- a Finnish American?
When I first introduced this knife, I described some of the history behind it. Nessmuk, as the model is called, is something as unique as a knife that forms the basis of a blade shape in the same way as, for example, a Kukri does. This specific interpretation of a North American classic comes from our eastern neighbor Finland. There you will find the company Brisa whose knives were previously also known under the name Enzo. The model is called Brisa Nessmuk 125.
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| Brisa Nessmuk 125 |
As I wrote in the introduction to Nessmuk, the story originates in a roughly 130-year-old book about carpentry and camping signed by Georg Washington Sears. A man who in many ways can be said to be the originator behind expressions such as "bushcraft", "wilderness survival" and "ultra light backpacking" as it is called in modern parlance.
Incidentally, the name Nessmuk means "wooden duck" in the Algonquin language and, according to history, is the name of a young man from the Narragansett tribe whom Sears befriended and who became his mentor when it comes to hunting, fishing, and outdoor life.
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| A North American classic in a Finnish version. The Scandinavian suit includes handles in Masur birch |
Twitter version: Brisa Nessmuk 125, an excellent outdoor knife from the land of lakes and forests in the east with influences from the west.
Blade
I stated above that it is the blade shape itself that makes a Nessmuk. That typical blade is wider at the front than at the handle and whose entire edge forms a long sweeping belly. Another thing that characterizes the blade is the upward-striving back which then falls down to meet the edge in a solid tip. For those who think they recognize the style, it is not so strange. This is what a typical butcher or carving knife looks like. The difference is that the Nessmuk blade is shorter*, thicker, and with a slightly different grind to be more all-around focused, read to be able to cut wood. The explanation for the shape is found in the fact that one of the patterns it's modeled after was classic skinning knives.
The blade length can as usual be derived from the name of the knife, 125 mm in this case. The height of the blade varies between 26-35 mm and the thickness is 3.5 mm. Sturdy without being unwieldy.
The typical blade shape is very flexible when it comes to use
The grind that Brisa chose is an "almost-Scandi", i.e. a high saber grind, but instead of having a "zero edge" like a true Scandinavian grind, there is a small primary edge here. It is there to relieve the steel during heavier work, I suspect. Namely, the knife has a nice grind that might otherwise be a bit sensitive. But the question is whether I will not remove it on the first real resharpening of the knife. This particular knife I don't feel is very well suited to chopping with in any case.
The steel found in this blade is well suited to the application. Brisa uses carbon steel in the form of 80CrV2. The finish itself is reminiscent of a "brute de forge" with its blackened parts and shinier edges. The color comes from the heat treatment process I suspect. One should be aware that the steel is not stainless. That said, I haven't had any major problems with staining the blade during the test period. However, the latter part of it has been really hot and dry. But the knife has also been tested in winter climates as I've had it for quite a while by now.
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| A common task for me is to "shave" throwing knife targets, i.e. remove material when there is too much loose material |
Something you may have in the back of your mind when approaching this knife is that the creator had an almost "Scandinavian approach" to equipment for outdoor life. That is, not a giant Bowie knife that would handle everything from subduing a bear or perhaps a human to skinning a buffalo and chopping wood. He preferred to use a smaller fixed-bladed knife, preferably supplemented with an ax and a small folding knife, and possibly also a saw. This approach permeates this design and guides the intended uses of this knife.
That's why I haven't engaged in "batoning", which means splitting more or less thick wood with your knife. Something that is otherwise popular these days, especially on Youtube. Possibly because it looks nice on film and shows that you are doing something. But as I said, if you have a small ax** with you, it feels completely superfluous. If you really want to knock on the knife, both the manufacturer's and my side recommend that you resharpen the edge.
On the other hand, I have, among other things, dedicated myself to creating firewood, making kindling, and the like for bonfires. Likewise, carving and cutting various things from wood. In those areas, this knife is really good. It is specially made to cut well but not to act as a wedge. When splitting wood, the high edge likes to bite into the wood instead of splitting it, if you know what I mean. When you have to engage in "feather sticking", something I'm not particularly good at, it takes some getting used to because of the edge angle, but then it goes well.
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| Brisa Nessmuk cuts very well in wood even if a fresh branch like this does not offer much resistance |
You can see what the knife is intended for when you approach meat, fish and vegetables, and other edibles. Cooking outdoors with the Nessmuk 125 is a joy. Among other things, the curved edge means that "rocking cuts" are possible and that there is no large finger guard that gets in the way. That the knife is good for skinning goes without saying with that blade shape. Now I haven't done it because I'm not a hunter, but I have, for example, removed the rind from whole sides of pork and it is made effortlessly.
Then Nessmuk has his hidden talents. One is that you can move your hand forward and hold the blade. It is something that is sympathetic in detailed work. The grip is also reminiscent of how many ancient cutting tools are used. The wide tip also works great as a butter knife! Just use the wide back of the blade and it works like a charm. The same applies when stirring a pot, for example. Then that part can be used without the knife tip getting in the way.
In addition to that, it can be added that the Nessmuk 125 has a relatively sharp 90-degree angle on the back, which makes it useful as a scraper, and to use with fire steel. However, I have rounded off parts of it, where I hold the knife in the blade and towards the tip so that it does not feel so sharp against the hand. In between, I have kept the sharpness to facilitate use together with fire steel.
Handle
Nessmuk 125, like many of Brisa's knives, can be had with a couple of different handle options. The more modern variants with Micarta didn't speak to me this time, as wood felt most right for the model. However, the birch used is stabilized so it is extremely durable. In addition, you get a stylish and personal pattern. The sides are attached with two brass rivets over a red spacer that adds a hint of color.
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| This knife has been fitted with a classic simple handle in stabilized Masur birch |
The handle is quite small, it must be admitted. It measures 11.2 cm in length which works in my hand but barely. I have size XL gloves if that means anything. For those with larger hands than that, and there are plenty of them, I think the handle is a bit too small. The thickness is otherwise 1.6 cm and the height 2.9 cm. It fills the hand reasonably well but is not one of the fullest. The surface of the handle is slightly slippery, but the shape is so good that it is not something I experience negatively. All surfaces are otherwise exemplary well ground and rounded. The finish is generally very high on Brisa's products is my experience and this knife is no exception.
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| All the regular grips work great with this handle shape |
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| The knife can also be used with a pinch grip or even be held in the blade when the task so requires |
The shape is simple, while the curvature is there to grab hold of. The handle swells slightly in the middle and towards the end, there is a "beak" which strongly contributes to a good grip. This means that all grips work and feel good, this also applies to reverse grips such as when carving towards the body. Then, as I said, there is the possibility of gripping the blade itself, which is a plus in this context. Holding the knife in the pinch grip and working close to the handle is also effective.
It can be added that the Nessmuk is a full tang knife which makes it extremely strong. Furthermore, the handle has been fitted with a brass tube for attaching a lanyard for those who use it. In addition to chopping, which this knife is not for, it can also be used when you are near water. Seeing your prized possession fall overboard and disappear into a lake is not an uplifting experience.
Sheath
Included in the package is a simple, sturdy leather sheath that can be had with or without a fire steel mount. This is the version without as you can see. The material is 2.8 mm thick leather sewn with a strong single stitch reinforced with a rivet at the opening.
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| A simple but solid sheath in heavy leather is standard |
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| The solution with double leather loops allows the knife to be carried high or low on the belt |
The fit is ok but is not perfect. The knife is a little loose, but that can be fixed by soaking the leather and wet forming it around the handle one more time. The sheath has at some point received criticism because it is not only possible but also quite easy to cut it when the knife is going back into the sheath. Regarding that, I say both yes and no. If you just try to put the knife back by pushing it straight down, there is not only that risk but even cutting the seam that holds the folded sheath together.
Instead, as with all knives of this type, I recommend that you let the back of the blade slide towards the front of the case when the knife is holstered. If you do so and use some caution there will be no problems.
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| The sheath is of the folded variety |
The attachment for the belt buckle is sewn at the top and riveted with double rivets at the bottom. Then an extra loop has been added for the belt. This means that Nessmuk can be worn both low and high on the belt, depending on preference. Personally, I prefer to use the dangler and let the knife sit lower. I don't like having handles that almost stab me in the side. It can certainly depend on how plump the wearer's figure is.
Conclusion
Do you like outdoor activities of various kinds? Buy a Brisa Nessmuk 125 is my advice! Yes, it's not the only candidate for the role, of course. Brisa themselves has several options such as the Brisa Trapper 115, just to name a few. Then there are all the other brands. But up there at the top among the foremost is this Finnish-American personality. A knife rooted in history with a modern touch. For example, the original didn't have a full tang and was probably fully flat ground, unlike this one. Yes, and then the Masur birch would not have been stabilized if it was made in the 19th century, of course.
This knife is excellent as an all-around knife, especially for camping life. It's clear that Sears knew what he was doing. The special shape means that the blade offers quite unique properties when it comes to use. It is revealed not least in outdoor cooking while also being a good knife for woodworking and, I suspect, hunting as well. It may not work as a fishing knife with its wide front and carbon steel. But I won't pretend that I know what I'm talking about, because I have no idea about fishing.
The materials are consistent of good quality. In addition, the knife is extremely well built with a fine finish and a well-stitched case in strong leather. Something I have come to expect from Brisa as it has so far been the case with all the knives I have from them.
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| Brisa has managed to supplement its Trapper 115 with another really good outdoor knife |
In addition to the fact that the steel may not be optimal near water and especially salt water, the Nesmuk 125 is also not the knife to split wood with. But I don't see that as a disadvantage. In my case, it's because I count this knife in a trinity that includes a small ax and a smaller folding knife. That combination feels unbeatable from a purely practical perspective. Especially if it is supplemented with a folding saw.
If you now prefer a completely different material in the handle, there is the option to custom-build your knife on Brisa's website for that extra personal touch. Otherwise, I think that this particular combination with the partly dark blade, Masur birch, and brown leather in the case is very attractive.
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| Brisa Nessmuk 125, in a forest by a lake, where it belongs! |
If you want to invest in a Brisa Nessmuk 125, you currently have to fork out around 140€ for this model and slightly less for the versions with Micarta handles. Then you can always contact them for a custom-built knife just for you, alternatively buy just the blade loose and build your knife yourself.
However you choose to do it, you get a very good companion in the forest or in the mountains. With this model, Brisa has created one of the better outdoor knives I have handled. Assuming you don't have giant hands of course.
Specification:
Total Length: 230 mm
Blade Length: 125 mm
Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm
Steel: 80CrV2
Weight: 169 g/ 282g without and with sheath weighed by me
Handle: Stabilized Birch
Sheath: Leather
Produced by Brisa, made in Finland
/ J
* Although Brisa will soon release a "Brisa BigMuk"
** I use a small belt ax from Karesuandokniven called Metsämies.
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