Photos Kepharts...They just Work

You know, there's generally some dead sticks that could use some shaving or what not. I used to think I needed to carve something and be artsy, but I found just shaving off pieces of wood was nice and therapeutic. Shavings help start fires, also therapeutic. So, I shave a lot of shavings just for grins and occasionally a fire happens in the general area, if it's safe to do so. I've started sweeping up the shavings and putting them in a bucket for the fireplace.

I do think of things that I can carve but sometimes a pointy stick is fun just to pass the time. I have started making a few traps and triggers as I try to work on skills from bushcraft books but there's only so many snares one can put in a suburban yard without get more odd looks than I already get. They love it when I'm chopping firewood in the plaid flannel and PJ's. Gots to keep the wife warm some mornings and I'm not always the most prepared.
 
Uncle Timbo said:
22Rimfire - I think in a lot of ways, we were cut from the same cloth. I got a BR Gunny, years ago just so I'd have some kind of a knife on me. I also have an older 4.1 Survive in 3V. I've always been in search of that one knife. A guy can own 50 of the very best knives there are, but if you don't have it on you when you need it...what good is it?
Whatever you go with has got to be comfortable to carry. If it nabs you in the side every time you sit down or get in the truck, chances are you might say, oh, I've got my pocketknife, that'll be ok.
Well, I carry a pocketknife even if I'm going to church. Might be my small Camillus penknife, but it's a knife and I always have a decent one on me when heading out to God's wild blue yonder.
I guess the moral to my story is to be prepared. Yea, I was a Boy Scout and we went camping one weekend and it rained almost the whole time. I didn't have any rain wear at all and I got soaked. Taught me to Be Prepared the hard way.
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I always have a knife with me/on me if I am in the woods. A lot of folks like the BR Gunny. The Survive knives have lost their luster in the last year or so. Bradford's seem to be the rage lately.

The knife has to be comfortable to carry. Too big and I leave it at home knowing I seldom use a fixed blade. Having a fixed blade on my belt in the woods makes me feel good since I like knives. That's all that's important. It is much like your rain wear preparedness. If there is a hint of rain, I will usually have something with me if I am away from my truck in the woods. I'm a big fan of the semi-disposable ponchos.
 
Well, this thread has made me want a kephart quite badly. I want one that properly thin in the blade and with the proper blade shape. In the Netherlands I can get either the Becker Kephart (not stainless) or the Bark River Kephart (but only in 4 inch with boring handles).

I could get the Bark River Kephart in 5 inch and/or with better handle options if I imported from the states, but it would be more expensive. Then again, if I'm importing, I could look at other brands/makers as well. What would you guys do?
 
Lodd said:
Well, this thread has made me want a kephart quite badly. I want one that properly thin in the blade and with the proper blade shape. In the Netherlands I can get either the Becker Kephart (not stainless) or the Bark River Kephart (but only in 4 inch with boring handles).

I could get the Bark River Kephart in 5 inch and/or with better handle options if I imported from the states, but it would be more expensive. Then again, if I'm importing, I could look at other brands/makers as well. What would you guys do?
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The obvious answer is the BK 62 as it is availible to You and closer to the Colclesser original.
When You know how You like the Kephart, You can always order one from BRK later.
The BRK 5" is made in CPM 4V steel and the edgeholding must be skyhigh above 1095 steel.
It is also convex ground, wich is a guarantee of great cutting performance.

Regards
Mikael
 
Thank you for your replies. I will take them into consideration. I lack the facilities and the skills to put proper handles on a knife blank (I still have a knife blank from a few years ago that remains 'a project' to this day).

For reference, here are price indications from [vendors that I trust but are not a BF partner]:

BK 62: € 185 = $ 212,75
Bark River 4 inch Kephart in 3V with black canvas micarta handles: € 290 = $ 333.50

Bark River kepharts from trusted US vendor including import duties and shipping: € 300 - € 410 = $ 345 - $ 471.50 (depending on how fancy the handle is).

I don't mind paying that amount of money for a great knife, but I would like to make absolutely sure to select the knife that best matches my needs. We're also getting close to custom knife territory here, I think, so there's that. Visiting a brick and mortar store is sadly not an option for these kinds of knives.

I'm still a bit iffy on the BK 62 being carbon steel. I've had bad experiences with carbon steels rusting despite the care I took in rust prevention. My country is close to the sea, so maybe that's the problem.

I know that strictly speaking 3V is not stainless. I do have one knife in 3V (BRK Bushcrafter) and one in D2 (Autine Leuku) and I have had no problems with them so far, so that level of rust resistance appears adequate.

I've been looking at a ruler and some of the other knives I own and I think 4 inches is just a bit too short for me when it comes to this kind of knife. (I don't mind smaller knives, but not what I have in mind for this particular piece).

My apologies for rambling, but at least this has helped me put some of my thoughts in order. Any further tips would still be appreciated, of course. :)
 
Lodd said:
Well, this thread has made me want a kephart quite badly. I want one that properly thin in the blade and with the proper blade shape. In the Netherlands I can get either the Becker Kephart (not stainless) or the Bark River Kephart (but only in 4 inch with boring handles).

I could get the Bark River Kephart in 5 inch and/or with better handle options if I imported from the states, but it would be more expensive. Then again, if I'm importing, I could look at other brands/makers as well. What would you guys do?
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There is an English made JA Sheffield Green River knife that is thin and very much like a Kephart. It's not amazingly fancy or have nice steel, and is more of a bargain piece but I was pretty impressed with it for the price. It's like a mora companion, but for Kephart designs.

The BK62 is going to be the bang for the buck over the Bark River. Very well designed. I'm not into Bark River Knives and don't own any but it certainly has some nicer looking knives and fancier steels, but for a bigger price tag. I think both could be winners. Bark River probably gives the nicer sheath.
 
I'm no Kephart aficionado, so this may be a stupid question: Isn't the blade shape of the Laconico Keen reminiscent of the Kepharts? It's described as a "drop point," but it sure looks a lot like the knives in this thread.
 
Lodd said:
I'm still a bit iffy on the BK 62 being carbon steel. I've had bad experiences with carbon steels rusting despite the care I took in rust prevention. My country is close to the sea, so maybe that's the problem.

I know that strictly speaking 3V is not stainless. I do have one knife in 3V (BRK Bushcrafter) and one in D2 (Autine Leuku) and I have had no problems with them so far, so that level of rust resistance appears adequate.

I've been looking at a ruler and some of the other knives I own and I think 4 inches is just a bit too short for me when it comes to this kind of knife. (I don't mind smaller knives, but not what I have in mind for this particular piece).

My apologies for rambling, but at least this has helped me put some of my thoughts in order. Any further tips would still be appreciated, of course. :)
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My only Kephart is the greenhandled BRK posted earlier in this thread and it is the only one I know of, larger than 4" that were made in stainless steel.
It was made already in 2006 when BRK used a lot of Sandvik 12c27 steel.
Original-and-Reproduction-Kephart-Knives-713x1024.jpg
Pic is from the web.
The lower pic shows the 12c27 BRK as it came from the factory.
The blade is 4.6" long.
The handle is large and made of two halves around a hidden tang.
On many of them the epoxy didn't got the right mix and the halves came loose.
They were returned under warranty in quite a number and Mike said he wished he never had made them at all.
Mine also split the handle, but I fixed it myself as I have worked proffessionally with epoxies.
I also reshaped the handle into a slimmer profile, that suited my hands better.
The only way to get them is on the secondary market, but they are seldom offered.

If stainless is an absolute demand for You, maybe You have to order it from a custom maker.

Regards
Mikael
 
Managed to catch 24hrs in the woods last night, bivvying. Gave my Mark Hill Kephart its first outing. Verdict: brilliant knife.

Used it chiefly with wood; made a pot hook and processed firewood, in tandem with a Hultarors hatchet. It was below freezing and damp ground, with snow about. The knife handled beautifully and carried very well on my hip. No action shots, sorry was too busy! But here is the bivvy, and below is the view of sunset from my bed. Location is the Welsh borders:

mQqFKxl.jpg


v9FLRTN.jpg


It’s great to get out in February, when it is easy to feel oppressed by the weather. Pork and beans from a billycan, a few snorts of brandy, and bedding down on a reindeer skin (my utter luxury). The knife is most definitely a keeper. A good first trip. :thumbsup:
 
IMG_0210.JPG IMG_0209.JPG

I have shown these before, but I thought you would enjoy seeing some of my keppies and keppie style knives. I am really fond of one with a 4 inch blade made by redsquid here on the forums. It is the bottom knife in the second pic.
 
Pilsner, awesome pic's of a nice trip!
I wish the weather would allow that kind of camping here, but we got 6" of snow and expecting more.
Not as bad as in the north of USA, but anyway I will stay in the warmth of the house.

Regards
Mikael
 
Pilsner - I agree buddy. I love the outdoor pics. Looks like you had a nice setup and I'm glad you got to try out your Mark Hill Kephart. I love good stories about a man and a Kephart.
 
Uncle Timbo said:
Cbach - very nice family there bro. Is the one 2nd from the top a Gossman?
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Nope, it is a Watestome blade, 1084 I believe, with a kydex or plastic sheath. Fit is tight. Seems like dejavue, I think I was asked bout the same knife when I posted this pic in another post awhile ago. Of course, it is early in the morning. :D
 
IF you are in Europe, you really do not need a "trusted US vendor"for Bark River. You have a very trustworthy one in Germany, Jenni Dopgen at Klingentwelt. The only reason to order from over here is the chance that customs might ignore your little package.
Lodd said:
Thank you for your replies. I will take them into consideration. I lack the facilities and the skills to put proper handles on a knife blank (I still have a knife blank from a few years ago that remains 'a project' to this day).

For reference, here are price indications from [vendors that I trust but are not a BF partner]:

BK 62: € 185 = $ 212,75
Bark River 4 inch Kephart in 3V with black canvas micarta handles: € 290 = $ 333.50

Bark River kepharts from trusted US vendor including import duties and shipping: € 300 - € 410 = $ 345 - $ 471.50 (depending on how fancy the handle is).

I don't mind paying that amount of money for a great knife, but I would like to make absolutely sure to select the knife that best matches my needs. We're also getting close to custom knife territory here, I think, so there's that. Visiting a brick and mortar store is sadly not an option for these kinds of knives.

I'm still a bit iffy on the BK 62 being carbon steel. I've had bad experiences with carbon steels rusting despite the care I took in rust prevention. My country is close to the sea, so maybe that's the problem.

I know that strictly speaking 3V is not stainless. I do have one knife in 3V (BRK Bushcrafter) and one in D2 (Autine Leuku) and I have had no problems with them so far, so that level of rust resistance appears adequate.

I've been looking at a ruler and some of the other knives I own and I think 4 inches is just a bit too short for me when it comes to this kind of knife. (I don't mind smaller knives, but not what I have in mind for this particular piece).

My apologies for rambling, but at least this has helped me put some of my thoughts in order. Any further tips would still be appreciated, of course. :)
Click to expand...
 
cbach8tw said:
Nope, it is a Watestome blade, 1084 I believe, with a kydex or plastic sheath. Fit is tight. Seems like dejavue, I think I was asked bout the same knife when I posted this pic in another post awhile ago. Of course, it is early in the morning. :D
Click to expand...
I thought it might of been Gossman and then I also had my doubts. You have to admit, it does kind of resemble one of his.
Sweet looking blade.
 
HappyDaddy said:
I'm no Kephart aficionado, so this may be a stupid question: Isn't the blade shape of the Laconico Keen reminiscent of the Kepharts? It's described as a "drop point," but it sure looks a lot like the knives in this thread.
Click to expand...
HD - I don't really know that knife, but a little research will help. Do you have a pic?
 
jdm61 said:
IF you are in Europe, you really do not need a "trusted US vendor"for Bark River. You have a very trustworthy one in Germany, Jenni Dopgen at Klingentwelt. The only reason to order from over here is the chance that customs might ignore your little package.
Click to expand...

THanks for the tip, but this vendor only offers the 4 inch version and just as expensive as my dutch vendor, so I think I'll pass. I might look at it in the future though.
 
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