Photos Kepharts...They just Work

[marchone]

The Kephart story is well documented in these pages for anyone to read. Many references to Kephart’s own book and contemporaneous accounts fill out the history. @Ethan Becker continued the saga with his purchase of one of two known Colclesser originals, and his production of the BK62.

Ethan himself recommended three knifemakers who had access to his original knife’s dimensions. When I became interested, a year ago, I found Dan Eastland and @Mike McCarter had hewn closest to those dimensions and materials. The limited edition Dogwood run sold out immediately but McCarter is producing his second run now.

It’s great seeing one of Dan Eastland’s above.

Here is more information including links to previous articles.

http://www.thetruthaboutknives.com/just-arrived-dogwood-custom-kephart-knife-reproduction/

 

[vulcan2]

Bark River makes a Kephart. I almost bought one of their's, but decided to get something else.
.

thank you very much, is there any special reason to no to buy a bark river knife? they seems nice blades and i just hear good things about them.

 

[bikerector]

thank you very much, is there any special reason to no to buy a bark river knife? they seems nice blades and i just hear good things about them.

There is some history with the owner, Mike Stewart, and some mix up with steels. Overall, the knives are well made and plenty of happy people have them, but some aren't happy. I've only had one and it was good. But I've had other maker's knives which are also quite good as well and with a better history there. But, Bark River probably offers more options and models regularly than most other brands, if you need that many options.

I think their Kephart looks nice, but I already have enough at this point so I've not really considered it much.

You're in a situation with many right answers and no wrong ones, they're all quite good.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

My Brothers of the Kephart, the past few threads have been rock solid advice. I firmly believe there's no such thing as a bad Kephart, it's just that some are better than others. As Bikerector pointed out, a lot depends on your personal needs.
I have to add one more Kephart to the mix that I feel is a rock solid, bet your life on, Kephart. It would be the one that Scott Gossman makes. A2 steel and canvas Micarta handles. Bulletproof.

 

[22-rimfire]

thank you very much, is there any special reason to not to buy a bark river knife? they seems nice blades and i just hear good things about them.

I think bikerector sums it up nicely below. Some folks here simply will not buy one of their knives due to the history primarily. The mixed up steel happened a year or so ago. I never really heard what the resolution was, but I believe a number of knives were returned to the dealers (KSF and DLT primarily) versus a direct fix by BRKT. Many would simply not recognize the difference.

There is some history with the owner, Mike Stewart, and some mix up with steels. Overall, the knives are well made and plenty of happy people have them, but some aren't happy. I've only had one and it was good. But I've had other maker's knives which are also quite good as well and with a better history there. But, Bark River probably offers more options and models regularly than most other brands, if you need that many options.

I think their Kephart looks nice, but I already have enough at this point so I've not really considered it much.

You're in a situation with many right answers and no wrong ones, they're all quite good.

I have a couple Bark River knives and have been pleased with them. I have bought a number of the different Blackjack classic models that Bark River makes for Blackjack. I like the traditional "Randall look" without paying the current price for them. I do have three Randall knives, so I don't just buy ones that may be similar.

The main reason that I didn't choose a BRKT Kephart was their knife was smaller than the 5" I wanted. I just decided to keep my money for a while in that regard, but if their recreation met with my sense of what I wanted at the time, I would have bought one. I considered commissioning a custom be made to about 5". At that time, I really didn't know what size the original knife was; I simply wanted a 5". Then the Becker knife came up that fulfilled that itch. I generally prefer a 5"- 6" (heavy preference for 5 > 5.5") for general woods use. I do find myself carrying smaller fixed blades too in the woods if I'm just bumming around without any real need for any knife or any knife beyond a folder that I always carry anyway.

Dan Eastland told me that he made all the measurements from the Colclesser knife that Ethan Becker acquired. Those were provided to Ethan and ultimately to McCarter and Kabar. McCarter handled the original also. Personally when I look at the original kephart knife, I like it, but I wanted modern materials and the same look and hopefully feel. I only had the Kabar Becker Kephart for reference in this regard. I did own the Condor version and it started the interest process for me along with my overall interest in Horace Kephart (the man) and his impact in helping to create the Smoky Mountain National Park. I know that I would be very satisfied with the McCarter Kephart; I simply chose the Eastland version.

A lot of folks here are really interested in CPM-3V steel for outdoor knives. It is certainly a very tough steel and keeps an edge very well. It is also fairly hard to sharpen. I chose the Humphrey in part because it was made with 3V as I didn't own a knife made with that steel.

 

[bikerector]

thank you very much, is there any special reason to no to buy a bark river knife? they seems nice blades and i just hear good things about them.

Pretty decent price on one in the exchange right now.

https://bladeforums.com/threads/bark-river-kephart-desert-ironwood-cpm-3v.1671730/

 

[deltablade]

Here is mine, a Condor blade to which I added maple scales and copper pins. I added about a half inch to the handle length which fits me better. The blade does need a lot of thinning.

 

[deltablade]

Did you have to reheat treat the blade?

Just so we keep the thread on topic and Kephart related, I have been inspired to make a Kephart from an old sawmill blade. Blade is probably 70 years old.

Cut and shaped with an angle grinder.
I need to get some grinding belts for my HF belt sander, and build a heat treat forge, which shouldn't be a problem with all the info available here on BF.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I think bikerector sums it up nicely below. Some folks here simply will not buy one of their knives due to the history primarily. The mixed up steel happened a year or so ago. I never really heard what the resolution was, but I believe a number of knives were returned to the dealers (KSF and DLT primarily) versus a direct fix by BRKT. Many would simply not recognize the difference.


I have a couple Bark River knives and have been pleased with them. I have bought a number of the different Blackjack classic models that Bark River makes for Blackjack. I like the traditional "Randall look" without paying the current price for them. I do have three Randall knives, so I don't just buy ones that may be similar.
A lot of folks here are really interested in CPM-3V steel for outdoor knives. It is certainly a very tough steel and keeps an edge very well. It is also fairly hard to sharpen. I chose the Humphrey in part because it was made with 3V as I didn't own a knife made with that steel.

I too wanted a Kephart in 3V but I didn't like anything I saw out there. So I commishioned Aaron of Gray Wolf Knives to make this one below that you've seen many a time. Heat treat by Peter's and green canvas Micarta finished rough. I have a black leather sheath and the one you see. I am well pleased with this one. Some knives come and go with me but this one and my McCarter aren't going anywhere.
I don't like knives finished with a rough texture above the cutting surface. Too much drag and harder to keep clean...IMHO mind you. Just my personal preference.

 

[22-rimfire]

I too wanted a Kephart in 3V but I didn't like anything I saw out there. So I commishioned Aaron of Gray Wolf Knives to make this one below that you've seen many a time. Heat treat by Peter's and green canvas Micarta finished rough. I have a black leather sheath and the one you see. I am well pleased with this one. Some knives come and go with me but this one and my McCarter aren't going anywhere.
I don't like knives finished with a rough texture above the cutting surface. Too much drag and harder to keep clean...IMHO mind you. Just my personal preference.

This probably explains a little why you wanted a more natural material like walnut for your McCarter Kephart and something that was close to the original (but handmade). You already had the Wolf in micarta. I knew you had this knife or thought you still had it, but really didn't remember who made it. If I had the McCarter, I don't know if I would use it with the other one available for use. That would be my situation if I bought one from Mike.

I flip around on handle preferences. I liked wood for a while, shift to micarta or G10, and switch again. The stacked leather handles never really appealed to me, but when new, they are beautiful. My red C-Tek BRKT Wilderness Explorer (WE) model in cruwear is a good example of my recent leaning toward flashier handles and was purchased thinking it may well be my last woods blade. But I can't see such a handle on a kephart. The WE is right at the edge in terms of size that I am comfortable carrying and may in fact be a little large. It's 5.75"; I was looking for a 5.5" blade at the time but liked it. Now with KSF in Chattanooga TN, I could have just visited the shop and handled the knife before making a decision. I probably need to drop by their shop more often than I do. But I know how I am and really need to slow this knife buying business down.

I agree generally about putting anything on a blade that causes resistance cutting is pretty low on my preference list. I really don't care for black blades. The hammered look of my Condor Hudson Bay is okay and interesting. The Cabelas Buck 192 (Alaskan Guide Series) is nice but more like gun bluing versus paint..... The Humphrey's forge treatment is mostly for looks and I suspect one of his signature looks. Oh, so many knifes that I have little need for....

What has been your experience sharpening 3V?

 

[Uncle Timbo]

This probably explains a little why you wanted a more natural material like walnut for your McCarter Kephart and something that was close to the original (but handmade). You already had the Wolf in micarta. I knew you had this knife or thought you still had it, but really didn't remember who made it. If I had the McCarter, I don't know if I would use it with the other one available for use. That would be my situation if I bought one from Mike.

I flip around on handle preferences. I liked wood for a while, shift to micarta or G10, and switch again. The stacked leather handles never really appealed to me, but when new, they are beautiful. My red C-Tex BRKT Wilderness Explorer (WE) model in cruwear is a good example of my recent leaning toward flashier handles and was purchased thinking it may well be my last woods blade. But I can't see such a handle on a kephart. The WE is right at the edge in terms of size that I am comfortable carrying and may in fact be a little large. It's 5.75"; I was looking for a 5.5" blade at the time but liked it. Now with KSF in Chattanooga TN, I could have just visited the shop and handled the knife before making a decision. I probably need to drop by their shop more often than I do. But I know how I am and really need to slow this knife buying business down.

I agree generally about putting anything on a blade that causes resistance cutting is pretty low on my preference list. I really don't care for black blades. The hammered look of my Condor Hudson Bay is okay and interesting. The Cablelas Buck 192 (Alaskan Guide Series) is nice but more like gun bluing versus paint..... The Humphrey's forge treatment is mostly for looks and I suspect one of his signature looks. Oh, so many knifes that I have little need for....

What has been your experience sharpening 3V?

rimfire - your first paragraph described what I think and do to a T. Since I had the Wolf in 3V/Micarta, and saw the McCarter (thanks to Marchone) in walnut ( which is prolly my favorite wood) I knew I had to have one so I contacted Mike and got on his list. There's not too many knives I'd wait for but this was one of them.
As far as sharpening the 3V, I'll get back with you. Aaron gave me what I wanted with a FFG as I like that grind and is generally the easiest for me to maintain. I still sharpen knives @ 64 the way my Dad showed me when I was 10 or 11...an old Arkansas wetrock. If'in it ain't broke, don't......

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Count me as one who loves stacked leather. Especially when Gossman took this knife completely apart, reglued each piece of leather and put one heck of a grind on her. I think that was around 15 to 17 years ago. Thanks again Scott!

Do not ask BE what he thinks about stacked leather handles.

 

[bikerector]

Do not ask BE what he thinks about stacked leather handles.

The only thing worse is asking what I think of orange handles... ironically I have several listed for sale and that barely makes a dent into my flashy colored cutlery options... especially after discovering how easy RIT dye is to use. Kept it in a little too long on the first two, but got it on the second. I still think the kabar dozier folder is one of the better Kephart-like folders available.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

BE, I agree with you on the orange slabs. I think almost any outdoor knife should be brightly colored so if and when you lay it down, you can readily find it.
I like green canvas micarta SO much that I'll be doomed and misplace it. It'd be kind of like playing golf with green golf balls.

 

[22-rimfire]

BE, I agree with you on the orange slabs. I think almost any outdoor knife should be brightly colored so if and when you lay it down, you can readily find it.
I like green canvas micarta SO much that I'll be doomed and misplace it. It'd be kind of like playing golf with green golf balls.

Variety is the spice of life. My green or black micarta handled ones are mostly Doziers, but there are other makes. I do tend to agree about handles and outdoor knives since I have sit knives down while doing a task.... walk off and then realize that I left the knife and return. The brighter handle certainly makes it easier to find the knife and who wants to be scraping leaves away in the woods looking for their Kephart or other fine knife? That said, I have trouble warming up to the idea of an orange handled Kephart at this point.

I lay knives down at home and can't find them for days or weeks at times.... they turn up, but it can be most infuriating. It is one of the reasons with work tools at job sites, we have a central area to lay tools down. Some get walked back to the truck if we think we won't use it again that day. Even utility knives laid down can be frustrating when you go to use it again and it is back at the last spot you used the knife.

Was wondering if @hiwa received his Humphrey Kephart yet?

 

[marchone]

BE, I agree with you on the orange slabs. I think almost any outdoor knife should be brightly colored so if and when you lay it down, you can readily find it.
I like green canvas micarta SO much that I'll be doomed and misplace it. It'd be kind of like playing golf with green golf balls.

A walnut handled knife disappears in fall's brown leaves.

 

[22-rimfire]

A walnut handled knife disappears in fall's brown leaves.

I don't think Uncle Timbo intends to use this McCarter kephart at this point. Sure is a nicely finished handle. I have already carried my Eastland Kephart in the woods a few times..... limited use, but it has been used.

 

[bikerector]

BE, I agree with you on the orange slabs. I think almost any outdoor knife should be brightly colored so if and when you lay it down, you can readily find it.
I like green canvas micarta SO much that I'll be doomed and misplace it. It'd be kind of like playing golf with green golf balls.

I think I've mentioned this before, but if you can tolerate bright colored lanyards/fobs, that's a great way to get a similar improvement in visibility while still having a nice looking blade. Doesn't take much, usually, to get that to pop when you drop it in the grass. Paracord is usually light enough to hang out at the top of grass/brush, at least higher than the knife.

A walnut handled knife disappears in fall's brown leaves.

I've done this a few times. Have to be a little careful trying to find it as there's a sharp edge there somewhere waiting to get you.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think I've mentioned this before, but if you can tolerate bright colored lanyards/fobs, that's a great way to get a similar improvement in visibility....

Excellent idea if there is a lanyard hole or practical way to attach it. My Eastland does not have a hollow pin, but the Humphrey does.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

BE - I like the way you think!