Kephart, Pro Kephart, or Both??

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Howdy Fiddleback Folks,

Haven't been stopping by much. Was real busy up until December. Then got laid off via Email on the Friday before Chriatmas. Courageous soul my ex boss.

One door slamming shut blows another one open. I should be traveling to North Carolina in a few weeks to interview for a position that could be exciting. And it may very well leave me a decent amount woods time. In a smoking nice treed and mountainous region.

We're all knife nuts. And I'm no exception. This new job should allow me to open carry a fixie knife. Something that I haven't been able to do since my logging days. I'm very excited about that.

Somewhere along the line. I traded parts of my soul for the promise of higher incomes, and a better way of life. Turns out it was mostly higher stress, stupid long days, with never ending, and ever increasing sales quotas.

After a bit of soul searching. I have come to see my electronic downsizing as a blessing in disguise.

When I was young. I swore I'd never work any place I couldn't carry a fixed blade knife. I compromised on that promise to myself, and spent 18 years dealing with Corporate Sales Managers who would steal from their own mothers.

I never fit in, and I rarely tried. They never understood or appreciated my approach to sales. It seems telling the truth, and doing the right thing, is frowned upon these days. Even if you post some of the best numbers in the company.

At one place I worked. I broke the all time company sales record at just north of four million dollars. At our annual meeting they handed me an Applebees Gift card for fifty dollars. And proceeded to tell me. If I used it during happy hour "it would be like getting one hundred dollars"

I slid it back to them saying. Give it to the shop guys, so they can have a few beers after work. I was done two weeks later.

Enough about that!

New doors, new horizons, new challenges, New Knife??

I have way too many knives. How do I fix that?
Buy another knife.

Did I mentioned I was a bit deranged?

Owning knives, like life itself, is an evolution. The whole thing should be a learning experience. And in order to learn. You have to try. Like the toddler who picks up the wooden block and puts it in his mouth. He is testing. Trying things on for size. I consider myself only slightly more advanced than that toddler. And in some cases we may be on an even plane.

I seem to have accumulated draws ful of scandi knives. I have a few I really like. At least for woodworking. And that's the rub. They are great in wood. But not so much in potatoes, carrots, onions, and other media that needs slicing. Yes, they rock in wood. But in truth. Some of the best curls I have ever made were done with my trusty Buck Woodsman. (Woodsman, Who Knew?)

We live pretty simply. I don't have much overhead. I don't smoke, I do drink beer, but never go to bars, and I don't drink that much. We're not big vacation people. I already live in a wooded paradise. Where would I go?

I chuckle when I go "Camping" to meet my old and dear friends. I leave a quiet, secluded, peaceful haven. And arrive at a packed, loud, tent city. Sure I have fun. But I am always glad to return home.

About now. You are probably asking yourselves. Where the heck is he going with this?

My research, and general musings have convinced me. That I could probably unload a draw full of those scandi blades. With just the purchase of one Fiddleback Kephart.

Ironically Fiddleback popped back into my head doing research for the existence of the Brown Recluse in NC. I'm a northern boy. We don't have such creatures up here. Wolf spiders yes. But not the Recluse. Not a fan of the Recluse!

BMurray's excellent review of his Pro Kephart has helped solidify this thought process. Plus, I have long been aware of Brian's fondness for this blade as well. He and I both seem to share some affinity for certain knife design points. Like points for instance.

To be honest with all of you, and with myself. I want less knives. Way less Knives. And I'm not afraid to buy more knives to make that happen. Makes sense right?

Well at least in the Happy Valley Home for the Criminally Insane it does.

I haven't yet tried one of Andy's Production models. But the Pro Kephart looks the business. It looks not too big. Slicy, pointy, and more than tough enough. If I need to section rounds of Elm. I have axes for that. One thing I like about sub four inch knives is you can't beat them through ten inch logs.

I my mind's Eye, I'm looking for an EDC that fills the role of General Purpose knife. From Kitchen Table to Campfire, and everything in between. Just your basic do everything knife. And one that won't have me being mocked by some grizzled up old Mountaineer out of Kephart's own "Our Southern Highlanders"

So, Pro or Custom???.
I'm a pretty solid fan of A2. But the S35VN would be nice in an Every day carry for it's stain resistance.

Am I correct that Nathan builds the slabs for the Pro models?

Having owned several of Andy's Knives. I always find the fit and finish second to none. So much so. That I don't even worry about it with his knives.

So, all of that to say. I need feedback. Custom, or Pro or both?

How, why, what, and pictures of working knives is always good. Brian's reviews are always good because he uses his blades. I get a lot more info out of seeing a well used, less pretty knife, than a pristine safe queen.

Enlighten me!

And thanks,
LV,

P.S.
I guess that was a bit of a vent/rant.
Sorry about that.

 

Thanks guys!

With snow on the ground here six plus months a year. Grip is important. Perharps it will be less so in North Carolina. But that is far from a done deal at this point.

I have never held a Fiddleback that didn't impress me. I have a Leuku that hasn't seen the action it should have. But that has more to do with me than the capability of the knife.

The feedback above is solid and it makes sense.
LV,,

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'll have a look.

Edit to add;
Gonzo, but that's ok. I think I like the natuaral slabs more anyway.

Thanks for the efforts on my behalf!

 

Ok,Ok,
I caved.
Fiddleback Outpost just got an order for a NCM Field Grade Kephart.

I figure this is a good place to start with the Kephart. Now the wait begins. I hope I like mine half as much as Bmurray and Lady1911 like theirs.

This purchase will however trigger some other knives to be put on the block. Which in reality was the plan from the get go.

 

My Kephart Pro arrived safe and sound yesterday. Thanks to Fiddleback Outpost!

I think I like it. We are in the throes of a snow/ice storm here. So I haven't done too much yet.

It feels good in the hand. But, it plows snow really poorly.

The point is a tad thinner than I expected. But that's ok. I like the overall size and shape. The sheath is fine.

I did use it to make lunch today. Slices onions nicely, and had its way with some liverwurst and cheddar cheese too. All good.

 

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Thank you!

No photos of indoor stuff. My camera's flash gave up the ghost a few weeks back. So I'm relegated to outdoor photograpghy only at this point. Until I figure out what I want to replace it with.

Yes, ot does very well with peppers and onions. Chopping bacon, cheese is so so. But that's normal. Hard cheeses are fine. Softer ones like jack give a little feedback.

Still snowing here. I guess I'll just have to suck it up.