Knives by Nuge Bruin | RECOIL OFFGRID

Knives by Nuge is a set blade maker out of New Jersey recognized for making laborious use mounted blades. His Wicket line has been wildly in style for the higher a part of 2 years with each open air folks and EDC customers. The Wicket was initially designed as a small neck knife however has advanced to incorporate an XL model that’s nonetheless pocket pleasant and Massive Boi for full sized bushcraft use.  The success of the Wicket has allowed Knives by Nuge to department out and convey again older designs just like the Chickpea and introduce new designs just like the Bruin we shall be at the moment.

Above: The Knives by Nuge Wicket, Wicket XL, and Massive Boi

Knives by Nuge Bruin Origins

In keeping with Tom Nugent, proprietor of Knives by Nuge, the design thought for the Bruin got here to him when he was processing a deer along with his Wicket XL and wanted a bit extra attain. Taking some inspiration from two discontinued designs referred to as the EDB and the Bushcrafter, Tom got down to create a devoted searching mounted blade with an ergonomic deal with design, a great slicing stomach, and sufficient blade size to get into the deeper cavities of a bigger animal.

Like most KNB designs, Tom additionally wished to make sure that the knife was straightforward to hold and wouldn’t get in the best way when shifting by means of the woods. Like all his designs, Tom had some trusted outside specialists try it out in actual life use eventualities. By way of the testing course of, he obtained a number of constructive suggestions on the Bruin’s outside prowess, not simply as a searching knife but additionally as a bushcraft model knife, and he finally determined to supply the knife in each a saber grind and in a standard scandi grind.

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Knives by Nuge launched the Bruin this 12 months on the Georgia Bushcraft Fall Gathering and I acquired the chance to seize one of many first scandi grind variations in CPM-3V tremendous metal.  As I spend a great deal of time within the woods doing bushcraft associated duties its laborious to withstand a scandi grind particularly when it’s mixed with an excellent powerful metal like 3V!

Above: The Knives by Nuge Bruin with G10 scales, a scandi grind and CPM-3V tremendous metal.

Knives by Nuge Bruin Design

The Bruin’s 3.75-inch blade is greater than sufficient for sport processing duties and a majority of your typical outside and bushcraft duties. The stomach permits it to successfully carry out slicing duties from processing sport to prepping a camp meal. Whereas many would argue the saber grind is a greater possibility for slicing, the three/32 inch blade inventory mixed with KBN’s sharp scandi grind did simply high-quality once I used to chop meat, fruit and greens.

The Bruin’s backbone has a 90-degree angle permitting it for use for placing a ferro rod or performing wooden scraping duties, so that you gained’t have to probably boring or harm your blade to get your fireplace began.

The blade level does an excellent job piercing whereas nonetheless having sufficient materials behind it to forestall unintentional breakage, particularly when mixed with powerful metal choices. Talking of powerful metal decisions, this makes the Bruin very best for laborious use duties reminiscent of batoning wooden even with a comparatively small blade and thinner inventory.

The Bruin’s deal with is ergonomic with some contouring for grip making it snug over long run use with a hammer grip and performing push cuts. There are scalloped areas closest to the blade that enable for a pinch grip when doing detailed work. The butt of the deal with has a slight flare that helps stop slipping when the Bruin is moist or coated in blood.

Bruin Specs

• General Size: 8.00 inches
• Blade Size: 3.75 inches
• Deal with Size: 4.25 inches
• Blade Grind: Saber or Scandi
• Metal Choices: AEB-L, Nitro-V, CPM-3V
• Deal with Supplies: G10 or Micarta

Bruin Carry Choices

The Bruin I acquired got here with a customized made Kydex pocket sheath and Tom was variety sufficient to additionally give me one of many prototype leather-based belt sheaths made by Badger Claw Outfitters.

Above: The Customized made Kydex Pocket Sheath, makes a for a really slim package deal.

Kydex Pocket Sheath

The Kydex sheath is ambidextrous, permitting the knife to be inserted into the sheath in with the sting dealing with both path. The knife is held in by a friction match that’s safe sufficient to forestall the knife from falling out, even once I tried to aggressively shake it, however nonetheless enable for simple draw. The pocket clip is made by Discreet Carry Ideas and has distinctive retention. There’s a small drainage gap on the underside of the sheath to permit water to exit the sheath ought to it get in.

Primarily based on the dimensions of the Bruin, I used to be a bit skeptical of the consolation of carrying it in my pocket, however I used to be pleasantly stunned that the full-sized knife not solely slot in my pocket it did some comfortably and I used to be even capable of put different gadgets like my cellphone in the identical pocket.

Above: The non-compulsory Badger Claw Outfitters leather-based belt sheath is a superb selection for conventional carry.

Leather-based Belt Sheath

If you’re searching for a extra conventional carry possibility, the leather-based belt sheath is a wonderful possibility. The leather-based belt sheath made by Badger Claw Outfitters is produced from Loopy Horse Leather-based, and in my expertise solely appears higher with age! The Bruin sits snuggly within the sheath, with simply sufficient deal with uncovered for good buy to attract the knife. The belt loop is giant sufficient to accommodate vast belts and might simply settle for a dangler do you have to need it to journey a bit decrease.

Ultimate Ideas

Whereas my utilization time on the Knives by Nuge Bruin is restricted, I’m impressed with the design. By way of a weekend of use whereas tenting in addition to placing it to work as an EDC knife for just a few days, and it carried out admirably in all duties. For outside use the Bruin looks like it matches the invoice for an all-purpose area knife that may deal with searching, fishing, camp and bushcraft duties effectively. For EDC, it’s an excellent knife if you’re searching for a simple to hold full sized knife, that the general dimension just isn’t so obvious to others because of the pocket sheath.

The primary batch of Bruin’s shall be out there on knivesbynuge.com on Friday, November 15^th 2024. Because the Bruin is handmade, provides are restricted!

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Written by Nick Italiano