Nessmuk Would've Been Proud

Blues

Blues

hovering overhead
Staff member
Super Mod
Joined
Oct 2, 1998
Messages
44,782
Some months ago while reading and discussing the life and literary work of Nessmuk (George Washington Sears) I got the idea of collecting a couple of pieces to pay tribute to Nessmuk's vision of what a man should be equipped with when he went out in the woods "not to rough it, but to smooth it".

standard


Here's a picture from Nessmuk's "Woodcraft And Camping" which illustrates three of his constant companions on the trail:

standard


The next photo is one I just took of my own little triumvirate dedicated to the spirit of Nessmuk:

standard


The Nessmuk style double bit hatchet was forged by Lee Reeves of Shattuck, OK and just arrived today. It is far more beautiful than my picture shows. The helve is of Osage Orange and is 13.25" long. The bit is 5.5" wide and 2.5" tall. Both edges are RAZOR sharp, much sharper in fact than my Gransfors Bruks Mini Belt Hatchet. One edge was left a bit thicker than the other in the style that Nessmuk preferred in his own hatchet.

The head is forged of 5160 and 1018. This piece needs to be picked up and seen in person to be truly appreciated and I apologize for not having an opportunity to get better pix.

The fixed blade knife was forged of 52100 by my good friend and ABS Journeyman Smith, Ray Kirk of Tahlequah, OK. The scales are of Bois D'Arc (Osage Orange) and the blade is 4.5" long with a 4" cutting edge. (Think these Oklahoma boys got something going on? ;)) I've commented on Ray's knife in an earlier mini-review here on the forums.

The "moose" pattern is a Case Classic in carbon steel with stag scales.

The next picture is a picture of the heavy duty leather belt sheath that Lee made for the hatchet. It is set up for a vertical carry with an integral 2" belt loop (slit) in the rear of the sheath.

standard


Hope you enjoyed looking at them as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you.

Those wanting to get in touch with Lee Reeves can contact him at (580) 938-5070 or visit his website:

http://members.tripod.com/ssidders/id121.htm

Ray Kirk can be contacted via his website at:

http://www.rakerknives.com/
 
Here's a close up of the ax head:
 

Attachments

  • reevesaxhead2.jpg
    reevesaxhead2.jpg
    43.2 KB · Views: 806
Nice looking hatchet, is it possible to get a top down shot to check out the profile? The handle looks a bit squarish, how does it feel in hand. Elegant combination.

-Cliff
 
Blues,

Your Nessmuk set looks very woodsworthy.

I appreciate your enthusiasm for this type of gear. I enjoy making the axes and your informed response makes it even more fun.

Lee
 
What Lee said :).
It is always a pleasure to be called a friend by a man I respect and admire.
 
For comparison, here's the Gransfors Bruks Mini Belt Hatchet next to Lee Reeves' Nessmuk Hatchet:
 

Attachments

  • gbandreeves1.jpg
    gbandreeves1.jpg
    35.8 KB · Views: 867
Well those will do the job! I'm with Cliff, and I'd really like to see the profile of the hatchet in comparison to one of the GB's. The handle is similar to the octagonal OP link handles - good design!
What's the thickness of the Kirk knife?
 
Hey Jimbo,

The Kirk knife was purposely left thin at about 3/32" to make it fit with Nessmuk's preference for a thin knife. It also features a tapered half tang so this knife is extremely light in the hand while being plenty strong.

I'm attaching a couple of pix to give you a view of the ax head and also (and Jim you'll love this) the perfectly lined up grain of the helve.

The fit along the eye of the ax head is perfectly flush with no wood protruding.
 

Attachments

  • head4.jpg
    head4.jpg
    13.7 KB · Views: 779
And a view of the grain:
 

Attachments

  • head6.jpg
    head6.jpg
    5.9 KB · Views: 649
Blues--I told you that you'd enjoy the hatchet! You will have to get one with curly maple now.

Lee--Missed you at PKA Show this weekend. The good news is that the bar at the Holiday Inn is open longer now!!
 
Beautiful Axe. A wonderful tool to be used and enjoyed (if you enjoy cutting wood that is). :) When I was a boy we heated our house with a Wood Stove so I think I had my fill of cutting wood for a long time.

Also, the knife looks very utilitarian, that blade shape should be able to do most any job in camp. I first met Ray at a Hammer In a couple of years ago, he talked with more for more than an hour answering all kinds of foolish questions about Forging that I had. He is one of the nicest Makers I have ever met.
 
Blues = a very nice combination. Excellent hatchet!
 
TexasCarl,

Feel free to elaborate since I'm not familiar with working wood but have, like you, come to really like Osage Orange and Bois D'Arc.

Besides, Lee (and Ray) are too modest to brag about their workmanship.
 
Wow. With great tools like that, you couldn't get me outta the woods! Nice combo.
 
My Reeves Nessmuk-style axe arrived today, with a handle of fiddleback mapple.

It is a thing of beauty, and well worth the wait. Kudos for Lee Reeves!

Now, if I can only find a 15 pound canoe that won't sink with me in it :-)
 
Is the length of the haft measured from the base of the axe head, or is it the overall length of the axe? Thanks for the help, and sorry for the lame question ;). Great looking axe by the way :).

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