Kephart?

JK Knives

JK Knives

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Anybody still like to use more traditional knives in the woods? I thought I would share my newest Kephart design. I think this one is much closer to the one that Horace Kephart carried. It`s 9" overall, with a 4 1/2" blade of 1/8" O1 steel. This one has torched curly maple handles. What do you think?

 
Looks great. How long is the part of the handle that's useful (right at the first pin)? I'm guessing 4.5 inches which is a good length as some makers make the handle shorter than it should be. I like the tip design too. Looks like a combo spear/drop point. What would you sell this for?
 
About 4 1/4 ". I can't discuss price here, go to my forum in the makers section.
 
I've been using a Kephart off and on for that past several months. I think it is a rather homely design, but I have found that I really enjoy using it, and I really like your rendition.
 
Can't go wrong with the venerable Kephart design. I kinda think of the Loveless drop-point design as a refined Kephart.
(BTW, that Keppie looks outstanding, JK)

I just popped out into the garage and pulled this early model JK out of my motorcycle saddle bag:



Look familiar?

Don't let the grime and patina fool ya; she's hair popping sharp. While she may look a little road weary and less pretty than a new model, she's got thousands of miles of adventure under her belt-sheath.
 
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That looks great. I love mine. However, I don't get much woods time anymore. Here's some backyard time from this summer. I had just polished the patina off of the blade.
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Very nice!

Kepharts are quite versatile. From fire making to deconstructing a watermelon, the Kephart design always seems to perform nicely. I think the combination of a good run of straight edge, a decent belly, and a strong point makes this design fairly universal.
 
Rotte said:
Can't go wrong with the venerable Kephart design. I kinda think of the Loveless drop-point design as a refined Kephart.
(BTW, that Keppie looks outstanding, JK)

I just popped out into the garage and pulled this early model JK out of my motorcycle saddle bag

-SNIP-

Don't let the grime and patina fool ya; she's hair popping sharp. While she may look a little road weary and less pretty than a new model, she's got thousands of miles of adventure under her belt-sheath.
Click to expand...
That blade & patina looks great.
 
I Have a Condor Kephart is in the vise right now with Irish Bog Oak scales with copper pins epoxied on
 
Finished a mini version this morning. About 6 1/2" overall, with a 3" blade of 1/8" O1 steel. This one has birdseye maple handles.

 


Here is an older one I had, I miss this one. The only reason I sold it was I would have preferred that the grip didn't thin out as much near the choil area. I prefer the Kephart style that has the same thickness till the guard area flares out. It's just more comfortable, and your newer one looks like you changed that a bit.
 
This one by Bryan Breeden is my all time favorite, never did get one of these though !

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In these pics I used the Elk Antler Kephart for splitting a Birch tree branch and then made up some fuzz sticks and carved a notch in one of the sticks.


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Both cut great, quite similar actually, but I still have slightly more control over the Kephart as yet due to more time spent using it.
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I do have one from ML Knives though which I love. Here is an old thread where I compare it to another knife.

I'd mentioned in another post how my Breeden Woody reminded me of a big Kephart so today I thought I'd take a few pics comparing them side by side.

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I this pic I lined them up so the front hand positions were in line, doing this shows just how much extra hand room is on the Woody !

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That one you made looks awesome John, I also like your mini's !
 
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