Andy's Nessmuk

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Knifemaker
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Oct 19, 2005
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I learned of Nessmuk and his knife style from you guys here. Its right up my alley for sure. This is my first interpretation of it, and not historically accurate. You guys know I'm no purist, so this is my take on it. The first difference is the thickness. To get a file big enough to do a Nessy you gotta get a big one, so this little bugger is STOUT at the spine area, measuring 0.203" at the base and tapering toward the tip. (Boy did that take a lot of sanding.) The blade is 3.5" long, and the handle is also 3.5" long. The Handle is made of lacewood and antler with an 1/8" copper bolster. Because of the thickness I ground a real wide edge, which turned out wicked sharp and cuts like a dream. Lacewood is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

What do you guys think of my Nessie?






 
Wow:eek: That looks great, Andy. Perfect shape and perfect size for an EDC/wood stomping knife. The way it is swept up reminds me of an open straight razor. Great job:):thumbup:

Jake
 
Thanks Jake. This one is a little bit if a technique upgrade. Its only the third knife I've heat treated in my two brick forge, and the first of my own. Heat treating a knife is fun stuff. Additionally I carefully cut the ricasso in with a bastard file rather than trying to grind it in. It came out really nice. Never done a choil before, but thats not really hard, so... whatever. Using copper is new to me, and so is antler. I really like using copper. The antler on this and my recent Sarge knife rehandling came out so much better than I had expected that I was kinda shocked about it.

Gotta do a sheath. Actually three. Norm's got one coming, and I got one to do as a gift for family too.
 
Very pretty.

Only problem will be deciding which one to take with you ... Sarge1, Sarge2, Nessmuk, or the next one(s).
 
Right. My knifenutism makes that a hard decision every time I go anywhere. Right now in my man bag I have all of the above and a few more too...

Jeez.
 
Thanks Kis. And, yes, manbag. Makes it easier to carry the necessary knives, flashlights, batteries, PSK, and first aid kit. Get yourself some quick clot powder, btw. That stuff is probably the main reason for the man bag. I kinda cut myself a lot, you know? So yes, man bag. Mine is an army mechanics tool bag.
 
LOL. Oh, I think you mean 'body bag'.
 
TomFetter said:
... so where do you keep the bodies then, Andy?

t.
Click to expand...

That shallow grave business is a yankee invention, down south ya just feed 'em to the hogs or the gators. Got to double check on gators, they get sloppy, but hogs is pretty thorough about it. ;)

Andy, your Nessie looks like it would be great for game processing, and other field tasks, nice job. You mentioned having to start with a very large file to get the size and shape you wanted. That's true with stock removal, but I thought you've started doing some forging? Wouldn't need a file quite as large with forging, less waste and you'd spend less time at the grinder.
Funny that you're acquiring a preference for lacewood, I just had a most unhappy experience with it. Apparently, I'm allergic to it just like Bocote, Coco Bolo, et cetera. Horrible rash, face puffed up, eyes swole shut, about a six day dose of suffering and misery. Ah well, builds character, and there's still a lot of good (non-toxic to me) woods at my disposal, like maple, ash, walnut, and many others. I'm fine now, but just looking at your lacewood handle makes me itch like hell. :o :D

Sarge
 
Andy, that is by far my favorite of all the ones you have done. Until now that teak / antler job was, but this is great. Really looks sharp. I have done some work with copper, and other than it heats up so fast on the grinder it is nice to work with. I also _really_ like the handle. Looking forward to seeing the sheath you come up with. Perfect all around size as well.

Thanks for sharing, and great pics as usual.

Norm
 
We've enough gifted forumites to form our own Himalayan Imports. Probably have to called them American Exports.

So Andy is a Kami.

Good stuff.



munk
 
Funny you say that Munk. I've been thinking of a mark to put on the blades. Dan has a cook DK symbol put on his. I think he etches them on. Dan? I think the Kamis are years beyond my skills. Remember I do this work in a modern shop with modern equipment. Although on this one I did use a file a lot more. Cut the ricasso with one, and started the grinds that way too.

Sarge. I have been very disapointed with the reaction of the hot metal when pounding it on my vice, and on the face of that large sledge hammer. I need to get off my ass and buy something from ebay to pound the stuff on. I'm trying to hold out for that family heirloom anvil. We go there in August. Keep your fingers crossed.

Andy
 
aproy1101 said:
Funny you say that Munk. I've been thinking of a mark to put on the blades. Dan has a cook DK symbol put on his. I think he etches them on. Dan? I think the Kamis are years beyond my skills. Remember I do this work in a modern shop with modern equipment. Although on this one I did use a file a lot more. Cut the ricasso with one, and started the grinds that way too.

Sarge. I have been very disapointed with the reaction of the hot metal when pounding it on my vice, and on the face of that large sledge hammer. I need to get off my ass and buy something from ebay to pound the stuff on. I'm trying to hold out for that family heirloom anvil. We go there in August. Keep your fingers crossed.

Andy
Click to expand...

I'm going to make you sick hoss, people give me anvils. No joke, one friend ran across one in an antique store, that had sat there unsold for so long, the shop owner told her, "give me a twenty and we'll call it square". That one is some dang good steel, when I'm hammering on it you can hear it ring around the bend and across the creek, a good quarter of a mile away. :) Another friend brought me some stout sections of log from trees felled in a storm the next county over. Heck, I've got one "stump" that weighs a good 250 lbs. :eek: I'm fond of saying, "money might make the world go around, but friends keep it from tipping over". :) :thumbup:

Sarge
 
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