Northwoods Knives: Everyday Barlow ... Opinions?

[dispatch184]

Drew, I am able to pinch my clip open. The pull is about a 5 on mine so it's just doable with my slightly arthritic fingers. If this were a GEC (with their stiffer pulls) I wouldn't be able to do it.

Love your avatar. She's adorable!

Thank you all for answering my question. And thank you about the avatar, she makes me smile all the time : )

 

[cat9050]

Sending my Bird's Eye Maple Sheepsfoot back for a refund today.....really disappointed because the covers were beautiful. I find it hard to believe but the pile side cover was concave to the point it was half the thickness of the opposite side. This was on the back, where on the open side the covers matched right up. Jeez, whoever finished this knife was asleep at the switch and let that sander go and go and go The rest of the build was spot-on, well worth the price if only.....

 

[okbohn]

Sending my Bird's Eye Maple Sheepsfoot back for a refund today.....really disappointed because the covers were beautiful. I find it hard to believe but the pile side cover was concave to the point it was half the thickness of the opposite side. This was on the back, where on the open side the covers matched right up. Jeez, whoever finished this knife was asleep at the switch and let that sander go and go and go The rest of the build was spot-on, well worth the price if only.....

That is really strange. We would normally catch that though the picture process. We'll get you taken care of.

 

[euthymic]

I really think that Queen is letting down their customers by letting so many knives out the door with variable F&F. I just received my Everyday Barlow on Saturday (Birds Eye Maple Spearpoint) and have already requested a RMA. It's a shame as the scales are lovely and although I was aware that the blade was not centered (as KNF had taken an additional picture for me when I inquired during the order) I wasn't prepared for the side-to-side play and unsymmetrical blade grinds that accompanied it. Clearly, Queen can make an excellent knife (as attested to by many here) but they seem unable to do so consistently. This will likely lead me to avoid future purchases unless I can handle them in person or have a trusted individual look it over. I think traditional knives with super steels are a great combo and I thank Derrick for bringing these to market but only wish he had someone other than Queen to work with :-(

 

[HST]

The blade is really thin, as Derrick explained. I can wiggle my blade, but it is not from the bolster/pivot, it's from its thin blade. I thought the same thing you did as well; but when I really looked at what was happening, it was just the blade that can be moved at the tip (pre-video). These knives are slicers and score very well. IMO, these are "city" knives, that won't rust as you take the day on and clean easily making them sanitary.

A lot of my colleagues complain that 1095 makes their food taste metallic. I don't share that view; but I've heard/read lots of people complain. You will never get that with this steel and its razor sharp. I'm really surprised that there's so many complaints.

As far as the grinds - they're slightly uneven on all mine; but they don't have snail trails like a GEC or look like sterile production knives. Everyone has its own character. The satin finish or whatever it is, is slowly polishing as I rub it clean, giving it a unique "patina."

 

[dispatch184]

I received my clip in brown saw cut a couple days ago. I think everyone agrees that the F&F is not on par with GEC, the same holds true with my IRJ. But I would guess most of us knew that when we clicked the purchase button. Despite some uneven transitions and wiggle in the half stop I can't help but like this knife. I love the saw cut covers, they feel and look sturdy and vintage. The knife feels great in hand, not too small or too big. I also find the shape of the clip blade visually pleasing.. reminds me a little of a scimitar from an old movie. It is also sharper out of the box (bag) than any production knife I have purchased to date. Not stressing about rust is nice as well. So.. like my IRJ, the character of this knife outweighs the flaws and makes it easier for me to put aside my collector tendencies and just use the darn thing. To each thier own, and I respect each persons threshold when it comes to knives, just my two cents with this particular knife.

 

[CROWEMAG]

I received my clip in brown saw cut a couple days ago. I think everyone agrees that the F&F is not on par with GEC, the same holds true with my IRJ. But I would guess most of us knew that when we clicked the purchase button. Despite some uneven transitions and wiggle in the half stop I can't help but like this knife. I love the saw cut covers, they feel and look sturdy and vintage. The knife feels great in hand, not too small or too big. I also find the shape of the clip blade visually pleasing.. reminds me a little of a scimitar from an old movie. It is also sharper out of the box (bag) than any production knife I have purchased to date. Not stressing about rust is nice as well. So.. like my IRJ, the character of this knife outweighs the flaws and makes it easier for me to put aside my collector tendencies and just use the darn thing. To each thier own, and I respect each persons threshold when it comes to knives, just my two cents with this particular knife.

As long as you can live with what some of us call flaws, then that is all that matters! Some people like a little variation in their personal blade. Some expect each knife to be the exact same (will never happen). I want to try one but am a little hesitant. This thread has talked me in and out of getting one all at the same time!

 

[supratentorial]

I haven't seen the knives but I wonder if the wiggle at the half stop is what we used to call Queen's "half pause". It's not really a half stop. It's somewhere in between half stop and cam end. If so, then I don't think it's a manufacturing "flaw"

 

[Jolipapa]

All that is said above is really interesting. A pity there's not more pictures!

 

[dispatch184]

Crowemag: I think it's worth a try, I waited a while to pull the trigger too because I have a GEC bias and the mixed reviews but I am glad I did. I love the Northwoods line, and the customer service at KSF is top rate in the event you are not satisfied.

Jake: It feels like an intentional half stop. It just has some vertical play at the half stop. Unlike my IRJ that functions as you describe.. never snaps to a 90 degree stop just more of a slower close.

Jolipapa: I will post a couple of pics once the morning fog burns off :thumbup:

 

[Cannonball970]

Out of curiosity, why does a wiggle in the half-stop position make a difference in a knife? Do people use their blade in this position? (serious question, not trying to sound snarky)

Here's a pic of my cocobolo sheepy for Jolipapa.

 

[dispatch184]

I don't think it does make a functional difference in my limited experience. Perhaps a more knowledgeable member can correct me if I am wrong on that count. I chalked it up to a fit and finish issue. Great picture by the way, I almost got one in those covers, yours is beautiful! Here is my clip point. I had to rush these next to a window so very plain but it shows the knife.

The more I carry it the more I like it. I might just get another. Have a great day all

 

[Old Engineer]

Nice looking knife And review Drew. I am sure you will like it even more as you use it.


Harry

 

[dispatch184]

Thanks Harry, the more I carry it the more I like it. I can pinch it open which is a huge plus in my book. I just broke down 5-6 boxes and it sliced through them like they were tissue. :thumbup:

 

[Acadian]

I don't think it does make a functional difference in my limited experience. Perhaps a more knowledgeable member can correct me if I am wrong on that count. I chalked it up to a fit and finish issue. Great picture by the way, I almost got one in those covers, yours is beautiful! Here is my clip point. I had to rush these next to a window so very plain but it shows the knife.

The more I carry it the more I like it. I might just get another. Have a great day all

Maybe it's just the shadows in the pictures, but the blade almost looks recurved

 

[dispatch184]

It has an interesting cut to it. In person I find it to be "cool" for lack of a better term

 

[HST]

All of mine have a "proud" half stop. Mine pop into the half stop...I'm assuming that's what other posters meant by "proud half stop."

I'm constantly amazed at how well these guys work. This is my fourth and it's the best F&F -- I'd imagine Derrick had some words with Queen. The grinds are perfect and I couldn't be happier with my purchases.

 

[major_works]

I may be speaking out of turn here, and someone will surely correct me if so, but I believe what's meant by a "proud half stop" is that when the blade is in the half-stop position, the spring protrudes out from between the liners on the spine side of the handle.

 

[bleh]

You grabbed some great stag. This shot in particular is very cool. Looks like a workin' knife the profile is great and I'm sure it's got grip for miles.

 

[FLymon]

I may be speaking out of turn here, and someone will surely correct me if so, but I believe what's meant by a "proud half stop" is that when the blade is in the half-stop position, the spring protrudes out from between the liners on the spine side of the handle.

That's what I take it to mean.
I have a few knives that the spring is sunk a little at the half stop and those half a very pronounced half stop while the proud springs have a softer stop, if that makes sense.
I always kind of figured maybe that is designed in for that reason?
If it is different from one knife to the next in the same model though, that to me is a sign of poor attention to detail.