Big Chris S90V Kephart

[Brian_T]

(Click thumbnails for larger image)


I got a knife yesterday from knifemaker Chris Berry (chrisber) of Louisville, KY.

It's a Kephart pattern done up in S90V--a traditional pattern with space age materials. This is, in my opinion, an interesting idea and one that he's done before, (I've seen a Nessmuk in 3V that he did up,) and I think he should probably do again.

I will admit to being more unfamiliar with S90V than I'd like but I do know it's made by Crucible Steel, has 9% Vanadium, and is supposed to be very wear- and corrosion-resistant.

Specs:
.156" thick S90V
60 RC
4.5" blade
9" OAL
OD Green G10 handles over yellow liners
Stainless Pins and lanyard tube

This isn't, however, a post about S90V. It's about the knife (see those yellow liners?)

The Kephart is a pattern that I like because it's so darned useful, the handle is nice and comfy in the hand in a variety of grips, and it balances well. This one by Big Chris is no exception. It'll handle hunting duty, bushcrafting, kitchen work, and more without missing a hitch.

Fit and finish on this one is really good and there are no high or low spots that I can see or feel. It've very comfortable in the hand as I would expect a Kephart to be and the blade is squared where I want it squared and rounded where I want it rounded. Clearly, Big Chris and I are on the same page when it comes to this design.

Now I got this late yesterday so it didn't get put to work (plus I wanted to get some pictures BEFORE I started to get it dirty) but now it's going to have to earn a place on my belt and in my hand. The good news is there is PLENTY of knife work that needs to be done from processing a 12-pound pork belly to opening boxes to the mundane tasks of picking splinters, trimming nails, and opening envelopes.

The best part of the whole package? I think it could well be the fact that it was less than $200 to my door.

High end CPM steel, G10 handles, a hand-stitched leather sheath, and a timeless traditional design...I like it.

I'll have more to add here as soon as I start the cuttin'.

Thanks for reading,


B

 

[jwolf90]

Nice knife and for the price I think you got one hell of a knife. I have a para2 in s90v and that thing holds its edge like crazy. I like the price point so much I think I'll be looking into one of those!:thumbup:

 

[Brian_T]

I used it yesterday to take down a 12-pound pork belly and it never missed a beat. It's thin enough and sharp enough to get me between the spare ribs and the belly meat without taking too much from either.

That's important because we don't want skinny ribs and we don't want to lose any meat from the belly either.

Pork belly isn't much of a test of edge retention but it was what needed doing yesterday and so the Kephart was the blade of the day.

More to come...

B