Nessmuk - George Washington Sears YouTube series.

[JonathanD]

There’s a bloke that’s just posted the first in a series of videos about George Washington-Sears…. Nessmuk. The first one is about his trio of blades. Despite the presenters dodgy sartorial and headwear choices and being a bit shouty at first. He does settle into it and it has potential.

I’ve always been fascinated by Nessmuk’s blade trio and life kit. He didn’t have the luxury of great knives like the epic Deval bushcrafter and the plethora of Moras available at a click. And also the various axe choices we have now. GSW went out of his way to journey to NY and had a custom knife and axe made to his specifications. It was so important to him that his financial breakdown to do this, survives to this day. He also didn’t have the modern lightweight packable saws we have now. .Although they did have packable saws back then as the presenter says. GWS favoured the axe over that. GWS absolutely walked the walk and his kit was literally his lifeline and what he relied upon day to day to survive and live life. Check it out and let’s see what you think.

 

[Man of Tanith]

I've watched this chap do a few things and he's quite good.
I'll give this one a watch, good spot JD

 

[Broch]

I'll certainly watch his future videos on the subject. However, I have studied Nessmuk quite a bit myself and one thing is certain: there is a lot of interpretation in just about anything people write and say about GSW. I urge you to read his book and his letters yourselves if you've not already done so.

For example, that axe shown in the video does not fit my interpretation of what GSW had made, here is his statement from the book "I want one thick, stunt edge for knots, deers’ bones, etc., and a fine, keen edge for cutting clear timber." The axe in the video has two fine edges.

Here are the links to a great article on his life , his book, and the Forest and Stream letters:

On George Washington “Nessmuk” Sears | Northern Bush​

Woodcraft and Camping

The Adirondack Letters

 

[Crac]

Too much 'entertainment'. I'm not really enjoying the time with James, I'll be skipping the series and continuing to ignore the channel. Best wishes to all to stay, I hope you enjoy the show.

 

[JonathanD]

I'll certainly watch his future videos on the subject. However, I have studied Nessmuk quite a bit myself and one thing is certain: there is a lot of interpretation in just about anything people write and say about GSW. I urge you to read his book and his letters yourselves if you've not already done so.

For example, that axe shown in the video does not fit my interpretation of what GSW had made, here is his statement from the book "I want one thick, stunt edge for knots, deers’ bones, etc., and a fine, keen edge for cutting clear timber." The axe in the video has two fine edges.

Here are the links to a great article on his life , his book, and the Forest and Stream letters:

On George Washington “Nessmuk” Sears | Northern Bush​

Woodcraft and Camping

The Adirondack Letters

I have read his letters and books many many years ago. Probably around the same time I joined BcUK. I’ll have to dig them out again and revisit. There used to be a great thread on here too about someone replicating his kit.

 

[ijohnson]

I’ve always been fascinated by Nessmuk’s blade trio and life kit. He didn’t have the luxury of great knives like the epic Deval bushcrafter and the plethora of Moras available at a click. And also the various axe choices we have now.

Interesting you mention the axe choices we have now. I recently went searching for a Nessmuck type axe, i.e. a small-ish double bit, and guess what. Crickets! If anyone knows a UK source for such a beast please elucidate.

 

[JonathanD]

Marbles used to do one and HH had them. But it seems they no longer do that. So it would have to be a direct buy from the US.



EDIT: I’ve just gone back through some old posts on the subject and people say the Marbles axe was crap.

 

[Broch]

I have read his letters and books many many years ago. Probably around the same time I joined BcUK. I’ll have to dig them out again and revisit. There used to be a great thread on here too about someone replicating his kit.

You youngster
Woodcraft and Camping was one of the very few books our local library had in the early 70's - I was obsessed with Native American culture and the American wilderness adventurers. I didn't get access to his letters until the internet though. I had 'the trio' as a teenager but it was a Scout penknife (the only bit I still have), a thin-bladed sheath knife (lost in a ditch somewhere), and one of those awful hatchets with the head welded onto a steel tube shaft with a rubber grip.

 

[stonepark]

For example, that axe shown in the video does not fit my interpretation of what GSW had made, here is his statement from the book "I want one thick, stunt edge for knots, deers’ bones, etc., and a fine, keen edge for cutting clear timber." The axe in the video has two fine edges.

The axe when viewed closely from the top definitely has a meatier side (rhs in the below image) and a thinner side(lhs). It is probably in the region of 1/8inch difference, tapering down towards the bevel.

Both bevels will be similar in length and from the side the bevels appear almost identical. The bits are different lengths, the thinner edge being slightly longer, no doubt to even up the weight distribution.

The presenter also falls into the fallacy of having a blunt and sharp edge. Both edges will be equally as sharp! The fatter edge will simply not penetrate as far during cutting but will withstand shocks (hitting harder materials) better without chipping or being significantly damaged.

 

[Broch]

The axe when viewed closely from the top definitely has a meatier side (rhs in the below image) and a thinner side(lhs). It is probably in the region of 1/8inch difference, tapering down towards the bevel.

Both bevels will be similar in length and from the side the bevels appear almost identical. The bits are different lengths, the thinner edge being slightly longer, no doubt to even up the weight distribution.

The presenter also falls into the fallacy of having a blunt and sharp edge. Both edges will be equally as sharp! The fatter edge will simply not penetrate as far during cutting but will withstand shocks (hitting harder materials) better without chipping or being significantly damaged.

Agreed, there are differences, but I would still not call that a "thick, stunt, edge". It is certainly not the profile I would choose for splitting wood. The thickness of the thicker blade would still result in it getting stuck especially if it was ground 'sharp' IMO - but the design requires compromises.

 

[Broch]

Interesting you mention the axe choices we have now. I recently went searching for a Nessmuck type axe, i.e. a small-ish double bit, and guess what. Crickets! If anyone knows a UK source for such a beast please elucidate.

I went on an axe forging course a couple of years ago - I ended up making a bearded axe but now I wish I'd made a Nessmuk axe (my interpretation anyway). That could be one solution

 

[JonathanD]

@British Red had a beauty made some years back. And @Hoodoo was a big Nessy fan as well. Loads of threads were created on here by him on the subject of GWS and his kit. Be good to see him weighing in on this subject again.

This was BRs set…

 

[JonathanD]

Here’s the original thread. He was selling it too. No idea why I didn’t bite.

Thread 'The Ultimate Nessmuk Set'

Feb 18, 2014

George Washington Sears 1821 – 1890) was a writer for Forest and Stream magazine and an early Bushcrafter / ultralight camper. His articles were written under the name, "Nessmuk", as were his books including the seminal work "Woodcraft and Camping"

This is the great man (note his bag with the knife in the back)

This is his book

which describes "The Nessmuk Trio" of axe, belt knife and pen knife. He illustrates...

• British Red
• Replies: 16
• Forum: General Classifieds

 

[Broch]

I do regret selling the Nessmuk knife I made - I need to sort out another deer antler crown and make another.
I can't find any smallish double bit axes I could modify sadly - maybe another axe making session

 

[FerlasDave]

I do regret selling the Nessmuk knife I made - I need to sort out another deer antler crown and make another.
I can't find any smallish double bit axes I could modify sadly - maybe another axe making session

I’ll have a look through mine for you. I have a mis-shaped puget sound pattern that I think might work?

 

[Springchicken]

I watched the posted video and yes, it was moderately interesting, even if it covered material written about and discussed pretty extensively before.

I would really like to see these Nessmuk necessities in use, doing the jobs for which they were originally intended, perhaps even with some appraisal of their efficiency and suitability. I hope that this might be the case in subsequent films but it seems the film maker's intention to cover a canoe expedition...

 

[ijohnson]

I would really like to see these Nessmuk necessities in use, doing the jobs for which they were originally intended, perhaps even with some appraisal of their efficiency and suitability.

I posted this thread last year which has what you mention in them. No association other than I enjoyed watching them.

Thread 'Nessmuk: Woodcraft and Camping video series.'

Nov 20, 2025

Been watching this series by Kusk Bushcraft over on YouTube and really enjoying it. Thought some others might enjoy as well.

'Welcome to the Woodcraft and Camping Series! I'll be taking an in-depth look at the writings of 'Nessmuk' and exploring the ideas of a woodsman from the 1800's.'

• ijohnson
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Bushcraft Chatter

• 

 

[Broch]

I posted this thread last year which has what you mention in them. No association other than I enjoyed watching them.

Thread 'Nessmuk: Woodcraft and Camping video series.'

Nov 20, 2025

Been watching this series by Kusk Bushcraft over on YouTube and really enjoying it. Thought some others might enjoy as well.

'Welcome to the Woodcraft and Camping Series! I'll be taking an in-depth look at the writings of 'Nessmuk' and exploring the ideas of a woodsman from the 1800's.'

• ijohnson
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Bushcraft Chatter

• 

How did I miss that when you posted it?

 

[Broch]

Just found this, I know nothing about the sales company:

Marbles Outdoors Knives 700DB Double Bit Axe with American Hickory Handles - Unstoppable function, Free Shipping on All Deals | woodfarmcaravanandcamping.co.uk

Free Shipping on All Deals, Buy Now – Ready for the Next Horizon , Always adventure-ready - Marbles Outdoors Knives 700DB Double Bit Axe with American Hickory Handles

woodfarmcaravanandcamping.co.uk

**** I believe this company is a con! ****

 

[mrmike]

Just found this, I know nothing about the sales company:

Marbles Outdoors Knives 700DB Double Bit Axe with American Hickory Handles - Unstoppable function, Free Shipping on All Deals | woodfarmcaravanandcamping.co.uk

Free Shipping on All Deals, Buy Now – Ready for the Next Horizon , Always adventure-ready - Marbles Outdoors Knives 700DB Double Bit Axe with American Hickory Handles

woodfarmcaravanandcamping.co.uk

**** I believe this company is a con! ****

But why wouldn't that website be operated by an Asian restaurant in California? Maybe they are just diversifying?

Anyhow I read in earlier posts regarding nessmuk's axe (by British Red) that the marbles version of it was utter pants.