I recently made a trade with a leather waller for a Nessmuk knife. I’ve been wanting to try the Nessmuk and the kephart design. Has any leather wallers tried both of these knives? Would like to know your thought on both. Did you prefer one over the other. If so why?

I really like the looks of this Kephart design too. I’d like to try one of these out as well.

like the looks of the Nessmuk knife

I have made both, and always liked tm he way thew nessie handled and felt in hand<><

Two totally different designs. Both look very useful to me. And as stated. Knife makers are still making both of these old designs today. So that says a lot right there. I’m looking forward to trying out the Nessmuk.

Have a custom Nessmuck. Light colored handle.

I like the Hawk, Wadstix.

Both are great knives, I carry a Kephart

I have a Kephart designed knife from Lucas Forge custom knives and it is one of the best if not the best that I own. Love the shape of the blade and its function when in use.

Enjoy your thinking and experimenting with different things. I have got a tube full of knives and also stone and diamonds and fixtures. I have come to the place were it is just the basics and have what is needed to keep it working. Any good shape of knife with a steel that you can easily return to working order in a couple minutes is what I have come to carry. I have everything that is $500 or less and custom made and factory and I only want to use the one that is sharp and easy to keep sharp. Kitchen knife, fillet knife, skinning knife, butcher knife, pocket knife. And I have 2 or 3 of most all and the ones with the super steel are a total waste of time for me. I have put a polished edge on everything that you can find and I will always come back to a bitty about 600 grit edge. I can cut everything better with that edge and can get it back in minutes. I am so tired spending time on the razor polished edge and it seems like it isn't working on hair, hide, flesh and bone. Same knife with a 600 diamond plate or steel and your back to cutting and I would like to say that it even lasts longer. That is why the old butcher had a steel with him at all times. Once you get the factory edge to roll the burr, you are in business if you just keep it sharp. Some knives are too thick for being a good cutting tool. They are made for a edge like a hatchet. But I think any of the older designs were the best for outdoors and butcher. Today they wanted to make you think it is tactical and I can do anything with the knife and not brake it, but you will have a hard time making it cut. Use a knife as a delicate thing with a fine edge and keep it sharp and clean and dry and you can use it all your life. I still like carbon steel, but I will say stainless is good if you don't want to clean and dry the knife. Just a good working tool. Like a longbow or recurve. You don't have to go overboard with the search. Just get good with what you have and spend time with making it better. I know a Canadian outfitter that skins and fleshed all the game with a Old Timer pocket knife. And he just kept it sharp.

Been making Kephart and Nessmuk knives as a Hobby for the last 3 1/2 years. I use 1095 Steel and force a patina with Mustard just before installing the scales. I hand make my sheaths and hand stitch them. The belly on both is very similar and both skin well. The pointed blade on the Kephart helps in disjointing legs on deer when comparing such recently. They have skinned Bullfrog legs and Black Bear. My fist Kephart dressed six Deer and six Hogs without resharpening. The handles are shaped like Horace Kephart described: 3/4" thick; 1/2" at the thumb swell. The handle is 4 1/2" long and finished with Tru-Oil. I use Loveless Bolts vs rivets and install the Star Mosaic pin on all knives because I live in Texas. The picture is two with Walnut scales for my bed Sam who field tested my first knife. He likes the Kephart better by a small margin. Both blades are 4 1/2" long.

Trying to add pics of my last two such knives. The Kephart has a 4 inch blade. The handle scales are dyed Maple.Then of course my own sheath design.

Well second try with second picture, the first being the Nessmuk and this the Kephart

Just delivered my last Nessmuk to an old friend of fifty years. He was pleased based on his text message.Dyed Maple Scales and new Patina application.

Beautiful knives Mailon. Nice job on that Kephart design.

Beautiful knives Mailon. Nice job on that Kephart design.

This one is not exactly a Kephart but close. My old Pard made it from a beat up Ontario Knife Co blade. Good, high carbon steel, takes an edge and holds it. It found a home on the High Standard Double Nine gun belt.

I have one of each . They are both "ESEE'S" . There JG5 is there Nessmuk . There PR4 is there Kephart design . They both came with camping like pretty nice leather sheath's . They have a no questions asked lifetime replacement warrenty as long as Esee is in "biz" LOL ! ... No one's asked but for the JG5 I paid like $109 delivered for it . And for the PR4 " Kephart" design I paid $98 delivered to the house . If I had one as a favorite too chose between the two with out a questioning of a doubt I would choose the JG5 "NESSMUK" design .

Beautiful knives Mail on.

Made from a Green River Blank.

Esee JG5, there interpretation/ concept of the Nessmuk .

Esee PR4 there interpretation/ concept of the Kephart style blade.

This is my small Nessie, I carry it as a neck knife !

My take on a Min-Kephart with 3 1/2 " blade and 4 " handle. My own design horizontal sheath for EDC. Slides on belt for side, middle back, or daypack strap.

Carry on Backpack strap.....the fellow I made it for demoed that for me. An old guy I flew with in my F-4 days.

ron W, nice knife.

x2 Wudstix,,Stick makes a nice knife

Nice looking knife Mike. I agree stic make a really nice knife.

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