pros and cons of Nessmuck pattern?

F

Foilist

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Dec 20, 2004
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While (virtual) window shopping lately for Bark Rivers, I found myself aesthetically drawn to the Little Nessie. Found some at a good price too. I have admired this style since I discovered G.W. Sears' books a few years ago.

Can some experienced Nessmuck users describe the strengths and shortcomings of this type? Its forte seems to be skinning, but how would it be for non-game oriented bushcraft and camping stuff? Would you dare to rely on one in an emergency? Should I even consider it? (I've been looking at the Northstar and similar models).
 
Can't speak for the bark River Model but Nessies in general are a perfect all round camp/Bush tool for woodcraft etc !!!
 
Pitdog is right, Foilist...Nessmuks were designed expressly for bushcraft/woodcraft/camp stuff.

If that is what you are looking for, you can't go wrong with a Nessmuk (or with Bark River, for that matter)
 
Raising the back allows a drop point plus lots of belly. Good game knife. Not expecially good for drilling holes. It's chief advocate, in his short career, paired it with a slip joint to handle the finer work.
 
There's so many interpretations that it's hard to say.:D


I think the advantages depending on the design is the blade is thin so it's a good slicer. Also assuming the edge is right and the handle is decent it has good cutting power.

You can eat with it.

Those are the things come to mind offhand.

Some Nessmucks are too thick. Still good knives though. Some have too much of a curve so you can't get enough force behind them, but they'd still be good for dressing out game.

I have one I use a lot and I have split small peices of firewood, cut apples, whittled sticks for kindling, cut rope, stirred soup, spread peanut butter, you know general camp stuff and it works fine!
 
If I remember correctly, Nessmuk's knife was pretty thin and mainly used for skinning. He used his hatchet for most bushcraft things, with his pocket knife serving for finer work.
 
Yeah I have to agree with Hollowdweller in that the Nessie should be thin stock, I would say nothing over 1/8".
For a " Bet your life on " Survival knife, I love thick blades and have a SYKW Dumpster Mutt which I count on as such a knife, however for general camp chores and stuff I think people are now realising that thin is often better !
I believe this is the reason that so many people are now buying Nessies and Scandi Bushcraft knives !!!
 
The Lil' Nessy looks like a nice knife but it seems excessivley thick for a nessmuk style. You may be better off looking at some custom makers, I think Fiddleback (who posts on this forum) makes nessmuks. You can find reviews of his nessmuks by practising your Google-fu (google search). Dale Chudzinki also makes thin nessmuks, I am not aware of his current status but some people have recently had trouble with him (a search on the feedback forum would be wise).
 
My next knife will probably be a BR Northstar, but when I found some of their Little Nessies for under $90 . . . well, you know what happens!
 
Foilist said:
My next knife will probably be a BR Northstar, but when I found some of their Little Nessies for under $90 . . . well, you know what happens!
Click to expand...

For around that price Dan Koster will make you a nice Nessie....that is what I'm waiting on at the minute !!!:D:thumbup:
 
You can make a Nessmuk from an Old Hickory skinner pretty easily. It would be a cheap way to see if you like the style, and would probably be closer to the original than a BR. I think Fiddleback's are made from OHs aren't they?
 
hollowdweller said:
There's so many interpretations that it's hard to say.:D


I think the advantages depending on the design is the blade is thin so it's a good slicer. Also assuming the edge is right and the handle is decent it has good cutting power.

You can eat with it.

Those are the things come to mind offhand.

Some Nessmuks are too thick. Still good knives though. Some have too much of a curve so you can't get enough force behind them, but they'd still be good for dressing out game.

I have one I use a lot and I have split small peices of firewood, cut apples, whittled sticks for kindling, cut rope, stirred soup, spread peanut butter, you know general camp stuff and it works fine!
Click to expand...

Being a "Nessy" fan I would add to the conversation but HD already said everything I would have. Some out there are too thick. But the design is solid, tried, and true.:thumbup:
 
kiahs said:
You can make a Nessmuk from an Old Hickory skinner pretty easily. It would be a cheap way to see if you like the style, and would probably be closer to the original than a BR. I think Fiddleback's are made from OHs aren't they?
Click to expand...
I agree with your idea of modding an old hickory, I completly forgot about that thread. From what I've been able to gather, fiddleback makes his own in a charcoal forge. This site shows off some of his work. After seeing some comments and pictures :eek: I'm seriously considering getting one of his nessmuks
 
I picked up a Bark River Adirondack Guide and it turned into my primary slicing & dicing kitchen knife for fruits, vegetables, and small pieces of meat. I sometimes use it like an ulu for mincing.
 
Foilist,

I have 3 Lil Nessies but they are not as true to the design as some others. The blades are way thicker and thinner spine to edge. If I was choosing between them and the Northstar I'd go the Northstar for sure. It's thick too but the shape is better for like peeling potatos and doing stuff like that than the Lil Nessie.

I'd seriously consider getting a custom. But try to find one that is thin, and has a large enough handle.

For an idea of the range of interpretations check out THIS THREADI've been compiling of all the varios commercial and custom interpretations. I wonder if old Nessmuk is out there somewhere appreciating it all. Who would have thought. But he was a gear head just like most of us:D
 
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