My first Kephart..........

[gmusic]

Made this one up for a guy in Tennessee, my first attempt at a Kephart. To me it resembles a trading knife of the old west, just a good ol sturdy cutting tool. This one is 52100 and took a wicked sharp edge. It's 9 inches overall with Ironwood scales.

[SteelMyHeart85420]

Might have been your first, hope it's not your last...ya did the Kephart proud. Is 52100 your preferred steel?

[313 Mike]

That is a beauty, fine craftsmanship!

[Colonel26]

Awesome knife. I really like the looks of that pattern. Seems like it'd be a real sturdy user.

[gmusic]

Thanks Steel! I like 52100 a lot, probably because I'm familiar with it and I like the results I get. I'd like to try D-2 someday.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate the feedback.

Colonel, I may just make myself ones of these. It appears to be a good all around do all knife. With a tweak here and there it would be an awesome camp knife. Thanks for the feedback.

[terryl308]

Gmusic, good looking knife, I have used a little 52100 myself. I really like the desert ironwood also! D-2 is good stuff too but a little harder to heat treat. If you ever get to the panhandle of Ne,. stop by and I'll give you a used J.D. load shaft, I have quite a few laying around. Not sure if it is 5160 or 52100, I have heard both claims. It's about 1 1/4" rod, so it takes a few heats to get it down to 1/4" flat material. It keeps me out of the bars! Terry

[philco]

Once again, very nice work Gary.

[gmusic]

Hey thanks Terry! But Nebraska is way out of the way of my stomping grounds. I'm hanging out in the Piute Mountains of Eastern Kern County Ca these days, clear on the other side of the country. But hey, you never know!

[gmusic]

Thanks Phil! The Kephart was an interesting project, I may just add it to my lineup!

[QTCut5]

Here's my first (and only) Kephart (next to an open GEC #23 for size comparison), made by Bark River Knives, not by me! It has the Antique Ivory Micarta handle and CPM-3V steel. It's much lighter than I was expecting...which would be an advantage for extended back-country backpacking/hunting trips like I used to go on in my younger days. Handle has a nice solid feel and I really like the overall ergonomics/blade geometry of this pattern...but I really don't see as I'm going to have much use for it as I had originally thought...perhaps I will use it as a general camp knife or something...maybe even trade it to one of the local boar hunters or fishermen in exchange for some fresh meat. If anyone on AAPK reads this and wants it, I'm open to swap offers...it's brand new, never used; paid $210 for it from KSF, but I'll make you a good deal.

~Q~