The Nessemuk for bushcraft?

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frontiersman

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Dec 20, 2006
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The title is the question. The Condor Nessemuk more specifically. I have one, not one of the newer ones but I am very happy with it. The only thing I see it is lacking is drilling ability. What says the forum about the bushcraft worthyness of this high quality, inexpensive blade?
 
I think the best bushcraft blade for you is the one that you are comfortable with. There's no point in lugging a hunk of steel around that you don't like to use.
 
Never fielded one personally, but I'm pretty sure the originator of the design used one for "bushcraft", though as one of a trio of tools. What matters is if it will do what you need it to do.
 
Apologies if you already knew this, but George 'Nessmuk' Sears who designed that shape had a "system" that included a double-bit axe for heavy wood processing, and a smaller folding knife. I would imagine the idea is that the smaller knife fits the drilling need. I'd tend to agree that a knife with a wide blade shape like a nessmuk would be the wrong tool for drilling.
 
The Nessmuk pattern is excellent for skinning, cutting meat, etc., but no the best suited for an all around "bushcraft" knife. But throw in a buck 110 . . .
 
I love nessmuks especially the ones with thin blades.

If you consider bushcraft to be fabricating a lot of crafts using a blade the nessmuk is not ideal.

However I think it's a near ideal camping backpacking knife precisely due to it's thinness. Ideal for food prep.
 
IMO the Nessmuk knife was primarily used for meat and game processing which is why he referred to it as a "hunting knife." I would bet the slippy he carried got all the whittling chores. However that doesn't mean a Nessmuk is a bad knife to take camping considering most chores are food based. Throw in a SAK with an awl if you really want to do some drilling.
 
I use a Jeff White Nessmuk for most of my bushcrafting needs, but also carry my leatherman with the drop point blade for drilling or sawing. I'm a firm believer in the nessmuk as it has abilities that most regular bushcraft knives don't. I find that my control when skinning is much better with the nessmuk and much less likely to puncture the gut sack or hide. It carves well and stays razor sharp. My advice is to pair it with a small drop point hunter or multitool and you'll be set. If you don't want to do that then you should probably keep looking for a knife that works better for your needs.
 
Nessmuks appear to do great for someone that does lot's of skinning and a little bushcraft. The Kephart is IMO a more dedicated bushcraft knife.
If, however, we are talking about pure bushcraft funtion then I'd say the Mora/Woodlore type design beats them both.
 
A lot of real good points here:)

I really like using my Charlie Ridge Nessy, like HD said, especially for food prep.
That fat blade is great as a spatula, slicer and chopper. I also have a Mora Clipper I never go into the wildy without as well though. The detail work and drilling and splinter picking is important to me.

Mark
 
They are good for work with meat, as others have stated. They aren't the best drillers, although I am sure if you needed to you could do it. I don't really like them very much, but I haven't really practiced using them much. I prefer bladeshapes similar to a Mora for wood-work and possibly food.

Really depends on what you are going to use it for :)
 
Look at the original nessmuk drawing, cover it up just above the hump, and look at the tip. I wish I realized that earlier.
 
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