Knife Identification (Your Opinions Please)

[VaBuckeye]

Good Morning,

I recently acquired this old knife. As the photos show, it has some age to it and has been used (sharpened) a lot. One side of the handle is stamped "KEPHART" and there are no markings on the blade. I figured the name was either a brand or someone's personalization of the knife. I searched online and saw some things about a Kephart knife. I'm curious if any of you can weight in as to what you think this knife is. Where there other Kephart knives than the one sold by Colclessor Brothers?

Thanks for your time,

Matt

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

The Colclesser Kephart was the prototypical Kephart shape, and I doubt they would attach Horace Kephart's name to a knife that didn't follow the general design of his signature knife. I think your knife may have started life as a Kephart-pattern blade, and has been sharpened into oblivion over the years.
The Colclesser versions had three rivets, so unless the knife was re-handled with only two rivets, it's unlikely to be one of theirs.

 

[gazz98]

Welcome to the forums Matt. I don't claim to be an expert but I'll toss out a thought.

That blade shape is not true to a Kephart. The handle shape is true to the original Kephart design however. The original has 3 pins whereas yours has 2. The word Kephart usually isn't stamped/engraved on the wood handle.

I think someone made a Kephart type handle and attached it to one of their favorite blades.

EDIT: I don't think it was a Kephart blade that was reground. The leading edge of the blade is too high about the handle lines to be a true Kephart blade shape. That is why I guess someone slapped some scales on a different blade.