carving it was still very, very sharp (is that normal? I don't know?)... I've have a Benchmade 15020 Bone Collector (walnut scales) w/D2 and liked the steel, but that was a much thicker blade and I used it for other things.
 
1095 hands down.

For whittling you want as smooth and polished of an edge as you can get. 1095 will sharpen and finish so much easier and you don't want to deal with D2.

I can get them all sharp but let me put it to you this way... 1095 will hone to nearly polished with a translucent stone and a little easy stropping and it will be mirror polished leaving cuts in the wood that look as if you finished down to 2000 grit and buffed with a wheel. D2 takes a LOT longer to get that polished edge. Even on my power strop Kalamazoo and aggressive compounds it takes longer than 1095 by hand.

Whittling is not that abrasive and that is where D2 really excels.

My 2 cents

Kevin
 
D2 is too toothy, for me, when whittling. The GECs are super nice. Personally, I go with the old US made 8OT. I only bring the latter point up because I think these are also 1095.
 
Odog27 said:
D2 is too toothy, for me, when whittling. The GECs are super nice. Personally, I go with the old US made 8OT. I only bring the latter point up because I think these are also 1095.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure you're right.

Op, I love my #57 halfwhitt, I really do, but for carving? Eh... The knife has three problems. Even though I never would have expected this to happen, my spring has gotten quite soft. I was under the impression that it would stay at about the same level of pull over its life, but nope. Another problem is that it's just too small for my mitts. I wear an xl glove and even at 3 1/2", the handle tapers too much when using the main. The last problem is that the wharncliffe is way too large for my style of carving. The large blade, coupled with the small handle and soft spring is dangerous FOR ME.

I can already feel the heat from disrespecting the knife...

The upside is that there is a TON of potential (for me) with a different GEC knife. Their steel is probably my favorite of *any* folding knife I've ever had. 1095 has always been near the top of my list, I just couldn't find a modern folder that used it. Now I have, and I'm not going back. There are also plenty of handles on GEC knives that look like they'd be comfortable for people like you and I.

I'm very interested in what you end up with. Please keep me informed on what you chose to do and how it works for you. :)
 
Oh to answer your question. It's not abnormal for your blade to have retained its edge after an hour of carving. Many factors play a role of course.

When using a blade in this steel in the future I'd recommend stropping a bit every ten to twenty minutes however. It's much much easier to maintain an edge than it is to completely re-sharpen a dull one. It's better for your knife too. Having a good maintenance strategy in place, you can expect to go very long intervals between sharpening. In fact, many carvers report that they maintain an edge indefinitely with only the strop. That has been my experience so far too. ;)
 
Thanks so much guys--this is exactly the kind if feedback I was hoping for... looks like I'll go with the GEC #79. I too love their 1095 and I've found that stropping every now and then does the trick. Thanks again!
 
Aias - I know you seem set on the #79, but just a quick couple of thoughts.
While I think the #79 is a great EDC knife, I don't like it that much for whittling. The main spear blade is very broad and sticks out considerably from the frame, making extended use not comfortable for me. Also, all the blades are longer than I like in a whittling knife. I know choosing a whittling knife is a personal choice, so these might not be issues for you, just thought I'd mention it :)
If you want a larger handle, but still want three blades, I'd go with a #53. Really nice filling grip, and the blades sit low in the frame. Plus the secondaries are a little shorter. Another possibility in a slightly smaller frame, but still pretty hand filling, is the #62 Maverick.
Just food for thought :)
 
Strigamort said:
Op, I love my #57 halfwhitt, I really do, but for carving? Eh... The knife has three problems. Even though I never would have expected this to happen, my spring has gotten quite soft. I was under the impression that it would stay at about the same level of pull over its life, but nope. Another problem is that it's just too small for my mitts. I wear an xl glove and even at 3 1/2", the handle tapers too much when using the main. The last problem is that the wharncliffe is way too large for my style of carving. The large blade, coupled with the small handle and soft spring is dangerous FOR ME.

I can already feel the heat from disrespecting the knife...
Click to expand...

jwren said:
Ooh - just wanted to add - I'm told someone from this thread ;) has emailed GEC about the possibility of a carving knife, so you might want to get in on the brainstorming for that :D
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...nife-and-Chat-Thread!?p=12388125#post12388125
Click to expand...

But with disrespectful and blasphemous answers like that, do you think GEC will ever listen to him?:D:D

As far as D2 vs. 1095, I really like the edge on my various GEC's in 1095. Myself, I'm looking at the 33 conductor whittler. I have average sized hands, so the larger whittlers don't work as well for me. I used a Buck 303 Cadet for a while to whittle with, and it worked fine. Plus, the conductor looks just a touch longer, which is okay.

Good luck with your decision.

John
 
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Thanks for the suggestions... I was concerned about the spear blade too. I'll look at those and check back soon. You guys are great!
 
All of Northwoods D2 is from Queen. They are excellent. The only thing I would say is you have to make sure you get the edge polished really well. D2 works best that way.
 
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