View Full Version : Full North Star Review.
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=6451
What do Bushcrafters here thinkg of the knife?
TheViking
22-11-2004, 17:29
Very good review. It covers every corner of the Northstar and goes deep. :-)
But do you find the NS performs just as Martyn said?
TheViking
22-11-2004, 17:31
But do you find the NS performs just as Martyn said?
I can't say. :wink: Don't own it. :wink: What I mean is that the review covers very well and goes deep and is honest.
Paganwolf
22-11-2004, 17:53
Ive held one, and must say the handle was not for me my hand measures 7.5" from tip of middle finger to heel of hand and thumb tip to tip of little finger (pinkie :wink: ) measures 8.5" when hand is splayed out, it just didnt have the "feel" i like from a knife, neather the less a good quality nice looking knife....and thats a pukka review Martyn :biggthump
Get one! :wink:
For what? Bushcraft? Casual carry? What is it that you are recommending the knife is suitable for? If you're just saying get one cos ya like it, that's easy - I can heartily recommend it on that basis too. But if you're advising people to spend thier money, you should maybe think about offering something a little deeper than "get one". ;)
Jake, my hands are of average size really. Turn the knife edge up and squeeze the handle. does the corners of the but-end and the thong hole thing not dig into your palm?
Ive held one, and must say the handle was not for me my hand measures 7.5" from tip of middle finger to heel of hand and thumb tip to tip of little finger (pinkie :wink: ) measures 8.5" when hand is splayed out, it just didnt have the "feel" i like from a knife, neather the less a good quality nice looking knife....and thats a pukka review Martyn :biggthump
Your hand size is identical to mine.
(goes up-stairs....and then comes back down)
Well, not really. It seems to be ok, i think it's the way i grip it, quite difficult to explain but it fits me perfectly.
My hand sizes...
Tip of pinkie to tip of thumb 8 inches and 3/16ths!
Top of wrist to top of middle finger 7 inches and a half.
Width of palm 3 inches and a half.
:?:
Fair enough. each to his own.
BTW, what do you use it for?
Well bushcrafty type stuff i suppose! I tried al those grips you described and they all felt comfotable...and last time i was out it wasn't uncomfortable at all. But that could be because i wasn't using those grips much. I'll let you know this weekend!
Well bushcrafty type stuff i suppose! I tried al those grips you described and they all felt comfotable...and last time i was out it wasn't uncomfortable at all. But that could be because i wasn't using those grips much. I'll let you know this weekend!
Whatever jake, it doesnt matter really. Some will find it comfy, some wont. Some have already parted with thiers because they dont. Horses for courses. If you like it, fine. :biggthump.
RovingArcher
22-11-2004, 21:43
I think that each individual will have their opinion on how a knife feels in their hand and they can base many assumptions on the knife when they do or do not like how it feels in the hand. What I would like to know and see is how the knife actually performs for the individual making the review and I didn't see any evaluation in the review for actual performance. Could you post your notes and photos on the performance of the knife? It will certainly help me to understand how you came to your conclusions and will also help me to learn some proper knife handling technique from an experienced Bushcrafter. :-)
I think that each individual will have their opinion on how a knife feels in their hand and they can base many assumptions on the knife when they do or do not like how it feels in the hand. What I would like to know and see is how the knife actually performs for the individual making the review and I didn't see any evaluation in the review for actual performance. Could you post your notes and photos on the performance of the knife? It will certainly help me to understand how you came to your conclusions and will also help me to learn some proper knife handling technique from an experienced Bushcrafter. :-)
OK, I just edited this, because I realised my original reply was a little too curt to say the least. I'll give you the benefit here RA and assume you're not just wading in.
The pictures were omitted deliberately, because they prove nothing. Comments about performance are meaningless - how on earth do you test performance? I was not comparing it to anything else and dont doubt it can cut wood.
My comments were my opinion on how comfy the knife is, in various holds. That's it! take it or leave it.
Hi Martyn, sorry mate! I wasn't trying to dis-agree in a heavy manner (not quite argumetative :wink:). Just was wondering whether it was the way we hold the "backhand" grip. Cos when i use it the NS doesn't really give me problems.
Does anyone with big hands think that the NS is a main carry Bushcraft knife?
:biggthump
Hi Martyn, sorry mate! I wasn't trying to dis-agree in a heavy manner (not quite argumetative :wink:). Just was wondering whether it was the way we hold the "backhand" grip. Cos when i use it the NS doesn't really give me problems.
Does anyone with big hands think that the NS is a main carry Bushcraft knife?
:biggthump
Jake, dont apologise for goodness sake. You are entitled to your opinion, just as i am mine. Neither is more or less valid. :biggthump
Does yours have a thong thing on the back? If not, perhaps that explains some of the difference. I know when using the reverse grip, I had quite deep marks left in the heel of my palm from mine. Colin has my NS at the moment (he's making a sheath for it), otherwise I'd squeeze the handle and take a picture of the marks it leaves on my hand.
RovingArcher
23-11-2004, 00:15
Martyn, no problems here. I was only wanting to satisfy a bit of curiosity on my part and perhaps learn your method of usage and in no way was my response designed to reflect on your review of the NS. Your personal review was well written and your opinion and feelings are respected, but whether or not I will take them or leave them, really isn't at issue, or important.
Jake, I don't know if my hand is considered large or not. I wear a standard large size glove by U.S. standards and find the knife to function well for me. So, I guess to answer your question, yeah, I find the knife suitable for bushcraft. For it's size and weight, I was pleasantly surprised at the agility of the knife as well as it's robustness. But like anything else, our likes are our own and what I like or dislike in a knife, is really only my opinion.
Certainly our experience at how we hold a knife while using it, or how we actually perform a task with the knife as compared to others and the style of blade and handle we are used to will affect how we would evaluate the knife in question. Ha, I'm sure that there is a Scandi out there that will make the NS suck raw eggs in comparison and I'm sure the Woodlore or similar styles of knife are superb. I just haven't handled any of them enough, if at all, to make any kind of determination as to whether the NS stands up to them, or they to it, or if it really matters.
Martyn, no problems here. I was only wanting to satisfy a bit of curiosity on my part and perhaps learn your method of usage and in no way was my response designed to reflect on your review of the NS. Your personal review was well written and your opinion and feelings are respected, but whether or not I will take them or leave them, really isn't at issue, or important.
No sweat RA. I was on my back foot, waiting for the onslaught of flames and I suppose a little defensive.
I dunno if you've read Mikes comments...
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?p=90588
It would seem the issue of handle size/shape has already been identified and a new model in the pipes. Great customer service from BRK&T - well done Mr Stewart. :biggthump
There is almost nothing in the world as personal as a knife handle - a handle that works for one person just doesn't work for another. Our hands are so sensitive and minute variances in size can feel enormous (just as a chipped tooth feels like a huge hunk of it is out if you feel it with your tongue). Equally, you'll find people who rave about Swiss Army Knives and multi tools (both which have, from an ergonomic point of view, awful handles) who won't like a knife because of the handle. The quest for the ultimate handle is, I think, one that will never be achieved and I think the closest fit all handle was the stacked leather handle on the Ka-Bar (but again that's my opinion).
There is almost nothing in the world as personal as a knife handle - a handle that works for one person just doesn't work for another. Our hands are so sensitive and minute variances in size can feel enormous (just as a chipped tooth feels like a huge hunk of it is out if you feel it with your tongue). Equally, you'll find people who rave about Swiss Army Knives and multi tools (both which have, from an ergonomic point of view, awful handles) who won't like a knife because of the handle. The quest for the ultimate handle is, I think, one that will never be achieved and I think the closest fit all handle was the stacked leather handle on the Ka-Bar (but again that's my opinion).
I agree in part, at least that the perfect universal handle is probably a holy grail that will never be found. I think to get one perfect for you, you gotta go custom. But I also think that we are sufficiently similar, that a relatively universal handle is possible. Cetainly we should be able to (and do) make tools that most of us feel happy to use. I think if you can get 85% of people happy with it, then you've done a good job. If you've a 50/50 split, then you've missed the mark.
RovingArcher
23-11-2004, 03:16
No sweat RA. I was on my back foot, waiting for the onslaught of flames and I suppose a little defensive.
I dunno if you've read Mikes comments...
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?p=90588
It would seem the issue of handle size/shape has already been identified and a new model in the pipes. Great customer service from BRK&T - well done Mr Stewart. :biggthump
Yep, no need for flames as far as I can see. I wouldn't mind a larger handle on mine, but it's not a big deal one way or the other. It's a fine little knife. But then, I like a 9.00 SwAK real well too. :wink:
Oh yeah, I agree. Mike is 100% in my book. :biggthump
Well I have to throw my lot in with Martyn on this one.
I found the whole knifes proportions to small for my liking to - quality isnt the issue just usability in Bushcraft and just like other brand name knifes some will love it some will loath it.
Apart from some initial use, has anybody here used the knife extensive and is able to comment on the edge retention? Does it stay sharp after one or more days of use in the forest?
-Emile
But I also think that we are sufficiently similar, that a relatively universal handle is possible.
I'm sure Dave Barker will chip in here with a more accurate version, but isn't the Scandi "fat trout" handle, like on the original Mora, considered by many to be a universal handle?
I certainly find that type of handle to be extremely usable - I can't abide a handle that restricts the ways I can use a knife
But I also think that we are sufficiently similar, that a relatively universal handle is possible.
I'm not sure about that - maybe bare hands under certain conditions but if you factor in cold weather, heat, humidity, water and any number of other enviromental factors then I think that you are looking at a range of handles. Then blade size comes into play ...
I tend to think that learning to use any knife is just as important as learning to use (or at least look for) the perfect knife.
Does yours have a thong thing on the back? If not, perhaps that explains some of the difference. I know when using the reverse grip, I had quite deep marks left in the heel of my palm from mine.
This is really making me look at the way I use a knife, instead of just doing it!! When I hold a knife in the reverse grip I have my fore-finger on the spine of the blade - how far over depends on how deep the choil is. On the NS my finger is almost at the far end of the row of ridges. Since I only have three fingers on the handle, it protudes considerably from my palm:
http://boaty.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/reverse.jpg
As I've said before, I don't find the chest-lever grip particularly comfortable - the hook on the handle does dig into my palm:
http://boaty.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/chest-lever.jpg
I find the blade a little too long for me when using the point:
http://boaty.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/point1.jpg
I'm not holding onto much of the handle :yikes:
http://boaty.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/point2.jpg
But, then again, I've got a custom-made knife for that sort of job :wink:
http://boaty.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/point3.jpg
Does yours have a thong thing on the back? If not, perhaps that explains some of the difference. I know when using the reverse grip, I had quite deep marks left in the heel of my palm from mine.
Have to agree, in reverse grip the thong loop really does dig in, with prolonged use in this position it could become a painful problem. If you try and hold the knife further up the handle, it's at a very awkward angle for cutting. I would certainly have this removed on future versions.
Have to agree, in reverse grip the thong loop really does dig in, with prolonged use in this position it could become a painful problem. If you try and hold the knife further up the handle, it's at a very awkward angle for cutting. I would certainly have this removed on future versions.
This was really the nub of what I wanted to say in the review. If the knife is designed for the job, then it should excell at it. I simply cant put my hand on my heart and say the knife is comfortable through a range of grips - it isn't.
This is really making me look at the way I use a knife, instead of just doing it!! When I hold a knife in the reverse grip I have my fore-finger on the spine of the blade - how far over depends on how deep the choil is. On the NS my finger is almost at the far end of the row of ridges. Since I only have three fingers on the handle, it protudes considerably from my palm:
http://boaty.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/reverse.jpg
I move my grip around a lot, sometimes I choke up on the blade as in your pic, the knife was more comfortable like that, but I tend to hold it further back a lot too, and use my index finger wrapped round the neck of the handle. Like this, I found the neck was too thin for me and I was struggling to control the knife in a fluid way - the thong thing also dug into my palm quite significantly. I also found the curve of the whole knife awkward. As when holding as you are in the above pic, the tip lurches away from you. It just felt far from ideal in that orientation. I own several knives that do a much better job of it. If the knife is designed as a perfect bushcrafter, it shouldn't just be capable, it should excell in these kinds of holds - the NS doesnt.
(Martyn, i just thought i may hav come across as argumentative! :wink:)
:yikes: Now I HAVE to look more closely, i can see that prolonged use in the backhand position maybe result in discomfort, but i'll have to give that a closer look this weekend.
Emile...it does retain a very, very good edge and for a long time too.
Well I have to throw my lot in with Martyn on this one.
I found the whole knifes proportions to small for my liking to - quality isnt the issue just usability in Bushcraft and just like other brand name knifes some will love it some will loath it.
Gary, are you still useing the Svord as no.1? How does the edge compare to that of the NS?
Cheers.
Jake
I dont know Jake I sold the NS as I found it too small for comfortable use and as such never used it in any serious context.
Re the Svord the edge is still good although I did over sharpen it at one point which caused it to become so fine it rolled - not a major problem as a few strokes with the GB ice hockey puck sorted it out. One good thing with the svord is the blade has taken on a lot of character and now looks like a prop from Last of the Mohicans!! :biggthump
Does yours have a thong thing on the back? If not, perhaps that explains some of the difference.
I was rather dubious about people liking the thong loop and, although there was the option to have it removed on production, not many people opted to have it removed. It certainly seems to be more of a hinderance than a help.
Cool :biggthump
Is it still your primary knife? Or are you using the vildmark (?) one?
I am using both actually - the Vildmark gets used as a neck knife if I'm hiking due to its size and sheath design (I keep forgetting to take it off - in Scotland I even went in a bank wearing it, no one batted an eye lid, fortunately the hat design means it doesnt look like a knife) and while I was testing it I used it on courses ect.
To be honest I do tend to pick it up more and more these days but for camping or as a camp knife I take the Svord.
My problem is I cant have more than one knife at a time or I get confused!!- thats why I sell so many on here and now that the Vildmark has passed its test I might even add that soon.
Well im thinking of getting myself a svord :roll: as it looks very nice and i've resisted so long so i figure that i deserve it :wink: .
Is the vildmark stick tang right?
TheViking
23-11-2004, 18:02
I am using both actually - the Vildmark gets used as a neck knife if I'm hiking due to its size and sheath design (I keep forgetting to take it off - in Scotland I even went in a bank wearing it, no one batted an eye lid, fortunately the hat design means it doesnt look like a knife) and while I was testing it I used it on courses ect.
To be honest I do tend to pick it up more and more these days but for camping or as a camp knife I take the Svord.
My problem is I cant have more than one knife at a time or I get confused!!- thats why I sell so many on here and now that the Vildmark has passed its test I might even add that soon.
You are all allowed to give me this: :welcome: but what's that Vildmark knife we're talking about? :-) :?: I did a search, but a disappointing one.
Well im thinking of getting myself a svord :roll: as it looks very nice and i've resisted so long so i figure that i deserve it :wink: .
Is the vildmark stick tang right?
Yes Jake, stick tang and mosiac pin.
I was rather dubious about people liking the thong loop and, although there was the option to have it removed on production, not many people opted to have it removed. It certainly seems to be more of a hinderance than a help.
Yeah, it's pretty thin though, so will grind off easily - even if all you have is files. problem then is you wont have a thong loop. But for a discreet woodlands walker, you dont really need one.
Jake, start a new thread if you want to discuss the svord mate, or tag something onto an old svord thread. This thread is about the North Star, dont hijack it buddy. :offtopic:
are there any ladies out there with a NS?
I keep thinking abou how this knife sounds perfect for younger people. I also keep thinking about the differency in womens hands and the idea that this might suit them better (in general)
i think outdoorsgirl is probably a lady and she has a north star..
the north star is pretty much a 4 finger hold for me.. i think i must have little girl hands :roll:
Sorry Martyn! I wasn't thinking about what i was doing!
And i also just realised i didn't answer your question from earlier. I have a lanyard loop and it seems out of the way in a backhand grip (ish). But not sure if it'll cause irritation, but again, i'll tell you come the weekend ;) :biggthump
Andy might have a good point - the NS's delicate (in feel not use) nature might be more suited to smaller and possibly fairer hands although I would still have a problem with the handle shape ect ect ect.
Seems we need Kath or Outdoorgirl or one of the other ladies to shed some light here.
Saying i have girly hands? :rolmao:
I think it probably isn't all to do with size though, just technique...
Size isnt everything Gary :rolmao:
simultaneous post with jake here i think..
Paganwolf
23-11-2004, 20:56
Saying i have girly hands? :rolmao:
I think it probably isn't all to do with size though, just technique...
People with little ones always say that Jake :shock: :rolmao: :rolmao: :nana:
:rolmao: DOH!!!
Thats probably the most stupid thing i have ever written. Ever. Ever. :oops:
:rolmao: :rolmao: :doh:
But guys...it's true...:shock:
Size isnt everything Gary :rolmao:
That my friend, is the greatest urban myth. :D :D
What have I started.
I started with ample size but little skill :shock:
Are we talking about bushcraft or potty training?
I'd be interested in the differences in handle shape as well as size that most women would get on beter with. For me one of the best handles I've ever used was a victorinox boning knife. When I designed a knife (mostly for fun) I ended up with a blade similar to the northstar but with a very different handle. It didn't look half as nice but I think would work well
Im saying nothing! :rolmao:
I fear it was my
I think it probably isn't all to do with size though, just technique...
:slap: :rolmao:
Yeah, it's pretty thin though, so will grind off easily - even if all you have is files. problem then is you wont have a thong loop. But for a discreet woodlands walker, you dont really need one.
Obviously nothing can be done about it now without removing the scales but Mike predrilled the blanks with a separate lanyard hole in case anyone didn't like the loop.
Although I have a problem with the external lanyard loop digging a bit in the reverse grip, I suppose I could simply remove it given the alternative hollow rivet. I think some sent theirs back to Mike for removal and/or special ordered theirs that way in the first instance.
I have a bigger problem with sharp "bird's head" pommels in the reverse grip unless the handle is large enough so my hand fits above the bird's "beak." On that grounds, I traded away an otherwise satisfactory Allen Blade knife.
Webley Webster
03-12-2004, 08:15
I doj't get it.
If woodworking is so important to bushcraft (and it is) why not carry a purpose built tool.
http://www.pinewoodforge.com/catalog/reg_slojd.jpg
Like that one from
http://www.pinewoodforge.com/catalog.html (Spoon knife)
Web
Some do, frosts make an excellent carving knife which I use all the time.
However while carving wood is v important a good bushcraft knife also has other tasks to perform and as such needs to be bigger. Also remember that in a bushcraft knife we are looking for a reasonably good jack of all trades with the fundamental idea being our need to carry only one tool.
Carry less by having the right tool(s)
Hi Web :wave:
I think the thrust of Martyn's critique is that he doesn't feel that the North Star is the mythical "one knife" for bushcraft
But then, Reid has also said that he finds it difficult to do some things with the North Star :?:
I've got a slojd knife by Frosts which is a nice little knife for intricate carving, but it doesn't always make its way onto my person