Nesmuk Questions??

flatgrinder

flatgrinder

Joined
Dec 20, 2005
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Why do Nesmuk-style knives not have a guard? Was it because steel was a scarce resource back in the day and any way to save material was good? Or was the guard purposely omitted for a specific functional reason?

Would making a Nesmuk-inspired knife with a guard make it a semi-skinner, rather than a "Nesmuk" style?

I'm thinking about making a few, but the lack of a guard on a skinning knife makes me nervous about customers accidentally cutting themselves after they're up to their elbows in blood and guts.

By today's standard, would a Nesmuk-style knife with a guard be a sensible feature for a maker to incorporate into his version? Or would the guard hinder the user in what it was designed to do?

Also, how thick should the blade be? I read an article that indicated that 1/8" is ideal for a Nesmuk, but back in the day -did they make knives that thin? I was thinking about 3/16" with a flat grind and tapering the tang.

Any insights, historical or practical, would be really appreciated! Thanks! :thumbup:
 
Recently, I looked up that pattern in an old Bob Engnath catalog. Wouldn't help too much, but the pattern is supposed to be from the 20's and he chose to grind it from stock that was a little thicker than 1/8".
 
The pattern is most definitely not from the 20's:eek: Guards are for stabbing motions, how much stabbing are you going to do with a skinner?
 
the book was either published in 1884 or 1920. Price may have been a factor, haven't read the whole thing, but there was a fuss about how much his hatchet ended up costing him, and he kept the thing thirty years.

and lots of skinners have guards. guards are for keeping your hand off the edge, but they can get in the way
 
Now for a real challenge. Make a complete Nessmuk set: knife, hatchet and folder. :D

Wonder if anyone's ever done that?
 
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