Northwoods Bear Lake

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.
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TravisB
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by TravisB »

Thank you! Quick steel + gsmith!! ::tu::
kootenay joe
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by kootenay joe »

So the 2 with end caps are second release & barehead is first release ? Have any been re-handled by a guy who likes muskrats ? I know he has done some with mammoth and some with ivory.
kj
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TravisB
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by TravisB »

kootenay joe wrote:So the 2 with end caps are second release & barehead is first release ? Have any been re-handled by a guy who likes muskrats ? I know he has done some with mammoth and some with ivory.
kj
Correct Kj on first n second release.... none of these ones have been re-handled....
kootenay joe
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by kootenay joe »

When in hand do you have a preference for one over the other, barehead and caps ?
I have the first release, barehead, and in hand feel is exceptionally nice. Sometimes putting caps on changes with weight distribution and feeling in hand can differ.
kj
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TravisB
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by TravisB »

kootenay joe wrote:When in hand do you have a preference for one over the other, barehead and caps ?
I have the first release, barehead, and in hand feel is exceptionally nice. Sometimes putting caps on changes with weight distribution and feeling in hand can differ.
kj
Hmmm not sure I have a preference, I love them both :) :D
But yes double caps adds a little weight.... Normally I prefer a knife with a little more weight, but with these two I'm not sure I could pick a preference ::dang::
kootenay joe
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by kootenay joe »

Thanks, good to know. I had a small Bark River fixed blade with bolsters and another exact same knife except no bolsters. To my surprise the no bolster knife felt much better in hand.
kj
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TravisB
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by TravisB »

Some pile side mammoth
image.jpeg
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TravisB
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by TravisB »

9E0D5613-622B-4EB7-AC71-197438EFB14B.jpeg
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FarSide
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by FarSide »

TravisB wrote:
9E0D5613-622B-4EB7-AC71-197438EFB14B.jpeg
TravisB wrote:Some pile side mammoth

image.jpeg
Very nice. I think this is a nice pattern.
-Tim
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TravisB
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by TravisB »

FarSide wrote:
TravisB wrote:9E0D5613-622B-4EB7-AC71-197438EFB14B.jpeg
TravisB wrote:Some pile side mammoth

image.jpeg
Very nice. I think this is a nice pattern.

Thanks mate, ::tu::
RAMROD
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by RAMROD »

Bear Lake
Bear Lake
Got this one in the mail today.
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TravisB
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by TravisB »

RAMROD wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2019 12:26 am 20190919_185845.jpg
Got this one in the mail today.

Nice one Ramrod!! 👍🏻🤗
kootenay joe
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by kootenay joe »

Interesting Micarta handles. I have been staying away from GEC's with Micarta but i see that now the most expensive Bark River knives have this type of Micarta handles, priced higher than Dessert Ironwood. So the 'Coffee Bag Micarta' and similar must be well liked by knife buyers.
kj
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by RAMROD »

I really like most of the micartas on the GECs, but some of the colors and materials used on the northwoods not so much.
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Buckibbq
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by Buckibbq »

I'm in search of a Northwoods Bear Lake in Orange Curacao Burlap Micarta. Preferably in like new condition with coin and slip. This is the last that I need to complete the set of both versions of Bear Lake models. I have good trades and cash. Any help is appreciated!
I’m a long time collector in search of rare and limited GEC AND Northwoods knives. Always looking to add ivory pieces to my collection. PM to discuss sales or trades, please!
kootenay joe
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by kootenay joe »

How many Bear Lake's does it take to have a complete set ?
Congratulations on being only 1 knife away from completion.
I and many here would really like to see pictures of your Bear Lake knives. Maybe 2 pictures, one for each of the 2 series.
kj
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Buckibbq
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by Buckibbq »

There were four different cover materials used on the first single bolseter version: Mammoth, stag, Red Linen Micarta and Giraffe Bone. The materials for the second version with two bolsters included: Stag, Kudu Bone, Smoke Burlap Micarta, Red Linen Micarta and Orange Curacao Burlap Micarta, So nine total different variations. Actually, there were four to six Mammoth Bear Lakes made of version two, as well. I'm looking for one of those, but I realize that one of them may never surface for availability. I'll take some pics soon of the variations that I have. Thanks for looking!
I’m a long time collector in search of rare and limited GEC AND Northwoods knives. Always looking to add ivory pieces to my collection. PM to discuss sales or trades, please!
kootenay joe
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by kootenay joe »

Thanks for listing all of the different Bear Lake handles. Hope to see the pictures soon.
kj
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Buckibbq
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by Buckibbq »

I still need to take a family photo of all my Bear Lakes, but I’ve been waiting until I’ve secured the last one and I still haven’t found it. Here’s a giraffe bone example from the first round of Bear Lakes.
Attachments
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I’m a long time collector in search of rare and limited GEC AND Northwoods knives. Always looking to add ivory pieces to my collection. PM to discuss sales or trades, please!
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TravisB
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by TravisB »

Buckibbq wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:59 pm I still need to take a family photo of all my Bear Lakes, but I’ve been waiting until I’ve secured the last one and I still haven’t found it. Here’s a giraffe bone example from the first round of Bear Lakes.
That’s a beauty mate, I miss it ::facepalm:: ::tu::
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Buckibbq
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by Buckibbq »

I've finally got all the Bear Lakes lined up for a family photo, so here is the latest pic sans another giraffe version that's arriving in today's mail. I've had a few more than these pictured but have used them for trading stock for other Northwoods. This is my second favorite pattern from Northwoods.
The top row is one example of each of the Bear Lakes offered from the first and second release. The bottom row is a few extras.
IMG_0618.jpg
I’m a long time collector in search of rare and limited GEC AND Northwoods knives. Always looking to add ivory pieces to my collection. PM to discuss sales or trades, please!
Ivoryman
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by Ivoryman »

What a line up Buckibbq. Wow. Excellent examples and either they were all beautiful, or you got the cream of the crop. Fabulous group. About my favorite Bohn design too.
"It's what people know about themselves inside that makes them afraid." -No Name, High Plains Drifter
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TravisB
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by TravisB »

::clapping:: ::tu::
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FarSide
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by FarSide »

::tu:: Bear Lake is a great pattern.
-Tim
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Re: Northwoods Bear Lake

Post by Ivoryman »

Latest Bear Lake from Gunstock Jack and can't thank him enough. Even better looking than my first. The pair as well.
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"It's what people know about themselves inside that makes them afraid." -No Name, High Plains Drifter
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