Which to buy - Outlaw II bs Northridge Grinder

Robert Amato

Robert Amato

Joined
Feb 10, 2018
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72
Looking to get my first 2x72 and looking for personal experience with the two of these. I know there is a ton of threads on grinders and definitely on Northridge, but very few on the Outlaw II and definitely none comparing the two. I also know there are a few others people really like, KMC, TW90, and more but I’m not interested in those. What’s everyone’s opinions on the two?

Thanks
 
It's a shame there aren't more reviews on the Outlaw grinder. I like the design more than any other I've seen. His platen and small wheel attachments are very well thought out. I wish the guy would have promoted his product more. He should send a few out to established knifemakers for testing. I don't think he would get anything but praise.
That said, I don't think you can go wrong with the precision of a Northridge. I have yet to hear a negative word from anyone who's used their grinder.
 
mike-E said:
It's a shame there aren't more reviews on the Outlaw grinder. I like the design more than any other I've seen. His platen and small wheel attachments are very well thought out. I wish the guy would have promoted his product more. He should send a few out to established knifemakers for testing. I don't think he would get anything but praise.
That said, I don't think you can go wrong with the precision of a Northridge. I have yet to hear a negative word from anyone who's used their grinder.
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I agree that Outlaw needs to get his name out more. His design is great and package comes with everything. His production is always sold out. Wish someone would post a good review.
 
The northridge is fantastic. If you can get them to get back to you. I understand they are busy but damn hire someone to field calls and emails and return them in less than a month.
 
Tin.Man said:
The northridge is fantastic. If you can get them to get back to you. I understand they are busy but damn hire someone to field calls and emails and return them in less than a month.
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Customer service is always a top priority. I haven't contacted Northridge yet as there are a lot of reviews and information. Your experience is good to know though. Matt at Outlaw has been very responsive and very helpful.
 
Robert Amato said:
Looking to get my first 2x72 and looking for personal experience with the two of these. I know there is a ton of threads on grinders and definitely on Northridge, but very few on the Outlaw II and definitely none comparing the two. I also know there are a few others people really like , TW90, and more but I’m not interested in those. What’s everyone’s opinions on the two?

Thanks
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Why not ?

With the TW90 at $3600 and the Outlaw at $3500

It's a no brainer for the TW90
He turned knife grinder makers on their heads and the Outlaw and North are just the results of that.

The Outlaw has the same shitty tracking and tension as the KMG

that $100 difference is the best money you will spend.
 
That's the first time I have ever seen the Outlaw grinder. VERY NICE!! I used to own the TW-90 which I loved. However I did not like the platen as you could not angle it like the Outlaw or KMG and many others. If I was able to buy one now. I may choose the Outlaw over the TW-90.
 
12345678910 said:
Why not ?

With the TW90 at $3600 and the Outlaw at $3500

It's a no brainer for the TW90
He turned knife grinder makers on their heads and the Outlaw and North are just the results of that.

The Outlaw has the same shitty tracking and tension as the KMG

that $100 difference is the best money you will spend.
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Is the tracking difference really that noticeable? I ask because I’m very new to this.
 
jll346 said:
That's the first time I have ever seen the Outlaw grinder. VERY NICE!! I used to own the TW-90 which I loved. However I did not like the platen as you could not angle it like the Outlaw or KMG and many others. If I was able to buy one now. I may choose the Outlaw over the TW-90.
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I do really like the platen setup as well. And the tool rest I like due to its simplicity. Still has great height adjustments and angle adjustments.
 
I got into knife making without knowledge of the tw90.... with that said, the Northridge has been absolutely superb. No vibration, perfect tracking, flips horizontal. Also very nice people there. When I called about a grinder we spoke for about half an hour. Interesting guy.
 
Robert Amato said:
I do really like the platen setup as well. And the tool rest I like due to its simplicity. Still has great height adjustments and angle adjustments.
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Tool rest does look nice. Seems to be a very well thought out machine.
 
features to look for: variable speed motor or a grinder without a motor and you supply your own variable speed set up. is platen tool arm adjustable so you can run different size belts? are tool arms standard size or special? 1 1/2" square seems to be standard, easy to find tube that size to make your own arms. what type of belt tensioner? i perfer hydraulic cylinder. how many tooling arm slots? you want at least 2. is it direct drive?
 
I was Looking into the Outlaw grinder tonight. I found where the maker was planning on selling off the grinder business about a year ago. Not sure if he did or is doing so? I would definitely not buy one if the business was in question.
 
I’d love to have a northridge
Kali4nia said:
I got into knife making without knowledge of the tw90.... with that said, the Northridge has been absolutely superb. No vibration, perfect tracking, flips horizontal. Also very nice people there. When I called about a grinder we spoke for about half an hour. Interesting guy.
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When did you get yours if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve been on their buy list since last September. Emailed a few times and keep getting told they’re 8 weeks out every time. I already have a kmg otherwise I would have bought another grinder long ago.
 
JG Custom Metal Works said:
I would get the north ridge if it was me. It looks very rigid and it flips horizontal. The outlaw grinder is just to cheesy for my taste. They took the whole “outlaw” theme too far imo. Give me a grinder that functions well and is versatile. I don’t need t to have a cowboy costume on with spurs and shit.
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What "theme"? All I see is a company logo, and it doesn't have anything related to "cowboy" on it?
 
NR is working on a batch of 500 grinders now.
Call George to get one.
I have mine for 1.5 year now and can not find anything I would change.
Very precise machine.
KMG .has the worst customerservice ever.
I asked them to send me couple of small wheels and was told they needed a 1000$ minimum order for overseas. WTF?!?!.
 
Matt at Outlaw was considering selling off at one point, but went forward with another big batch since then. He's got a waterjet business, and grinders are only a part of his operation. That said, I know several makers with Outlaws who love them including Travis Payne and Bryan Borton. Matt let the Texas Knifemakers' Guild use three or four of his grinders for a workshop. I've used both his and the TW90, but both only in fairly limited settings. They're pretty far above a basic four wheel grinder like the KMG, but I couldn't comment on which would be better in the long term.
 
Tin.Man said:
The northridge is fantastic. If you can get them to get back to you. I understand they are busy but damn hire someone to field calls and emails and return them in less than a month.
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I've been on the list since last July. Was told they would be ready in 8 weeks after I finally got ahold of them.
 
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