An inexpensive Kephart option. (Old Hickory Mod)

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
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I have been wanting to modify an Old Hickory for some time - and finally got around to it. I used a vintage 7 inch Old Hick bought from 'the bay'.

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I traced my ML Knives Kephart blade onto a piece of card stock and transferred this over to the Old Hick Blade (being sure to keep the tip located in the middle of the blade. I used a cut off wheel on my dremel and while submerging it in a pie plate of water (to keep it cool) I rough cut the shape I wanted. I used a 220 then 330 grit belt in an inexpensive belt grinder (a Home Depot brand that was given to me) and took off the flat platen to convex the edge. I took my time and got it pretty close to how I wanted it. I then used hand wet - dry sand paper to finish off the blade.

I used the knife like this (the oak scales where in great shape) for some time before replacing the scales. I was VERY happy with the performance - so I spent some time making it more comfortable.

First - I took the scales off using a 1/8th drill bit and slowly drilled out the brass rivets. I then submerged the blade in vinegar over night and cleaned up any rust on the tang or the rest of the blade.

I know a man locally (a bowl maker) who will horse trade me for good wood - so I acquired a small chunk of Osage Orange from him. He planed them down for me to about 5/8th inch and flat. I shaped the front of the scales first on my sander then used 10 ton clear epoxy and affixed one scale to one side of the tang and then drilled out two holes for new brass pins (1/8th). I then epoxied on the other scale and drilled it out for pins. I used a cheapie scroll saw and trimmed off the excess on the scales and then used my belt sander to rough the shape. I then hand sanded the shape to about where I wanted it and then epoxied in two brass pins (brass rod from hardware store). I let this dry - then filed back the pins and then finish sanded the whole thing (400 grit). I dampened the scales just a bit to raise the grain then finish sanded again. I then rubbed on one thin coat of 'rub on' poly (minwax).

Here is the final result:

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For my second attempt at scales - and my first attempt at a blade modification like this - I am VERY happy. I really think this would be a heck of a knife in the bush for almost anyone. It is admittedly, a bit softer, not as thick, or as elegant as my ML Kephart - but it works really hard. I would not leave this girl home if it were the only knife in my kit.

Now to make a sheath for her.

If anyone is interested - I can do a 'how to' on this modification and the making of the sheath if wanted.

Thanks for looking,

TF
 
Looks good! When I was younger and did a lot of hanging out with the local Mt Man groups, I did a lot of cutting with modded Ontarios. They are very nice quality knives :)
 
Holy cow dude, that's awesome!

I acquired my first Old Hickory knife for my wife's grandmother. Now I may just have the project for it.......
 
fine work. I don't necessarily agree with the design or intent, but craftsmanship, nonetheless.
 
Nice mod, Old Hickorys are fun to play with and the older ones had great steel.
 
Very cool. The new old hickories probably wouldn't work as well due to the half tang and much thinner blades. They just wouldn't stand up to bushcrafting. I might need to get an older one to try that.
 
I just never saw any point in the "tarzan" approach to knives. Most of the things guys try to do with knives, the knives are very ill suited to accomplishing, or those things don't need doing in the first place. Native Americans and other primitives survived for thousands of years without being able to "baton" any wood, or pry with their stone knives. :-)
 
bonee said:
I just never saw any point in the "tarzan" approach to knives. Most of the things guys try to do with knives, the knives are very ill suited to accomplishing, or those things don't need doing in the first place. Native Americans and other primitives survived for thousands of years without being able to "baton" any wood, or pry with their stone knives. :-)
Click to expand...

no they used stone adzes, stone axes, stone hammers, antler wedges, and fire hardened wood wedges, and in some places hammered copper.

BUT, once they got hold of steel it only took a couple generations to forego the stone age and forget how to do all those things they had done for thousands of years.

My guess is batoning was something that was practiced by them, at least the use of the fro was known to them so batoning a knife would have been an option.

The point, its their knife, hell I carve stone with some of mine. key word in that sentence is "mine".

have fun.

nice work on the knife, osage was a good choice, the older it gets the better it looks.
 
Wait. Gruntmedik - are you Marine Corps or a Corpsman? Either way - all a brother had to do was ask. I will do one and publish it - even if just you read it.

Semper Gumby,

TF
 
Last thing I need is another project; but you did so good on yours you inspired me to pick up an older Old Hickory 7" to mod similarly. Good work on yours. I'll look forward to seeing more from you.
 
That is an awesome design and the craftsmanship is outstanding. I'd appreciate a tutorial. Thanks!!
 
Talfuchre said:
Wait. Gruntmedik - are you Marine Corps or a Corpsman? Either way - all a brother had to do was ask. I will do one and publish it - even if just you read it.

Semper Gumby,

TF
Click to expand...

I was a Grunt in the USMC, 0331 to be exact. After I got out, I got into the healthcare field. I have been a Paramedic for several years, flying the last 12 of them.

I look forward to the tutorial, as I have enjoyed your previous works.

And I shall remain Always Flexible. :)
 
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