ML Knives Kephart

[bearthedog]

ML Kephart

Matt Lesniewski of ML Knives was kind enough to make this one of a kind Kephart with Tiger Maple handle for review. I say one of a kind because that is exactly what custom knives are. There is so much character you get from a hand forged custom knife that the little nuances in the blade and grain in the wood could never be duplicated. What you get that day is a combination of emotions that produce a work of art, much like a jazz musician playing a solo. You can see the same guy playing the same tune but it will be a little different every time!

The Kephart Knife is a big part of American cutlery history. Before we invented the term survival knife there were just knives. It was common for mountain men to head out with some simple butcher knives which were used for skinning, food prep and woodcraft.

Specs:

Blade Length-4 1/16” Aged Pattern (1095)

Blade Thickness-1/8”

Blade Shape-Spear point

Cutting Surface- 3 ¾” Convex

Handle Length- 4 3/16” Tiger Maple

Handle Thickness-13/16”

Overall Length-8 3/8”

Weight-Knife with Sheath-8 ½ oz.-Knife only 5 ¼ oz.

Leather from the oldest tannery in the USA

 

[bearthedog]

Tests

The past two weeks I have been using the ML Kephart for everything requiring cutting. This means any packages, mail, wrapping paper, packaging tape, string, and food preparation. Salame and cheddar cheese are a regular snack around here and the Kephart really got its share this week. It is important to use a new knife for everything at first to see if it feels right and could be used for hours without blisters or any discomfort. I always ask myself, could I use this knife safely when wet or with my hands covered in fish guts and animal fat? To simulate this I put a heavy does of lotion on the knife handle and start whittling. It is possible to have a handle that has a good grip only to give you blisters or hot spots after 10 minutes. For most serious knife users the handle is what will be the deciding factor when it comes to the knife ever leaving the case or house for that matter. The Kephart handle, in my opinion the simplest handle ever, this alone makes it comfortable and easy to use in a variety of positions.

Whittling
Feathering sticks for a fire is an essential task for woodcraft. I spend about one hour whittling trap parts and feathering wood when I first get a knife. This is a good test which covers two of the most important features of a knife, the handle and edge retention. The ML Kephart with its round handle and thin blade made woodwork very smooth. The edge held up great and was easily brought back to original sharpness after stropping on some 600 grit sandpaper. This was the easiest convex edge knife I have ever sharpened.

Thin fine whittling was easily done closer to the tip.

Tip Strength
The Spear Point on the ML Kephart is very stout.

I stabbed into this old 2x4 and pried out some chunks just to see if it would affect the tip. The tip did not suffer any damage. This is not a regular task for me but there are some people that like to push the limits of tools, myself included.

 

[bearthedog]

Baton/Splitting

A great combo

Knife Carry/Sheath

The sheath was hand stitched with a fold over belt loop. It was a thick deep pouch style sheath with 1 ¾” handle sticking out. It carried well on the trail feeling light and non obtrusive.

Size Comparison
ML Kephart, Azrael’s Custom Leather Nessmuk, Muskratman Knives Full Tang Puuko, Stephan Fowler Drop Point

Kephart Photos

About the Maker
Matt Lesniewski specializes in period cutlery forging in the same tradition as the early 18th and 19th century American bladsmith. Matt is a reenactor and before turning his hand to knifesmithing he was a commercial artist. I found that interesting how some well known respected knife makers used to be artists.

ML Knives

http://www.mlknives.com/KnifeHome.html

malc26@telenet.net

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great review bear...:thumbup: that is a beauty of a knife...

as you know, i am a big fan of matt's work.... they're all hard working knives, marnt to be used...

 

[bearthedog]

Mike I was hoping you could post some of your MLs. I like the rugged simplicity of them.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

Mike I was hoping you could post some of your MLs. I like the rugged simplicity of them.

man... you sure do have those fuzz sticks down....:thumbup:

here's a few of mine... as requested...


one of matt's pics...a pocket hiker... great little knife.. i have it atached to a quiver of mine...

i had this one for a whole day and then my wife stole it..

fiddleback nessmuk, ML deep woods butcher and hatched woods knife..

osage ML bird and trout...

some more of matt's pics and fine handy work... i had him carve this weeping heart for the misses.. and the silver one was foged from an old coin.. i also have a flint striker matt forged and another carving..

 

[Rockywolf]

I told myself not to open it...but I'm weak-willed. I have a knife by Matt from years ago...it is in my son's kit and he loves it! I like the rugged simplicity of Matt's work. Funny how my taste runs so much like yours, Bear. I have knives from many of the same makers as you!
Great review,

Rocky

 

[ejes]

Very nice. That is one "meaty" knife. Looks practically bombproof. It is great to see a heavy duty knife that can do fine-work in the right hands.

 

[tknife]

Really nice write up and pics. Matt's knives combine an old time sort of beauty with excellent feel and functionality.

 

[hollowdweller]

Nice Bear! From the pics that's my favorite model.

 

[othello32]

Nice review and the pictures are great. ML is very near the top of my "To Buy" list. I'm looking at the full sized Kephart or the Nessmuck.

 

[XMP]

Very nice review. I really like the look of his knves. I just haven't been able to decide on whether I want a Kephart or a Woods & Bush. Anyone have comparison thoughts?

Bear, could you elaborate a little more on your "slip" test. I'm a little leery of knives without a little more of a guard, which is why I haven't pulled the trigger on one of these yet.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Bear:

How about sending that to me for a pass around that I will forget to pass around?

Looks like a great knife!

TF

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Man, that is one stout little knife. Looks like a winner for sure.

I'm in the same boat about the kephart vs. Woods&bush. I think I lean towards the former, the kephart is just too utilitarian to ignore.

 

[bearthedog]

Hey guys got off to a late start today. Thanks for the love everyone.

I think ML knives have so much character and are real users. I was very much like everyone else when it comes to making the choice between the Kephart and W&B. The kephart is the grandfather bush knife, being a spear point with round comfortable handles. I really wanted to see what it was all about. I really have respect for those eary mountain men who didn't live with any kind of labels on their cutlery, just knives.

I say for those that don't know which they want you should try a kephart first, maybe this one! Anyone really think they need to handle it themselves, send me a mess. and maybe I can pass it around to a small number of people.

I thought hollowdweller would like this handle when I first held it.

 

[bearthedog]

Some extras

 

[patrickjames]

I have 3 ML knives.They are some of my favorites.

 

[bearthedog]

I have 3 ML knives.They are some of my favorites.

Show us what you got.

 

[bearthedog]

I don't know if anyone is interested in a small passaround for this, I have a few people that want to do one.

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

I just ordered an extended Kephart and firesteel from ML Knives. I can't wait to get it.