Northwoods Knives: Everyday Barlow ... Opinions?

I wanted one of these, but I couldn't justify the price, especially in light of what others have said about F&F issues.

For me, it makes my one and only GEC that much more of a value.
 
okbohn said:
There will be a video very soon. :)
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I wasn't even teasing, I honestly love the vids! Your "over"enthusiastic love of knives is contagious. Now if you convince GEC to use uncoated M4 on the next run of Burnsides, (spear) I'll have my own Knifegasm!
 
spyderg said:
I wasn't even teasing, I honestly love the vids! Your "over"enthusiastic love of knives is contagious. Now if you convince GEC to use uncoated M4 on the next run of Burnsides, (spear) I'll have my own Knifegasm!
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M4 would be very nice since it's still a carbon steel (my own steel of choice for a full on custom) but here's to dreaming. GEC won't budge/M4 would wear out their belts real quick.
 
Got one of the four remaining saw cut bone Barlows. For me, saw cut is the classic, like something your grand dad would carry. The only thing I'd like better is a soup bone Barlow, but that will have to wait, I suppose.
 
Ryouchijtx said:
M4 would be very nice since it's still a carbon steel (my own steel of choice for a full on custom) but here's to dreaming. GEC won't budge/M4 would wear out their belts real quick.
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I will keep on dreaming.., perhaps if the hear it enough they'll break down and venture into some other steels, maybe even M4. Even with a higher price tag, (to pay for those belts) they would surely sell out in seconds!
 
bozack said:
I am hoping more spear points are posted. Box Elder would be cool.
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Agreed! I saw one box elder sheep foot and kept refreshing the page until someone put me out of my misery and picked it up. Although I love the pattern, I've got a glutton from the recent TC, 77, and beer scout runs. The pictures of the clip point, although practical, just don't quite do it for me since, without the swedge, it doesn't look as fancy as the GEC's. Now a spearpoint in boxelder with CPM sounds great as a all around user. Fingers crossed.
 
I'm curious to hear feedback on the QC for this run. I've been having bad luck w Queen lately.
 
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Big pass for me. I'll keep my opinions to myself out of respect to Derrick and not wanting to rain on anybodies parade that has purchased one. :)
 
I keep loading the cart on a cocobolo clip point but then backing out. I wish the clip point wasn't clipped so steep. Are these packaged in a box or pocket slip?
 
Daddyo16 said:
I wanted one of these, but I couldn't justify the price, especially in light of what others have said about F&F issues.

For me, it makes my one and only GEC that much more of a value.
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Well, I have the Queen made 2015 Indian River Jack in CPM 154.
The steel is Great and the F&F are well within reasonable tolerances, for a user.
It feels very solid and there's no bladeplay.

The blade has some waves, but I flattened it on a waterstone when setting the working edge.
There's enough thickness in the blade to either keep it thick for robust use, or by thinning out the edge turning it into a slicer.
It was expensive as we European's have to add expences for $ currency, shipping and taxes, but in the end I didn't regret buying it.

For those seeking a stainless pocketknife in traditional design, but with modern powdersteel, the Northwoods are certainly interesting.


Regards
Mikael
 
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KSF also sells the Queen #69 Barlow with D2 and American Walnut. I like the look of these more than the Northwoods Everyday Barlow and they are $55 cheaper. D2 is a very good knife steel and in real world use is not that different to CPM-154.
Properly ground, sharpened and heat treated i doubt any of us could tell the difference by how well they cut or how long they would edge hold.
I have most of the KSF Northwoods knives and they are all excellent knives (including the Queen made IRJ). However i passed on this Everyday Barlow because i don't see the value in it when compared to the regular Queen Barlow which costs about 40% less.
Once people receive and try out their Everyday Barlow i hope we get some objective reviews (not just a rave because it's a Northwoods and we all love Derrick). Then i will learn if my assessment is correct.
kj
 
KBA said:
I am not sure if it is just the pic, or my cracked ipad, but the blade looks odd. The blade seems wavey above the pull and the grind looks wavey as well. Is it just me, my poor eye sight, and cracked ipad?
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I have handled a handful of queens and they all have had real wonky blade grinds with imperfections in them. I am not a big fan of them to be honest, they make a good whittler though.
 
I think there is a big difference between D2 and CPM-154. The fine grain structure adds a lot of toughness, ease of sharpening and crazy good edge holding ability.

Either way, I see your point. I work the price from a formula based on the costs involved and then with the Queen produced ones, I subtract $10 because the F&F is not as good--so they kind of are what they are. Again, not for everyone.
 
I have a a blue camel bone spear point on the way. It will be my first Northwoods and I will comment once I receive it.

Dave
 
Fit and finish is well done. My blade is centered, I love the rugged feel with the saw cut bone. No wobble on the blade and is put the pull at 4-5. I do have a couple of scratches on the blade from the factory - one snail trail and one mark. It's also razor sharp, which is way more sharp compared to anything I've gotten in 1095 from GEC. All in all I really like it, for what it is, a gentleman's folder that won't rust easily and a great tool.
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kootenay joe said:
...D2 is a very good knife steel and in real world use is not that different to CPM-154.
...
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D2 is not stainless. D2 also won't take a high polish. CPM-154 is stainless and takes a high polish. In my experience, Queen's ATS34 does not hold an edge as long as their D2, but CMP-154 is a little different from ATS34.
 
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