New Barkies in Natural Canvas Micarta

HighDesertWalker

HighDesertWalker

Joined
Mar 11, 2008
Messages
1,357
I have not seen either of these newbies posted here yet, so I decided to show some pics before taking them to the field. Pictured below are the Boone and the FT Kephart:

PIc1-6-2.jpg


The Boone on top has a 5" blade at a thickness of .187", while the FT Kephart blade measures L = 4.1" and t = .145".

Here's a couple more pics of the Boone:

Pic2-5-1.jpg


Pic3-4-1.jpg


I bought this clip point because I'm a fan of 52-100 steel, and had been considering the Manitou. Before pulling the trigger I checked to see what other BR models were offered in 52-100. I found the Boone, which has a longer, thinner blade than the Manitou, both desireable variations in my opinion, so I bought it.

The clip point, anchored full tang and retention strap sheath are throwbacks to an earlier time. This is a beautiful knife which generates a lot of nostalgia. The Boone will make an excellent moderate sized field knife for hunting, trekking or camping.

Now, how 'bout that Kephart! :thumbup: There's been a lot of interest expressed on WSS about the FTK, and I assure you that if you've ordered one you won't be dissapointed. Here's a couple more pics:

Pic6-2-1.jpg


Pic4-2-1.jpg


The sheath, incidently, is not the one provided with the FTK. I have substituted one of my extras, which originally came with a Helle-Eggen. Fits perfectly, rides lower, lacks the fire steel loop, and retains a simplicity of design that compliments the no frills functionality of the Kephart. This knife may well become my favorite bushcrafter.

Cheers, :)
 
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Very nice. I like that extra sheath, gives it a great "look". The Boone reminds me of a Marble I used to want.
 
WOW, that Kephart looks good...I love the Boone..classic. Gene
 
glamdring said:
Does the kephart have a full tang. Is the tang hidden or exposed. Thanks.
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It's got a full exposed tang. BRKT does make a hidden tang model as well, but one of our WSS members reported the blade breaking loose on that model when he tried to baton with it. This one's a real winner. No swedge on the blade either. :thumbup:
 
Dammit, dammit, dammit! I didn't want to buy any more Barkies, and you have to go and post that FTK. Thanks a lot!:mad::grumpy::mad::grumpy:








;):D
 
Nice extra sheath on that Kephart:thumbup:

Natural Canvas is a very good choice, I have a couple or 3 BR knives in it but I notice an interesting variation in the colour of it, wonder why?
 
A pair of beautiful Barkies my friend. :thumbup:

When it comes to Natural Micarta, being both the canvas and resin are left natural (i.e., un-dyed) slight variations in the materials can cause quite a bit of difference in the color of the finished product.

Any variation is much less noticeable in the colored Micartas.


Tangs? :confused:


HighDesertWalker said:
...The clip point, anchored full tang and retention strap sheath are throwbacks to an earlier time...
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The Boone features a Hidden Tang that is indeed anchored by the pommel.


HighDesertWalker said:
...it's got a full exposed tang. BRKT does make a hidden tang model as well...
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The Kephart is currently produced only as a Full Tang knife, any Hidden Tang Kephart’s are from an earlier production run.


Keep 'em sharp, ...Big Mike.
 
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Both great looking blades, how does the handle on the kephart feel? Do you have an Aurora to compare it to?
 
Hidesertwalker,

I saw that broken kephart in a different thread. I wasn't up to speed on the new ones. Two things kept me from buying the old model, the swedge and the hidden partial tang. Now that the new ones have been changed I definitely have to get one. The natural micarta looks killer on that blade.

P.S. I just bought a BRKT Hudson bay camp knife:thumbup: so the kephart will have to wait a little.:)
 
Nice HDW! Good lookin barkies you got there.:thumbup:

Keppy looks great in nat micarta, and the sheath you put it in is a winner!

Thanks for sharin!
 
Liam Ryan said:
Both great looking blades, how does the handle on the kephart feel? Do you have an Aurora to compare it to?
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The handle feels great Liam. I've also got an Aurora and I like it as well for slightly different reasons.

The Aurora is what I call a no-compromise bushcraft knife. It's big enough and tough enough to handle all of the usual outdoors tasks, including batoning larger limbs than most could handle. It has a generous grip that should easily accommodate just about anyone's hands. The hand is anchored in place by substantial contouring in both the vertical and horizontal planes, and protected from the blade by a smallish integral guard. The smallish guard is more than adequate because the size of the grip and the well placed contouring aid in keeping the hand away from the blade.

The Northstar, on the other hand, is at the small end of the bushcrafter scale. The handle is adequate for a work blade that is to be used for batoning, but some compromise has been accepted in order to save weight. I take a Northstar along when I want to travel light.

The FT Kephart provides the Goldielocks solution....it's "just right". The width and depth of the grip increase towards the butt, thereby preventing the knife from shifting forward in your hand. The generous integral guard, on the other hand, prevents motion in the rearward direction and effectively keeps your hand away from the blade. Thus, the moderately sized Kephart grip is very secure and, to my taste, surprisingly comfortable.
 
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