Fire Log: November 27, 2015

Finally got a little extra time today to build a new fire pit and reflector for the Winter Bushcraft Shelter and play with some new kit.   I think the pit has the right orientation to the shelter now,  so the smoke blows away  or straight up.   My youngest son actually started the fire today with his fire steel and jute twine.   It takes him about 2 minutes to get a fire going,  not bad for an 11 year old.

New Pit & Reflector

BK 16 close up for Becker Fans

BK-16 makes amazing feathers and shavings for campfires.  This was a piece of Black Walnut ( We have a lot of these around here).
















I also brought out the BK-5 today too,   because the new Becker needed company.

Sharpening Reflector Stakes

After chopping points on to the reflector support stakes,  shavings still curled off the Walnut.    Overall we still had a good time playing in the dirt!

Be safe and enjoy the season everyone!

My Condor Kephart

I received the Condor Knife and Tool Kephart for Father's Day.  This knife has ridden on my hip for most days since opening the box.   Four plus months is a fair length of time to give an honest evaluation of the blade.

Kephart by Condor Knife & Tool

Specifications:

• Blade Length:  4 1/2 inches
• Blade Thickness: 3 mm
• Overall Length:  9 inches
• Width: 1 inch
• Grind: Flat
• Steel: 1075 High Carbon Steel
• Hardness: 56 - 58 Rockwell 

     I have a standard that all new Bushcraft Knives are judged against.  It's a rigid scale that shows no mercy.  This measuring stick is the Mora Heavy Duty.  I cherish my Mora Knives,  owning five of my own and given out four others as gifts.  There is no other brand of knives that I have found to match the performance, durability, and overall quality for the price point.   In my opinion,  Mora knives value exceeds the price by several orders of magnitude.   I can't speak for the custom knives that are available,  as I don't own any.   My comparison of the Kephart to Mora HD is just to give some perspective to the reader on my thought process and maybe prejudices.

My favorite Mora HD

Mora HD MG Specifications:

• Blade Length: 4 1/8 inches
• Blade Thickness: 3.2 mm
• Overall Length: 8.8 inches
• Width: just shy of 7/8 inches (my measurement)
• Grind: Scandinavian
• Steel:  High Carbon Steel
• Hardness: 59 -60 Rockwell

The Kephart and the HD are very close to each other by specifications.  However,  that is really where the similarities stop.  

Blade Thickness:

Blade Thickness Comparison

The HD is advertised at 3.2 mm and the Kephart is listed at 3.0mm.  As seen in the photo,  the Mora is slightly thicker and the Kephart tapers from the scales to the tip.  The taper doesn't bother me at all.

Blade Length and Width:

Profile

Ignoring the grind,  the width and length of each blade is very close.   Holding with Mors Kochanski's writings,  the Kephart fits form and size perfectly for bushcrafting.  The above picture also illustrates the major differences in handle, grind, point and proportions in this comparison.

Handle Profile

The handle of the Kephart is actually very ergonomic.  It develops a swell as the scales move towards the hilt of the knife.  Again,  when compared to the HD there is obviously less handle to grip.  I have XL hands and still find the handle comfortable.   

I have one complaint about the handle.   When using for long periods of time,  like making feather sticks,  The handle becomes too "skinny" for comfort.   I don't hot spots,   just hand fatigue.

Kephart Hand Hold

Mora HD Hand Hold

I think this is caused by the location of my first two fingers when holding a knife.  So if I'm going to make a big pile of shavings for fires,   the Kephart probably won't be my choice.   This really isn't a major ding on the Kephart,  I have not found a knife yet that matches the Mora for hand comfort...yet.

Final Thoughts and Opinions:

 I like the Condor Kephart,  a lot!   It feels good in the hand,  good steel,  and classic lines.   You won't find a better knife sheath combination either.   The leather sheath is the same high quality as my previously purchased Condor products.  The spine is squared off enough to throw nice sparks from my fire steel.  I find myself liking the flat grind more and more,  especially after I worked on the edge enough to get a good slicing angle for feathering.   Reasonable batoning would be OK,  but I'm not big on that with a knife this size.   You have to get rid of the factory coating quickly.   This thing kept getting rust spots over night,  until I stripped the blade and soaked it some vinegar.  Not a lick of rust since!

The Condor Knife and Tool Kephart Knife is a great knife and I would not hesitate recommending it to others.

My Field Gear : Cutting tools

One knife option, Nessmuk Trio, full size axe needed to survive a winter night "up north",  my head hurts...make it stop!  How about what works for the intended activity with a dose of practicality.

I have the big knives at seven to nine inches,  knives in the four to five inch length,  a few smaller ones that are folding pocket models.  Most are carbon steel, but a few are a variety of stainless flavors.  Some work for me, others well....not so much.

BK-5

So starting with the big, at least for me, I currently own a USMC Ka-Bar, a Becker BK-5, and a Condor Varan.  All are carbon steel with different grinds, carbon content, etc.. Specs on the steel and geometry of the blades are available from multiple sites and forums.  These large knives will carve, chop, baton, clear brush, whittle, and many other camp chores.  Using this size of knife you feel like you are holding more than a hunting knife, but less than a machete.  I find my hand getting fatigued quickly with these knives when attempting fine work, such as feather sticks or shavings.  Additionally,  I am consistently only using the first 2 or 3 inches of the cutting edge,  leaving half of the blade unused. All three are fine steel and have a "cool" factor in appearance.  However,  they just don't seem to do any one thing extremely well.

Condor Varan

Now that we have established that Brushloper is not a one knife Woodcraft Wizard, lets move on to what has been working for me.  Fixed blade knives that I favor are typically within the four to five inch length and made of carbon steel.  Currently my inventory includes a Mora Classic #2, a Mora Companion MG,  Mora Heavy Duty MG, and a Condor Bushcraft Basic.  Of this selection, I mostly use the Classic #2 and Mora HD.  The Condor is full tang, but batoning is not high on my list of requirements (more on that later).  The Mora's are inexpensive, very well made and extremely sharp.  The No.2 has been filed along the spine, so it can scrape a fire steel when I'm feeling all "Bushcraft Jedi".  The Heavy Duty is just a pleasure to use and worth every dime spent on it!  I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite between these two knives.

Mora Classic No. 2

Moving down the line of tools, I like a nice practical pocket knife.  It is always with me.  Currently I carry an Opinel #8.  It does not get any better or simpler!  Carbon steel, wood handle, locks open and locks shut.  As a bonus,  the spine will send a shower of sparks off my fire steel.

Opinel No. 8

For fire wood processing I carry two different tools.  The first is a Corona folding saw.  This saw fits nicely in a haversack,  is bright red and chews through four inch dead oak like a laser.  A saw beats chopping with a knife any day of the year,  in my book.

Depending on my trip,  I carry a hatchet as a second tool.  The hatchet is my tool of choice for splitting wood into kindling cut with the saw and chopping wood as needed.

I have arrived at this set of tools over the past three years experiment.  Is this the ideal set for everyone? Nope.  Am I happy with this collection? Most definitely yes!  Will the tools change?  Maybe,  substituting one item for another of a similar type.

The Becker BK5 Magnum Camp Knife

This is quite a knife!

 I took some time to strip the factory coating from the steel (which is extremely durable), and apply a cold blue finish for added protection.   After using the BK5 exclusively for a couple of weeks now,  I believe this knife does not get enough attention as an woodcrafting  and camping knife.

The edge is wonderful and the ability to choke up enhances control for fine work like wood shavings and feather sticks.

The handle is very comfortable in my hands ( XL glove size),  making it a joy to campcraft with.....

What reviews I've read or watched online,  many seem not to like the sheath that comes with the BK5.  I guess I'm not as experienced with sheaths,  because I  like it.   It attaches to my pack with the MOLLE pack nicely.  The outside pouch seems handy for stuff,  though I haven't settled on what to put in it yet.

I did do some batoning with the BK5 as well (sorry no pictures). The BK5 stood up to the task very well in ~ 2 inch diameter seasoned oak.  I'm not a big fan of batoning,  but it is a comfort to know that a knife will stand up to the task if pressed into service..

June 14, 2014 - A couple of Knife Modifications

I recently worked on a couple of knives to make them.....more mine I guess. The first was a Condor Bushcraft Basic 5 inch that I have had for about 2 years. To say it briefly....I filed a drop point....stripped the black coating....then gave it a vinegar patina. It turned out to be a totally different critter and I think really cool.

The second has been a gradual work in progress. It started as a Cold Steel G.I. Tanto and has "Morphed" into more of a GI Bowie. I have been field testing this knife for about 2 months now. It is a Beast! Chops, batons, splits, feathers.... So first off I stripped off the coating then used it for a couple days. The next thing to change was the top "hand Guard", I just filed it down so I could choke up better. The most recent change was "de-Tonto-ing" the edge. So far this has been an incredible knife for wood processing. It is really a great knife to modify and use....you get your $20 and change out of it.