Nessmuk design and makers

[hillst1]

I was wondering why the blade design has the hump. Could someone explain the design and suggest a knife maker?

 

[tarmix101]

I was wondering why the blade design has the hump. Could someone explain the design and suggest a knife maker?

I have read many or G.W. Sears's articles, and his book Woodcraft & Camping, and I have never seen it explained.

Using the Nessie design I have found it useful when placing the thumb further up the spine for downward force and control.

I read somewhere that it also could act as a improvised spoon when needed.

Whatever the use, it really appeals to me. :thumbup:

 

[ilbruche]

Here's a bit of info.

http://forum.ramanon.com/showthread.php?t=38454

The design is basically a skinner. Some speculate it was a "sheep skinner" that had broken and been reground. Others claim it was designed that way but can't provide any useful attributes to the design.

The words of sears.

"A word as to knife, or knives. These are of prime necessity, and should be of the best, both as to shape and temper. The “bowies” and “hunting knives” usually kept on sale, are thick, clumsy affairs, with a sort of ridge along the middle of the blade, murderous-looking, but of little use; rather fitted to adorn a dime novel or the belt of “Billy the Kid,” than the outfit of the hunter. The one shown in the cut is thin in the blade, and handy for skinning, cutting meat, or eating with."

 

[dialton]

Daniel Koster and Fiddleback both make fine ones. I'm sure there are plenty more makers out there, these are just a couple that are pretty well known here.

 

[udtjim]

The blade design also makes it very good for slicing straight through meet or other food. Its a very good design for the one knife camper/hunter. The width of the blade allows for strength even though the blades are thin for slicing. Mine was made by Blessing Knives.

 

[mneedham]

That spoon thing is funny.. A buddy of mine used to say that he didn't consider a knife shape useful if it couldn't be used to spread peanut butter....

 

[Ragnar]

When describing the patern in a knifemaking class, Bill Moran said the hump served to keep the point from going
too deep while skinning. (You cut the hide with the edge
upward.) It also allows gripping the blade with the fingers
to use the point for fine work.

Regards,
R

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“A knifeless man is a lifeless man>” –Old Nordic proverb
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[hollowdweller]

When describing the patern in a knifemaking class, Bill Moran said the hump served to keep the point from going
too deep while skinning. (You cut the hide with the edge
upward.) It also allows gripping the blade with the fingers
to use the point for fine work.

Regards,
R

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
“A knifeless man is a lifeless man>” –Old Nordic proverb
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've used mine for that. Skinning a deer making slits down the legs you lay the hump on the muscle part and it cuts the skin great.

The problem with some makers is they make the shape of the blade wrong and the point too blunt to even penetrate the deer skin.

I also think the design is supposed to be wide so you can eat off the back of it using it like sort of a spoon:thumbup:

Look at the picture from the book posted. Most of the ones made now don't seem to have the curve to the belly and the point of the one in the pic.

 

[Gossman Knives]

The Nessmuk design is an outstanding hunting knife. From field dressing and skinning to butchering, it just plain works.
Scott

 

[Morablades]

What is the pattern of Nessmuk's folder called? Just wondering. Sorry if I am getting off topic. Thanks.

 

[CKE2]

I have made a couple and it is a great design. I researched the hump/design and never really did come up with any conclusive info on it. I like the answers above...they make sense!
I do see a lot of "Nessmuk" knives that really aren't true to the design...heck even my mini Neck Nessy is a variation on the design.
I like, sorry, REALLY like the ones that incorporate the finger choil...though that does sway from the design as seen above. I guess the old guard/no guard debate

By far one of the better knife designs to ever come about:thumbup:

Craig

 

[JD Mandrell]

What is the pattern of Nessmuk's folder called? Just wondering. Sorry if I am getting off topic. Thanks.

It's a large equal end jack pattern, commonly called a Moose pattern. This Camillus is similar.

Goes nicely with my Gossman Knives Nessmuk.

As for the Nessmuk itself, the hump was so the spine would slide along the meat of large fur bearing game animals, as the skin was cut from the inside outwards with the sharpened edge up. It also allows the blade to be clutched as an "Ulu" style hide scrapper.

 

[Morablades]

Thanks, friend.

 

[udtjim]

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4145/knifeandgun004gd3.jpg



Here is mine.

 

[Thomas Linton]

C.T. Fischer makes some nice Nessies in a variety of handle woods and at value prices. Heavy-duty sheaths are included.

http://www.lostrock.net/websites/ctfischerknives/nessmuk_style.htm

I would think the "semi-skinners" offered by several custom makers who sell here at BF or Woodcraft patterns would all fill the same nitch. (That's nitch, not "neesh.")

 

[mckeenh]

I was wondering why the blade design has the hump. Could someone explain the design and suggest a knife maker?

The hump on the back of the blade is intended to provide a place to baton the blade through wood or through the pelvis on an animal. A secondary reason is that the slope of the point when gutting,(upside down) is parrallel to the ground and helps prevent piercing the guts.

I have made several of these and usually in a 4 inch blade but the original was five inches in length. I also make the rear of the blade a little wider to provide a little finger protection

Neil

 

[Thomas Linton]

or that's how the Sheep Skinner turned out when it was ground off.

or the upward curved spine allows more belly in a dropped point than if the back was straight.

Ya' pays ur' money and ya' takes ur' choice.

 

[cuphead]

http://ramanon.com/ make nessmuk contest, nice nessi porn!
Here's one that Muskrat man is working on right now for me

 

[Dannyboy Leather]

I was wondering why the blade design has the hump. Could someone explain the design and suggest a knife maker?

Ragnar has it correct from all that I understand about the design historically. We have several VERY old blades in the ranch butcher shop that have the thumb pad in one degree or the other. Opinions vary greatly sometimes as to the purpose and design of the hump (documentation would be nice to see). Considering the period of time when the design first appeared on the scene, it becomes very clear that the design was intended to facilitate the controlled skinning and butchering process.

Newer knives in manufacture but the concept is still the same.

 

[Fiddleback]

I don't think they're the most ideal blade for any function. They do great in the kitchen (if you get a nice thin bladed model). They're good skinners (I think thats what the hump is for).

I like em because they're the anti-tactical knife.

Scott Gossman, Dan Koster, Muskrat Man, Ilbruche all make fantastic ones.:thumbup: