Yup, Nessmuk cut quite a figure as a popular writer of the outdoors. And he definitely has his own ways of doing things. Truth is I don't think either Nessmuk or Kephart really traveled extensively on foot as some great explorers. For instance, neither traveled anywhere near as far on foot and with as little gear over enormous landscapes as John Muir. Yet they were definitely great outdoorsmen and both excellent writers. The fact that their books are still in print is a great testament to that. And great books they are! I sent several out this year as Christmas presents.
Of course, you can't talk about Nessmuk without mentioning his cutlery and his ultralight canoes.
His knives and small axe are legendary amoung Nessmuk fans:
His canoes built by Rushton were as light as a feather:
Here's a bit of a more modern version of his cutlery. An Ablett, Reeves, and Dozier.
And a Bell Bucktail, named after Nessmuk's Bucktail originally built by Rushton.