Northwoods mammoth ivory expectations

jlubas

jlubas

Joined
Jan 22, 2008
Messages
301
Hey guys I just got my northwoods presidential today in mammoth ivory and while I love the knives I was a bit disturbed by the fit and finish of the handle scales. Now I understand that the ivory is a natural material and some variation and will be expected but on one Corner it is far from flush and really just seems like it should not have been used.
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Am I being to picky? Is this to be expected with this handle material.
I really want to love the knife and do in every respect other than that one corner but to me this one maybe should have been sold as a second. What do you guys think?
 
These sort of things don't bother me, especially when dealing with a natural material, mine is like this also, didn't phase me for a second, I don't buy knives to collect or sell, keep on shelf in a box for future, I buy things to use. The knife is great does what it's supposed to do, cut things. If it bothers you contact Derrick he will find something more to your liking. There are far greater things in life to get upset about, a knife isn't one of them, at the end of the day it's a hand tool.

Here's mine and I like it very much



Pete
 
It is growning on me the more I handle it like I said I love the knife and I do intend on using it so I'm not worried about collectors value. Like the title of the thread said I think my first adverse reaction was based on expectation of perfection.
 
It's up to you of course. Derrick will take care of you either way. That's 10-12,000 yr old tusk. Beautiful and amazing material.
 
Here's a stag example, instead of leaving the bolsters symmetrical, they finished them to match the stag



Not sure what the better option is leaving the bolsters symmetrical as in the Northwoods or retro fitting the bolsters to match, either way neither bother me. I know these things are a bother to some, and want the cutler to make the stag/ivory etc. fit perfect as it can be done, I would assume they are trying to get the most out of the material without excessive amounts of waste, but it's never something that would make or break a knife to me.

Pete
 
Less and less it's bothering me considering it is 10 or 12 thousand year old material.
The model I particular I think helps as well. When I bought it I did full well knowing that there would be blade rub and I was going to carry it. No staying pretty for this guy I suppose.
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Not sure why it keeps turning my photos but He's already making friends
 
jlubas said:
Less and less it's bothering me considering it is 10 or 12 thousand year old material.
The model I particular I think helps as well. When I bought it I did full well knowing that there would be blade rub and I was going to carry it. No staying pretty for this guy I suppose.
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He's already making friends
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Just wondering, does yours have any blade rub? I know Derrick said it was unavoidable, but I've been using and carrying mine for over two weeks, and I have zero rub, don't know if I just got lucky?
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed mine


Pete
 
Mine's got blade rub, Pete. Basically a straight line that runs about 1/2 to 3/4 of the height of the main blade, right where it tucks into the shoulder (I don't know the right term) of the secondary wharncliffe blade. It's out toward the point of the spear, past the nail nick.
 
Mine just has one place where it rubs. A small vertical line on the spear blade where it meets the shoulder of the wharncliff just like Logan's
 
jlubas said:
Hey guys I just got my northwoods presidential today in mammoth ivory and while I love the knives I was a bit disturbed by the fit and finish of the handle scales. Now I understand that the ivory is a natural material and some variation and will be expected but on one Corner it is far from flush and really just seems like it should not have been used.
View attachment 442024
View attachment 442025
Am I being to picky? Is this to be expected with this handle material. I
I really want to love the knife and do in every respect other than that one corner but to me this one maybe should have been sold as a second. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

It's up to you. If you're gonna be unhappy every time you look at it, I would exchange it for another mammoth presidential. There are still some available. I would say that one is a real beauty, and you may want to keep it to avoid giving up such a pretty one. Whatever you decide to do, Derrick is terrific to work with you and he will make you happy as a customer.
 
I send a Northwoods clip barlow back because of fit and finish issues. The material was fine but it seemed that the workmanship was poor: gaps, chipping around the pins, proud pins, the pivot pin showing in the bolster, ect. To me, the rare handle material deserved better treatment. I have hundreds of GEC knives and this was close to the most poorly made GEC knife I've ever seen. Maybe the knives needed to cost more given the expense of the handles.

I also have a genuine MOP esquire that apparently Bill H assembled himself because of the handles...I wish he would have done the same with the mammoth ivory.

That said, Kniveshipfree is always awesome to work with..and they took the knife back with no concern.
 
It wouldn't bother me, but it is a tough call, these are premium priced knives, where aesthetics matter as much as functionality, if you really can't live with it send it back...or to me ;)
 
Anyone else have experience with north woods mammoth ivory? It seems Pete has this problem as well on his presidential so I'm wondering if this is typical and exchanging it would just end with me getting another with a similar problem.
 
Hi all. As long as the knife is unused, un sharpened you can return it and choose another.

All natural handle materials will have flaws. It is just the way they are. Mammoth ivory can be made to fit absolutely perfectly, but to do so often loses the beautiful color because the actually put it on thicker and sand it down to match. I asked GEC to leave as much "bark" as possible. So, there is a good possibility that the next one would be similar.

We are happy to check that for you before you order just send us an email and we can take care of you.

Also, on the presidential, as we stated previously, you should expect some blade rub. If you get one that doesn't have it,you are very fortunate and I wouldn't count blade rub out yet. It may still show up. In any event, on this model, we won't go through to find one that doesn't show blade rub because it would mean opening dozens of knives every time.

Long winded response. Sorry about that.
 
jlubas said:
Anyone else have experience with north woods mammoth ivory? It seems Pete has this problem as well on his presidential so I'm wondering if this is typical and exchanging it would just end with me getting another with a similar problem.
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I never said it was a problem, what I said in my post is "These sort of things don't bother me, especially when dealing with a natural material, mine is like this also, didn't phase me for a second" I just pointed out mine was similarly finished, I don't consider these things as issues or imperfections, it's like a knot in wood, character, when making things, you want to waste as little material as possible otherwise your cost goes up, when making anything planing your cuts to be efficient with the least about of waste is crucial, I like uniqueness in products, Derrick provides pictures, mine at the time only had the mark side picture posted, I contacted Derrick and he had someone take pictures and emailed them to me.
I consider mine to be perfect for me, might not be for you and that's ok.

Pete
 
I was in a rare mood (facetious) yesterday when I told the OP (jlubas) to return his knife. As Pete and Derrick have said above that feature is common in natural materials and not a flaw at all. Even bone is known for it bone marrow cavities. Here's a saw cut, red bone, Case Barlow to illustrate the point. Perfectly normal and actually a plus for me.



It all boils down to personal likes and dislikes. That's a natural feature of your cover not a flaw. Keep it an use it - you won't be sorry.
 
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