Photos Kepharts...They just Work

I bought a Condor blank as a template. Cheaper than buying the complete knife. So this is what I came up with. Slightly modified in the guard area. I had one last piece of 2.7mm 115W8/1.2442, so I used it for this. 4 inch blade at 61-62Rc, Missouri black walnut handle, corbys, JRE sheath that I got from LT Wright because it had some flaw. IMG_0737.jpg
 
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I typically use a Treestump sheath for "off the shelf' because I think that sheaths like this are a tad overpriced at normal retail. These came up on Evilbay and I think bought 5 at around $11 a pop plus shipping, which was below my max bid. Couldn't pass that up. I have 4 identical blades in .110 thick AEB-L awaiting HT. They will get the other 4 sheaths. I will probably mix it up a bit with the handle materials. I am thinking at least one in cocobolo and one in blackwood.
22-rimfire said:
Looks good. I do like the sheath from a use point of view. Those danglers just make a lot of sense for a fixed blade to me.
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jdm61 said:
I bought a Condor blank as a template. Cheaper than buying the complete knife. So this is what I came up with. Slightly modified in the guard area. I had one last piece of 2.7mm 115W8/1.2442, so I used it for this. 4 inch blade at 61-62Rc, Missouri black walnut handle, corbys, JRE sheath that I got from LT Wright because it had some flaw. View attachment 1040347
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Very nice. I love it when someone thinks outside the box and comes up with a plan. Currently, I don't have the means to do something like you did. I hope someday that changes.
 
pinnah said:
Given how inexpensive they are and given that they have wooden handles, the Opinel's have a rich tradition in user modification. Google Opinel Mods or Opinel handle carving and waste a day or three.

Its pretty easy to file an Opinel blade to a drop point and just a bit more work will modify it to a spear point (a la Kephart). I have a 10 kicking around some where that I gave that treatment to. Makes for a very stout tip, although for a folder, I prefer a drop point as a compromise.

As for Opinels being sturdy, it's a contentious topic. I find them to be toughest folders I've used in terms of a) resisting strong cutting forces, b) resisting strong lateral forces and c) remaining functional while fouled with dirt/sand. The lock will prevent the blade from closing (it's more like a strong slip joint in terms of resistance) and Opinels need some TLC to work well in wet environments. I recommend melting in floor wax or carpenters wax with a heat gun.

Also note that the Opinel handles are similar to wooden rake/axe/pick handles - that is, they get stronger as you go to bigger sizes. A strong man cutting a hard branch can break the handle of a 6 or 7, and probably an 8. I can't imagine somebody breaking the handle of a 9 or 10 unless it gets crushed. I've never seen an Opinel develop lateral play but have busted blades trying.

Lastly, the Opinel 9 and 10 are the only folders I would baton kindling with. Just leave the lock disengaged and back off when needed. The 10 in particular can stand up to light batoning quite well.
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I saw an inox? Sweet looking blade with stag and a rotating lock.
 
Remember the custom in my OP? The one with black Micarta slabs?
Well, I commishioned Brian w/Hawcreek Knives to reduce the weight in her rear end and put some sweet green canvas Micarta slabs on her. He left the slabs grippy. The center point now is just to the rear of the first pin.
This knife is sweet. I just wonder if ol Horace would like her in 3V like she is?

@Brian77 would you like to elaborate?


 
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marchone said:
I learned about Horace Kephart here and on another forum simultaneously by the same poster. From there the discussions quickly included Nessmuk and the Woodland Trio. All of the threads about Kephart knife repros came from that, from the Condor and BK62 to handmade customs.

I caught the bug quickly and bought a full flat grind Kephart facsimile before commissioning a period correct museum copy in progress now.
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marchone said:
I learned about Horace Kephart here and on another forum simultaneously by the same poster. From there the discussions quickly included Nessmuk and the Woodland Trio. All of the threads about Kephart knife repros came from that, from the Condor and BK62 to handmade customs.

I caught the bug quickly and bought a full flat grind Kephart facsimile before commissioning a period correct museum copy in progress now.
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Marchone - talk about coincidences, I too have a very nice, and as you say, period correct Kephart on order also.
Also, like you, I caught the bug quickly. I have NEVER liked a knife design like I do the Kephart.
It's almost like when a few years ago, some of my friends took me Muskie fishing and I actually caught one. First time out! After that, no other fish seemed to matter to me. I now have Muskie specific rods, reels, and lures. (Lures can get expensive) Maybe I'll have to whittle out a lure.
 
Uncle Timbo said:
Remember the custom in my OP? The one with black Micarta slabs?
Well, I commishioned Brian w/Hawcreek Knives to reduce the weight in her rear end and put some sweet green canvas Micarta slabs on her. He left the slabs grippy. The center point now is just to the rear of the first pin.
This knife is sweet. I just wonder if ol Horace would like her in 3V like she is?

@Brian77 would you like to elaborate?
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That's a fine example of a Kephart!
I must say I have enjoyed all the enthusiasm in this thread.

Kephart-12c27-017.jpg
A few words on edge geometry.
My version has a fullheight convex grind and comparing the cutting performance with non convex or thicker edges, shows outstanding results for the Kephart.
I will definitely use it more in the next season.

Regards
Mikael
 
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Just waiting for the wife to awake

Dx6lV1Fl.jpg
 
Don't let your wife start that fire. She may miss seeing the knife.

Like you Uncle Timbo, the Kephart pattern has captured my interest. I generally am not a fan of spear point knives. But I am going to give my Becker version a good workout in the future to see how I feel about it.

Musky..... fish of a 1000 casts.
 
22-rimfire said:
Don't let your wife start that fire. She may miss seeing the knife.

Like you Uncle Timbo, the Kephart pattern has captured my interest. I generally am not a fan of spear point knives. But I am going to give my Becker version a good workout in the future to see how I feel about it.

Musky..... fish of a 1000 casts.
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I owe the Musky Gods around 950ish casts. :eek:
 
Pilsner said:
How about this custom beauty by Mark Hill, which arrived today:

laSmd7b.jpg


The oak handles are actually richer and darker looking, but my crappy phone camera can’t capture it. Still, Mark hit it out of the park with this one. :cool:
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Mark makes the blade blanks for a friend of mine in England. He designs his own knives and does his own gorgeous wooden and micarta handles and stunning leather work, he just isn't finished setting up to make his own blades yet. Nice seeing another Blade Forums friend carrying a knife with Marks logo. I've had the one I've had for a few years and he seems to do a great job on his O-1.
 
She ain't pretty but she gets it done.
Condor Kephart with maple scales.
This knife has seen alot of use and abuse.
It has processed everything from deer and wild hogs to catfish and rattlesnakes. It has feathered kindling and cut line and bait.
Other than my folders, it's seen more real world outdoor use than any knife I've carried, and it will shave your mom.

K0YVtZW.jpg
 
mistwalker said:
Mark makes the blade blanks for a friend of mine in England. He designs his own knives and does his own gorgeous wooden and micarta handles and stunning leather work, he just isn't finished setting up to make his own blades yet. Nice seeing another Blade Forums friend carrying a knife with Marks logo. I've had the one I've had for a few years and he seems to do a great job on his O-1.
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MW - thanks for the insight, it's a beautiful setup for sure. Hopefully we'll be seeing more from Mark.
 
Bad Ninja said:
She ain't pretty but she gets it done.
Condor Kephart with maple scales.
This knife has seen alot of use and abuse.
It has processed everything from deer and wild hogs to catfish and rattlesnakes. It has feathered kindling and cut line and bait.
Other than my folders, it's seen more real world outdoor use than any knife I've carried, and it will shave your mom.

K0YVtZW.jpg
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BN - whereas I love to see a nice knife like the one above from Mark, I REALLY LOVE to see one that's been used for what she was designed to do. Yours looks well loved. Great job!
 
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