Northwoods Norfolk

S

sunandsteel

Joined
Oct 23, 2013
Messages
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I've been looking around at the different whittlers and came across the Norfolk. They look really nice and was wondering if anyone had one, and if so do you like it.
 
I have one. Great knife. I don't whittle, and I don't know if I would use this one for that task if I did. This is a letter opening, apple cutting, twine cutting, blister pack slicing sort of knife, in my opinion. The long thin wharncliffe is perfect for such tasks, but I'd be afraid of snapping it if carving wood. Here it is with a Charlow for size comparison.

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I've got a Norfolk also. I'm not a big time whittler, mostly whittling sticks until there's nothing left, but I wouldn't hesitate to use this Norfolk for what I do.

Here's mine;
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I don't have a Northwoods, just an older black box Winchester, but it's my favorite whittling slipjoint.

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- Christian
 
Al of those knives are nice. Do you think the Northwoods Norfolk would be a good solid whittler, or maybe look at the GEC whittlers?
 
I have a GEC 33 Conductor whittler that is similar in size to the Norfolk. It's heavier due to the three blades, but it is also more robust feeling.
If I were to get a knife for whittling in that size range, I would go with the 33 Conductor.
If you want an elegant, beautifully made knife with slanted, pinched, and ringed bolsters that looks like it came from the pocket of an Edwardian gentleman, the Norfolk will do you no wrong.
 
I've been looking at the 33 also and it looks solid. What's the next size up from the 33 for GEC whittlers, the 62?
 
Hi Christian,

Nice looking knife. May I ask the pattern, length, and so on? I would imagine this is an older knife?

Thanks.

Regards,

George
 
George,

It's a Winchester 2935. Measurements are identical to the Northwoods Norfolk. It even has 1095 steel blades. I suspect the same man was behind the design of both knives.

- Christian
 
My experiences with the Norfolk:

The smooth Calico Bone is one of GEC's best (and they have a lot). Fit&finish is of very good quality, it is an elegant single-spring knife, I tend to agree with sub space-it's a gents' pocket knife for light tasks. The blade and handle are very narrow so I'm not sure about whittling with it, it is also a very small knife.

If GEC did a bigger, stouter version as one of their lines or a SFO it would be attracting a lot of attention I suspect , as the Norfolk is an old and varied pattern.
 
sunandsteel said:
I can wait. :) This new one they're working on looks very promising. I'm going to continue researching but I'm definitely holding off for that new GEC coming out. Is there a special contact to buy one of these?
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KnivesShipFree (KSF) is the place. Derrick has them produced exclusively for his shop. I'm sure he will chime in. He's one of our great sponsoring dealers.
I just traded mine. Nothing wrong with it. I just prefer my 33 conductor for light-med tasks. And I liked the trade better. :D
 
I have a norfolk from Northwoods, it's a great small knife with a light pull. I think the new three blade will make a better whittler with the shorter wharncliffe master with the coping blade and pen. Both are sweet knives.

Best regards

Robin
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mr_badexample said:
KnivesShipFree (KSF) is the place. Derrick has them produced exclusively for his shop. I'm sure he will chime in. He's one of our great sponsoring dealers.
I just traded mine. Nothing wrong with it. I just prefer my 33 conductor for light-med tasks. And I liked the trade better. :D
Click to expand...

The other party is pretty happy with the trade as well. :thumbup:
 
That Northwoods Norfolk is such a nice looking knife and it makes it a tough choice. I might have to buy it and than wait it out for the new GEC or go for the 33.
 
The Norfolk is the 31 from GEC. It's a special factory order by Northwoods knives. The new whittler is on the same frame but with three blades. I'm assuming it will be a split backspring cause you sure can't cram anymore blade in that little frame without the wedge.

Regards

Robin
 
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