Condor Nessmuk Knife
Condor Nessmuk Knife

Vendor:Condor

Condor Nessmuk Knife

Sale price$72.25Regular price $85.99
Description

The Condor Nessmuk is a full-tang fixed blade knife with a 4.13" blasted satin 1075 high carbon steel blade, a walnut handle, and a black leather belt sheath. Its distinctive humped spine and high, curved belly follow the design George Washington Sears, writing as "Nessmuk," recommended to American outdoorsmen in the 1880s. At 8.75" overall and about half a pound, it's a light, classic camp and hunting knife.

Short and Sweet

  • Condor Nessmuk Knife (model CTK230-4HC)
  • 8.75" (22.23 cm) overall with a 4.13" (10.49 cm) blade
  • 1075 high carbon steel, about 1/8" thick, blasted satin finish
  • Traditional Nessmuk humpbacked blade profile
  • Full tang with walnut handle
  • Hand-crafted welted black leather belt sheath
  • Made in El Salvador
  • Condition: New

Nessmuk and the Art of Woodcraft

George Washington Sears was a Pennsylvania shoemaker, writer, and woodsman who wrote for Forest and Stream magazine under the name Nessmuk. In the early 1880s, he paddled the Adirondacks alone in ultralight canoes, and in 1884 he published Woodcraft, one of the first American guides to traveling light in the backcountry. He argued that a woodsman needed only three cutting tools: a small double-bit hatchet, a folding pocket knife, and a thin sheath knife with a humped blade like the one he carried. That sheath knife became known as the Nessmuk, and knifemakers have been building their own versions ever since.

Condor's Version

Condor Tool & Knife builds its Nessmuk in El Salvador, drawing on a knifemaking tradition that traces back to the Weyersberg brothers' Solingen workshop in 1787. The blade is 1075 high carbon steel about 1/8" thick, with a blasted satin finish that hides scratches and cuts glare. The Nessmuk shape puts a long, deep belly under a raised spine, which gives you a lot of curved edge for slicing and skinning in a short blade. The walnut handle is fitted over a full tang for strength. The knife rides in a hand-crafted, welted black leather sheath. Because it's carbon steel, wipe the blade dry after use and give it a light coat of oil.

Deer Camp and the Cook Fire

Hunters reach for the Nessmuk when skinning and caping deer, since the deep belly peels hide away without the tip digging in. Around camp, the same curve makes it a strong slicer for cutting meat, vegetables, and bread at the cook fire. Its thin, light build also makes it easy to carry on a belt all day, which is exactly what Sears wanted. The tip sits higher than on a standard drop point, so it takes a little getting used to for fine carving, but most owners find the shape grows on them quickly.

 

Hurry, only 5 items left in stock!

Pairs well with
Curious About Sizing?

Given the massive variety of clothing we carry, a standard sizing guide is incredibly helpful for customers seeking the best fit.

Please understand that surplus varies widely in fit and cut and this sizing chart is general advice rather than tailor-level fitting.

Nearly every military has different sizing charts and schemes, which is why we've taken the time to put together this brief tutorial.

 

Jacket & Shirt Sizing

In absence of an established military size chart, we measure each jacket or shirt from armpit to armpit to get a rough idea of how it fits. If a garment is between sizes, we mark it one size down. For example, if a shirt measures 19.75" from pit to pit, it is marked as a small rather than medium.

To measure pit to pit, close up your shirt or jacket and measure from armpit to armpit. 

This is our measurement guide that we use to measure garments without an existing military size chart:

14"-15" PtP = XXS

16-17" PtP = Extra Small

18"-19" PtP = Small

20-21" PtP = Medium

22-23" PtP = Large

24-25" PtP = Extra Large

26-27" PtP = XXL

28-29" PtP = 3XL

Pant Sizing

We typically convert pants to US waist and inseam sizes. If a pair of pants is between sizes, we mark it one size down. For example, if a pair of pants measures as a 33 waist, it is marked as a 32 waist.

To take these measurements we lay a pair of pants flat on the ground. We then measure across the waist and double the measurement. For example, if a pair of pants measures 16" across the waist it will fit a US 32 waist.

To determine inseam we measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the cuff. For example, it a pair of pants measures 30" from the crotch seam to the bottom of the cuff we will list it as a 30 inseam or 30L.

Surplus Condition Guide

  1. Unissued
  2. These items are brand new. They may sometimes exhibit signs of storage. They may be new in their original factory packaging, but most times will not be. 
  3. Issued; Good / Issued
  4. These items are in issued/used condition but are fully functional. This grade of surplus item may also exhibit signs of use such as stampings, small stains or general dirtiness.
  5. Issued items will not have missing or broken buttons, zippers or be missing any functional components unless noted as such in the product description. Any items you purchase that are marked as "Issued; Good" but exhibit these defects will be replaced free of charge by Americana Pipedream.
  6. Grade 2
  7. These items are in issued/used condition but have defects that impede function. This may include missing buttons, broken zippers, holes and tears. They may also be missing components.
  8. This is the lowest grade of surplus item that we carry and they are not eligible for returns or exchanges due to condition.
Prop 65 Warning

All products that are NOT INTENDED FOR CONSUMPTION OR NOT FOOD PRODUCTS fall under this warning:

“WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.” WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including arsenic, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.”

In stock! Ships within 3-5 business days, or we'll refund your shipping cost.

First-class customer service, guaranteed.

Free exchanges & returns.