The Northwoods Knife brand name originated in Gladstone, Michigan when a man named Dave Shirley adopted it as his knife company's name in 2004. Dave was well known for collaborating with popular knife companies to have knives made to his specifications for resale well before 2004 & beyond. KnivesShipFree bought Northwoods from Dave & has continued to team up with respected makers to produce knives marked with the Northwoods brand name.
Man all these Northwoods knives really get me wanting.
All posted here are very nice but my favorites would probably be K.J's yellow handles Indian River and K.J's mammoth ivory Presidential (or) any one of the Bear Lakes. Then again there are the Zulu's, Willamette Whittlers and all the others. If there was unlimited availability and I had an unlimited budget I think I'd want them all.
After seeing the way this thread has gone, I think it appropriate to post my second most favorite Northwoods. The one was gifted to me by Greg (gsmith7158). These Northwoods Willamette Whittlers are soooo classy. Thank you Greg.
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Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
This thread says favorite knife, so singular, just one knife. Well i tried and each time i selected one, another one would suddenly look 'better'. So sorry, i gave up on just one.
These 3 Northwoods are pretty nice.
kj
kootenay joe wrote:This thread says favorite knife, so singular, just one knife. Well i tried and each time i selected one, another one would suddenly look 'better'. So sorry, i gave up on just one.
These 3 Northwoods are pretty nice.
kj
I would agree Roland. That's a spectacular line up!
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Greg
IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.
Thank you Greg. This Presidential is another strong favorite, handles & pattern: 4 1/4", one spring, 2 blades, powerful knife but slender. Must love this one.
kj
Quote doglegg: "This one would have to be my favorite. Got it from Roland. Beautiful knife"
I was wondering where that knife went ! It is a beauty. Wonder why i sold it ? At least it has a very appreciative new owner.
Thanks for showing it.
kj
So I have three and this is the last one and probably the literal last one. This one disappointed me. Don't get me wrong, I like the knife. It's the blade finish that I fell head over heels for when they first started coming out that disappointed me. I expected more of a rustic "forged look" but in hand, it's very under-whelming. Looks faked. For me, it kinda ruins an otherwise excellent knife. Oh well. Live and learn. I'm not going to pitch it out with the trash or kick it out of my pile.
Attachments
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
Jerry, from your picture i do not get any 'faked' impression. The blade has crisp sharp lines and looks attractive and quite 'capable'.
Is it the standard 'Bohncliffe' ? or is tip end more elongated ?
And Q.S.: Burnside Jack ? Can you maybe get a better picture ? One in which the blade is not blue. The picture has The Blues.
kj
This is a Dave Shirley era Northwoods. It is a Queen Mountain Man knife with Northwoods Branding. It is a handful of a knife at 4 1/2 inches with substantial sambar stag scales.
RalphAlsip wrote:This is a Dave Shirley era Northwoods. It is a Queen Mountain Man knife with Northwoods Branding. It is a handful of a knife at 4 1/2 inches with substantial sambar stag scales.
Here's a shot of my two 'users'. In the background is my Madison Barlow in natural linen micarta and in the foreground is my every day carry Harrison Bay in denim micarta. Some may think it sacrilegious to use these fine Northwoods, but I get satisfaction out of cutting with them. I'm still learning how to freehand sharpen them..would probably be much easier with a blade like the Fremont.
I think it is great that you are using your Northwoods knives. They were made to be used. If no one used them the knife maker could get away with thickly ground and dull blades on a pretty knife. Guys like you help keep the standards up.
kj
kootenay joe wrote:I think it is great that you are using your Northwoods knives. They were made to be used. If no one used them the knife maker could get away with thickly ground and dull blades on a pretty knife. Guys like you help keep the standards up.
I agree. Here is a Northwoods Norfolk pen knife that I carry. Obviously, it sees only light duty since it is a small knife.
If there was unlimited availability and I had an unlimited budget I think I'd want them all.
