Fiddleback Forge Pro-Kephart

[The Shatz]

Is the spine sharp enough for a ferro rod

 

[Mistwalker]

Is the spine sharp enough for a ferro rod

No, none of the Fiddleback Forge knives are. Andy was an engineer before being a knife maker, so I think intentionally adding a stress riser for steel to his knives when so few people in his market actually use the spines for sparking ferro rods is just not in his nature.

 

[Bmurray]

Is the spine sharp enough for a ferro rod

You can take it to a belt sander or dremnel a notch. They need a squared spine like the Cummings Blade Works

 

[Mistwalker]

You can take it to a belt sander or dremnel a notch. They need a squared spine like the Cummings Blade Works

Oh? My Cumming Bladeworks Bushmaster doesn't have a squared spine.

 

[NoRest]

My new CBW Trailmaster will throw sparks pretty good with its spine. Ive started several fires with it already. I normally use a striker but just wanted to test the knife and see what it was capable of.

 

[Bmurray]

My new CBW Trailmaster will throw sparks pretty good with its spine. Ive started several fires with it already. I normally use a striker but just wanted to test the knife and see what it was capable of.

I was told they were square

 

[Mistwalker]

Mine isn't chamfered or rounded much, just the sharp outside edge has been broken

 

[PolRoger]

The scales makes the pro better imo than the smooth rounded custom ones

I've handled a Pro-Kephart and will agree with you about the (3d textured) micarta scales providing good tactile feel and grip but still I have no real complaints regarding my Custom Shop Kephart.

 

[Mistwalker]

I've handled a Pro-Kephart and will agree with you about the (3d textured) micarta scales providing good tactile feel and grip but still I have no real complaints regarding my Custom Shop Kephart.

I haven't got any complaints about it either, I'd still like to trade you out of it

 

[cvarner13]

I've handled a Pro-Kephart and will agree with you about the (3d textured) micarta scales providing good tactile feel and grip but still I have no real complaints regarding my Custom Shop Kephart.

That is a great picture.

 

[cvarner13]

Awaiting the delivery of my pro kephart.

 

[cvarner13]

Update: I got the pro kephart today from DLT. I am impressed instantly you feel like the knife is an extension of your hand. It is such a well excuted light weight knife. You look at it and it doesnt really stand out. Micarta scales, S-35V, stone wash finish. If you want a light user, that you want to put to work and not baby this is a great option. Bmurray knows his knives, thank you sir.

 

[Bmurray]

Congrats brother I a fine knife.

 

[Bmurray]

The only knife that I currently have a spare of.

 

[Kalsu]

I am going to be ordering one of these very soon. I can't decide between the natural or grey. I am leaning towards grey. When I get the knife it will be headed to get a kydex sheath made for it. I can see this knife riding around in my daily carry "go" bag and definitely being used out in the woods. I am interested to compare it to my Bushfinger.

 

[Bmurray]

Here you can see the thicker bladed pro-bushfinger is actually thinner in the grip than the pro-kephart. Yes it’s a bit taller but just not as comfortable. I may order some thin liner material to thicken the grip just to see what it does.

 

[MMatt]

Here you can see the thicker bladed pro-bushfinger is actually thinner in the grip than the pro-kephart. Yes it’s a bit taller but just not as comfortable. I may order some thin liner material to thicken the grip just to see what it does.

I picked one up when they were first released along with a set of black G10 liners from USAMadeBlade. Even though the liners were thin they made a world of difference in terms of comfort for me. I'm looking forward to finally receiving a Pro Kephart on Fri!

 

[Lady1911]

A few thoughts on the Pro-Kephart....

First, I’d like to say that my go to “Bushcraft” knives in the past have not been Fiddlebacks. Although I always have my OSL on me when camping (or a Hiking Buddy which is strapped to my backpack), when it comes to preparing wood for fires, I’ve generally used a Bark River Bravo, Benchmade Bushcrafter, or LT Wright Genesis. The Pro-kephart, I predict, will soon take the place of those, or at least get top spot in the rotation.

Today, my faithful companion Spot and I went for a walk in the woods to try out the new Pro-Kephart. My first impression of the blade was that I love the shape of it. Really, it has an excellent belly and lots of cutting edge. The next thing I noticed was how large the handle felt in my hand, but it filled in all the right spots. The handle is a bit long for me and could probably be a smidge skinnier, but the shape is right on. For most guys, this won’t be an issue.




Next, I batoned some wood for a fire and shaved some fatwood. Absolutely stellar performance. It was easy to hold on to, and the natural canvas scales provide an amazing grip. I could easily make large slivers or tiny curls of fatwood, and I found myself using almost all of the blade length while whittling and whatnot. The grind really shines here, never getting ‘hung up’ on sticky, resinous fatwood, and able to make shallow or deep cuts easily. The tip is fantastic as well...used it to gouge a little hole in which to put my acorn cap full of shaved fatwood. After a while, I could feel that my thumbs were getting sore from pushing on the 1/8” spine, but I was intentionally doing much more today than I normally would if prepping a campfire.





The spine is not sharp enough to strike a Ferro Rod, but that’s not a big deal for me.




Oh, and the handle ergonomics are great. No fatigue in the palm or wrist. As I mentioned, it feels slightly fat in my hand, but this was not noticeable once I got to work, so that tells me it’s right where it needs to be. The blade steel barely shows any evidence of today’s outing, as brief as it was.


Overall, I am pleased and maybe even a little surprised at how much I like the Pro-Kephart. Right or wrong, I am way more comfortable using it to baton (or dig or gouge, etc) than I would be with the beloved Ladyfinger. I have confidence that it can handle whatever I will throw at it. It’s a great all-purpose option. Thanks to Bmurray for the recommendation, and thanks to Andy and crew for making such a quality knife.

 

[Odaon]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures Lady1911 I haven't had the chance to play with the pro-Kephart, but I've owned and gifted a pro-Puukko and Hiking Buddy, both of which are very nice, I can understand why the Kephart would be a great knife as well.

I'll be picking up a Cumming Bladeworks Trailmaster soon which I'm very excited to try out, I think it'll fill the same role that the pro-Kep fills for you, the "not so afraid to actually really use it role". I definitely use my OS Lady, but I'm also ginger with her. Leaving the splitting to the axes, or the really tough game processing to the replaceable blade knives. I know that's silly, but I still do it... because I can.

 

[Bmurray]

Excellent review Chris. You should also put this one in the main knife review forum.