Nessmuk blade shape?

comoha

comoha

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Jan 12, 2006
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I've been seeing lots of pics of this kind of knife for camping and such lately.
Can someone school me on the pros (and cons) of the Nessmuk styled fixed blade? I'd like to know why that blade is appealing to woodcraft and if you own one, what works better with a Nessmuk than other blades you may have used?
I'm intrigued, just need convincing. Thanks. :)
 
I've been infatuated with nessmuks myself lately, and will likely have one before long. I find the blade shape aesthetically pleasing, but there are some practical aspects to it too. As I understand it, the nessmuk shape allows for a blade to have a lot of curve and belly for skinning and slicing, but at the same time, the tip is in line with the handle, which is desireable for bushcraft tasks. The broadness of the blade makes it good for food prep and batonning wood.

I'm sure far more knowledgeble folks will chime in soon.
 
There have been many posts to this effect, try searching the forums.

I'll try to recap:
-Good belly for skinning
-Very thin blade stock for high slicing ability
-"hump" aids in skinning purposes

It's a 'perfect' knife for hunting and food preparation and is also quite capable of wood shaping tasks, although I prefer a more pointy drop point. All around a 'prefect' camp knife if replicated successfully. I find that pairing this knife design with a small pocket knife makes for a combination that will effectively take care of any cutting tasks.

You can then throw in an axe, large knife or folding saw if you need the harvesting advantages they offer.
 
I'm not sure what you include in the term woodcraft, but the Nessmuk is primarily a skinning knife. It has a full belly and a swept point, a profile similar to the semi-skinner, with a broader blade. The "Nessmuk trio" was a Nessmuk knife, a moose pattern folder, and a double bitted axe. The folder would have done the honors in whittling and perhaps even bird and fish cleaning.
 
Nessmuk.JPG


An archaic design by George Washington Sears, grandpappy of outdoor writers circa 1890's (Penname Nessmuk). Nostalgia of a time when camping was called "outing" and it was becoming a means of recreation for people who did not make their living as woodsmen and market hunters.

Convince you? You are already convinced to try it. So am I. Mine has been ordered already. I like the old designs, exploring what our forefathers liked and used. IMHO this is the only way to really understand what the design is all about, finding it's attributes and weaknesses by actually holding and using them.
 
Hi guys, I have nessmuk's book and kephart on the desk in front of me, and I have a grohmann knives survival, which is essentialy a nessmuk in pattern. I admit to the usefulness of the belly and the beauty of the design and nostalgia attached to it. However, more and more my choice for blade design tends more toward a sturdy drop point. The reason for this is that often when a fixed blade is called upon, it is for use that would make you think twice about using your pocket knife or folder. When you reach for your fixed blade, it is often going to be for jobs that consist of exerting more than average force on the knife. In that situation it is very nice to have a knife that always lets you know where the point is, and that the point is in a direct line from the handle. Any kind of skinner lacks that same confidence in situations that require the application of greater than average force. For this reason I have begun to look less favorably on anything with a clip point and trust my becker necker for strenuous jobs than I would a nessmuk for instance.
 
I just love how they look.

Nessmuks2.jpg


FBNessie4.jpg


FBNessie1.jpg


FBNessie2.jpg


FBNessie3.jpg


Mine have never skinned or been used for baton work, but they have proven themselves excellent at slicing.
 
Or, a thick-bladed "Nessmuk". Dan Koster makes a real nice one out of 1/4" O-1.:thumbup: Because it's got a thick blade, I guess it's not really a Nessmuk, but, a good strong knife for Bushcraft.
 
shipwreck said:
Hi guys, I have nessmuk's book and kephart on the desk in front of me, and I have a grohmann knives survival, which is essentialy a nessmuk in pattern. I admit to the usefulness of the belly and the beauty of the design and nostalgia attached to it. However, more and more my choice for blade design tends more toward a sturdy drop point. The reason for this is that often when a fixed blade is called upon, it is for use that would make you think twice about using your pocket knife or folder. When you reach for your fixed blade, it is often going to be for jobs that consist of exerting more than average force on the knife. In that situation it is very nice to have a knife that always lets you know where the point is, and that the point is in a direct line from the handle. Any kind of skinner lacks that same confidence in situations that require the application of greater than average force. For this reason I have begun to look less favorably on anything with a clip point and trust my becker necker for strenuous jobs than I would a nessmuk for instance.
Click to expand...

I've come to like the Necker as well, and after skinning and butchering four deer with it in the past week or so, I am beginning to get more familiar with it.

IMHO, becoming familiar with a new blade shape is a prerequisite to understanding it's uses and limitations. My all time favorite is a sabre ground trailing point with which I have great familiarity (30+ years). But I'll not turn up my nose at the Becker's drop point design and I'll give the Nessmuk a fair trial as well.

Codger
 
I also really like the looks of the Nessmuk design. It's just a great throw-back to better times. But I won't leave safety to chance. I won't go into the woods with a knife which is my primary user unless it has some form of finger guard. Cold, bloody fingers can slip up on that blade too quick. I don't want to take an unnecessary risk like that.
 
The Nessie is just a fun knife to own. I can't think of a better knife to use for scooping things out of cans or jars in camp. Makes a great food prep knife as well. Not sure it would be my go to bush-craft knife though. For the record, I have a Bark River Wolf River, not an authentic Nessmuk, but close enough for me.
 
mneedham said:
Snow,

Those are some nice looking nessies! Do you favor one over the other?
Click to expand...

Thanks! I don't think I could say I favor one over the other. I think the Fiddleback is more true to the traditional design, so in that regard, I think of it more as a Nessmuk. I think of the Koster as a Santouku type of knife. The FB is better for slicing, but the Koster has a little bit of a guard, which I like. I favor one or the other a little depending on the day. Last night I used the FB to cut up a bunch of potatoes, so I'm big on it right now. Tomorrow it'll probably be the Koster.
 
Thanks all for the very insightful and intelligent postings. :D Esav, thanks for the download on "Woodcraft". :thumbup: I have been wondering where to obtain a copy.
I too like the vintage look of the Nessmuk blades. But adding to one posting's concerns, I am wary of the lack of finger guard. Especially when utilizing the point of the blade. I recently obtained a Northwoods Willow Leaf in D2 and am very impressed by the way this one feels in hand. It is very thick but flat ground and I think would serve me well for bushcrafty stuff. Any thoughts on this one?
I definately think I will be trying to get a Nessie sometime soon...
 
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