Photos Kepharts...They just Work

[bikerector]

BE - I don't know how you do it. I'm afraid that after time, I'd develope a favorite and the others would be jealous.
Kudos to you my friend. I'd also think that Makers ought to use you for field testing their designs?

I'll be honest with you Uncle T, I haven't used the BK62 in quite a few months. The convex grind on the JK has made it a fun kitchen knife and the LT gets drug out when I want to make fires and I'm not testing something knew.

I used to do field testing for cycling components. I was known for breaking things, being bigger than 95% of racers which means putting down a lot of power to keep up. I could be a pro if I was 100 lbs lighter and had the same strength... just goes to show how truly strong pro athletes really are. Used to run a website for testing gear but stopped after I went back to school and stopped riding and racing as much.

And about designs, I've strongly considered trying to put something together and try to make it part of a knifemaker's line. I think an EDC fixed blade and a camp knife are two I feel pretty comfortable with putting together.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I'll be honest with you Uncle T, I haven't used the BK62 in quite a few months. The convex grind on the JK has made it a fun kitchen knife and the LT gets drug out when I want to make fires and I'm not testing something knew.

I used to do field testing for cycling components. I was known for breaking things, being bigger than 95% of racers which means putting down a lot of power to keep up. I could be a pro if I was 100 lbs lighter and had the same strength... just goes to show how truly strong pro athletes really are. Used to run a website for testing gear but stopped after I went back to school and stopped riding and racing as much.

And about designs, I've strongly considered trying to put something together and try to make it part of a knifemaker's line. I think an EDC fixed blade and a camp knife are two I feel pretty comfortable with putting together.

I'd be first in line to get one.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I have no idea and don't care really. But I own a lot of shoes myself. Not going to count them. But to give you an idea and off the top of my head, I have a spare new pair of Lacrosse knee high boots in the box, a new pair of shorter Lacrosse boots in the box, a pair of hip waders still in the box for fishing or whatever, backup waist high waders, several pairs of New Balance tennis shoes still in the box, a couple pairs of Rockport shoes I wear for work in the box (hard to find sometimes)... you get idea. Hence, knives are no surprise at all to me.

I was trying to justify your collection but I see you have that under control.

 

[eveled]

My knife addiction is in constant conflict and tension with my desire to live somewhat frugally and minimalistic, to be content with what I have and not be such a consumer.

I can relate. I blame my knife collection on a quest trying to find a perfect knife so I can dump the rest. It hasn’t happened yet. I just keep falling in love with another new one but it doesn’t diminish my feelings for the old.

I envy the guy who has one perfect knife he loves so much he doesn’t even want another. I guess if we were that guy we’d even be on a knife forum to begin with.

I think Kephart would just roll his eyes with disgust at our ability to consume.

 

[22-rimfire]

....I think Kephart would just roll his eyes with disgust at our ability to consume.

By the nature of where and how he lived, I suspect from our point of view he was a minimalist. I doubt he had piles of camping gear in reserve, a half dozen pairs of hiking boots, or food supplies stacked to the ceiling. He was only one guy. So, I suspect you'e right about today's consumerism (knives, flashlights, shoes, camping gear, personal computers, you name it). I do think he would have loved email, digital photography, and personal computers.

Some people say they shoot all of their firearms. At one time, I had about 20 Colt Diamondback revolvers and most of them unfired by me.

 

[eveled]

I definitely have guns I’ve never shot. Not just ones I’ve bought to collect or as conversation pieces. But ones I bought to shoot and haven’t gotten too yet.

I figure I’ll have lots of fun stuff ready to do when I retire.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Women can't really sell shoes and purses they buy and don't really use like they thought they would. They prolly get pushed to the back of the closet.
We're a little more fortunate with shedding knives and gear. Although most of the time at a slight loss.
I don't have a huge collection. I also don't have the money to buy a huge collection.
That's where the Kephart comes into play with me.

 

[22-rimfire]

Uncle Timbo The potential resale aspect with knives is always there; I grant you that. I also don't have the money any more to just blow $500 on something for the hell of it. My Eastland Kephart was a splurge to be sure. The collection thing with knives is not something I intentionally do. (I can't say that about Colt revolvers however.) My knife accumulation has developed primarily over the last 30 years or about the time I first purchased a fixed blade knife for use outside the kitchen. So, it is not like I spent the money all at once. It has been a fun journey for me. As I have said many times, I don't really use fixed blades much, but I just love them.

I wasn't really reacting negatively to your mention of women's shoes as a comparison to spending for "things". I think I do have the knife accumulation thing under control, but I get the itch like most of the regulars here on BF for something new.

I purchased a "man bag" to primarily carry my tablet computer when I am away from home and going light. It is certainly not something I can sell easily but I really like my choice (Duluth bag). There was a thread about man bags over in gadgets that I participated in and that was the result. I use it, but certainly not every day. The threads somehow spur a perceived need whether it be a knife, tools, or whatever.

 

[22-rimfire]

I decided to get some pictures of it. It's great little companion knife, but if you have larger than larger than large hands (I wear size L gloves) it might be a bit dainty in the handle.

And then the rest of my Kepharts. I'm pretty pleased with this selection, the LT buscrafter MK II still my fave though.

Wanted your opinion (BR Mini Kephart in 3V) on your view on how pointy the tip is relative to more traditionally styled knives? Do you think it needs liners? What about steel thickness? Is it a nimble companion knife? Could you see it as a potential small game knife (field chores and so forth)?

I have an urge to visit KSF and take a look at one.

 

[bikerector]

Wanted your opinion (BR Mini Kephart in 3V) on your view on how pointy the tip is relative to more traditionally styled knives? Do you think it needs liners? What about steel thickness? Is it a nimble companion knife?

Compared to the BK62 and LT Wright tips, it's hard for me to say if it's actually pointier or if it's just a result of the reduced height of the blade. It's thinner stock as well. It should pierce better and it feels like it's stabbier like the genesis vs the rounded, almost skinner type tip, of the LT bushcrafter and BK62. Mine has liners but that's one of those things I'm never certain of, do the liners add thickness or do they use a thinner outer slab to account for the liner for an overall similar handle thickness?

Hopefully these pictures help tell the story. As far as agility, it's like a paring knife, very nimble. I could easily see this being a fantastic B&T as well.

 

[22-rimfire]

Thanks bikerector It seems a little pointier than the BK-62. It may be the result of slightly thinner steel as you said. I am going to wander over to KSF this coming week and handle a couple they have in stock. I just need to be prepared as to which knives to ask for as they won't have them out on the counter. They get them from the back and bring out to you.

I know liners are a subjective thing. I am curious also about handle thickness with and without liners. I will ask to see both and compare in person at least subjectively.

 

[bikerector]

Thanks bikerector It seems a little pointier than the BK-62. It may be the result of slightly thinner steel as you said. I am going to wander over to KSF this coming week and handle a couple they have in stock. I just need to be prepared as to which knives to ask for as they won't have them out on the counter. They get them from the back and bring out to you.

I know liners are a subjective thing. I am curious also about handle thickness with and without liners. I will ask to see both and compare in person at least subjectively.

BRK has a lot of smaller Kephart/Kephart-like designs. I guess you could say they have a lot of designs in general.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

BRK has a lot of smaller Kephart/Kephart-like designs. I guess you could say they have a lot of designs in general.

...and there's no such thing as a bad Kephart, it's just some are better than others.

 

[22-rimfire]

My first Kephart was a Condor. Didn't even know if I would like the blade shape at the time. I have certainly come a long way in the quality department since I bought it. The Condor was a knife I was mostly just curious about and it was pretty inexpensive when they first came out. Frankly though that particular knife needs a lot of blade thinning to make it a cutter. When I first got it, I took it with me to a restaurant knowing at the time I was going to order steak of some sort. It was sharp and I can honestly say it sucked for slicing.

 

[22-rimfire]

A panel discussion on Horace Kephart's life (relative to formation of the Smoky Mt NP) is scheduled to be held at the Hunter Library at Western Carolina University on September 26th. It would be a bit of a trip for me, but not impossible. They have a Kephart display there. Never have been there. Other events have been held there on Kephart.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

A panel discussion on Horace Kephart's life (relative to formation of the Smoky Mt NP) is scheduled to be held at the Hunter Library at Western Carolina University on September 26th. It would be a bit of a trip for me, but not impossible. They have a Kephart display there. Never have been there. Other events have been held there on Kephart.

Brother if you do go and catch wind of a transcript of the discussion, we'd all be mighty ablidged. Pics would be over the top!

 

[22-rimfire]

I can relate. I blame my knife collection on a quest trying to find a perfect knife so I can dump the rest. It hasn’t happened yet. I just keep falling in love with another new one but it doesn’t diminish my feelings for the old.

I envy the guy who has one perfect knife he loves so much he doesn’t even want another. I guess if we were that guy we’d even be on a knife forum to begin with.

I think Kephart would just roll his eyes with disgust at our ability to consume.

I think the guy with one knife is either poor or has little interest in knives other than having a knife that works for their purposes. That person is not driven to find the "perfect knife". I have given up on such thoughts.... I just like 'em.

Compared to the BK62 and LT Wright tips, it's hard for me to say if it's actually pointier or if it's just a result of the reduced height of the blade. It's thinner stock as well. It should pierce better and it feels like it's stabbier like the genesis vs the rounded, almost skinner type tip, of the LT bushcrafter and BK62. Mine has liners but that's one of those things I'm never certain of, do the liners add thickness or do they use a thinner outer slab to account for the liner for an overall similar handle thickness?

Hopefully these pictures help tell the story. As far as agility, it's like a paring knife, very nimble. I could easily see this being a fantastic B&T as well.

I stopped by KSF and looked at the BRKT Mini Kephart, several actually. My read on liners versus no liners is that the handle thickness is about the same between the two if the handle uses man-made materials. However one had a handle thickness of 0.60" (with a liner) and another had a handle thickness of 0.70" (with no liners) measured with a caliper by Jay. If something like this is important to you or anyone, ask and they may well do some measuring on your behalf. I also handled one LT Wright bushcrafter (Switchback model) in A2 and was quite impressed. Tempted to say the least. Enjoyed the visit quite a lot. I need to stay out of there. Did some grocery shopping while I was in the area. It was a multi-purpose drive over there (a big 8 miles).

Oh forgot to say.... I love the BRKT Mini Kephart!! As you said, it feels like a paring knife in your hand and very light.

Uncle Timbo If I decide to attend the little conference in NC on Kephart, I will ask about a transcript. I believe it is rather informal or that is my take. It is about a 2 hr drive each way for me and starts around 10:00 AM. So, the time would not require me to spend the night and incur that expense unless I want to go play in the Smoky's. It would give me the opportunity to see their Horace Kephart display in the library and possibly learn a few things. I am usually rather single mindedly pointed in the direction of whatever activity I have planned in the Smoky's or that area, and probably would not take the time to stop and look at the display at Western Carolina Univ. otherwise.

 

[John Cahoon]

Hmmm, just noticed this thread...Here's my take on the Kephart, in 80CRV2, just under 10" with a 5" blade and client supplied Mallee burl. I did a fair bit of research (here mostly) and got many pics of the original and interpretations by others. Convex grind with slightly convexed to the spine as well. The handle's flared front behind the plunge was surprisingly challenging. I decided to modernize the sheath though, the original looked a bit dangerous by today's standards. The floral tooling and dye is to complement the fine fellow's holsters. I mostly grind in pairs or batches and have another to finish in due course when I get round to it.

 

[22-rimfire]

Love what you did John Cahoon . Like the sheath a lot too and retention should be better than the original design. This thread has been around a while.

 

[22-rimfire]

Here is today's Kephart made by Bark River Knife & Tool; Mini Kephart. It is really a nice little blade. Specs: 3.8" blade, CPM-3V, 7.5" overall length, handle > "black herringbone" micarta, double liners (red and natural), convex grind, 0.093" thick blade, 2.8 oz, leather vertical belt sheath. Feels like a paring knife in the hand, so it is very nimble handling. I think their "herringbone" micarta is pretty cool looking. If it wasn't available or I didn't like the look, I was going to go with iron wood. I didn't want this one flashy as I might or could edc it.