WR Case, Northwoods or Renaud Aubry?

Jeru

Jeru

Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Messages
609
Hi y'all :D

The umpteenth (newbie) request for a recommendation :rolleyes: A recommendation for my first traditional slipjoint with animal handles. On this moment I only have a bunch of Victorinoxes, several Opinels and an EKA 100 Executive BLV in my small collection. Most of the time of the last six years I've been EDC'ing a Victorinox next to my Military.



I've narrowed it somewhat down to the following:

- Case Mini Trapper SS with Wharncliffe blade
- Case Sway Back Jack SS
- Renaud Aubry La Navette Sandvik 12C27
- Northwoods Indian River Jack CPM 154

My doubts:

I would really like a wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blade, but a lot of nice traditional sheepsfoots are sold-out and if available only made in 1095. I know most of you prefer a traditional 1095 steel on your traditional slipjoint, but I don't see myself keeping that rust-free for decades, especially since I use my knives for food a lot. Also I'm curious why it is generally considered easy to let a natural patina form on your traditional 1095 blade, while the 1095 of an ESEE rusts by looking at it (why nobody talks about letting a natural patina form on their ESEE's then?) Since the stainless steel Case uses seems to be considered as crap, I'm leaning towards the Navette or the Indian River Jack. On the other hand: fit and finish on Case knives seems to be much better than on the twice as expensive Northwoods(!?) I love the look of the jigged red bone on a Mini Trapper, I love the look of the Sway Back Jack in general, but I also love the filework and the look of La Navette - check out the awesome configurator for this knife by the way! CPM 154 is the favorable steel here for me and the looks of the Northwoods Indian River Jack are stunning the say the least, but it is also the most expensive knife (to get to my Amsterdam door) while despite the costs it seems to have the worst fit and finish out of my list. For the same money I can buy two Case knives with seems to be better fit and finish.

Here some pics on the fit and finish of Northwoods that worries me, taken from this forum:

northwoodscongress.jpg


DSC00066.jpg


2014-05-06103048_zps148e31b3.jpg


2014-05-06103114_zps00532813.jpg


2014-05-25102934_zpsde8105d5.jpg


So what you all think and/or what do you recommend me, please?

Thank you very much in advance!
 
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I will say (and I am biased) the Northwoods are some of the finest traditional knives I have ever handled. I'll also be honest and say that I don't see issues with the above knives that would bother me at all. The only one that makes me pause is the proud back spring on the IRJ at the end. I don't like that. The rest of them are entirely normal. (IMO)

Northwoods are just factory knives that we ask to be taken to a higher level. Recent production models come with a great leather case. They are very nice.

All of that being said, you are not going to go wrong with any of the choices you have named. I have not personally handled a Renaud Aubry La Navette knife, but have read some about them.
 
Nothing wrong with Case Stainless Steel (Tru-Sharp)at all. Very good steel. Nothing wrong with the Northwoods knives you showed either. They are great knives.
 
okbohn said:
I will say (and I am biased) the Northwoods are some of the finest traditional knives I have ever handled. I'll also be honest and say that I don't see issues with the above knives that would bother me at all. The only one that makes me pause is the proud back spring on the IRJ at the end. I don't like that. The rest of them are entirely normal. (IMO)

Northwoods are just factory knives that we ask to be taken to a higher level. Recent production models come with a great leather case. They are very nice.

All of that being said, you are not going to go wrong with any of the choices you have named. I have not personally handled a Renaud Aubry La Navette knife, but have read some about them.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response sir. I understand your bias and I appreciate your reply. Of course I can also understand that a lot of people find the little imperfections, little gaps or lesser smoother transitions between materials "entirely normal", but some of us would like to avoid it when possible. Now, I didn't state I need to avoid it. I am just taking it in consideration. Especially since Case knives seem to have better fit and finish (or less imperfections so to speak) for a lot less money (but no CPM 154 on the other hand of course). Perhaps I'm lost in translation (I'm no native speaker) but I don't know what you exactly mean by "Northwoods are just factory knives that we ask to be taken to a higher level". Isn't Case too? And what is the "higher level" then if I just pointed out the (slightly) lesser fit and finish compared to WR Case or Renaud Aubry knives? I as a non-native speaker am especially insecure about the "that we ask to be taken" part. But I think I get your point anyway. I hope at least. Again thank you and kind regards.
 
By higher level finish--I just ask the factory to take a few extra moments to put a bit more into the finish.

Case does that as well. I wouldn't hesitate to get either.
 
Thank you all again!


thedaver8 said:
Northfield for sure! :thumbup:
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Northfield? Please elaborate!


Modoc ED said:
Nothing wrong with Case Stainless Steel (Tru-Sharp)at all. Very good steel. Nothing wrong with the Northwoods knives you showed either. They are great knives.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Now, apparently you too see nothing wrong with the Northwoods knives I've showed. That's great, but I do. And I'm a little surprised you don't. The imperfections are obvious in my opinion. But I appreciate your opinion very much. Thank you.


Modoc ED said:
This thread ought to be sent over to FEEDBACK.
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Disagree. To not say bull.
 
Jeru said:
Thank you! Now, apparently you too see nothing wrong with the Northwoods knives I've showed. That's great, but I do. And I'm a little surprised you don't. The imperfections are obvious in my opinion. But I appreciate your opinion very much. Thank you.
Click to expand...

and THAT is why there is a choice of knives to buy. One man loves a brand and one man loves another. It is what makes it all work. :)
 
Jeru said:
Of course I can also understand that a lot of people find the little imperfections, little gaps or lesser smoother transitions between materials "entirely normal", but some of us would like to avoid it when possible.
Click to expand...

If you wish to avoid gaps, buy a custom knife.
If you want perfection, buy a custom knife.

As Derrick has implied, there is a difference between a knife made in a factory producing dozens of knives a day compared to one made in a shop where a each knife takes days to make.

Either learn to live with imperfections, or go custom.
 
I have plenty of Case knives, and can't think of one that does not have small imperfections. My personal opinion is that most of the Northwoods....especially those made by GEC...are a cut above even most of the GEC knives, and certainly above the Case knife. Certainly they sell at a higher price point, but quality is why they cost more.
 
They are not imperfections they are differences. They make each knife unique. :)
 
Thank you so much guys! Really appreciated!

Feel free to keep them coming! :D Case Mini Trapper, Case Sway Back Jack, Northwoods Indian River Jack or Renaud Aubry La Navette? :rolleyes:
 
I cannot speak to all the knives as I do not own them (I am excited to have a Northwoods on order however). The only one on your list that I own is the Case Swayback Jack CV. I see you are particular about fit and finish so I will assure you that my SBJ is virtually perfect with the exception of the sharpened edge from the factory. 10 mins on the sharpmaker and the issue was resolved.

With that said you are taking a small sample of online pics to base your opinion on fit and finish. No matter what company or product you research you will always find a few bad apples that are not representative of the whole.
 
knarfeng said:
If you wish to avoid gaps, buy a custom knife.
If you want perfection, buy a custom knife.

As Derrick has implied, there is a difference between a knife made in a factory producing dozens of knives a day compared to one made in a shop where a each knife takes days to make.

Either learn to live with imperfections, or go custom.
Click to expand...

Not the right answer....try again.
 
knarfeng said:
Balderdash. It is the correct answer for someone complaining about a factory-made knife having imperfections.
Click to expand...

Balderdash! I have not heard that one in years. I am going to steal that from you!

I think it is important to be careful what we call imperfections. I think we can all agree that the fitting of the back spring in the one pic is an imperfection.
However, the bent mental of the bolsters is something that you need to deal with if you are purchasing a knife with a natural material such a bone.
We also do not know from the pic if it came from the factory that way or was caused by normal wear and tear of everyday use. I personally don't
think a knife looks "right" until it has a few dings to add character, but I prefer to cause the dings myself.
 
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