Photos Kepharts...They just Work

[Uncle Timbo]

Good job. He made this one available to y’all. I am genuinely happy for you and for him! H Kephart was a gem, whichever place from which you hail. So is E Becker.

I can’t get one, realistically, at this point. Import duty [tariffs]. Been around forever, in my memory. It is something of a sprint run for international customers. I like my custom. That was my consolation prize to myself.

Pilsner - something tells me your on the other side of the Atlantic?
There is nothing wrong with your version. It sounds like you're fortunate to have it?

 

[Uncle Timbo]

That knife is much like the Condor Bushlore in terms of blade shape and a pretty functional blade in my opinion. You said you have a BK-62 coming.... are they back to Out of Stock and back to pre-orders? That is what I did and I guess I got one from the second batch that Kabar shipped out to the dealers (Tomars).

22R - I do not have a Becker coming....yet.
I have 2 customs and another on the way. I really need to shed the one in my 2nd post here. I'm not made of money. Then I can buy a Becker.

 

[lambertiana]

I have one Kephart, from Ray Laconico

 

[jdm61]

Did Colclesser Brothers make the original 4.5 inch knives for Kephart?

To the curious about historical discrepancies, Kephart’s original description of his perfect sheath knife was to have a 4 1/2 inch blade on a 4 1/2 inch handle. The Colclesser production versions were produced in 4 and 5 inch sizes. Therin lies the rub.

 

[marchone]

Did Colclesser Brothers make the original 4.5 inch knives for Kephart?

I have not read of any 4.5-inch Kephart knives being produced. Here is the original ad.

It appears the Becker-owned Kephart is a 5" model. Photos are contained in this thread. See the rulers.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the-knife-that-horace-kephart-created.1496191/

 

[Pilsner]

Pilsner - something tells me your on the other side of the Atlantic?
There is nothing wrong with your version. It sounds like you're fortunate to have it?

Correct! Yes, it is lovely, you’re right. I’m still hoping that the Becker eventually makes its way to these shores as I’m, well, curious!

 

[leghog]

Being a hillbilly from WV, I THOUGHT I knew about knives, and I did. But I didn't know about the finer steel before coming to BF. Back then I was happy with an Uncle Henry or a Tree Brand stockman.
Damn this place.
I also learned about the Kephart here. I was privy when Becker was just thinking about producing a Kephart.

I'm still happy with an Uncle Henry or Tree Brand stockman. Truth on the matter, I prefer the Schrade/Ulster heat treated 1095 as it is excellent blade steel for pocket knives, particularly in those old blade designs.

 

[Bad Ninja]

I have not read of any 4.5-inch Kephart knives being produced. Here is the original ad.

It appears the Becker-owned Kephart is a 5" model. Photos are contained in this thread. See the rulers.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the-knife-that-horace-kephart-created.1496191/

It was my understanding that the original knife made for Horace Kephart was 4/4.
The 5/5 model was offered by Colclesser, due to the popularity of Kephart, as an alternative.

It's also my understanding that Ethan actually has an original C Bros. Kephart.

(Ethan's Original Colclesser Kephart knife)

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Correct! Yes, it is lovely, you’re right. I’m still hoping that the Becker eventually makes its way to these shores as I’m, well, curious!

I know what you mean brother. I want one too.
Never, ever, have I wanted a knife style like I do with the Kephart. Ethan coined it right when he said, it just works.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

It was my understanding that the original knife made for Horace Kephart was 4/4.
The 5/5 model was offered by Colclesser, due to the popularity of Kephart, as an alternative.

It's also my understanding that Ethan actually has an original C Bros. Kephart.

(Ethan's Original Colclesser Kephart knife)

BN - you are correct about Ethan.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I'm still happy with an Uncle Henry or Tree Brand stockman. Truth on the matter, I prefer the Schrade/Ulster heat treated 1095 as it is excellent blade steel for pocket knives, particularly in those old blade designs.

God bless you brother. I remember those days. I had more disposable income in my pocket! How have you not resisted the impulse to buy any of the newer stuff out there?
When I saw this one from GEC, I had to have one. I love the patina from usage. Also the micarta slabs. It just has everything I love in a stockman styled knife. I think they call this one the Calf Roper.

 

[Pilsner]

'On the subject of hunting knives I am tempted to be diffuse. In my green and callow days (perhaps not yet over) I tried nearly everything in the knife line from a shoemaker's skiver to a machete, and I had knives made to order. The conventional hunting knife is, or was until quite recently, of the familiar dime-novel pattern invented by Colonel Bowie. Such a knife is too thick and clumsy to whittle with, much too thick for a good skinning knife, and too sharply pointed to cook and eat with. It is always tempered too hard. When put to rough service for which it is supposed to be intended, as in cutting through the ossified ribs of an old buck, it is an even bet that out will come a nick as big as a saw-tooth - and Sheridan forty miles from a grindstone! Such a knife is shaped expressly for stabbing, which is about the very last thing that a woodsman ever has occasion to do, our lamented grand-mothers to the contrary notwithstanding.

A camper has use for a common-sense sheath-knife, sometimes for dressing big game, but oftener for such homely work as cutting sticks, slicing bacon, and frying spuds. For such purposes a rather thin, broad-pointed blade is required, and it need not be over four or five inches long. Nothing is gained by a longer blade, and it would be in one's way every time he sat down. Such a knife, bearing the marks of hard usage, lies before me. Its blade and handle are each 4.5 inches long, the blade being 1 inch wide, 1/8 inch thick on the back, broad pointed, and continued through the handle as a hasp and riveted to it. It is tempered hard enough to cut green hardwood sticks, but soft enough so that when it strikes a knot or bone it will, if anything, turn rather than nick; then a whetstone soon puts it in order. The Abyssinians have a saying, "If a sword bends, we can straighten it; but if it breaks, who can mend it?" So with a knife or hatchet. The handle of this knife is of oval cross-section, long enough to give a good grip for the whole hand, and with no sharp edges to blister one's hand. It has a 1/4 inch knob behind the cutting edge as a guard, but there is no guard on the back, for it would be useless and in the way. The handle is of light but hard wood, 3/4 inch at the butt and tapering to 1/2 inch forward, so as to enter the sheath easily and grip it tightly. If it were heavy it would make the knife drop out when I stooped over. The sheath has a slit frog binding tightly on the belt, and keeping the knife well up on my side. This knife weighs only four ounces. It was made by a country blacksmith, and is one of the homeliest things I ever saw; but it has outlived in my affections the score of other knives that I have used in competition with it, and has done more work than all of them put together. The Marble "expert" knife is a good pattern.'

Horace Kephart - Camping and Woodcraft

Always a pleasure to read those paragraphs. So much information and so very well put.

 

[Hurrul]

HR - I've seen these knives come up for sale here on this forum and while it is a beautiful knife and I'm 100% sure it's quite functional, I guess I'm just old school. If and when I want a Kephart, I want a Kephart. I realize the one I've shown here that I had made, is 3V steel and not carbon steel. But, I don't call it a Kephart. I term it, my version of a Kephart and I guess that's what FB was doing.
Now Ethan Beckers version is just about as close as you can get for a production. I have one coming, hopefully in April or March, that's pretty darn close to the original.
Sorry, I strayed. I've always shied away from yours. It just too dang pointy for my tastes. But I'm sure it'll still, get the job done.

I understand. I prefer and value the Kephart model over others, too. Kephart's design influences makers still to this day, which is encouraging to me, as it's design with a great overall functional utility and back story.

 

[Pilsner]

Copying out that passage from Kephart got me off my lazy behind to properly weigh and measure my Mark Hill Kephart. It’s a shade bigger than Kephart’s description, in every dimension save the stock thickness, which is slightly less than 1/8 inch. The knife is 4.75” long with an identical length handle. I opted for oak scales and Mark also used liners, so the handle, although tapered, is about 25% thicker at both ends than Kephart’s. The blade is 1.25” high as opposed to 1”, and with the oak scales and liners, my knife is 50% heavier than Kephart’s, weighing 6oz. I must say, I am very happy with it.

 

[bikerector]

Becker makes a fine knife, but like you said, pricing kept me from pulling the trigger on one.
Condor Kephart blanks are cheap enough to make a nice user that can handle abuse and not cause grief if lost or damaged.
I'd love to have a custom Kephart, but I use most of my knives, and just can't see taking an expensive custom into the swamp.

The condor kephart definitely hits a nice price range. I think the LT wright bushcrafter HC does a good job of having a premium design at a good price point, but still decently high priced compared to a condor.

The BK62 has a lot of good going on for it that makes it cost more than the condor variant, a lot bigger knife, better materials, relieved spine (to compensate for lack of double convex design of original), taper tang leading to amazing balance, and a decent sheath, though sheaths is one thing I think condor does really well for their price points. I think they're in complete different leagues but that's also reflected in the price. Both are good values in their own right.

For me, the condor's handle was too small and created a lot of hot spots along the top of the handle. I think the bushlore may be a better fit for a kephart design from conder for me. But, I've had too many issues with condor's pins and gaps between the tang and handle slab to look much into condors anymore, even though that's a pretty easy fix. Getting a blade blank is probably how I would proceed with them going forward.

 

[bikerector]

Correct! Yes, it is lovely, you’re right. I’m still hoping that the Becker eventually makes its way to these shores as I’m, well, curious!

Do import duties only apply to retail sales or do you get stiffed even if it's a personal sale/gift of sorts? Just curious if there's really any advantage if a BF member were to send you one vs. a for profit business.

 

[22-rimfire]

Interesting question Bikerector.

What page is that on Pilsner? I mostly just dig around in that book reading sections that are interesting for the day so to speak. The Kephart knife works for many tasks and is not great for every likely task. But it works really well for what it was designed for. The steel is soft enough for field sharpening if needed. Kephart usually had an axe or hatchet when he was going to be camping for a few days. It is an immensely practical knife.

I have bounced around on "my" preferred blade length for woods wandering and the 5" Becker Kephart works for me I think. When asked, I usually say 5"- 6" fixed blade as being the most functional and practical. Long enough for some serious cutting but not too long to loose use dexterity at least in my hands. A 4" knife is generally a little easier to use, but lacks some flexibility for heavier use. The great Falkniven F1 comes to mind. A 6" knife with a 4-5" handle starts to get a little long for me for pleasant carry in the field. The handle length makes them a joy to actually use. With the BK-62 purchase, I think I'm going to settle down in my "hunt" for woods fixed blades and use what I have for a few years. I really don't use a fixed blade often in the woods; "hardly ever" would probably be an apt description. I just usually grab my folder to cut stuff.

 

[Pilsner]

Do import duties only apply to retail sales or do you get stiffed even if it's a personal sale/gift of sorts? Just curious if there's really any advantage if a BF member were to send you one vs. a for profit business.

Hi there, they do unfortunately. But one of the many things I like about Becker is that they do export to UK retailers, which is where mine are purchased. I am hopeful that after a while we will see this model available here.

Interesting question Bikerector.

What page is that on Pilsner? I mostly just dig around in that book reading sections that are interesting for the day so to speak. The Kephart knife works for many tasks and is not great for every likely task. But it works really well for what it was designed for. The steel is soft enough for field sharpening if needed. Kephart usually had an axe or hatchet when he was going to be camping for a few days. It is an immensely practical knife.

I have bounced around on "my" preferred blade length for woods wandering and the 5" Becker Kephart works for me I think. When asked, I usually say 5"- 6" fixed blade as being the most functional and practical. Long enough for some serious cutting but not too long to loose use dexterity at least in my hands. A 4" knife is generally a little easier to use, but lacks some flexibility for heavier use. The great Falkniven F1 comes to mind. A 6" knife with a 4-5" handle starts to get a little long for me for pleasant carry in the field. The handle length makes them a joy to actually use. With the BK-62 purchase, I think I'm going to settle down in my "hunt" for woods fixed blades and use what I have for a few years. I really don't use a fixed blade often in the woods; "hardly ever" would probably be an apt description. I just usually grab my folder to cut stuff.

Hi, that passage is in Chapter III - ‘Personal Kits’. In my edition it starts on page 28 under the sub-heading ‘Sheath-Knives’. I should add that the next two items are ‘Jackknives’ and ‘Hatchets’. The Kephart pattern knife is complimented by a Jackknife, (2 bladed in the 1st edition, later 3 bladed in the revised edition), and a hatchet. That is key in what he writes about a ‘common-sense sheath-knife’, as it is not meant to be a knife to do everything!

 

[Bad Ninja]

The condor kephart definitely hits a nice price range. I think the LT wright bushcrafter HC does a good job of having a premium design at a good price point, but still decently high priced compared to a condor.

The BK62 has a lot of good going on for it that makes it cost more than the condor variant, a lot bigger knife, better materials, relieved spine (to compensate for lack of double convex design of original), taper tang leading to amazing balance, and a decent sheath, though sheaths is one thing I think condor does really well for their price points. I think they're in complete different leagues but that's also reflected in the price. Both are good values in their own right.

For me, the condor's handle was too small and created a lot of hot spots along the top of the handle. I think the bushlore may be a better fit for a kephart design from conder for me. But, I've had too many issues with condor's pins and gaps between the tang and handle slab to look much into condors anymore, even though that's a pretty easy fix. Getting a blade blank is probably how I would proceed with them going forward.

Mine was a condor blank and I added the scales.
I paid about $20 I think.
The thin handle is close to Kephart's original specs, and I don't really use it for anything heavy enough to experience a "hot spot".
The only other Condor knife I have is the Hudson Bay, which IMHO is alot of knife for the $35 I paid for it.( They cost a bit more these days).
The leather Condor Sheath is easily worth what I paid for the HB.

The Condor Kephart is one of my favorite knives. It's not a beauty queen, but honestly, it ended up being more than enough knife for 90% of my needs in the woods.

Horace knew what he was talking about.

 

[leghog]

God bless you brother. I remember those days. I had more disposable income in my pocket! How have you not resisted the impulse to buy any of the newer stuff out there?
When I saw this one from GEC, I had to have one. I love the patina from usage. Also the micarta slabs. It just has everything I love in a stockman styled knife. I think they call this one the Calf Roper.

Because I can't resist vintage traditionals and SAKs. To me GECs today are no better than the knives from the '20s, '30s, '40s, and '50s.