Dave Shirley Northwoods

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.
Drukai
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by Drukai »

gsmith7158 wrote:So if the Northwoods brand was born in 2004 and Dave Shirley sold to Bohn in 2009, that leaves several questions to be asked. How many and which patterns did Dave produce and what was Derriks first pattern? Also how long after the sale was the Gladstone, Mich. stamp used. It certainly would be nice to have a chronological list of the patterns. By the way Kj those Canoes are outstanding indeed!
This is a Scagel Fruitport marked 2010 made by GEC this might be the first run after Derrick bought Northwoods/Scagel name?
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MITCH RAPP
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by MITCH RAPP »

MITCH

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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by kootenay joe »

In case anyone is interested there is a square bolster Premium Stockman with mammoth handles on ebay for $42,250.00. I already have one (albeit with rounded bolsters), so i will pass.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-NORTHWOOD ... SwrslabKFb
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by gsmith7158 »

kootenay joe wrote:In case anyone is interested there is a square bolster Premium Stockman with mammoth handles on ebay for $42,250.00. I already have one (albeit with rounded bolsters), so i will pass.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-NORTHWOOD ... SwrslabKFb
kj
I saw that this morning Roland! :D Obviously a fellow with a sense of humor. It is a nice knife though.
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by gsmith7158 »

I picked this one up today and I'm going to assume that it is from the Dave Shirley period. The seller's pics aren't very good and I got it for under $100. It's the single blade bone gunstock. Does anyone know the manufacture period on these.
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by JohnR »

Picked this one up at the Queen show last year in Titusville, beautiful well made knife. Mitch, there was one of those 2 blade Barlows there also and still kicking myself in the butt for not buying it.
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by doglegg »

JohnR wrote:Picked this one up at the Queen show last year in Titusville, beautiful well made knife. Mitch, there was one of those 2 blade Barlows there also and still kicking myself in the butt for not buying it.
There is nothing about that knife not to like.
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by kootenay joe »

I think the above Scagel is the best of all the Scagel folders. I had one and used it a little and then, foolishly sold it. Seeing this one JohnR has posted reminds me of how fine a folding knife it is.
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by gsmith7158 »

Here is a three blade stockman I just received from Roland. Queen made with Mammoth Ivory handles.Of course He sent along atoken of appreciation for the purchase, a two blade pearl Keen Kutter. Thanks Roland she's a beauty!
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by kootenay joe »

Greg, what do you think of the blade finish ? My pictures made them look more shiny than they are, but they do have almost a mirror finish. How would you describe it ?
Nice pearl knife too ! 3" or 2 1/2" ?
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by gsmith7158 »

Kj the pearl is 2 5/8 and an unusual serpentine pattern for a 2 blade pen. ::tu:: I think that finish is reminiscent of the crocus finish mirrored satin almost. It is a beautiful knife.
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imhuntn
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by imhuntn »

Remember too that D. Shirley made knives under the Marbles brand from 2001 to 2005, folders and fixed. They must have been limited runs because you don't see them very often. I managed to find an individual who had several in mammoth scales and I jumped on it. He still has several of the Scagel folders I believe. To KJ's point, I guess that discuss (DS Marbles knives) belongs in the Marbles section.
Looking for Black Pearl and Mammoth knives.
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by kootenay joe »

Me ? i don't mind if Marbles get discussed in Northwoods. Threads often take a curve off to a different topic and can be more interesting than always being on topic.
kj
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods - Patterns and Pics

Post by imhuntn »

kootenay joe wrote:Mitch you are Mr. Scagel Northwoods. Wow, what a great collection of these knives you have.
Are you able to list all of the Scagel patterns that Dave Shirley had made ? I am trying to get this thread to be an authorative source for information about Dave Shirley Northwoods & Scagel knives.
Did D.S. consider the Scagels as part of his Northwoods knives ? He used the same shield but "Northwoods" is not marked on the Scagel knives.
I had a large single blade Scagel Jack which i carried & used. I regret selling it and now these Scagel folders are hard to find.
kj
Sorry KJ, I was referring to the above post. I see I botched what I thought I read. Anyhow, I guess I was referring more to moderators. I'm not sure how strict they are but if they want just Northwoods posts here, then Scagel and Marbles would probably not belong in a Northwoods thread. If they don't mind a discussion on all brands Dave Shirley related, then I reckon it's all good. No harm intended. Too new to the forum to know what is and is not good-to-go. ::tu::
Looking for Black Pearl and Mammoth knives.
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods - Patterns and Pics

Post by gsmith7158 »

imhuntn wrote:
kootenay joe wrote:Mitch you are Mr. Scagel Northwoods. Wow, what a great collection of these knives you have.
Are you able to list all of the Scagel patterns that Dave Shirley had made ? I am trying to get this thread to be an authorative source for information about Dave Shirley Northwoods & Scagel knives.
Did D.S. consider the Scagels as part of his Northwoods knives ? He used the same shield but "Northwoods" is not marked on the Scagel knives.
I had a large single blade Scagel Jack which i carried & used. I regret selling it and now these Scagel folders are hard to find.
kj
Sorry KJ, I was referring to the above post. I see I botched what I thought I read. Anyhow, I guess I was referring more to moderators. I'm not sure how strict they are but if they want just Northwoods posts here, then Scagel and Marbles would probably not belong in a Northwoods thread. If they don't mind a discussion on all brands Dave Shirley related, then I reckon it's all good. No harm intended. Too new to the forum to know what is and is not good-to-go. ::tu::
It's Pretty laid back here Imhuntin. As long as an idea kind of relates to the thread your good to go. Sometimes they even get way off track and that's okay too. ::tu::
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by kootenay joe »

Yes this is a properly moderated forum, meaning it does not seem to be moderated. The mods only show when something truly rude or insulting is posted. They never interfere or stifle conversation and in turn, members are usually quite respectful of each other.
kj
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by robbobus »

Here's a fairly recent addition. Northwoods Scagel Third Series Folder. Lost the light but grabbed a few pics next to a Fremont. To say the Scagel is chunky would be somewhat accurate, about an inch thick and the stag flairs perfectly at the butt. Cam tangs, smooth 6ish pull with nice mellow stag. Mr. Shirley was known for his stag and this one is no exception. I honestly wasn't that impressed when I bought it but in person these handles are exceptional. Queen did very well.
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The Fremont is pretty swell too.
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by gsmith7158 »

Here are a few new arrivals for me.
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Greg

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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by kootenay joe »

"A few" ! Wow, 4 Northwoods, you have been busy shopping. Looks like the Stag ones might have come from the same source ? I think this might be the ebay Scagel i watch about 2 weeks ago ?
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by gsmith7158 »

kootenay joe wrote:"A few" ! Wow, 4 Northwoods, you have been busy shopping. Looks like the Stag ones might have come from the same source ? I think this might be the ebay Scagel i watch about 2 weeks ago ?
kj
The muskrat, trapper and stockman came from the same guy Roland. The Scagel was the last of five sold by another guy.
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by RalphAlsip »

gsmith7158 wrote:Here are a few new arrivals for me.
Greg, nice variety of early Northwoods. ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by gsmith7158 »

RalphAlsip wrote:
gsmith7158 wrote:Here are a few new arrivals for me.
Greg, nice variety of early Northwoods. ::tu:: ::tu::
Thanks Jerry! ::handshake::
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by kootenay joe »

"The muskrat, trapper and stockman came from the same guy"
And, all made by Queen in early 2000's ? Or were some Northwoods made before 2000 ?
If you have the same pattern but branded "Queen" it would be interesting to compare with a Northwoods to see if any differences exist with fit & finish.
kj
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by stagman »

KJ...here is one 7- 10 years before Northwoods came about....
its when Dave started getting serious about making knives.....
Its his Bowie Corp. of Okemos Michigan, before Dave moved up too the
UP and started Northwoods app. 2003-4
This one was made app. early 1990's...if I remember correct, (ain't easy sometime)
Dave had the fixed blades Blanked at Queen, then they finished em up in Okemos
I actually spoke in person with him a couple times yrs ago..he was quite the knife guy !!!

Stag
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/stagman
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Re: Dave Shirley Northwoods

Post by kootenay joe »

Good looking knife !
"Bowie Corp. of Okemos Michigan" is a new one to me. I will be on the look out for one of these knives.
kj
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