Shop Talk Q4 - Build Challenge - Kephart Knife

Steelhog

Steelhog

Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
1,176
Hey all - from my previous post looks like there is some interest in an ongoing build challenge. I know we are starting a little late but I think it will be ok. For Q4 the build challenge is the Kephart knife. The build challenge is open to anyone (beginner to advanced expert) who would like to participate and have fun.

The rules are simple:
- Make a Kephart for the Q4 challenge between now and Dec 31st (some bleed over into Q1 is ok)
- Share your progress pics, ask questions, share tips and post your final knife build.
- Make a Kephart but feel free to put your own touch on it. Make it traditional/historic or a modern tribute. What ever you like.
- When you make your final showcase post with photos of your build/knife - add some details on materials used, build method, specs, alterations, etc.
- This is an informal/fun challenge. Participate if you like or just enjoy the thread and hopefully progress and final build photos.

- No hard requirement but if you plan to take part in the challenge post in the thread and share photos along the way.


If people have fun and want to continue the build challenges Q1 challenge would be the Bowie knife.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A little about the Kephart knife. (Admittedly I am no expert on Kephart so chime in with addition info /context as appropriate)

The Kephart knife is named after Horace Kephart. Horace Kephart was a writer and outdoorsman and the described the knife In the book, “Camping and Woodcraft”, Kephart describes the knife, and states that it was “of his own design” and that it was, “made by a country blacksmith, and is one of the homeliest things I ever saw; but it has outlived in my affections the score of other knives that I have used in competition with it, and has done more work than all of them put together.” In time Colclesser Brothers in Pennsylvania started making this pattern commercially.
1698630385403.png1698629110338.png
1698630419193.png


www.knifemagazine.com

The Original Kephart Examined

www.knifemagazine.com www.knifemagazine.com
 
Last edited:
I will be of course taking part in the build. If anyone has any good dimensions on some of the early 4" in 5" patterns could you please post for reference. Thanks all - this should be fun.
 
Judging by the image above, handle looks a Palms width, blade slightly more which would equate to the five inch, blade height looks to be a finger and a half which suggests 1 1/4 - 1 1/2" or 30 - 35mm, the blade thickness mmmmmm.. ot would be forged so I would think on the thick side poss 3/16"... but that would be a guess.
 
A quarter century ago, Bladeforums had a great thread on this subject. Excellent photos and measurements:

Some other data I found:

The Kephart knife is a type of sheath knife described by Horace Kephart in his book "The Book Of Camping And Woodcraft". The blade and handle are each 4 1/2 inches long, the blade being 1 inch wide, 1/8 inch thick on the back, broad pointed and continued through the handle as a hasp and riveted to it1. The knife is 9 1/2" overall, with a 4 1/2" blade, 1 1/4" wide, and 1/8" spine2.

......handle made out of wood that is about 4 to 5 inches long and has a butt that is 0.75 inches thick. Then, the length of the blade is also the same as the handle with a width that is about 1 inch and a thickness that is about 1/8 inches.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
A quarter century ago, Bladeforums had a great thread on this subject. Excellent photos and measurements:

Some other data I found:

The Kephart knife is a type of sheath knife described by Horace Kephart in his book "The Book Of Camping And Woodcraft". The blade and handle are each 4 1/2 inches long, the blade being 1 inch wide, 1/8 inch thick on the back, broad pointed and continued through the handle as a hasp and riveted to it1. The knife is 9 1/2" overall, with a 4 1/2" blade, 1 1/4" wide, and 1/8" spine2.

......handle made out of wood that is about 4 to 5 inches long and has a butt that is 0.75 inches thick. Then, the length of the blade is also the same as the handle with a width that is about 1 inch and a thickness that is about 1/8 inches.
Click to expand...
Wonderful - thank you Stacy! I figured you would have have some great info. In looking into this I also found out Horace Kephart spent some time growing up in Iowa so as a fellow Iowan I find that cool.
 
aareeyesee said:
I'm going to forge one for sure. I'm thinking 1/4x1/2 or 3/16x3/4 about 8" long starting bar size? It's so ugly it's cute. Like a English bulldog.... Go dawgs!
Click to expand...
Well , I researched for several hours on net about this knife and the conclusion is this

* everything you need, nothing you don't *
* there is nothing on that knife that doesn't need to be there *
Lot of things done on that knife make sense , I like it :)
 
So far I found this data .....Distal taper blade , tapered tang . 3/8 thick on spine , is that correct ? .Bevels are convex halfway up the blade , and then slightly convexed back towards the spine as well ? Where is thickness measured ? On spine or in middle where is the thickest part of blade ? Blade length 5 inch ......How wide it is in front on ricasso anyone know that ? I want to make it as close as possible to the original ?

uWZnmAV.png
 
Natlek said:
So far I found this data .....Distal taper blade , tapered tang . 3/8 thick on spine , is that correct ? .Bevels are convex halfway up the blade , and then slightly convexed back towards the spine as well ? Where is thickness measured ? On spine or in middle where is the thickest [art of blade ? Blade length 5 inch ......How wide it is in front on ricasso anyone know that ? I want to make it as close as possible to the original ?

uWZnmAV.png
Click to expand...
Think that is back of handle, the front of handle is a flare to ricasso.
 
Natlek said:
So far I found this data .....Distal taper blade , tapered tang . 3/8 thick on spine , is that correct ? .Bevels are convex halfway up the blade , and then slightly convexed back towards the spine as well ? Where is thickness measured ? On spine or in middle where is the thickest part of blade ? Blade length 5 inch ......How wide it is in front on ricasso anyone know that ? I want to make it as close as possible to the original ?

uWZnmAV.png
Click to expand...
yes, top convex starts above center line, and top edge chamfered
 
The scales look relatively thin. Does anyone know the scale thickness by chance? I plan to use Osage Wood - I think the originals had Walnut but Walnut dust really bothers me and Osage is still a domestic hardwood that "could have been used" so I feel its a fair substitution.
 
Last edited:
I just read your OG thread Steelhog Steelhog asking about doing a quarterly challenge, I think it’s a great idea!

I have a “Bowie” build planned for ATL Blade Show that I could do for the Q1 challenge, not sure if I‘ll be able to get it done in 3 months though 😂🥵 (and it’s not one I’m going to rush either)
 
K.B. Knifeworks said:
The scales look relatively thin. Does anyone know the scale thickness by chance? I plan to use Osage Wood - I think the originals had Walnut but Walnut dust really bothers me and Osage is still a domestic hardwood that "could have been used" so I feel its a fair substitution.
Click to expand...
* The walnut handle is thin but felt comfortable with an oval cross section . I m guessing each slabs are less then a quarter inch , except for the flare at the front *

Google this .................... the original Kephart examined
 
Just one inch ? Look like it is little more judging by the picture ?

In his book "The Book Of Camping And Woodcraft" Horace Kephart describes the "sheath knife" ..."The blade and handle are each 4 1/2 inches long, the blade being 1 inch wide, 1/8 inch thick on the back, broad pointed and continued through the handle as a hasp and riveted to it."
 
Joseph Bandeko said:
I just read your OG thread Steelhog Steelhog asking about doing a quarterly challenge, I think it’s a great idea!

I have a “Bowie” build planned for ATL Blade Show that I could do for the Q1 challenge, not sure if I‘ll be able to get it done in 3 months though 😂🥵 (and it’s not one I’m going to rush either)
Click to expand...
Hey thanks man! Yeah I think it could be fun if people are able to participate. The timing seems to be the real challenge. I think if we are able to call out the next quarters challenge in the kickoff for for the current challenge (like I did with the Bowie) that should give a little extra cushion for prep, ordering material if needed and even sending out a profile for outside HT if needed. Heck we could even build out a years schedule if we wanted to. Like I have mentioned this is all for fun, personal growth and knowledge/photo sharing.

The Bowie was W Way-Barney s idea and I think its a fantastic choice for a full quarter with advanced notice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top