One thing I've enjoyed in dealing with Dale Howe is that he does not mind stepping outside his "comfort zone" when it comes to taking on a project. In fact he has done that for me several times. Consequently when I get a wild hair, Dale is one of the makers I call.

I've mentioned on several occasions that I've become enamored of the Nessmuk style blade. Probably about a year ago I asked Dale if he would consider taking on a "Nessmuk" or even a modified Nessmuk of the Loveless persuasion as a project. I sent him a few pix of the blade shape I was thinking of with the only caveat was that I wanted to use A2 steel. We kicked it around and he decided that it might be an enjoyable task.

Dale came up with a couple "protos". One was a typical Nessmuk shape, the other was "stretched" a bit. I liked both enough and asked if he would do one of each. After a few "mods", we finalized the shape. I had originally decided on black jigged G-10, but Dale mentioned that he had done a couple knives in "weathered elk", and that although hey were a time consuming "biiiitsch to do right, they sure looked swell. So off he went.

I got these a couple days ago and I could not be happier with the set.










I happened to have the head of a hoglet I’d snared a while back just a “chillin” on ice in the cooler. So what better way to ruin the collector value of a custom knife than boning out a hog skull.










ya!


GWB

And jest’ fer schitz n’ giggles…………





Dale told me that the blades tested at 62 Rockwell C.




I know that skinning out the heads was not a major workout for these blades but when you’re scraping on bone, lotsa times there will be micro-chipping.




Not with these babies!






Not too shabby. A touch-up and they will be toothy-sharp!


Thanks Dale!

ya!

GWB

Those are nice!

Congrats to both you and Dale on trying something new.

Thanks for the videos. Cyber gwb!

Sweet knives!

Todd

You should of been doing videos many moons ago.

Yep gotta love Dale. Great pics and vids GW, gonna order up the smaller edition...

Great pics of some beautiful blades. That weathered elk looks superb. My name is coming up pretty soon for a pair and I thought I had decided on the scale material. Now, I'm not so sure......grinnin'!

Awesome work Dale and congrats Gdub!

I've noticed you really like the Nessmuk style blade. They are starting to grow on me. How do they work as a good hunting knife for elk and deer? I'm strongly considering asking Gene Ingram to blatantly copy the set he made you as a gift for my dad.

This one got broken in on an axis I killed last month. Gotta love a Howe knife.
Bob

Excellent!!!!

Nice knives per usual GW.

The longer of the two, thinner stock?

Very nice Gee'.