Kephart Knife DIY Old Hickory Project

DgitlRedBeard

DgitlRedBeard

Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Messages
211
Here is how to make a Kephart style knife from an Old Hickory butcher knife.

[video=youtube_share;8ziV3R9Jcro]http://youtu.be/8ziV3R9Jcro[/video]

UPDATE (Quick comparison with the Mora Clipper and field test)

[video=youtube_share;4E0XnYR9OZc]http://youtu.be/4E0XnYR9OZc[/video]

UPDATE (Here is the knife with a new set of handle scales)

[video=youtube;s-MhQasRzQ8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-MhQasRzQ8&feature=share&list=UUTLFBzHUw9k2QWS3nnGzAzw[/video]

The Old Hickory seven inch butcher knife is a great knife to modify. It is cheap ($10) and is made of .09" thick 1095 steel. I was looking for an equivalent Kephart style knife, with a convex grind to the Mora. I came across the Condor Kephart, which seems to be a pretty good knife, but I decided instead to Modify an Old Hickory for fun. I have seen videos and post of others doing the same and decided this could be practice, for making my own knife. The new Kaphart Old Hickory is just under 9 inches now with a 4.25 inch blade.

I have not made a field test video yet but will in the near future. I am interested to see how it will hold up to some basic bushcraft tasks.

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Kephart.jpg
 
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That's awesome! I often look at big inexpensive knives and think of remaking them.

Good job, and I'll keep my eyes open for one of those OH knives. I always do when I'm at the swap meet but haven't lucked out yet.

Xander! Where ya been? :)
 
Here is a quick video where I compare the Old Hickory modified Kephart knife and the Mora Clipper.

[video=youtube_share;4E0XnYR9OZc]http://youtu.be/4E0XnYR9OZc[/video]

For a high value bushcraft knife it would be hard to beat either of these knives. Everyone here is well versed in the virtues of the Mora knives. I myself have six or seven. With a few hours of modification the Old Hickory Seven Inch Butcher knife compared quite well with the Mora.
 
Nicely done. I have a couple OH knives, may have to work up some designs and mod them! Thanks for sharing.
 
Looks like a great knife mod. I was wondering if the grinding affected the heat treatment at all? It looked like you had a small container of water for cooling the blade as you grinded it down?
 
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