First Forged Knife - Nessmuk

[Runestone]

Hi all,

I've been doing stock removal knives for a wee while now and thought that it was time to up the game a bit and forge the whole thing. I had my ex-BBQ forge, a 2lb ball pein hammer and an anvil made out of a sledge hammer head fixed into a leylandii stump

Steel is 3mm thick O1 flat stock and the blade is 4 inches long. The bolster is mild steel and the antler crown was bought from highland horn who were excellent to deal with.

I was hankering after a nessie for a while and I'm quite pleased with it. the antler makes it heavier than my wood handled knives. When I started, I planned to remove the hair and the tine from the antler crown but ended up leaving it on. It actually fits very comfortably into the hand as well.

Not so happy with the sheath though, the leather is thin and plan on redoing it when I get my hands on some thick stuff.

Comments appreciated

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Everything Mac]

I think the blade looks really good - especially for your first forged blade.

Though that bump in the handle really ruins the lines for me. If you removed it and smooth it over it would make the handle much more comfortable to use IMO.

All the best
Andy

 

[AndyAD]

Well done on your first forged blade!
Nice blade but i have to agree with Mac about that bump! Sand that down and it will fit the hand much better!

 

[Runestone]

Thanks for the comments guys.

The same thoughts did occur to me about the hump. The original intention was to sand it down and make a "classic" nessmuk like the one in the Sears' woodcut. but it just fits so well in my hand I decided to leave it. My hand kind of moulds around it.

Granted, it probably will restrict the variety of grips I can use the knife with, but Ill keep the knife as a user for a while and see how I get on with it. I can always sand it off later if I find it gets in the way.

Cheers,

Chris

 

[Gill]

I think the blade looks really good - especially for your first forged blade.

Though that bump in the handle really ruins the lines for me. If you removed it and smooth it over it would make the handle much more comfortable to use IMO.

All the best
Andy

I agree with that it would look a lot better without it .But very nice .