Condor Kephart?

M

markv

Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
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anybody have a Condor Kephart and if so what do you think of the Condor design fit and finish and so forth.
mods send this thread into orbit if it is dancing in the wrong gym.

buzz
 
As far as I know, Condor does their prom in this forum, so I think on that front you're ok.

I've never handled a Kephart (of condors), but overall I'd say that they're a great deal for a solid working blade. They're aren't known for "great" fit and finish, but I'd say they are easily "good". They're customer service is also quite good, so if you feel you got a bad copy of a blade, I think they'd set it right for you.

That, and I know they've been improving (I just haven't touched one of their blades since 2012, so I can't speak to the quality improvements personally).

But I'd have no problem owning a Condor, if that means anything to you.
 
Condor seems to make very functional blades. Never tried the Kephart, but I have a Hudson Bay & it's great. That handle was very smooth & comfortable to hold (actually suprisingly so- you can't even feel the rivets or the lines between the scales & the blade). The sheaths on Condors are usually ass-kicking. Seriously, they can even be a reason to buy one of the knives (to get the sheath for a different blade).
 
I have a Condor Kephart. It feels much like a steak knife to me. It is smaller than you might think when looking at pictures unless there is something for scale. Fit and finish is good for Condor. It is a very simple knife.
 
For the $ Condor rocks. I own 11 Condor knives. Kephart himself was a simple man. He fashioned and made his own knife. When you consider some custom knife makers are charging well over $200 for their version of this basic knife, hmmmm. I think Horace would roll over in his grave.
 
Mine has good fit and finish. The sheath is excellent, which is the norm for a Condor. It is a simple knife, but very functional. I've found that I tend to grab it more than I do some of my more expensive knives because I know it will get the job done. The one thing to bear in mind if you are considering the Kephart is that the handle is a bit small.
 
Love it for its simplicity. You can find more elegant Kepharts, but I think theirs comes closest to the Kephartian ideal of simple, basic, and even somewhat crude. It's part of my Nessmukian Trio:

tumblr_nrg2wshVY91r4zf5xo1_1280.jpg


(One thing: I wish they'd ditch the black paint, but its removal is a simple matter of 5 minutes and some sandpaper.)
 
you guys are the best, all good info
pop, small handle which is perfect for me
Grey, "made his own knife, totally cool and Kephartian, i made a Kephart too.
Wolf, "get the sheath for a different knife" i like that idea. buy it just for the sheath. i can always use another sheath
22, simple, goes right along with my ethic. Kephart was into keeping it real
ocn, recommendation as to customer satisfaction
Are, has no problem sourcing a Condor for his Kephart kit.
Ben says it is a good wood wandering blade.
man, that just about covers it.
guys, thanks for all the input.
buzz
 
man, the old Birdgeport is a real American blast from the past. back when there was such a place where metal was forged and the design was nearly bullet proof made by guys who could pound nails with their fists.
thanks for the image of the Kephart trilogy, i saved it to favorites.
i love it

buzz
 
I don't have the Kephart, but I have the Boomslang and Moonstalker. Both are great knives. I'm a fan of Becker, and while many love the BK9 and I love my BK7, but with the Moonstalker, I don't feel a need for the bigger Becker. For the money, you can use and abuse them, repair the damage, and keep going without feeling bad about it.
 
i'm also saving this:
"Love it for its simplicity. You can find more elegant Kepharts, but I think theirs comes closest to the Kephartian ideal of simple, basic, and even somewhat crude. It's part of my Nessmukian Trio:"

buzz


buzz
 
yep, i have a BK6 or 7, i don't even know. i never used it because it is so heavy to pack around for any length of time or multi mile trek.
i was looking for a Kephart and ran across the Condor cruising the interwebs so i thought i might give it a try out.
buzz
 
markv said:
yep, i have a BK6 or 7, i don't even know. i never used it because it is so heavy to pack around for any length of time or multi mile trek.
i was looking for a Kephart and ran across the Condor cruising the interwebs so i thought i might give it a try out.
buzz
Click to expand...

There are a lot of medium sized knives that work really well for hiking and woods wandering. The Kephart is one of them. The BK-15 is another by the way. I agree with the comment about the BK-7 and BK-9. I have the BK-7, but just have not been able to nudge myself toward the BK-9. I know I won't use it. Period.

So what do I use when I want a big knife? I have a few Condors; several goloks, the parang, pack golok, village parang, Puerto Rican machete, El Salvador machete, Viking machete, two bushlores (original and current version), kephart, Hudson Bay, and most recently the Kumunga. Really liking the Kumunga, but I have yet to carry it in the woods.

Why do I like Condor machetes? Because they are comfortable to use and they work well. I lean toward machetes for a "big knife". Creek Stewart used a Village Parang in one of his shows.

I use the Pack Golok, El Salvador machete, both bushlores, the Puerto Rican machete, and currently the Kumunga. But my dominant beating around woods knife is the BK-15. I just find it to be a remarkable knife.

Nothing wrong with the Condor Kephart. It's inexpensive. Sharpens up nicely. Cuts what needs cutting. But I tend to carry the BK-15 in the woods because if I somehow damage it, I am not going to loose sleep over it. Just work through the problem and go on.
 
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By the way, assembling "Nessmuk trios" (hatchet/belt ax, fixed blade, folder) is popular in BF-land. The idea springs from Kephart's Camping and Woodcraft book which celebrates an earlier one by George Washington Sears, who wrote under the pen-name Nessmuk.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1106878-Nessmuk-trio-bushcraft-trio-s
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1004152-Modern-Kephart-amp-Nessmuk-Trios
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1278549-quot-Nessmuk-Trio-quot-suggestions
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/951298-MY-NESSMUK-TRIO-w-pics
and there are more threads.

Kephart's book is still in print, used copies are widely available, and there are even PDF and Kindle versions online. Both offer authentic late-19th/early 20th century looks at bushcraft, outdoor life, and gear. Great fun.
 
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