Koster Kephart??

H

hollowdweller

Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
13,182
Hey Dan??

You have covered a lot of the classic styles of blades lately, ever consider doing a Kephart?

I'd love to see one with about a 4" handle 3.5" blade in that 3v or some nice thin steel. With that forged finish and maybe one of your scandi grinds that would really bridge the gap between a camp and a bushcraft knife:thumbup::D
 
the request has come up before....I would definitely consider it...but would need to create a new design. The traditional pattern has shortfalls for me.


If you want, we can start a discussion here and gather some ideas....and then I'll put together a drawing.

:thumbup:


Dan
 
Yeah, a Koster Kephart would be nice, I would be in for one for sure. What do you think it's shortfalls are Dan?
 
Daniel Koster said:
I would definitely consider it...but would need to create a new design. The traditional pattern has shortfalls for me.
Click to expand...

Sure. I think we're talking here about YOUR interpretation of a Kephart. Like you brought YOUR interpretation of a Nessmuk.
 
Daniel Koster said:
the request has come up before....I would definitely consider it...but would need to create a new design. The traditional pattern has shortfalls for me.


If you want, we can start a discussion here and gather some ideas....and then I'll put together a drawing.

:thumbup:


Dan
Click to expand...

What are the shortcomings as you see them? I've never handled one myself at all.

What about making one traditionally and making a prototype with the changes you think need to be done and passing them around??;)

Or I'd be willing to get a traditional one off of someone and pass it round with the tweaked one:thumbup:
 
I love your version of the nessie so I bet your Kephart would be pretty good.
 
Thanks, guys.

HD - I would be game for that.


Rather than be negative about another knife design...let's go over the good. ;)


I do like the spear-point, symmetrical design of the Kephart style...both in blade and handle....and I do like the ones that taper all the way from butt to tip. I also like having a small guard.

I think my personal preference would be for a full flat grind and some thin stock...say 1/8" or so.



What else should we consider?

Dan
 
Lately I've been very interested in the kephart knife design. I did a little research on the web and it seems that kephart may have modified a green river dadley pattern knife. Basically the dadley pattern knife is a 5 inch spear point butcher blade with no guard the dadley pattern is still in production. kephart's modification to the knife was a small integral guard added to the knife blade and handle.

With that said I think that the knife blade should be a spear point that is about 5 inches long with some sort of integral guard. And be 3/32 to 1/8 thick. Handle material some sort of easily obtainable hardwood hickory, cherry,walnut etc... Full flat grind.

Great topic. :thumbup:
 
Oh yeah....The keppy is one of my favorite designs, I would totally be in for 1 too. I have quite a few.

My suggestions--

keep the ricasso small, taper the tang, full flat grind would be a very cool idea, I have not seen one that does this yet. Also a full handle with thick slabs, and a blade lenghth of around 5in. No swedge, I dislike the barkie that had this feature. Keep the spearpoint, and the edge to handle, with no choil. 1/8 is a good thickness, but 3/32 would be sweet too. A wide blade too, over 1in.

I cant wait to see this:cool:
 
Just wanted to bump this back up. The idea of a 3V Kephart leaves me with an empty feeling in my wallet.
 
Would someone be willing to post a pic of this type of blade? I have no familiarity with it and am too tired to start searching.
 
Another thing I don't like is how the handle is resolved at the guard area...I'd need to find a better alternative.


let Google shine light upon your search:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=kephart&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

"Kephart" is kinda like "Nessmuk" and "bushcraft" and "bowie"....an idea more than a reality. There are many designs that are "Kephart-ish".

I too could use some pics...the ones I've seen have left me feeling kinda ho-hum....*shrug*

Dan
 
My biggest issue on ANY knife of this size is keeping the cutting edge as close to the index finger as possible. Minimal ricasso, ABSOLUTE minimal guard if there must be one. I am almost afraid to put guard/no guard issue in a post. People have intense and highly emotional feelings about them. My favorite guard is just an edge that hangs below then handle similar to Dan's Nessy. Maybe something along those lines but with less drop to keep the traditional slender overall look (?)
 
AND... 4" seems like plenty of blade for me. I know another inch helps in batoning wrist sized wood and all but you guys will have your Bushmasters for that LOL.
 
Daniel Koster said:
Another thing I don't like is how the handle is resolved at the guard area...I'd need to find a better alternative.


let Google shine light upon your search:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=kephart&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

"Kephart" is kinda like "Nessmuk" and "bushcraft" and "bowie"....an idea more than a reality. There are many designs that are "Kephart-ish".

I too could use some pics...the ones I've seen have left me feeling kinda ho-hum....*shrug*

Dan
Click to expand...

Here is pic of my Kephart Dan.....

P1050001.jpg


Here is another variation that I like ( Not mine ! )

kniveS252000225202528Small2529.jpg
 
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Yeah, I like that second one pictured above. Seems a little chubby by comparison to most I have seen but I like it.
 
The front of the handle - at the bottom - is a great place for the handle to crack or break off...so I avoid places like that where there the material tapers.

And most of the takes I've seen on the Kephart include this feature.

*shrug*


Please feel free to post pics....if I see something that has potential, I'll definitely consider it!

Dan
 
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