Shown here is a very rare Great Eastern Cutlery/Northfield Cutlery Kauri wood Conductor. The "Conductor" pattern is a fairly popular one and GEC produces it in several different variations. That said, this one...with it's handle scales being made from ANCIENT Kauri wood, is probably my favorite.

Without regurgitating the FASCINATING information included on this blade's info card, suffice it to say that the Kauri wood comes from the ancient forests of New Zealand. The wood is quite rare and very hard to get.

This particular Northfield model is an exceptional addition to my collection, with magnificent detailing:

* Breathtaking Kauri wood handle scales.

* Beautiful long pull nail nick.

* Perfectly formed swedges on the main blade (also, dig the screening on the blade; it's says "Great Eastern Cutlery Factory Test").

* Pinched bolsters (serial numbered...and mine is #3!)

* Half-ring with "Northfield" stamped on it (unfortunately, my ring scarred the side of one of the bolsters; usually I find this kind of marring "undesirable", but perhaps this makes mine a bit more unique...or then again, perhaps I'm just kidding myself so that I can accept the owee).

* Everything is "high and tight".

A little tale about how I came to own this fine blade:

In spite of the hours that I spend scouring the internet to locate the knives that I want, I was NOT aware that the Kauri wood version of the Conductor even existed! Had it not been for my favorite knife-pusher/supplier (Gary Norton of Northwest Knife Company), this great little blade would have escaped my notice. Fortunately, Gary is one of GEC's best dealers...and a good friend. When he brought this Kauri edition into his inventory, he contacted me right away! I was on it like white on white rice! THANKS A TON, Gary!!!!