Nessmuk advantage

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Billbo66

Joined
Nov 19, 2008
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I have become fascinated by Nessmuk designs, mainly due to the vintage look. I am having a hard time justifying another purchase. What advantage does this design have over a bushcraft design? I see more mass on the blade, and more curve. Other than that, I can't figure out what they offer. Thanks
 
The design was much more about processing game as well as all purpose field use.


More curvature on the cutting edge helps in butchering and skinning...

...and the wide blade lets you hold the blade for skiving those skins.



"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike
 
They don't have a massive blade. Nessmuk wanted his blade thin. Mine are 3/32" thick. They slice like lazers, and are useful in the kitchen.
 
I don't consider the Nessmuk a Bushcraft Knife.

I have a bunch of them and I like them but I wouldn't call them a bushcraft knife.

They aren't spear pointed or scandi grind and most are not contoured in the handle.
 
I totally agree with Big Mike, and I would like to add emphasis to skiving those skins. This to me is the primary advantage of this pattern over a more conventional skinner. It has a broader application when solving problems of the flesh. I buy the “designed as a kind of spoon” about as much as I believe some birds evolved wings to use as an eye shade.

Further, although it isn't exclusive to the Nessie, the grind is designed for cutting through rather than just present a sharp edge for cutting. I'm not into Nessies, yet I appreciate that grind over the Scandi bushcraft or the hollow grind mainly for that very reason.
 
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What advantage does this design have over a bushcraft design?
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George Sears (Nessmuk) never advocated a "one knife fits all" approach to living in the woods. He advocate a carrying trio: 2-bladed folder, double bit ax, and a large knife (the Nessmuk) to process game. He just chose the fixed blade shape that worked best for him but he never claimed ownership of the knife design -we just call it a "Nessmuk" to describe the application and to remember him by.

Bushcraft knives follow another philosophy altogether, being a "all in one" design. As such, it does have it's limitations.
 
Here's what Nessmuk said about it. Based on his words those are the 3 things he mentions the design being used for.

When I think of a Bushcraft knife I think of something with a scandi grind. When I think of a Nessmuk Knife a thin blade is one of the most important things (for me)

The one shown in the cut is thin in the blade, and handy for skinning, cutting meat, or eating with.
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Curved blades and the up swept points work amazingly on food and meat. The BRKT nesmuk style "wolf river" skinning knife I won (many many thanks Esav and bladeforums) gets a ton of use in the kitchen. The constant curve makes slicing smooth and continuous, and the generous belly and upswept point make jobs like removing the membrane off meat a pleasure, you can basically point the knife right in and do fine work without piercing anything.

This was the first nesmuk style knife of mine, I wasn't sure about it at first but as soon as I started using it the merits of the design became immediately apparent.
 
I recently got a Nessmuk from SDS (an awesome knife, by the way). It is what I would describe as an orthodox or conventional interpretation of the pattern. I was also initially attracted to the design because of its unusual appearance, but I have found it to be versatile and practical so far. Its belly and broadness make it very handy for working with food. The broad blade and the "hump back" make it a good knife for batoning, or for holding near the tip for fine work. There is still an acute point that is in line with the handle, so you can work with the tip too (like boring a hole). I can't think of any medium-sized knife task that would be awkward for it.

Since I'm gushing about it, here's a link (mine's at the bottom of page one):

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=630985

I owe Shawn a few "action" shots, but I am still trying to replace my camera . . .
 
I just like them. Have owned a few and enjoy the unorthodox look of them. I don't care if they are the "perfect" knife for woodsbumming or not, in fact, I have yet to find that knife. I'm not a hunter, so have never skinned with them, but I do know they perform all the other duties I have required.
 
I just like wide bladed knives. They enable you to adopt a pinch grip on the blade for intricate tasks.They allow you to have a nice gradual taper from spine to edge which makes them great for slicing foodstuffs etc.This also extends the usable life of the blade becase if you picture a shallow blade getting worn down and re-sharpened it isn't long before you have to totally reprofile the blade because the edge becomes thicker at a faster rate as you wear down the knife......If you can picture what I mean !!!!!
 
pitdog said:
I just like wide bladed knives. They enable you to adopt a pinch grip on the blade for intricate tasks.They allow you to have a nice gradual taper from spine to edge which makes them great for slicing foodstuffs etc.This also extends the usable life of the blade becase if you picture a shallow blade getting worn down and re-sharpened it isn't long before you have to totally reprofile the blade because the edge becomes thicker at a faster rate as you wear down the knife......If you can picture what I mean !!!!!
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Now that is a very good observation. I haven"t heard that before.
 
I see it more as just being the particular blade profile that George Sears made semi-famous, but its not some kind of secret, magical shape. I do like 'em and have a few. But its just the shape that "Nessmuk" Sears used in his wanderings here and there.

Link
 
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