So - the knives above went through a lot of changes... and... well - I gave them away.
Now my Father and Brother own the matching pair made above - and I made sheaths for them about two years ago.
These are now HARD using hunting knives with my brother and my father. I got them a strop and taught them how to sharpen convex knives - and they love them.
Here is my brother using his Kephart a few times:
My brother is awesome - and deserves a great knife. So - now he has one. He tells me all the time how he never needs another knife. I am very happy he uses it. I always post up on ML's site when my brother gets another deer. I think he takes at as a compliment.
The Kephart Fisher - however - never really grew on me.
It was an awesome knife, sharp, thin, capable, great with fish - but was, like its Kephart Brother - a little short in the handle for me.
This one I sold.
So - why am I doing a review without a Kephart to my name. Never fear. I am dumb- but I am not stupid. I had two new knives in my hands from Matt before I gave the last one to my father.
I called Matt - asked him to make me another Kephart - with a slightly longer handle - and put my initials on it. Yup - I had him put my initials on this one because I knew I would never part with this knife BEFORE he made it. Nothing has changed my mind yet.
MY ML Kephart:
Specs:
Overall Length 9.426
Handle Length: 4.809
Blade Length: 4.617
Edge Length: 4.488
Blade Thickness: 0.120
Blade Steel: 1090
Blade Height - from edge to spine: 1.169
Handle Thickness at rear and middle of handle: 0.950
Handle Thickness near Ricasso: 0.665
Handle Scale Material: Tiger Maple
Pin and Lanyard Tube Material: Brass
Background:
I called Matt after I realized that I wanted to give my knife away to my father - and ordered another two (A Modified Kephart - and Modified Patch Knife to take the place of the Kephart Fisher. Matt was fast, fair, and had great communication. I have now owned, or own, seven ML Knives and would not hesitate to order another. I don't like to go to his website - as it tends to cost me money.
Fit and Finish:
Matt makes a very rustic knife. He hand forges the steel and uses all the old school techniques when putting a knife together. This knife is like owning a custom Old Hickory on Sterioids. It just screams old school. Anyway, Matt's fit and finish are very equal to the type of knife he puts out. The top of the blade I had him leave 'as forged' (this is an option) and it all the hammer marks show. He puts a hell of a grind on it though and the knife comes razor sharp out of the box. Matt is the only maker I do not sharpen his knives when I get them. I use them - and then touch them up. His grinds are very even, very symmetrical, and the convex is so gradual from spine to edge as to be almost sublime.
One thing I love about Matt is that he has a TRUE convex on his edges. He doesn't make a convex blade and then quickly rip out a micro double bevel to sharpen his knives. He takes his time, obviously with honing and polishing - and has a true convex blade and edge.
The scales came sanded to a very fine grit and the blade and scales matched perfectly. However, Tiger Maple is a lot more 'alive' on the blade and depending on the weather and the humidity level - the scales will shift on you a little. Sometimes they get a little proud of the metal - sometimes they shrink a little. You have to be anal to notice this - and I have never noticed it in use. Matt puts a natural finish on his scales that allow the wood to breathe (in his words) - and the knife is truly a thing of old school beauty.
Because I asked for an extra 1/2 inch on the handle - he put a lanyard tube (His suggestion - no up charge) on the rear. the pins and tube are perfectly in line and simply melt into the wood around them they are so well fit.
With todays water jet blades, C&C finished handles, and automated grinding - this knife can look almost crude in comparison to some knives on the market. However, just because this knife is not going to win any beauty contests in terms of 'spit and polish' but it was never intended to. It was intended to be faithful to Horace Kepharts design and be a hard working, living, tool. It is everything of that and more. It isn't perfect... but it looks "right" - if you get what I am trying to say.
Original Sharpening:
I always include this portion on my review as I almost always sharpen my knives before even putting them on my belt - but I have learned that this is superfluous with ML Knives. With that said - I have sharpened this Kephart dozens of times - and the 1090 is a joy to sharpen. I use a JRE strop bat while at home and a chunk of leather and wet, dry sand paper out in the field. I have also sharpened this knife with a DC4 in the field - and always had great results.
I tend to always sharpen my knives the full width of the grind. I find this does not allow for an acute shoulder to form on my convex edges and keeps the original grind true. I find this knives needs little more than touching up with used 2000 grit wet dry after a weekend of hard use and some stropping to be silly sharp.
Blade Geometry:
The blade thickness is essentially 1/8th inch thick and the grind is nearly 1/2 inch wide. This leaves the knife convex edge very sharp, thin, and makes for an awesome slicer. However, I have not found it to be weak while battoning or in hard use. There is something in Matt's forging and heat treat that leaves a knife that is very hard - but also easy to sharpen - and flexible and forgiving. I have no idea about metalurgy or the art of forging - I just know when I slice meat with it - it is easy to press too hard... when I hammer the spine of it - it goes through kindling. I really don't give a shit if he uses pixy dust or shakes a chickens foot at his blades - as long as they work as well as they do - I will keep buying them.
Horace Kephart himself admitted this knife design was not a very pretty design. He also knew a good thing when he had it in his hands. The blade looks a little over long. The finger guard looks like someone didn't have the right tools to grind something decent. The handle looks like someone split a broom stick and put it on both sides. Let's just be honest - as knife designs go - she is not the prettiest girl at the dance.
However, the blacksmith that put the first "Kephart" knife together for him, knew what the hell he was doing:
The Spear point on the blade gives acceptable drilling accuracy while giving you a nice place to start while skinning.
The straight long blade gives you a ton of room to make anything from fuzz sticks - or flip around and use as a draw knife as needed.
The long blade makes it easy to full choke up on for fine work if necessary.
The neutral handle (slightly tapered toward the blade) makes it comfortable in almost any position while the larger round guard makes for a safe use and a way to know where your knife is in low light situations.
The slight taper on the scales make putting your thumb on the flat of the blade comfortable as well as choking up a breeze.
I don't know what it is about this design - but damn it - it works. I have been converted. I always thought they were damned ugly - and frankly still do - but I don't care. It works and does what I want it to do - so screw aesthetics. Let form follow function.
Balance:
The blade balances right behind the first pin and slightly behind where your forefinger would go. This is not a nimble knife as it is a larger knife - but it is quick in the hand - and feels good to use in long term situations.
Handle Design:
There isn't much to say here. It is a dowel - split in half - with a guard cut in. Sorry - but it is... This is the most neutral handled blade I own. It feels the same in nearly every position. It is a hand full - and feels great. Again, I don't care that it looks simplistic. Simple is hard. This handle is perhaps the most comfortable knife I have to use for a long time. If I have to carve something or work for a long time with a knife - I will grab this blade - or my Straight Back Kephart by ML.
With that said. Matt knows how to use Tiger Maple. I have had some great luck with his knives and this handle has some awesome figuring. It isn't the hardest wood on the block - but it is forgiving and comfortable.
Overall Feelings:
I have used this knife for some time and it is a go to blade for me. Matt is a great guy who sells a great product at an unbelievably fair price. I am glad his waiting list has grown and I hope he makes knives for a long time to come. I am sure I am not done ordering from him.
TF
