Nessmuk or Puukko?

Nessmuk or Puukko for all around outdoors use

  • Nessmuk

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Puukko

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
BP_

BP_

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I'm curious as to what your thoughts are on both. Which do you like better? Which do you use more? Which one has a wider range of tasks it will take on?

I ask because I've gotten myself into a position to where I really like both knives, but couldn't justify having both (to use). Do they serve entirely different functions? Are there things they both do well, or is one a better "all arounder" than the other?

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms here. These knives would be general woods/bushcraft use. Canoe trips, camping in the woods, day hiking trips, things like that. I have a nice axe, so chopping/batonning is not an issue (also not something I'm real big on doing with my knives).

Which steel do you prefer on both style knives? Does the style of blade change your steel preferences, or does it all have to do with intended use and geographic location?

I'm very curious to see what comes from this thread. I apologize in advance if this is a dead horse. I looked but couldn't find a comparable thread.
 
I own and use both, asking me to choose between them is like asking me to choose which child I like best. But I do own more Puukkos than Nesmuks. The only downside of the Puukko is if it has a thick blade with a low grind, then it is not very good at cutting veggies for the stew pot, the wedge like design tends to break up the root veggies. But then if you baton (I use an axe) the flat grind of the Nessmuk does not wedge the wood apart as easily. The hump back of the Nessmuk aids in skinning game, but the fine point of the Puukko aids in gutting fish. I can't decide, just buy both. As for steel they are both old school blades, get old school steel, If you are going to be using it near the ocean then get a good Swedish Stainless.
 
I can see the advantages of both. I already own a Puukko I had made just for me, and I love it. I have just recently began wondering if maybe a Nessmuk would serve as an all around better tool though. I like my "utility/bushcrafting" blades in the 4.5-5.5 inch range, because I have an axe for any task that might require something bigger. is the Nessmuk a "tougher" design than the Puukko? does it serve more of a utilitarian purpose?
 
I voted Nessmuk because I collect them. It's my favorite pattern. I have a them from a lot of different makers. I also love the puukko.

As far as steels, I have muks in Infi, 01, 3V, 440c. They are all great. I have a custom pukkoo in 10v that I think is great.

I really can't choose, but since I have a ton of muks I'll choose muk
 
Honestly, one could throw Kephart and French trade knife in there as well. Just great patterns that have stood the test of time.
 
I've been reading a lot on Nessmuks and they're pretty interesting. same can be said for the Puukko knife, as I have done quite a bit of reading on them as well. I feel like, in a way, they are knives from different parts of the world, but with the same general tasks in mind. maybe I'm off base there.

I do like the style of both, for different reasons. it's interesting to hear people's opinions, and the different things they use them for. I'm actually surprised the Nessmuk style isn't a lot more popular.
 
bump for an interesting discussion 😊
 
I have only ever used a puuko design. Something tells me a nessmuk could be even more useful for someone who is not JUST working with woodcraft in the outdoors.
 
that was kind of my thinking. I was just curious which one people actually used more, and for those with both, which one was more "useful" or "practical" when out in the woods
 
Really enjoy this thread, it's a real head scratcher, had to think about my own practices for a while. I own and use both styles. While I think either could truly be an all-around knife for myself, given the OP's intended uses, I pick the Puukko. Both work for a variety of reasons, most of which overlap, but I find myself grabbing the Nessmuk only on hunting trips. Sorry I don't have a steel preference mainly because I'm not sure what steel my Puukko is made of. Side note: I actually like the looks of the Nessmuk design more!
 
metricmat said:
Really enjoy this thread, it's a real head scratcher, had to think about my own practices for a while. I own and use both styles. While I think either could truly be an all-around knife for myself, given the OP's intended uses, I pick the Puukko. Both work for a variety of reasons, most of which overlap, but I find myself grabbing the Nessmuk only on hunting trips. Sorry I don't have a steel preference mainly because I'm not sure what steel my Puukko is made of. Side note: I actually like the looks of the Nessmuk design more!
Click to expand...

this leads me to ask, why only the Nessmuk on hunting trips? is it just a personal preference, or does it serve a better purpose in the field for your uses? I do generally reach for my Puukko, but I'm really wondering, if I had both, would my story still be the same.
 
bloody_pawprint said:
this leads me to ask, why only the Nessmuk on hunting trips? is it just a personal preference, or does it serve a better purpose in the field for your uses? I do generally reach for my Puukko, but I'm really wondering, if I had both, would my story still be the same.
Click to expand...

I choose the Nessmuk when hunting because I like the blade shape for skinning. It's also a little beefier than my Puukko so it tends to be more forgiving in breaking apart joints of larger animals and cutting/chopping bone if need be. I'm sure some will read this and explain how the Puukko is better for this very purpose so it is prob. just my personal preference towards my style of use. Thanks again for starting this thread, looking forward to other's opinions on the matter.
 
my pleasure! I'm really very interested in people's opinions on this one. I know personal preference plays a role, but there are also other factors that make a person choose one over the other. that's what I'm in it for.
 
I'm a Puukko guy

Puukkos are for wood cutting

The Nessmuk is more of a utility hunter

I don't do any skinning when I go camping

So Puukko!

Depends what your primary use is

structure meets function

They can both do the same thing but the Puukko is a better wood carving design and the Nessmuk is a better Skinner.
 
DeadboxHero said:
I'm a Puukko guy

Puukkos are for wood cutting

The Nessmuk is more of a utility hunter

I don't do any skinning when I go camping

So Puukko!

Depends what your primary use is

structure meets function

They can both do the same thing but the Puukko is a better wood carving design and the Nessmuk is a better Skinner.
Click to expand...

Ditto.
 
I prefer the Nessmuk over the Puukko for my needs. I'm not really into wood working when I'm fishing, hunting or camping. To me the Nessmuk smokes a Puukko when it comes to game processing, skinning and even in the kitchen. I have several knives in both designs and both are great designs but if I had to choose just one for an all around outdoor use knife, I would always choose a Nessmuk. The hard part for me would be choosing my favorite Nessmuk knife. I guess you could say I'm a Nessmuk junkie and I have 3 more variations coming to me in addition to the ones pictured.

 
Puuko's aren't thick bladed. They make good utility blades, good for a lot of tasks.

The thick blades are bushcrafters, very different to a puuko.

I like puukos. Nesmuks would be a better skinner.
 
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