The knives arrived safe and sound, and the only reason I haven't commented on them sooner is simply because I've been too busy playing with them!
We have named the two knives Ravenwing, simply because they reminded me of when I was in Manitouwadge Ontario. I was moose hunting (with my previous Jojo Nessmuk by the way
) and was on a ridge overlooking a large expanse of pine, fir and cedar. While up there I had five ravens fly beneath me along the edge of the ridge (they were on the treetops, and I was higher up than them, so I got a bird's eye view of.. birds). As they flapped their wings, they made a sharp, crisp cutting sound through the air. That sound always reminds me of the north, and I felt like these knives deserved a name of their own. So now, they are nicknamed the "Ravenwing Nessie" and the "Ravenwing Bushie".
But enough about entymology (if that is the wrong word.. ironic). Here is a quick rundown on what I put each of them through;
Ravenwing Nessie:
-Skinned and quartered two raccoons
-Skinned and quartered a fox
-Prepared 15 meals, including dicing mushrooms, slicing tomatoes, sectioning beef, and mincing herbs
-Camp kitchen work (lifting pots off the fire, starting the fire, splitting kindling for fire, making quick additions to the kitchen like new pothangers, and the like)
All tasks were accomplished perfectly and required no switching over to other knives for the tasks. This is what I love Nessmuk style knives for, they are absolutely equipped for hunting and camp chores. The only place a Nessmuk in my opinion is not the perfect choice is in basic bushcraft (carving, toolmaking and other more laborious chores). The reason for such a statement is due to the extremely round belly, which is good for chopping and skinning tasks, is not in my honest opinion the best shape for a carving-oriented task.
Ravenwing Bushie:
-Split and feathered over 50 arm lengths of varied wood (cedar, spruce, poplar, maple, beech and others)
-Carved four manitoukenacs (our concept of lawn gnomes I suppose, but they are meant to guard the entrances to lodges).
-Made well over two dozen tent stakes, plus cutting 500 ft of parachute cord for making into guylines and other needed ropes.
-The making of tracking sticks and other required tools.
-Shaved my face
The only issue I came across with the Bushie, was when I tried to pry a piece of resinwood out of a dead spruce tree. This bent the tip, but I simply used a piece of firm cedar to baton it back into shape with no effort
Both knives accompanied me on a Search and Rescue (SAR) Course this past weekend, offered by Survival In The Bush Inc. in Markdale Ontario. While on the course I had to prepare wood for fires, as well as set camp. The Ravenwing Bushie performed so well, that foresters, police and the instructors themselves all gave their own admiration to "the little girl". Often on the course, the Bushie was compared to the big brutes many of them were carrying, plus the little pocket knives and multi-tools the others had. Interestingly, everytime it was compared, the conversation would draw quiet after anyone witnessed the cutting power of the Bushie in her element (The Canadian Woodland).
JonM was on the course and prior to setting out on the SAR course, said and I quote "Damn, that's nice". Seeing as he is a survival instructor from one of the most respected survival companies in Canada, I'm holding that as an endorsement.
The Nessie was seen several times when preparing fires and my meals. The Bushie was worn in an under-arm carry, and although it rained nearly all weekend, the leather sheathes of both knives held up well. On Tuesday, after a few days home, I checked the Bushie and noticed spot rust on her face. The Nessie had no such rust marks (but she remained at camp every day out of the rain except during cooking). I fixed up the Bushie by a gentle polishing with an SOS pad, followed by a thorough drying, and a few drops of oil on the handle and blade. She looks good as new now.
On a personal note, I've heard some jesting on Jojo's behalf about his handles. I can't speak for everyone, seeing as I have been told the UK gutting methods (or gralloching as you folks call it) may have some strict traditions of processing. But in all of my 12 years of skinning and processing Canadian Big Game (moose, elk, bear and deer), I have never found a better handle. I heard one gentleman slipped up on the blade. Again, perhaps this may just be how the knife is held, because how I grip a knife while skinning, it is physically impossible for my fingers to slip forward, finger grooves or no finger grooves.
The Nessmuk handle to me is perfect for when I am in deep swamp, trying to gut and quarter that one bull moose that seemed to think my arrow missed. The thickness allows me to hold onto it even with thick wool gloves, without slipping. As well, the shape allows me to guide the belly and point exactly where I want it, which I cannot say about straight handles, which remind me of a lever on a big gadget, rather than the handle of a precision tool.
To each their own I suppose, but to me, the Ravenwings are the perfect bush knives.. add a parang and I will be set for life.
-Oz
Really?
:tapedshut
