Northwoods Indian River Jack or Scagel Fruitport or ???

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doppiodan

Joined
Sep 7, 2014
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I am relatively new to traditional knives, but have enjoyed carrying and using a few over the last few months enough that I'm considering a swankier one for office EDC use, picnics, etc. With all the expertise and experience here, I figured I would get some input from the experts. I know I enjoy helping others spend their money! Here's the wish list:

Single-blade slipjoint.
Under 4" closed.
Must be pinchable (pinch open only, I don't like opening with my nails. Nail nicks and long pulls OK, love the Scagel slot.)
Thin blade stock (prefer flat or convex grind, don't care for hollow ground as much).
Must have a half stop.
Budget: $100-$150.

The front-runners are the Northwoods Indian River Jack and the Scagel Fruitport. I like the blade steel on both, but would prefer the CPM 154 of the IRJ given the choice from a long-term perspective. I like the look of a nicely-developed patina, but would prefer not to worry about rust and don't like the taste my carbon Opinel imparts on apples (although it is super easy to maintain a nice edge!)

I have never had a Wharncliffe blade and at some point will try one - however, I know I like a bit of belly for EDC use and ease of sharpening. When I say a little, I really mean a little. I would love to try a Queen Copperhead but the excessive upsweep at the tip makes me cringe as I struggle to maintain sharp points on knives with similar upsweep. The combination of D2 and that shape is a non-starter for me. I like to keep my blades shaving sharp, but am not obsessive - I usually sharpen with the brown Sharpmaker rods for a nice utility edge that's easy to touch up. A bit of continuous belly makes it easy to sharpen whereas a Wharncliffe may be more of a challenge? In any case the profile of both knives I'm looking at look to be manageable in this regard, but any feedback would be welcome. In some pictures the Fruitport looks like it has more upsweep than I like. I have modified my Opinel #9 to get around the same issue but there's no way I'm going to mod a Fruitport in the same way. The IRJ profile looks flatter and if so, would be an advantage for me there.

Since I have never handled either, I'm hoping for input from those who have. Some side-by-side photos from all angles would be sweet to judge blade profile and shape. I will primarily carry in the front pocket of slacks at work (probably in a leather slip).

Both of these knives look amazing and I'm sure I would be very happy with either. The reality of a limited budget means I can't buy both right now but the GEC manufacturing and current availability of the Fruitport (will there be any more?) are making me lean in that direction. The opening slot is ingenious and makes the nail-breaking slipjoint nightmare a non-issue. Can anyone tell me if the IRJ is easy to pinch open? It looks like a possibility from photos but I haven't been able to find out from reading reviews. Both are on the spendy side but I feel the cost is justified by materials, level of fit and finish, and either blade steel (IRJ) or sharpening (Fruitport).
It's a great 'problem' to have, isn't it?

Thanks in advance for any input!
 
I don't own either, but like the looks of both. I'll let others with experience with one or both of these knives make recommendations, and simply say 'welcome' to the board. Derrick from KSF posts here, so perhaps he'll offer his thoughts since he offers these two knives. Best of luck with your decision.
 
I've had that Indian river jack in my cart for months but I just couldn't pull the trigger on it because of its length(when it comes to traditionals I favor 3 1/2"). I got a ebony gec #68 instead wich doesn't fit your parameters. Anyway I still have a thing for that 154cm Indian river jack. One day I'm sure
 
VictorLouis said:
I see far much more EDC practicality with the IRJ, than the Scagel.
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Based on blade length and/or having a stainless blade? For those reasons I agree. They both speak to me for sure and until yesterday the IRJwas my number one. I would really like to hear from an urn owner about the pinch ability of opening though.
 
The IRJ is a great knife, but it is not easily pinchable. Mine came pretty stiff, and while it has broken in a bit, I still need the nick to get it opened. Once you get it out about half way, you can pinch it the rest of the way :)
 
doppiodan said:
Based on blade length and/or having a stainless blade? For those reasons I agree. They both speak to me for sure and until yesterday the IRJwas my number one. I would really like to hear from an urn owner about the pinch ability of opening though.
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I have two IRJ knives & can pinch open either one from fully closed position. A little nano oil in the joint & a few days use should loosen up enough for your needs.
The thin profile makes it very pocket friendly. Hope this helps.
George
 
I've got two, Amber Bone and Ebony. They are not nail breakers by any means but at the same time I can not pinch open either one. They don't cam open as smooth as some but no half stops.
 
Dean51 said:
I've got two, Amber Bone and Ebony. They are not nail breakers by any means but at the same time I can not pinch open either one. They don't cam open as smooth as some but no half stops.
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I know what you mean... It's like it has a faux half stop :)
 
Hmmm...maybe the IRJ isn't going to cut it (heh heh) as far as ease of opening. Bummer as it's close to perfect otherwise. I wish I was more attracted by the Freemont Jack (I can tell that it would open easily without the Nick and have excellent walk and talk) but don't want to spend that much on my my first Wharncliffe only to learn I don't love it.

Maybe I'm back to the Fruitport. Love the opening slot and grind and it's hard to go wrong with 1095. Thanks all for your input!
 
I used to have a wharn bladed fruitport with the smooth bone handles--very well made and very classy.
 
Love my Scagel fruitport. The blade is very easy to pinch open, has a very classy look and the convex grin is very sharp. In fact I sold all my factory knives awhile back except for my fruitport and gec 47.
 
Lhpanther said:
Love my Scagel fruitport. The blade is very easy to pinch open, has a very classy look and the convex grin is very sharp. In fact I sold all my factory knives awhile back except for my fruitport and gec 47.
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This is good to hear. Have you found sharpening the Wharncliffe blades more difficult than clips, drop points, and spears? Since the Fruitport has a convex grind I'm thinking the profile behind the edge will require a different technique but I'm willing to commit to it. Is the Fruitport thin in your pocket? I know the IRJ is and was hoping to get a picture or measurements comparing the two.
 
The Fruitport is FANTASTIC knife. I absolutely love mine, the blade open smoothly and the knife cuts like crazy! Steven
 
People usually find wharncliffe and sheepsfoot blades the easiest to sharpen... you don't have to move your arm/hand to keep a curved edge at the same angle to your sharpening medium. For convex, you're pretty much going to to strop. Sandpaper on an old mouse pad is usually recommended (for sharpening). A leather strop (and compound) is also recommended (for touch ups). As a general rule, single spring knives will be slim in pocket. If you use the pocket slip then it'll be thicker. Cover materials matter too - I just checked, I thought only rams horn and stag were available but it looks like bone is too, maybe more were made/found in the corners as part of the move? - bone and wood would usually be the thinnest with stag and and exterior horn having the most variability.

I don't have a IRJ but do have a clip Fruitport. It's based on GEC's #48 frame as is the Northwoods Hawthorne which are pinchable too. Same blade shapes but different grinds.

 
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I've got a stag Fruitport Wharncliffe that I carry once in awhile. The convex edge is screaming sharp and I'm able to maintain it easily with a leather hone and CrO (Chromium Oxide) compound. I find Wharncliffe and Sheepsfoot blades easier to sharpen and maintain for the same reason 2Dead states in the previous post. Mine pinches open very easily at a 6 to 7 pull.

The stag on mine makes the knife close to 9/16" at the butt end. I'd look at the bone if that's a concern. Great knife, although the 1095 requires a little maintenance.
 
I would say snag the Fruitport. We ran across those in our move...they won't be around very long. I like it better than the Hawthorne because I LOVE the grind on the Fruitport.
 
doppiodan said:
This is good to hear. Have you found sharpening the Wharncliffe blades more difficult than clips, drop points, and spears? Since the Fruitport has a convex grind I'm thinking the profile behind the edge will require a different technique but I'm willing to commit to it. Is the Fruitport thin in your pocket? I know the IRJ is and was hoping to get a picture or measurements comparing the two.
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Looks like some others have already answered your questions. Mine has great looking stag scales and is slim enough in the pocket. I bet the bone covered ones which are currently available will be a little bit more slim compared to the stag. Go ahead and get one already!
 
Wow great response on this thread. I think I will probably move on the Fruitport, it really appeals to me and in the end I will probably end up with an IRJ later. I also like the Hawthorne but something about the Fruitport keeps pilling me in. Now, to decide on blade shape! I haven't ever had a Wharnie so it's tempting. I will probably go for the clip and try a different knife in a Wharnie at a lower price point. Thanks again for all the info, guys!
 
I do not have either knife but the IRJ would be my choice. I like powered stainless steels and the size is great for an office environment. The only reason I have not buy one is because it is made by Queen.
 
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