NESSMUK knives = FAD ?

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
930
Hi all,

Let me be clear.....I very much LIKE the looks/design of the (so called) Nessmuk Knife. I have been reading/researching hours on end on it's History as well as reading all kinds of threads/opinions on this old knife design. One thread of interest had a poster who was making the point that (what we are calling a Nessmuk knife) was (back in the day) nothing more than a SKINNING knife used by Mr. G. W. Sears aka Nessmuk. Of course Mr. Nessmuk also carried a small, double blade Axe and a double blade Jack knife in addition to his "skinner" knife. Back in the day when Mr. Nessmuk carried his fixed blade knife, was it known as a "Nessmuk" knife ? Of course not. More than likely Mr. Nessmuk walked into a store and purchased what he thought would be a good "Woods" knife. I've seen page after page of Knife makers (both custom and non custom) each with their own version of the Nessmuk knife. I guess this is good marketing. At any rate, do you think that the newer Nessmuk STYLE knives would today be considered a SKINNER ? Does this style of knife have limited usage or might the NEW breed of Nessmuk designed knives be more well rounded and can cover a wider range of knife duties ?

HARDBALL
 
I don't think so. This knife has obviously stood the test of time. It's a good game/food processing knife. Nothing faddish about that.
 
Hi Dog,

Yes indeed, the knife certainly has stood the test of time. I'm just wondering it this design has a very narrow/limited range of uses. Perhaps my use of the word "Fad" was a poor choice of words. However, as I mentioned, it does seem a lot of Knife Makers have some sort of version of the Nessmuk these days and when you get right down to it, is this old design truly nothing more than a REALLY good skinning knife ? I was checking out the beautiful knives made by Andy at Fiddleback Forge and really liked his Nessmuk offering. However, I really also like Andy's "Kismet's Practical Hunter" which I THINK is Nessmuk like (at least to me) yet appears as if it might be able to handle a wider range of duties due to it's design.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Hi Dog,

Yes indeed, the knife certainly has stood the test of time. I'm just wondering if this design has a very narrow/limited range of uses. Perhaps my use of the word "Fad" was a poor choice of words. However, as I mentioned, it does seem a lot of Knife Makers have some sort of version of the Nessmuk these days. Is this old design truly nothing more than a REALLY good skinning knife ? I checked out the beautiful knives made by Andy at Fiddleback Forge and I really liked his Nessmuk offering. However, I really also like Andy's "Kismet's Practical Hunter" which I THINK is kind of Nessmuk "like" (at least to me). Might this design be able to handle a wider range of duties (due to it's design) than the Nessmuk ?

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
The ones I have seen appeared to be a fairly practical choice for many woods tasks I might encounter.

Like many knives, it performs a primary function but has features/modifications that allow more applicability to secondary tasks. Further along those lines, individual makers will bastardize (for lack of a better term) the shape and add other functionality. It's not a bad thing, I call it modern evolution of design.
 
HARDBALL said:
Yes indeed, the knife certainly has stood the test of time. I'm just wondering if this design has a very narrow/limited range of uses.
Click to expand...

Not really. Nessmuk says about it:

"The one shown in the cut is thin in the blade, and handy for skinning, cutting meat, or eating with."

So basically, the only role it doesn't play is "black coated tree chopper/basher/smasher." Seems like doing everything but that, for a real outdoors living expert (as opposed to weekend "survival enthusiast"), demonstrates that it has quite a wide range of uses.
 
HARDBALL said:
Hi Dog,

Yes indeed, the knife certainly has stood the test of time. I'm just wondering it this design has a very narrow/limited range of uses. Perhaps my use of the word "Fad" was a poor choice of words. However, as I mentioned, it does seem a lot of Knife Makers have some sort of version of the Nessmuk these days and when you get right down to it, is this old design truly nothing more than a REALLY good skinning knife ? I was checking out the beautiful knives made by Andy at Fiddleback Forge and really liked his Nessmuk offering. However, I really also like Andy's "Kismet's Practical Hunter" which I THINK is Nessmuk like (at least to me) yet appears as if it might be able to handle a wider range of duties due to it's design.

Regards,
HARDBALL
Click to expand...

It seems we agree the design of the knife is a useful one. I think I understand what you are saying. There a nostalgic trend among some knife buyers that is more broadly represented by the Bushcraft movement. Buying your own "Nessmuk Trio" is popular now, so knifemakers are cashing in. Will knifemakers continue to offer this knife in current volumes? Probably not. But isn't that the way with all things? Big choppers are the 'in' thing these days, too. A decade from now there will be something else, perhaps the revival of the Bowie knife.
 
The knife George Sears used is almost identical to a classic butcher's knife known as a lamb skinner. Great all-around skinning and game prep design, but less of a "do all utility knife" for the woods. And loe and behold that's just what he used it for. Modern renditions are typically beefed up to the point where they're more all-around knives and less of a dedicated game and food prep item. They trade off a little performance in those areas for increased range of utility.
 
Lon Humphrey makes a super nice 'Nessmuk' with simple elegant lines.

I find the Nessmuk in this version or style a very good and very useful tool.

Lon makes knives meant for being used. I like that.

 
it took me awhile to like the nessmuk design, but I can see it being a good jack of all trades, master of none type of knife nowadays. I think Lon's version is great looking, and I agree they are made for more utiltiy than just skinning. Lon's Brute de Forge stuff run about 1/4 thick, but the way he grinds them, it has a wicked edge. One of my other favorite nessmuk style knives is by Mike Mann at Idaho Mountain knife works.
 
Hi guys,

Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. Mar & Unit.....I must say, I just don't get the whole "chopping down a tree/log splitting/etc. using a Belt knife. It appears the Nessmuk style knife will do MOST things (within reason) well. Jay & Blade, those are some sweeet looking Nessmuk's! Jay, who is the maker of your Nessmuk ? I will check into all the Nessmuk's makers mentioned in this thread. 42, funny you should mention the "Lamb Skinner". While visiting you're site yesterday, I saw the F. Dick "Lamb Skinner" and my first thought was NESSMUK! I may have to buy one of those F. Dick Lamb Skinners just.....because and....it looks to be a neat knife for the money. Dog.....BINGO! Thanks for being more clear than I. I will continue my search in this style (or per UNIT) "evolution of design" of the Nessmuk knife. On the whole,
I tend to like a smaller size belt knife (no more than 8-9 inches OAL) with a blade of 3 7/8's inches. I do Bow Hunt and I also do a lot of Kitchen work so, this design might be a good choice in the future.

Regards,

HARDBALL
 
lots of people don't mention the Nessmuk didn't use his knife to split kindling or carve traps...that what the axe and pocket knife were for :) His belt knife was a food processor, not a one tool survival knife ( i doubt he would ever dig a cat hole with her) Just my .02 :)
 
Here's mine made by Muskrat Man and it is fairly true to the original Nessmuk design. 3/32" L6 sawblade steel, crown stag handle with pinned stub tang. A true scalpel for sure not meant for any wood splitting. That's what Sears' axe was for.

MuskratManNessmukskinner.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
Hi SJ & Alex,

Alex, Wow, that's a beauty! MM does very nice work. Yea guys, I have a tough time using a NICE knife to do normal knife things, let alone chopping/splitting wood, dig holes, etc. Personally, I just don't see using a (especially smaller) knife in that manner. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE big CHOPPER type blades/Machetes/etc. for the HEAVY DUTY stuff. In fact, yesterday I handle an AWESOME WW1 (American made) Bolo Knife/small Machete that was built like a Tank! I think it was the thickest full tang knife I've ever seen and just in beautiful condition. I'd love to own it but.....$300.00+ dollars!

HARDBALL
 
Hardball,

The pic and Nessie are from Hunter AKA Kalel. Jim Rosa made it and currently Jim and I are getting a modified version churned out in Elmax. I'm very excited over this.
 
You should ask bearthedog. He's a member here, and he has a Nessmuk with a natural patina that has to be 2mm thick. He's taken it literally all over the world on his trips. In fact, I'll alert him to this thread.
 
HARDBALL said:
Hi guys,

Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. Mar & Unit.....I must say, I just don't get the whole "chopping down a tree/log splitting/etc. using a Belt knife. It appears the Nessmuk style knife will do MOST things (within reason) well. ...
Click to expand...

Precisely my point.
 
I like the Nessmuk pattern a lot. I think it's a good all around blade design.

i-bG9TSJj-XL.jpg
 
Hi all,


Jay, that is exciting! I'm happy for you. Mag, thank you for alerting Bearthedog about this thread. I would LOVE to hear his views on the Nessmuk. Moss, that is a sweeeeet looking Nessmuk pix you posted. Is that bad boy belong to you ?

HARDBALL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top