Runt vs. Pocket Kephart - thoughts?

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Dec 19, 2009
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Hey all - I'm starting to give a little thought to my next Fiddleback and am currently leaning towards one of the smaller models for pocket carry. I have always like the looks of the Runt but the Pocket Kephart has also caught my eye. Thoughts between the two? Does anyone own both that could post some side by side shots?

Thanks in advance!

Oh and this thread is a good reason to post pictures of either of those models...
 
Westy, I have owned several of both and my 3/32 PK is my favorite of all. Size wise not a huge difference with the Runt but a much more useful blade IMO.

My vote is for the PK. It rocks....

DSC01503_zpsdm9qzn1q.jpg
 
Scotcha - that is an outstanding sample! I feel like 3/32's is going to be my sweet spot for this blade as well.
 
Thanks Westy. I prefer thinner blades in small knives. I've found even 1/8 is pushing it.
3/32 would be the way to go IMO.
 
Westy, I have owned several of both and my 3/32 PK is my favorite of all. Size wise not a huge difference with the Runt but a much more useful blade IMO.

My vote is for the PK. It rocks....

DSC01503_zpsdm9qzn1q.jpg

Let me buy that off of you Scotcha. That one does rock...
 
Thanks BlueGhost. I'd go into major depression if I parted with it [emoji30]
 
Oh, I completely understand. I'm jealous of that perfection. Wow! It's a beaut man! Total class! I have been looking for a PK. Now I know what I'm looking for in scales.
 
By the way, _Weste_ I think I'd go with both. Life is all about a variety. [emoji51]
 
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Scotcha/Abe, how do you feel about the PK vs the Esquire. I personally prefer the Esquire over the runt, but haven't heard much comparison to the Esquire and PK.
 
Scotcha/Abe, how do you feel about the PK vs the Esquire. I personally prefer the Esquire over the runt, but haven't heard much comparison to the Esquire and PK.

Ryan,
For me the PK has a slight edge over the Esquire due to the following reasons:

Although the difference in blade length between the PK & Esquire is minimal and OAL size difference is about 1/2" when it comes to carrying the
two in sheaths the PK has a much more compact size. I have found the PK comfortable to carry even in a shirt pocket. The Esquire with sheath is too large for that.

I find the thicker handle of the PK to be slightly more comfortable.

I also prefer the wider blade of the PK but that is very subjective.
 
These are two of my favorite edc's here:

fe6c2b4c-4b42-4d40-9902-014fe66b9b79_zpsitth0ji1.jpg


For reference, I wear a med/med-lrg glove with average hands. For any golfers out there, I wear a cadet (shorter fingers) ML glove.

For me, the pros on the runt are as follows:
- Gentle curve on the butt takes the hand beautifully in a 3 finger grip
- Small size makes in great in pocket slips and dress attire (suit breast pockets, etc...)
- Supports a large range of grips for precise tasks... was cutting leather using a modified pencil grip for extreme tip control

Pros on the PK:
- Additional blade height provides more use in a larger range of tasks in minor food prep, wood prep., etc...
- I can get a full four fingers with a hammer grip (lanyard is tied as such because I loop my pinky in a sabre grip)
- The scaled down Kephart grip indexes great in my first finger and the additional handle size is more secure in heavier tasks

Both are awesome and fill most of my urban edc needs, I usually pair them with an alox SAK cadet or farmer or a smaller GEC traditional folder.

If you really want to be unkind to your wallet, head over to the pocket dump thread and view the "man-ccessories" as I call them.

IMG_20160909_081939060_HDR_zpseezfvnt3.jpg


As with all of these comparison questions, there is only one correct answer - get both of course!
 
I've tried several runts to small for my XL hands. Never tried a PK but Scotcha that is one PK I would love to try out!
 
There's already some great comparisons shared with some well thought out pros of each. For me it all boils down to pocket height. I love both the Runt and the Pocket Karda and I don't hesitate to carry either. I carry mine in my front left pocket. The PK is a ½"ish longer then the Runt (they are handmade, so there are the slight variations to account for. You won't go wrong with either . . . so the logical conclusion as stated many times before is to get both :D

One of the things I love about the dyed wood on this PK is that it changes colors as you move it. Very cool knife!

CA6CE333-528A-4207-82FE-9C8468C03848_zps7wxbmzgo.jpg


472C200C-E47C-4DC7-889C-E3838A455A92_zpsi4ebowhk.jpg


And the difference of blade thickness. Pocket Kephart 3/32", Runt 1/8", Bushcrafter Jr 3/16"

10C63F98-1BD8-4F51-AEB9-558A3F34AA97_zpsooki8anm.jpg
 
I carried my Runt many miles with me and everything worked perfectly. Eventually one day I decided I "needed" something a tad more substantial and decided to give the PK a shot.

The PK rode in my Runt's back pocket sheath for a few days and I decided that that was exactly what I was looking for. My Runt entered it's retirement home shortly there after.

Ultimately I sent that PK to a new home where I know that it is being well cared for. But, have no fear as I have replaced it with another one I had.


Moral of the story

Buy both and have multiples.:eek:
 
I've got all 3, Runt, PK, and Esquire. For me, I like how the Runt and Esquire really lock into my hand, something about the contouring at the first finger and the shorter handle height really works for me. I like the PK, but the handle feels too tall and short. It really was in a spot between the Runt and Esquire for me, so doesn't get carried.

~Jim
 
Great feedback in here guys. So far, I've liked the esquire because it's a 4 finger knife in a compact package. I think I want to try a PK now :)
 
Lot of good info in this thread so far. Ultimately I will end up with both and more than likely add an Esquire to the mix, that is the other model I have been looking at.
 
Lot of good info in this thread so far. Ultimately I will end up with both and more than likely add an Esquire to the mix, that is the other model I have been looking at.

here is a comparison pic i posted on the instagrams a little bit ago

Screenshot_20160909-213105_zpsvuolk299.png
 
I've had both, kept the Runt sold the PK. The Runt seems to fit in my hand perfectly in a 3 finger grip, however I found the PK handle to be too short for how tall it was. YMMV but somehow it wasn't a good fit for me. I'd really like to try an Esquire sometime.
 
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