Exploring the Nessmuk "Trio"

Blues said:
I did have Lee make a leather guard for the edge that was not being employed...and which could be affixed with a leather thong. That helped minimize, but not completely remove, any danger.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen that or even heard of it Elliot Blues Blues but it's a heck of a good idea. Doubtful that I'll ever get another double bit axe but if I do, I'll certainly have a guard made for it as you've described.
 
Pàdruig Pàdruig , let me kow if I'm derailing and I'll delete.
I haven't found that double bit head yet. It isn't in the crate of axe-heads. I did find two tool boxes full of other hatchets, like the tiny Vaughn and Tru-Test, and the fat-handled small Hudson's bay.
rZjF0J4.jpg

NH1sYAD.jpg
 
Peregrin said:
I think I'm a bit envious of your upcoming adventure! I look forward to following this thread.

Since I grew up in Central NY, and spent most of my teenage years exploring the Adirondacks with my dad and brother, Nessmuk's tales are some of my favorite reads. I'm familiar with all the places he wrote about.

We canoed, camped and hiked the Fulton Chain Lakes and environs for years. I didn't know it had any significance at the time, but a good axe, belt knife/camp knife and slip joint were always in the wicker pack basket. Necessary tools when in the woods.

Have a great time!

Edited to add: If you ever get the chance to visit the Adirondack Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, NY, there's a great exhibit on Nessmuk. They display many of his belongings, including his canoes, and I believe his trio, or a facsimile of it.
Click to expand...
I guess we have a lot in common. I grew up in upstate NY (Big Flats) and spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks. Annual family camping trips at Eighth Lake, and when I was a teenager I did a couple week long canoeing trips starting at Old Forge and taking out on the Raquette River before it enters Tupper Lake. Plus several backpacking trips into the High Peaks area. But at that time I knew nothing of Nessmuk.
 
I'm not much of a woodsman or anything but I have great interest, and to me a quartet makes much more sense these days because small folding saws are so useful and readily available.


For a belt axe I have a double bit option and understand it's benefits, but I like this J yerkes belt axe which is very true to the period having been forged in 1864.
I just like thinking that perhaps he crossed paths with a fellow outdoorsman who was carrying this very tool on their belt.

The belt knife is a green river which is self explanatory.

I chose a scout for the pocket knife because of the awl.

The saw is a Fanno works no.2 that I cut down and reshaped quite a bit to fit in my pocket better while exploring on my minibike.
 
Last edited:
Well, I ordered a double bit hatchet.
It's 1045, and I thought, "wait a minute, steel is hardenable at .5% to 1% carbon".
But I looked it up, and 1045 is hardenable with an elaborate double soaking at high heat, and they seem to know a thing or two in El Salvador.
 
screened porch said:
Well, I ordered a double bit hatchet.
It's 1045, and I thought, "wait a minute, steel is hardenable at .5% to 1% carbon".
But I looked it up, and 1045 is hardenable with an elaborate double soaking at high heat, and they seem to know a thing or two in El Salvador.
Click to expand...
The marbles that imicasa makes was better a few years ago, but they're still about the best in an affordable little saddle cruiser if you get a good one.
Every other option is way too thick.

My old one on thr right is significantly thinner.



If anyone is looking to put together a trio just like nessmuk with a small double bit " saddle cruiser " without breaking the bank, the marbles is worth looking at for $25.
I'd recommend picking through them in person if you can ( most people can't sadly ), but maybe imicasa will eventually offer it in the Condit line and significantly up.the QC.

Sorry if I'm derailing the thread, I just wanted to put this out there for anyone thinking of putting a trio together.
 
Last edited:
There's another Marbles a bit bigger for a few dollars more, that looks polished, so might be be better ground.
I wanted the smaller one, which still looks bigger than I'd pictured.

Maybe when I've got the new hatchet my old head will turn up. Anyway, I have some voracious files.

It's irritating that Nessmuk doesn't, IIRC, say anything about dimensions or weights; we have to guess from the apparent grip lengths in an illustration where everything seems to be to a different scale.
If I don't recall correctly, I apologize to Nessmuk and the human race.
 
screened porch said:
There's another Marbles a bit bigger for a few dollars more, that looks polished, so might be be better ground.
I wanted the smaller one, which still looks bigger than I'd pictured.

Maybe when I've got the new hatchet my old head will turn up. Anyway, I have some voracious files.

It's irritating that Nessmuk doesn't, IIRC, say anything about dimensions or weights; we have to guess from the apparent grip lengths in an illustration where everything seems to be to a different scale.
If I don't recall correctly, I apologize to Nessmuk and the human race.
Click to expand...
Here's an old thread on Nessmuk's axe. Interesting read.

Nessmuk-style Double-bit belt axe -- anyone???

George Sears, writing as "Nessmuk" in Forest and Stream at the turn of the 1900s or before, described his investment in a belt or "pocket" axe that had a "thick, stunt edge for knots, deers' bones, etc., and a fine keen edge for cutting clear timber." He shows a drawing of it, and mentions...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
screened porch said:
There's another Marbles a bit bigger for a few dollars more, that looks polished, so might be be better ground.
I wanted the smaller one, which still looks bigger than I'd pictured.

Maybe when I've got the new hatchet my old head will turn up. Anyway, I have some voracious files.

It's irritating that Nessmuk doesn't, IIRC, say anything about dimensions or weights; we have to guess from the apparent grip lengths in an illustration where everything seems to be to a different scale.
If I don't recall correctly, I apologize to Nessmuk and the human race.
Click to expand...
I believe the other one is the common Pakistani or Chinese SS offering that has been available under a few other brands, those heads are extremely thick.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I believe the other one is the common Pakistani or Chinese SS offering that has been available under a few other brands, those heads are extremely thick.
Click to expand...

Sounds like I'm glad I didn't get it. Whatever it was, it's disappeared from wherever I saw it.

I see OP got the Velvicutt Council!
 
screened porch said:
Sounds like I'm glad I didn't get it. Whatever it was, it's disappeared from wherever I saw it.

I see OP got the Velvicutt Council!
Click to expand...
I've been planning to get the CT saddle axe, but I'd have to rehang it on a 22" handle.
I have no doubt it's a very capable tool as is , but for a head 1.25lb and over you waste so much potential with a handle under 18".
A cruiser is 2.5lb with a 26" handle, I figure a 22" handle would be perfect for a 2lb head.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top