I have just ordered this after spending a couple of weeks choosing which Kephart seems most true to the original. I think I am going to have finally found a primary knife that I am completely happy with.
I have several knives I keep put away or I would carry nothing else, folders and fixed. I have the BK62 Kephart on my wish list. It was right below the BK16, which I just got at Blade show...from Ethan Becker. I had Dan Eastland, the guy from Dogwood Custom Knives who helped Becker do the engineering production drawings for this knife, on a live stream a few months ago. He has sole license to make the modern custom version of this knife. Both he and Ethan are super nice and interesting guys. I think Dan was on for something like 3 hours. It was a great time. Anyway, I am glad to see you are still enjoying the Kephart. I have focused on Nessmuk style designs for some time and starting to get more into Keps now too. I will have one of Dan's eventually. Stay frosty.
👍 My experience with the KaBar BK62 is similar to yours. Initially I thought the thinness of the handle might be an issue, but as you said it is not. Initially I thought the 5 inch (127mm) blade might be too long as I generally prefer shorter blade, but again it has not been an issue. All in all this version of the Kephart knife has become one of my favorites.
I absolutely love the Kephart knife. I studied on the knifes offered in the community for several years before i decided to make my purchase . Captain Airyca's video presentation was excellent and helped in deciding on making my purchase two years ago. I have EDC it without fail every day since. I use it at work , car camping , outings at the lake and even place it bedside when I sleep. After reading everything on Horace Kephart I was able to find and taking his advice on using the very best equipment available at the time ( his time being the early 1920s and up to his accident and death ) I was not satisfied with the materials available for my knife. Then Bark River developed an offering in the Kephart design. The Bark River Kephart CPM3V 5inch with mycarta handels and red liners was what I decided to buy . It offered me the best materials available for my dream knife 🔪. I called Bark River and after several discussions with the sales manager and one technician who agreed to help me and take the concept of the changes to fit my needs ,minor but important to me, my perfect tool was created. It took a little bit longer than expected but the outcome was fantastic! It culminating in more than I could've hoped for . The fit and finish are made to fit my larger than normal hands and I have used my knife for several hours without any Hotspot or discomfort. Yes you get what you pay for, 300 plus a sheath from Tops knives that is designed to deep carry the knife so that it is hidden inside not visible at all. This is because in my area while it is legal to carry a fixed blade up to 6 inches ,in public , i thought out of sight out of mind, and in two years on my hip I've never once been asked about it because it is not visible to be a threat . It worked. I've used it to clean game , squirrel, fish ,deer, turkey and hog. Made a shelter or two . Opened many boxes at work . As a letter opener it rocks 😆. Makes great peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Slices tomatoes and potatoes like a dream . Functions as my steak knife when I go out to restaurants . I am definitely of the opinion that this was and is the very best piece of kit that I have ever bought. I own many other knives of brands and styles but I can say that the only one I use now is my SAK trekker pocket knife and my fixed blade Bark River Kephart. I do have a big old Bowie knife that I have as a truck knife and that is what i use for batonning and light chopping . I have a silky gomboy and a scout woods axe to round out my gear. I ran across your website and thought you were offering informative and interesting articles about equipment and bushcrafting. Joined up and subscribed and am enjoying watching your early videos and hope to see much more. Thank you for your time and creative work. All the best 👍
Sitting here waiting for mine to come in the mail any minute now. By the way I was wondering why I was hearing tractors outside my place. The sound is pretty realistic with my new speakers. If you want thicker handles you can add some Thin spacers between the wooden grips and the knife itself just like the spacers you see on tops knives handles. You can buy the spacer material and just shape it to the knife handle using a laminate Edge Trimmer or a router table. You might need longer screws but you can always get those at the hardware store
Have you ever used the Puma White Hunter ? It's a little heavy in the front which makes it handy for chopping smaller stuff can be used for batoning has a slightly recurve blade. I used this knife when I was in Vietnam and still use it today, although I do have other knives this one has always been my favorite . I'm sorry, but I just noticed the Lynyrd Skynyrd tee-shirt you're wearing. Seen them a few times live .
@@RedBranchBushcraft I apologize. I was a little tipsy and feeling a little trolly. My GF is Irish and y'all sound alike. You did give a good review and I did purchase the knife partially based on your review.
@Red Branch Bushcraft so you recommend it then? I still not pressed the buy button yet on it but if you say its good then it must be I love my traditional blades
I believe that's what Horace Kephart did. Or had someone do. His favorite knife had about a 4-inch blade with a spearpoint and flat grind. He had to have someone else sew a sheath for him. In his bushcraft book he devotes 4 paragraphs to knives. Half a century later, Mors Kochansky had 23 pages in his bushcraft book devoted to knives. But in the end he simply used a cheapo Mora 511 ($12) with the spine ground to a 90, the guard knob at the top of the handle cut off, and a lanyard hole drilled in the butt. I think he wrapped gaffer's tape around the handle for good measure. That's it. Took him longer to write his 23 pages than customize the knife he used forever. Gotta love these old bushcraft characters.
was out hunting, and my rifle jammed as a 500lb stag charged me, only knife i had to hand was my becker kephart, pulled it out and when the stag got close i ducked down and to the side and stuck my knife in its neck, its antler ripped open my shoulder, but i killed it
@@RedBranchBushcraft up, cant lift my arm higher than a 45 degree angle, but im still alive, got the stags head taxidermized and have it in my office along with my kephart hung next to it
@@RedBranchBushcraft yeah, lesson from that day is to keep the knife sharp and the rifle maintained, turned out to be a faulty feed lips on the magazine in my rifle, caused the rounds to all jump up at once after i loaded the first round, seized the thing up good
Not the modern ones I have an original wilkinson sword Type d & it is the best survival knife I've ever used. It's lovely to use light weight compared to the modern j.adams It's even tapered into the handle. The modern j.adams that replaced the original type d by wilky or Rogers is totally the opposite It's too big too heavy cuts terrible too thick. It's basically a crow bar with a handle & got to be the worse knife I've ever used total Garbage to wot they used to be. The wilkinson sword version I have which is 70 years old now & still kicking ass is the best British survival knife ever made. J.adams should of kept to the original design
@@lonewandererbushcraftwildc6822 I totally agree. I’m using my Grandfathers old knives from the military, still today. Can’t beat them. All the best. 👍🏾🇬🇧
kabar doesnt own the original, ethan becker does, he hated the look of it when his buddy first showed him it, but after holding it and doing one cut with it, he wasnt letting it go
@@RedBranchBushcraft i know, if i had to sum up this knife in a single word, id say its "right" its just right, all the faults with the knife are faults that can be fixed with an axe and a box of matches, 2 things any real bush crafter would own
I have just ordered this after spending a couple of weeks choosing which Kephart seems most true to the original.
I think I am going to have finally found a primary knife that I am completely happy with.
I love this knife , my first choice
we tell our pets bless you when they sneeze
Lol, it's important to be kind to out furry friends
Very good video! I bought this knife!
A great knife
Good review
Cheers Ed
I have several knives I keep put away or I would carry nothing else, folders and fixed. I have the BK62 Kephart on my wish list. It was right below the BK16, which I just got at Blade show...from Ethan Becker. I had Dan Eastland, the guy from Dogwood Custom Knives who helped Becker do the engineering production drawings for this knife, on a live stream a few months ago. He has sole license to make the modern custom version of this knife. Both he and Ethan are super nice and interesting guys. I think Dan was on for something like 3 hours. It was a great time.
Anyway, I am glad to see you are still enjoying the Kephart. I have focused on Nessmuk style designs for some time and starting to get more into Keps now too. I will have one of Dan's eventually. Stay frosty.
Excellent buddy, thanks
I've had a BK2 for two years now and I love it! I put a mustard patina on my blade to give a little character.
Nice!! My patina us coming in nice to
👍 My experience with the KaBar BK62 is similar to yours.
Initially I thought the thinness of the handle might be an issue, but as you said it is not. Initially I thought the 5 inch (127mm) blade might be too long as I generally prefer shorter blade, but again it has not been an issue.
All in all this version of the Kephart knife has become one of my favorites.
Excellent
If you was to chose 1 kephart knife to do all the camp tasks required etc which one would you choose?
The ka-bar
I absolutely love the Kephart knife. I studied on the knifes offered in the community for several years before i decided to make my purchase . Captain Airyca's video presentation was excellent and helped in deciding on making my purchase two years ago. I have EDC it without fail every day since. I use it at work , car camping , outings at the lake and even place it bedside when I sleep.
After reading everything on Horace Kephart I was able to find and taking his advice on using the very best equipment available at the time ( his time being the early 1920s and up to his accident and death ) I was not satisfied with the materials available for my knife. Then Bark River developed an offering in the Kephart design. The Bark River Kephart CPM3V 5inch with mycarta handels and red liners was what I decided to buy . It offered me the best materials available for my dream knife 🔪. I called Bark River and after several discussions with the sales manager and one technician who agreed to help me and take the concept of the changes to fit my needs ,minor but important to me, my perfect tool was created. It took a little bit longer than expected but the outcome was fantastic! It culminating in more than I could've hoped for . The fit and finish are made to fit my larger than normal hands and I have used my knife for several hours without any Hotspot or discomfort.
Yes you get what you pay for, 300 plus a sheath from Tops knives that is designed to deep carry the knife so that it is hidden inside not visible at all. This is because in my area while it is legal to carry a fixed blade up to 6 inches ,in public , i thought out of sight out of mind, and in two years on my hip I've never once been asked about it because it is not visible to be a threat . It worked.
I've used it to clean game , squirrel, fish ,deer, turkey and hog. Made a shelter or two . Opened many boxes at work . As a letter opener it rocks 😆. Makes great peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Slices tomatoes and potatoes like a dream . Functions as my steak knife when I go out to restaurants . I am definitely of the opinion that this was and is the very best piece of kit that I have ever bought. I own many other knives of brands and styles but I can say that the only one I use now is my SAK trekker pocket knife and my fixed blade Bark River Kephart. I do have a big old Bowie knife that I have as a truck knife and that is what i use for batonning and light chopping . I have a silky gomboy and a scout woods axe to round out my gear.
I ran across your website and thought you were offering informative and interesting articles about equipment and bushcrafting. Joined up and subscribed and am enjoying watching your early videos and hope to see much more.
Thank you for your time and creative work. All the best 👍
Brilliant! Excellent comment thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoy the channel, feel free to ask about anything or offer suggestions for topics etc
Sitting here waiting for mine to come in the mail any minute now. By the way I was wondering why I was hearing tractors outside my place. The sound is pretty realistic with my new speakers.
If you want thicker handles you can add some Thin spacers between the wooden grips and the knife itself just like the spacers you see on tops knives handles. You can buy the spacer material and just shape it to the knife handle using a laminate Edge Trimmer or a router table. You might need longer screws but you can always get those at the hardware store
Excellent stuff, hope it comes quickly
Have you ever used the Puma White Hunter ? It's a little heavy in the front which makes it handy for chopping smaller stuff can be used for batoning has a slightly recurve blade. I used this knife when I was in Vietnam and still use it today, although I do have other knives this one has always been my favorite . I'm sorry, but I just noticed the Lynyrd Skynyrd tee-shirt you're wearing. Seen them a few times live .
Nice one on Skynyrd, no never seen puma knives
I love the Finnish accent!
Mine? I'm Irish
@@RedBranchBushcraft I apologize. I was a little tipsy and feeling a little trolly. My GF is Irish and y'all sound alike. You did give a good review and I did purchase the knife partially based on your review.
@BillRalens lol, no worries buddy , sure I'm Irish were a bit tipsy all the time, for you like the knife? I love it
One of the more sensible reviews on this knife I think. 👊🏻🤙🏻
Only think bugging me about it is the price.
Cheers buddy, prices are always an issue , I was lucky enough to trade for this
So spydeco or becker kephart? If you was to choose 1 lol 😆
Ah man!! Spyderco I think ............
No wait
Update on the bk62 kephart mate you still got it or did you sell ut 😂
Nope, still using it every time I'm out almost
@Red Branch Bushcraft so you recommend it then?
I still not pressed the buy button yet on it but if you say its good then it must be I love my traditional blades
I had to put it away, I had loads of knives to review and I was just using the kephart, love it
Find a good old Case XX Butcher & make your own Kepart! Or any other 5 to 7 inch heavy butcher & grind your own version. ....JMO
That will work to
I believe that's what Horace Kephart did. Or had someone do. His favorite knife had about a 4-inch blade with a spearpoint and flat grind. He had to have someone else sew a sheath for him. In his bushcraft book he devotes 4 paragraphs to knives. Half a century later, Mors Kochansky had 23 pages in his bushcraft book devoted to knives. But in the end he simply used a cheapo Mora 511 ($12) with the spine ground to a 90, the guard knob at the top of the handle cut off, and a lanyard hole drilled in the butt. I think he wrapped gaffer's tape around the handle for good measure. That's it. Took him longer to write his 23 pages than customize the knife he used forever. Gotta love these old bushcraft characters.
@ronagoodwell2709 nice
was out hunting, and my rifle jammed as a 500lb stag charged me, only knife i had to hand was my becker kephart, pulled it out and when the stag got close i ducked down and to the side and stuck my knife in its neck, its antler ripped open my shoulder, but i killed it
No way
@@RedBranchBushcraft up, cant lift my arm higher than a 45 degree angle, but im still alive, got the stags head taxidermized and have it in my office along with my kephart hung next to it
That's a crazy story , unreal. Like the original ka-bar story
@@RedBranchBushcraft yeah, lesson from that day is to keep the knife sharp and the rifle maintained, turned out to be a faulty feed lips on the magazine in my rifle, caused the rounds to all jump up at once after i loaded the first round, seized the thing up good
Picture please
Try an original British Army Survival knife. Way better.
All the best.👍🏾🇬🇧
I had one , I found it to heavy. A solid knife but not my thing
@@RedBranchBushcraft Too heavy? 🤣😉
Not the modern ones I have an original wilkinson sword Type d & it is the best survival knife I've ever used.
It's lovely to use light weight compared to the modern j.adams
It's even tapered into the handle.
The modern j.adams that replaced the original type d by wilky or Rogers is totally the opposite It's too big too heavy cuts terrible too thick.
It's basically a crow bar with a handle & got to be the worse knife I've ever used total Garbage to wot they used to be.
The wilkinson sword version I have which is 70 years old now & still kicking ass is the best British survival knife ever made.
J.adams should of kept to the original design
@@lonewandererbushcraftwildc6822 I totally agree.
I’m using my Grandfathers old knives from the military, still today.
Can’t beat them.
All the best. 👍🏾🇬🇧
Nice
kabar doesnt own the original, ethan becker does, he hated the look of it when his buddy first showed him it, but after holding it and doing one cut with it, he wasnt letting it go
Lol
@@RedBranchBushcraft its a knife that just works, ive seen a knife snob who think medfords are all you need pick this knife up and go "oh thats nice"
@@kevinmorrice i really love this knife , i actually had to put it away so i will use other ones for a change
@@RedBranchBushcraft i know, if i had to sum up this knife in a single word, id say its "right" its just right, all the faults with the knife are faults that can be fixed with an axe and a box of matches, 2 things any real bush crafter would own
And domd knowledge