Which Northwoods to get?

Sgt_Bobbo

Sgt_Bobbo

Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
344
Hello all,

I have been trying to decide which Northwoods knife is the best to get. I know that this is a personal choice but I just wanted to get some opinions and possibly a conversation going. I really like the Broadway jack and the Michigan jack. On the other hand, I also saw that the knives ship free site has some factory seconds of the two blade Madison Barlow for the same price as the Michigan jack. I really love the blood orange, oiled white, and the blue bone handles. This would be a knife I actually use instead of kept in my drawer wrapped in a microfiber cloth.

I am also unsure of the warncliff/sheepsfoot blade. Are there any drawbacks to it?

Thanks for the help. Also if you have one to sell let me know.
 
The three that you mention are all different sized knives. Basically small, medium and large. That might be a good place to start. I tend to like larger knives during actual use, but prefer a smaller knife in the pocket. Finding a balance between the two seems to work for me.
I love a Sheepfoot blade. Not the best for skinning, but great for everything I need a blade to do. Also easy to sharpen. I really like the 'modified' sheepfoot in the Northwoods.
Good luck in your search.
Mark
 
I'm a big fan of Wharncliffe/Sheepsfoot blades too but they do have some drawbacks. It really depends on what you plan to use the knife for. A Sheepsoot blade serves me well for virtually everything I need a knife for but I don't use my pocket knives to cut food, for example. If I did I would want the knife to have a blade with some belly in addition to the straight edge blade. Someone mentioned here recently that the most common thing they use their pocket knives for is to cut sandwiches. Although it can be done, a Wharncliffe or Sheepsfoot blade is poorly suited for that type of work.

Of course, there are many other applications where a blade with some belly would be more practical. Straight edged blades are great for a lot of things but their versatility is somewhat limited. I rarely, if ever, feel under bladed when carrying a single blade Sheepsfoot knife but that's only because of the things I use my knives for. A blade with some belly deserves serious consideration in my opinion.
 
Thought maybe Bobo would know what #number of Knives that he liked -- but i guess not today.?
Rail -- I use a Sheepsfoot Blade for just about everything when I do carry one of them ~~ even cutting a sandwich and even a single layer cake before ~~ you learn to cut what you have to when it is all that you have with you at the time.*
Better than using my finger.* lol
Bobbo -- email me please.* Thx.
 
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If you like the Madison Barlow--you might wait just a bit. We are about to re-release the single bladed version which (in my opinion) makes it carry like a much smaller knife.
 
okbohn said:
If you like the Madison Barlow--you might wait just a bit. We are about to re-release the single bladed version which (in my opinion) makes it carry like a much smaller knife.
Click to expand...

Good to know Derek i now know what to spend my christmas money on. I hope it is a drop point blade in this run like the first one.
 
okbohn said:
If you like the Madison Barlow--you might wait just a bit. We are about to re-release the single bladed version which (in my opinion) makes it carry like a much smaller knife.
Click to expand...

sonuva... Just when I'm tapped out.
 
Good news on the single blade Madison. I'd like to see it in drop point with micarta covers.
 
okbohn said:
If you like the Madison Barlow--you might wait just a bit. We are about to re-release the single bladed version which (in my opinion) makes it carry like a much smaller knife.
Click to expand...

That's super exciting, any ETA you can give us? Even if its a very vague one.
 
The presidential is an option. It's real slim for such a large knife. This thing completely disappears in my back pocket. Plus, the wharncliffe secondary blade is just perfect.
MF2ANu2.jpg
 
My love for the presidential is well documented. I heartily second it. Also, I seem to be alone in saying this but I am not a fan of having a sheepsfoot or wharncliffe main blade. The tip is fragile and the straight blade means your tip does most of the work.
 
Just curious, why do you want a Northwoods? Unless you want that different blade shape, they are Queens or GECs.
 
SadSappySucker said:
The presidential is an option. It's real slim for such a large knife. This thing completely disappears in my back pocket. Plus, the wharncliffe secondary blade is just perfect.
MF2ANu2.jpg
Click to expand...

Thats a nice well used presidential, a lot of great character. I've been on the fence for a while with these, I just can't pull the trigger...yet.
 
Sometime it helps to see the different sizes all lined up...

Broadway vs. Michigan vs. Madison (sorry for pic quality, the office is kind of dark).

Personal opinion - The 2 blade Madison is a little large and heavy for me and is rarely carried; however, the Michigan hits my sweet spot. In addition, I have found that the modified Wharncliffe on the 'rustic' Northwoods is not fragile at all and stands up to fairly heavy use just fine. - End personal opinion

9ac121c9-0e1f-48d8-a55d-915a66d25519.jpg
 
Thanks for all the replies! I have made my mind up to get either the presidential or the Michigan jack. I am a fan of the look of the warncliff/Sheepsfoot but I am not so sure on the functionality vs a drop pointe.
 
Depends on what you want to cut. The straight edge is good for most tasks with the exception of food prep, peeling excluded (quite good for peeling). I spend many days with a sway back jack in my pocket, and it serves me well. If I plan on cutting some food, then I'll pocket somethIng else, like a barlow with a clip or spear point.
 
This Michigan Jack in blood orange camel bone just arrived today. My first impressions is it might be my new favorite.
It's a work of art.


aZNRxrdl.jpg
 
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