The Kephart thread

If I had the skill to do it, I would probably try modding some kitchen knife in a similar way ;)
Some makers offer smaller versions of this pattern as well. Somehow (although I never handled any) I assume that this pattern gives its best in the 8,5"-9" spot though.

Fausto
:cool:
 
FordRanger said:
Like this? I call it my "Old Hickhart." I made a leather sheath for it and carry it regularly camping and hiking. Its not exactly the way he described his, But I had the knife already and wanted to see if I liked the pattern before ordering the Condor Kephart. I'm definitely sold on this design's versatility and abilities in the field. Its a great little knife. I want to thin it out some more and taper the grip to form a guard, but I like it the way it is enough to not really want to change it.



I also rounded the edges of the wood scales, sanded it, stained it, and used some lacquer to seal it. It looks slippery, but the lacquer actually made it slightly tacky so when its wet I can still keep a good hold on it.
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Yup, just what I had in mind. That looks like a seriously handy camp knife.
 
quattromori, I am glad to see someone else express the same opinion as me. Most of what people try to pass off as a Kephart knife is not a Kephart, and some of these are custom makers jumping on the bandwagon. We know what a Kephart knife looks like, Joe Flowers studied the one in the first post. If many of these non-Kephart knives were Kepharts then my BHK Maverick is a Kephart! But is it not, it is a BHK Maverick! Not just any spear point blade is a Kephart.

Youtube has a video of it: https://www.you tube.com/watch?v=t07rJnF48hg

Interestingly. Mors echoes what Kephart says, a knife at least as wide as your hand (typically 4" or so) and a handle that extends a bit bast your pinky. The only major difference as to what to look for in a woods knife is the grind as Mors prefers a Scandi grind.
 
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Maverick299 said:
Yup, just what I had in mind. That looks like a seriously handy camp knife.
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It is, I made it probably four months ago, planning to get a Condor if I liked it, but I just keep using this one. Originally I thought I would need a sharper tip, but then I realized that Kephart himself paired it with a slipjoint, so I use it accordingly. When I need delicate point work, I use a different knife. This thing is a great knife for everything I've ever needed out in the woods. I'll still get the Condor eventually...
 
I was thinking Kephart/Dadly (is there much difference?) when I did this.
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Six inches is longer than Kep would have approved, but this is what I started with.
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My Kephart pulling breakfast duty,






I just traded for a ML Kephart and should see it in about a week. I am very excited.

This is one of those designs I purposely avoided. Not sure why. But suddenly it hit me like a tone of bricks just how wonderfully thought out this knife is.

No mall ninja, nothing super fancy. But it just plain works. Like the old saying, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
 
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LostViking,
nice looking BRKT you have there.
When you get the ML kephart, it would be great to get some feedback, opinions and comparisons... :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
Sweet BR Kephart, LV. :thumbup:

Another option in this category worth considering is the L.T. Wright "Genesis." While it isn't called a "Kephart," in all dimensions, blade and handle shape, it is a Kephart design.

9" overall, 4.25" blade, 1/8" thick.

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I was about ready to pull the trigger on a Genesis. Then a Blind Horse Forest Trail showed up. So funds got diverted. I still may grab one at some point. They may not call it a Kephart. But the design clues are there.

I will definitely post up some pictures and thoughts when the ML arrives.

The BR Kepehart has gained favor with me. Much like Horace himself said, not for its beauty, but for its utility. Just an easy knife to carry and use. On your belt in the woods, at the campfire, or in the kitchen. It's just a low key, low maintenance, do it all design.
 
My ML Kephart Showed up this afternoon.

I just came in to give you guys a few quick teaser shots. Also in the Pictures are my BR Kephart and my Spyderco Bushcraft UK for some scale.



All Three,



Spine comparison,



Grabbed a stick and had at it, i really like Osage Orange handles on traditional knives.



Not bad for only holding the knife for ten minutes.



I have a feeling this one will be sticking around. (Pun Intended)
 
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Great pictures. This one is very tempting as well. Is your 1/8" thick? I'm leaning more towards the 3/32" version.
Please share some thoughts and comparison with the BRKT when you can :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
I should have my LT Wright Bushcrafter in the next couple of weeks which will be my first Kephart inspired type knife. If I like the feel, the ML Kephart will be soon on order. His waiting list is VERY long so that will be a tough wait but I've fallen in love with his knives.
 
Ok, so it's not finished, but this is my Kephart EDC pattern. Pretty nice EDC size at 6" oal.

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Threads like this on the forum made me want to try my own Kephart, so I went and asked Malanika from the forums if he would mind making me one based on the BR Kephart with a 5" blade. Ended up with a slightly tapered and drilled design to reduce weight nice walnut scales and coming in at 5.1 ounces it hit the light mark. Its not a "TRUE" Kephart but its not to far off either.
Steel is 80crv2 ~2.4mm 5" blade, some people may not like 80CrV2 because it does not get as fine an edge as other steels, but it holds a working edge very well and is tough, exactly what I wanted in a working blade. Malanika had no stock thin enough, so he had a blacksmith forge the stock thinner and give it a taper to boot. He went to quite a bit of trouble all up and the original cheap quote never moved. I feel I got something worth more then I paid.. feeling guilty almost like I stole it. :confused: It also came with a "basic" leather sheath... which is Malanikas way of saying nice and plain but well made. This is kinda a sales pitch as my way of thanks. :)

I have yet to put it to any real tasks it would be suited too, I have used it for food prep which it works great, I also used it for cutting 1-2" hardwood branches for putting out a bushfire front in forested area(prescribed burning that got out of control) which it did, but quite clearly its not a chopper and its just what I had on me when shit hit the fan. I'm currently recovering from a dislocated shoulder along with other minor injuries from fighting said fire, once I recover I'm looking forward to making a few snares and other bush"crafty" things to see how it performs doing things one can imagine Kephart himself would have used it for.
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This is my take. CPM 3V steel at 62HRC and stabilized pale moon ebony burl. High flat grind and cuts fantastic.

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That Laconico and Wright are gorgeous. I generally find the pattern unattractive, but those are really well done. The closest thing I own is a BK-16 (quite close by the numbers), and it's a fabulous all-around blade, so perhaps I need to soften my opinion of Kepharts in general.
 
TLR said:
This is my take. CPM 3V steel at 62HRC and stabilized pale moon ebony burl. High flat grind and cuts fantastic.

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I agree with Jeff ;)
Beautiful knife, and it looks like a pleasure to use. How long is it? Looks quite thin (so does the BRKT). I assume CPM-3V allows for that. I'll have to give it a try..... :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
I have the Condor. When I look at it, I wonder why I ever bought it because it isn't attractive at all, but when I go to grab a fixed blade knife, that one gets picked more often than any of the others. It is an excellent working knife that will easily handle a wide range of tasks.
 
popedandy said:
I have the Condor. When I look at it, I wonder why I ever bought it because it isn't attractive at all, but when I go to grab a fixed blade knife, that one gets picked more often than any of the others. It is an excellent working knife that will easily handle a wide range of tasks.
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I can't agree with you more. Its a HECK of a knife that's tough to beat in performance, Ugly as they come but very functional.
 
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