Even though this is a step by step for a do it yourself I also compare and use the Dumpster Mutt below to show how both fit the description for a woods wandering knife.


After seeing many Nessies coming up in conversations I thought that I would put something together for my normal woods wandering. Nessmuk (George Washington Sears) believed in going light into the woods and using ability and few tools to survive as a woodsman. He had a knife, axe and double blade congressman folder.

I saw an article in a Backwoodsman magazine on converting an Old Hickory into a Nessmuk knife and wanted to buid a simple kit around it. Then I decided to make a modern kit around my Dumpster Mutt as this fits the bill of the woods wandering knife, small and light.

I use large knives when in Kenya such as the SHBM, E-BM and Fehrman FJ. I also use smaller knives but for the most part I carry the big knife as it acts like my axe so that I do not have to carry tons of equipment.

Smaller was the key here as this would not be my main camp knife but a just go for a hike knife that would suit the purpose should a hike turn into a few unexpected days in the woods. Also, this will be the smaller backup knife to my camp knife that I will be having forged at the begining of next year.

I wanted to keep this Nessie as well as my future forged knife period correct to the fur trade/mountain man as these are going to be my main American camp knives as the would stick out like a sore thumb in Kenya where my Scrap Yards and Busse fit the bill for an expedition knife.

Ok, here are pics of the soon to be made Nessie knife ($8.00 on some sites). This is an Old Hickory with a 6 inch blade. You measure about 5 inches from where the blade enters the handle to where the tip starts to curve up.

The Old HIckory Skinning Knife is a heavy duty skinner for larger animals from deer to cattle (or even buffalo). The blade is about 6" long, and .091" thick.



[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020255.jpg[/img][/image]


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020256.jpg[/img][/image]


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020257.jpg[/img][/image]


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020258.jpg[/img][/image]




I kept a thin layer of water on the wood and clamped the knife down in it to keep the temper from burning out. I then poured water on it every few seconds and never let it get hot.

[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020259.jpg[/img][/image]


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020260.jpg[/img][/image]


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020261.jpg[/img][/image]


After the dremal action.

[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020262.jpg[/img][/image]


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020263.jpg[/img][/image]


Here it is just after using the bench grinder, file and fine sand paper. I have a slight mirror finish and the handle has been sanded, just before staining.

[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020265.jpg[/img][/image]


Here is the sheath, front and back and can be worn on the belt and around the neck.


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020267.jpg[/img][/image]


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA020268.jpg[/img][/image]



Here is a pic of what went into the kit. Now out here I hike in the forest preserves and real survival is not an issue. Honestly other than protection there is really nothing else...... But, I have been known to start a few small fires (technicall not supposed too) and pratice various skills. I do not have the hooks or snare wire in this kit as there is no use for them. I have strike anywhere matches, the skinners tip which I ground off the rough back and turned it into a small knife/scrapper/ulu, some jute twine for fire starting, lip and hand balm (it will be getting cold here soon), bandaids and alieve (spelling) for headaches..... And for my back, just in case.


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA030270.jpg[/img][/image]

This is NOT a survival kit, but merely a what do I use in the woods when hiking kit. It can be supplemented with my main survival kit if need be but I do not think that I will be stranded for months out in the local forest preserves where I will need to trap and fish for food.............. But it would be interesting!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Everything together and I have added some stag and bone to the sheath. The handle has two coats of red mahogany stain.

[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA040273.jpg[/img][/image]

I will be adding a Marbles, double bit axe and Marbles congressman folder to finish the kit. For this I wanted to do it like Nessmuk and go as cheap, but as good as possible! and go light into the woods where my skill is needed to be put to the test.




Now I know the above was intense but I wanted to put something together with my Dumpster Mutt since it is the same as my Nessie. I got one of my old Altoids cans and loaded it up with strike anywhere matches, bandaids, aleive (sp?), jute twin, lip balm and I am sure that other things will come and go.

I was lucky that I had the DM as it is my favorite little knife with a great sheath by LeatherFace! All I had to do was put the kit together.


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA060274.jpg[/img][/image]



[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA060275.jpg[/img][/image]



And here is the snare wire, hooks and weights, line to be added later. This is seperate and will only be added when going up to my friends house in the North Woods where I have a better chance of becoming lost, hence real survival............ I will probably die however! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA060278.jpg[/img][/image]


[img][image]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/DMelone73/PA060277.jpg[/img][/image]



I think that the term survival kit woks when you have supplies at ready should something happen and we all have them in one form or the other. I wanted to make a very simple kit, without going overboard for a days hike in the woods where these things would have a better chance of coming into use as opposed to the fishing gear and snares…… Chances are I will never use them in the forest preserve, so why take up space? I will save them for when I am in real woods.

I have many pics of the Nessie because I wante to show everyone how I made it. As I said small was the key here. My Dumpster Mutt fits this bill perfectly as well and that is why I chose to make a kit around it as opposed to my RatManDu.

The DM to me is the modern Nessie and add an axe and pocket knife and you are good to go! This is a good example of how the past teaches the present and the example is the DM. Small and light! Just like my Nessie!!!!


Thank you for looking and bearing with this long post!!!

Dan

WOW Dan!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> Great pics and great thread!

I love that home made Nessy... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

When I get home I'm going though the kitchen knife drawer and see what I can find... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I gotta think of a way to distract the wife though... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That is an awesome "how to", Dan. You did a great job on that Nessmuk. I like your little kit. Thanks so much for posting this. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Neat job Dan! That's a nice little Nessie! Thanks for the pics and post!

Nice job Dan.. I'm gonna have to try that.

Thank you all! I felt that it was a great way to tie in the old ways and the new.

By the way Vic, they also have a "how to" for making a bowie out of a machete. I will look for it later when I am home.

Sweeeeet bro! Great job and tell. No light in the kit? I've wandered the Preserves up there, your gonna trip over the north side boys if you can't see <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
How long did your project take? Thanks Dan for sharing, I enjoyed it.

P.S. congrats on 2800! whoo hooo!

The knife itself only took about 5-10 minutes to cut through, then another 10 minutes to shape and sand (probably could have been shorter but I want to make sure the spine was perfect), another 5 for sanding the handle. I could have left it as is but I put two coats of stain on it, one on the first day and the second the next.

The sheath was made in one night and was a little over an hour.


By the way, I forgot to mention that the kit has seasonal items. You put in what you need during that season such as the lip/hand balm for cold and the ointment for bug bites and plant irritations.

Thanks WD 2,804. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

cool.

Great post. I like how you are taking only what you really might need and not going overboard with useless junk!

I would never call a box of king sized snickers bars useless junk.

Great stuff, Dan - nice work!