Tidioute vs. Northfield preference....??

I

immolatus

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Aug 25, 2013
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So it's been about a month since my first GEC experience. I first went for the Northfields (wharncliffe lockback and a scout linerlock). A couple weeks later I picked up a Tidioute frontier bone viper (I collect bone whenever possible). I have found over the last couple of weeks that I markedly prefer the viper. I find the Tidioute to be more robust in construction wich is a must for me. I'm pretty hard on things and I don't like owning things I wont use. Just ordered a Tidioute scout without the linerlock to make a direct comparison though I'm pretty sure I'll like it better.
I'm just curious to see if anyone else has had a similar experience
 
Just depends on the pattern for me. On the Viper for example I like the looks of the Tidioute better because on that particular blade I don't care for the swedge on the Northfield. However as far as being more or less "robust" they are the exact same knife with different scale options & typically a long pull instead of a nail nick, fancier bolsters & shield & a high polished blade so they are going to be equal in that department. There are sometimes exceptions to the rule too for example some of the 15 pattern has long pulls etc.
 
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I usually prefer the swedging on Northfield blades (but not always). However, I don't care at all for pinched bolsters, and a lot of Northfields have them.
 
They are generally the same knife, but the Northfields are a little more refined. One isn't going to be more robust than the other given the same pattern.

I like both.
 
I'm also fairly new and have found I definitely have a preference for the plainer look of the Tidioute knives over the Northfields especially in terms of the bolsters and shield. I find myself frequently wishing they had a longer pull or came in some of the handle materials that appear to be unique to the Northfield but GEC clearly has aestetic features that are unique to each brand. For me it definitely comes down to the specific knife I am buying.

In terms of fit and finish, I have not really encountered any differences among my small (but rapidly growing) collection.
 
I asked a dealer this same question not long ago. He winked and said there's no real difference other than a few cosmetic flourishes such as grooved and/or pinched bolsters, etc. And you'll sometimes find Northfield tends to use higher-end material for the handle (i.e. stag vs wood) but that's not even true every time. Other than that they are the same knife, pattern for pattern.

Whether Northfield draws a better investment potential for collectors remains to be seen. I doubt there will be much difference in the long run.
 
No difference in quality or "robustness" that I've noticed. I just buy whichever has the combination of blade shape, handle material, and features I most prefer.
 
It really depends on the particular pattern for me. But I often seem to lean toward the cleaner and simpler Tidioute versions. As others have said, there is no difference in quality, just in how they are dressed.
 
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I like Tidioute. I find the swedges on the Northfield line overdone most of the time.
 
I tend to prefer the Northfield "bling," except when they put the nail nick inside the swedge. Sorry, but I just don't care for that at all.
 
Generally, I prefer the satin finish, drawn swedges, and plainer look of the Tidioutes. I like the long pulls and cut swedges on some Northfields. I'm not a fan of pinched bolsters and can usually do without decorative lines.
 
My overall aesthetic preferences run towards the more simple, so the Tidioutes, especially in smooth, dark ebony, fill that niche. On the other hand, I like small, well-done detailing, so the extra touches on the Northfields scratch that itch.
 
When I first started "accumulating" GEC knives, I was drawn to the blinginess of the Northfields. I got a 33, a 73, and a Pemby all in Northfield. But at some point, I liked the more straightforward, and indeed better "in-hand" feel of the Tidioutes (I don't care for the feel of the sharp NF swedges), and ended up getting those same knives in the Tidioute line. My 66's are all Tidioute. The less precious aesthetics of the Tidioutes also lend themselves to being more "user" than "collector". My 2 cents : )

~Jim
 
I like both.

I have found the plain versions can tend to feel more robust. A lack of swedging can mean a thicker blade. A lack of pinched and grooved bolsters can mean a fuller bolster.

On the other hand, Northfields don't feel flimsy to me and those swedges can thin out blades overall for cutting. Pinched bolsters give some dimension to a knife that I find interesting.

The main reason I go Northfield is for the cover options and the long pulls.

Kevin
 
Depends on the pattern for me.

My one Northfield is a burnt stag Half-Congress. When I was looking to get this knife I was also looking at a jigged bone Tidioute. Something about the grooved bolsters, blade swedge, and long pull just looked right. On my Pemberton I went with Tidioute because I wanted the single blade Ebony version.

Currently I'm looking at the #9 Esquire and the the extra touches just make this folder for me. What's hard is I prefer the handle scale options on the Tidioute versions, but I love the long pull, blade swedge, and lined bolsters on the Northfield versions.
 
I tend to migrate towards the Northfield's but own both. My absolute favorites are some of the SFO's dressed in Northfield bling but with satin blades. I wish more would come this way.
 
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