Northwoods Knives

[Raymond1000]

I signed up for the Blade Forums 2008 Forum Knife, a medium stockman with stag scales, made by Northwoods Knives. When I got the knife, I wasn’t happy with it. I could slide a sheet of paper between the stag scale and the bolster. Half the surface of the scale with the arrowhead escutcheon was trimmed smooth—a waste of an otherwise gorgeous piece of stag. The thumb notch in the spay blade was so hard to use that the tip scratched against the sheepsfoot blade every time I opened it.

I’d hoped for better from a hundred dollar knife. I called Northwoods. They said “Send it in, we’ll take a look.” I did send it in, and was told, “Anything we do to fix this knife will just make it worse.” So they sent it back to me, and I gave up on Northwoods Knives. The knife became an expensive beater.

Yesterday’s mail contained a second Northwoods 2008 Forum Knife. You could have knocked me over with a feather stick. I had no clue that Northwoods would do such a thing. This iteration of the Forum Knife is everything I hoped the first one would be. Fit and finish are excellent. Walk and talk—including half stops—are great.

Talk about standing behind your work! I’ve quite changed my opinion of Northwoods Knives.

 

[Will Power]

An interesting tale. Did you say half-stops? Mine has a kind of semi stop but it's more in the hesitation bracket.....

Any chance of a photo of the two knives?

It's good that you got a replacement,you must be pleased.

 

[Raymond1000]

The half stops do not click into place. But they definitely stop. I would not say hesitation myself, but it's a judgment call.

Sorry, I'm not set up to post pictures.

Yes, I am delighted.

 

[RLR]

Yup, my Forum knife was close to a POS. Spey couldn't open, the stag was "ugly" at best and the grinds were awful. And the shield has such a gap between it and the stag it's laughable. I just put it off to a bad day at the knife shop and tossed it in the "dust collector" pile. It really wasn't well executed. I have a tiny toothpick that is close to perfect, and a large toothpick that is pretty decent (small warp in the blade). So, guess Northwoods may be a buy in person company.

 

[neeman]

I sent my knife back over 6 months ago............
The nail nick on the Spey blade was too shallow
They promise me they will send it this week........


To be fair, the owner has been quite unwell and was in hospital the time the knives were sent out...

Just spoke to them, it also sounds like I am getting a new knife...
Perhaps...

Keep you posted

 

[moonwilson]

FWIW, I have a Northwoods Scagel reproduction, and it is excellent. I have not found a single aspect of the knife with which I could find any fault. It is beautifully made, and has some of the finest stag I have ever seen. The walk & talk, grinds, sharpness, fit & finish, all superb. You can even see where they Rockwell tested each of the blades. I believe that they take the quality of their products seriously.

 

[Raymond1000]

I sent my knife back over 6 months ago............
The nail nick on the Spey blade was too shallow
They promise me they will send it this week........


To be fair, the owner has been quite unwell and was in hospital the time the knives were sent out...

Just spoke to them, it also sounds like I am getting a new knife...
Perhaps...

Keep you posted

Yes, when I called to thank him, he said his health problems delayed him getting my knife to me.

 

[kidwholaughs]

I am really glad the Forum knife thing worked out for you. I know that a lot of people weren't happy with their knives. I guess it all come down to the people that you hire.

God Bless