JK Kephart

[outdoorsfan]

I received my Kephart from John (Stomper here on BF) a few weeks back and wanted to share my impressions of the knife so far..

First, a few photos...

The Kephart pattern and its origins is probably familiar to many here. In case you are not familiar, the Kephart was originally design by noted outdoorsman and author Horace Kephart as a general purpose outdoor blade that could fill the role of do-all belt knife. The Kephart knife has a straight, spear pointed blade of roughly 4.5" with a handle of the same length. The JK Kephart holds true to the design with an O1 steel blade of 4 3/8" and handle of the same length.

The pattern is intended to offer a balance of shape and purpose that fulfills a variety of duties. I have handled several non-task specific, generalist type blades before and many times they will do many things but don't seem to do anything particularly well. The Kephart is an exception to that experience. I have used the Kephart for numerous, varied tasks. In the kitchen, it has cut and processed meat, fruits and vegetables with ease. In the garden, it has trimmed radishes, salad greens, flowers and bushes. It has cut string and rope, notches and fuzz sticks, even done some light baton and wood processing. I have not found a task so far that it has not done well. Oddly, when in the kitchen, I noticed that the Kephart and my wife's all time, all around favorite kitchen knife (a Vic) were oddly similar....

 

[outdoorsfan]

Kephart shunned larger knives for field use, instead preferring a knife in the 4-5" range.

A size comparison for reference, from top to bottom:

ESEE RC 6
Buck Special
CS "Carbon V" Master Hunter
JK Kephart

The knife has a handle heavy balance, which gives a solid and confident feel in the hand and seems to reduce fatigue with use and aid in snap cutting. The orange G10 handle scales are smooth, but not to the point that the knife feels hard to control.

An in hand shot.....

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af127/outdoorsfan/Misc%20knife%20pics/DSC03491.jpg[IMG]

While not the first custom knife I have owned, this is the first custom knife that I have purchased directly from the maker. Dealing with John was a truly enjoyable experience. He is quick to respond, dependable and I was nothing but pleased. The knife inspires confidence in its construction and the workmanship is excellent. Grinds are clean and even, scales flat and square, delivered with a beautiful convexed edge. While the knife shows a high level of workmanship, it retains that unique, hand wrought quality that can be lost in micro tolerances and CNC machined lines. For lack of a better term, it has a personality, maybe even a soul.

[IMG]http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af127/outdoorsfan/JK%20Kephart/JK2003.jpg

 

[mqqn]

Hi outdoorsfan -

Very nice review of a great knife!

I love my Keppie, and use it often in the kitchen and I take it with me in the woods most times - it seems just right, not too big, not too small.

You put it in a way I never thought of, but you are right, Stompers knives have a personality - a soul!

Thanks for the review and pictures!

best regards -

mqqn

 

[JK Knives]

Nice review and photos! :thumbup: