Bmurray
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 7,773
It's been a journey looking for the near perfect knife to fit my all around needs. I've owned so many different brands and models, it's hard to remember them all. Most were purchased to try and find the "perfect" knife for me and when they didn't meet my expectations, they were moved on. Not that they were bad knives, just wasn't it. Some years ago I believe I read a thread from Brian Griffin. As always it was loaded with info that really detailed the usability of a knife. This knife was the mid-tech or production series Kephart. "AKA the Pro-Kephart". The knife is a sweet design however it has basically no features of the original Horice Kephart design other than it has a blade, handle and is a knife.
Once I received mine from the Fiddleback Outpost, I knew I was getting close. The absolute best feature of Andy's design was the handle. I think its the best user handle profile in the knife industry with one of the best steels, s35vn. However the design was not quite the perfect knife because for me a drop point style blade with more belly for skinning is the the best all around design.
One day while hiking with the pups, I had my FB Kephart riding on my hip and the tip just feel off. Very strange, but must have been a structural defect in the s35vn steel and or something Andy did wrong. I guess we'll never know. I sent it to the forge for that lifetime warranty and Phil sent me a replacement. I then asked to buy my "defected" knife back so Andy just ground the tip down to a sheepsfoot style.
Since I had a modified knife it was time to take the best handle/steel and modify it to what I wanted and that would be something like a Pro-Bushcrafter with a slightly shorter blade. This is where I'm at right now. Still need to put the tumble finish back on and sharpen it up. I'll be following up with this thread from time to time with pics and any thoughts that may pop up.
And no, it's not for sale!
Once I received mine from the Fiddleback Outpost, I knew I was getting close. The absolute best feature of Andy's design was the handle. I think its the best user handle profile in the knife industry with one of the best steels, s35vn. However the design was not quite the perfect knife because for me a drop point style blade with more belly for skinning is the the best all around design.
One day while hiking with the pups, I had my FB Kephart riding on my hip and the tip just feel off. Very strange, but must have been a structural defect in the s35vn steel and or something Andy did wrong. I guess we'll never know. I sent it to the forge for that lifetime warranty and Phil sent me a replacement. I then asked to buy my "defected" knife back so Andy just ground the tip down to a sheepsfoot style.
Since I had a modified knife it was time to take the best handle/steel and modify it to what I wanted and that would be something like a Pro-Bushcrafter with a slightly shorter blade. This is where I'm at right now. Still need to put the tumble finish back on and sharpen it up. I'll be following up with this thread from time to time with pics and any thoughts that may pop up.
And no, it's not for sale!
