Fixed Blade Knives

The author takes his Battle Blade to the next test level and up.

Ever since I started writing for BLADE® in 1990, I generally stick to similar cutting media to check the performance of the knives I test in “Spec Sheet.” That way it gives me a baseline as to how the different blades and their steels should perform. However, as a writer, I find it sometimes gets old doing the same testing. So why not beat the heck out of one of the test knives?

Well, first off, the knives are owned by someone else. They might be scheduled to be sold. You can see why I only push Spec Sheet test knives to a certain point. Unfortunately, the craving to give a test knife a brutal workout keeps coming, only to be done during my own testing using my knives.

Here’s a crazy idea—I’ll test one of the knives I make! So, after pleading my case to the BLADE management, it was OK’d. Now it’s time to get down and dirty with my Battle Blade that has been my truck knife for the past year.
Let the whacking begin.

Battle Blade Vs Normal Media

Serious whacking aside, I still executed a 20-pound-bond paper slice to show initial edge sharpness. The Battle Blade zipped quickly through the paper even with rust spots on the blade and edge. It was very smooth and aggressive during slicing.

On to a nice 2×8 pine board locked in my shop leg vise. After 20 whacks I had a deep “V” chopped into the wood. The exercise didn’t bother the edge at all; it took a three-quarter-to-1 inch bite on each chop. The handle was comfortable but slightly smooth. (I should have put a thong cord on it.)

Since the whitetail antler I normally use in stories for edge whacking was all whacked up, it was time to replace it. As a result, I chopped it up into 1-inch pieces. The Battle Blade removed all the tines with nice, clean chops. The edge was still very sharp with no damage. Now I have chunks of deer antler all around my forge!

Battle Blade Vs Abnormal Media

For the first “abnormal medium” I went with 3/8-inch-diameter twisted copper wire. I used the Battle Blade as a draw knife to flatten the 2×8 for a surface on which to chop the copper braid. Six hard whacks and the edge still didn’t make it through all eight wires. It seems the Battle Blade drove the last two wires into the 2×8. Note to self: use a hardwood next time. The copper braid only put a few streaks on the blade. There was no damage to the edge.

Next up: the acetone can stab. The Battle Blade fully penetrated both sides of the can repeatedly. I was worried about stabbing the leg vise more than any damage to the blade from the can. There were some nice scratches on the finish but the edge held up perfectly, as well as the tip.

It was time to get some steel involved: an older patio chair headed to the scrapyard, and its steel tubing. Bingo! So I dragged the chair into my forging area and prepared to trash my Battle Blade. Swinging as hard as I could, I chopped down into the arm of the chair. A loud clang let me know it was a solid hit. The Battle Blade bit a half-inch deep, through the top and bottom corners of the chair, along with the sidewall. I saw a little glint from the blade’s edge. Oh well! I gave the chair arm seven more very hard whacks. The edge had two little glints of rolls and three very small nicks.

The edge still felt sharp, so I returned to the 20-pound-bond paper slice. The edge sliced the paper, though not as smooth as at the start. I’ll take that anytime.

Final Cut

I’m very happy with the performance and feel of the Battle Blade. Normally I use a better gripping handle material for this model but this one’s mine. It had to be bold. The only change I’ll make, thread some cord through the thong hole for a more secure grip.

Battle Blade Specs
Maker: Breed Custom Knives
Blade length: 75/8”
Blade material: 80CrV2 carbon steel
Blade grind: Full flat
Blade @ thickest: 3/16”
Blade finish: Bead blasted
Heat treatment: Differential
Handle material: Swirl by J. Hue Customs
Weight: 15 ozs.
Overall length: 13 1/8”
Sheath: Kydex w/Ulticlip
Weight w/sheath: 1.25 lbs.
Maker’s price for a similar knife & sheath: $450

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Four repros emulate the knife Horace Kephart made famous.

Before Rambo provoked people to rush to their local sporting goods stores searching for a hollow-handle, saw-back survival knife and long before Ray Mears popularized the quest for the perfect Scandi-ground knife, a timeless classic woods knife endured the test of time—the Kephart.

Who Was Horace Kephart

Horace Kephart (1862-1931) was a prominent figure known for his contributions as an author, librarian and outdoorsman. His extensive exploration of the Southern mountains led him to conduct valuable research on the region and its inhabitants.

Among his many books, he is best known for Our Southern Highlanders and Camping and Woodcraft, with the latter serving as an enduring guide for outdoor living. Both works are still widely available and highly regarded. In the 1920s, Kephart was pivotal in advocating for establishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

What Is a Kephart Knife?

The Kephart-style knife features a spear-point blade and an oval cross-section handle. The blade is typically 4-to-5 inches long, 1095 carbon steel, and forged using techniques reminiscent of 18th-to-19th-century bladesmithing. The blade is typically an eighth inch at the thickest, supporting a sturdy and durable structure. A distinctive feature is the asymmetrical spear point with a full-length edge enhancing its utility in various cutting tasks. The scales are often walnut or maple. The overall design aims for simplicity, with attention to detail to ensure comfort and usability.

In the words of Horace Kephart, “A camper has use for a common-sense sheath-knife, sometimes for dressing big game, but oftener for such homely work as cutting sticks, slicing bacon, and frying ‘spuds.’ For such purpose, a rather thin, broad-pointed blade is required … It is tempered hard enough to cut green hardwood sticks, but soft enough so that when it strikes a knot or bone it will, if anything, turn rather than nick.”

ML Knives Kephart

Kephart Specs
Blade Length: 4”
Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel
Blade Grind: Convex
Blade @Thickest: .125”
Blade Finish: Forged
Handle Material: Tiger maple
Overall Length: 8.25”
Sheath: Leather
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $295

I received my first Kephart-style knife from Matt Lesniewski of ML Knives back in 2007, and it instantly became my favorite. The craftsmanship of the piece is truly remarkable, as Matt employed early 18th-to-19th-century bladesmithing techniques, using 1095 carbon steel and handforging each blade. The handcrafted sheaths are also stunning works of art that truly stand out.

My ML Kephart features a 4-inch blade and a 4.25-inch handle, with scales of beautiful tiger maple. The handle’s oval cross-section provides a comfortable grip, with just the right amount of rounding to prevent discomfort during use. The spear-point blade and eighth-inch thickness, along with the full convex edge and visible forge marks, give the knife a rustic yet simple charm.

Naturally, after reading Horace Kephart and Nessmuk, I made many backcountry trips and always had a stout, reliable fixed blade. When traveling afoot, as the old timey adventurers would say, I had minimal kit and seldom took a large axe or saw. I used a light tomahawk, as Kephart spoke of, and a jackknife in the form of a Swiss Army knife. I had to do more with the fixed blade, and I did. The ML Kephart excelled at woodcraft as the convex edge was ultrasharp and robust.

I always test every cutting tool by shaving arm hair*, whether it’s an axe, long blade or anything with an edge. The next task is always shaving wood, as a fire is ultra important when camping or woodcrafting. The ML excelled at the task—but could it drill? I broke a few old seasoned planks apart by drilling through and twisting them for kindling. The handle seemed comfy, and the natural maple gave me enough traction to keep a solid grip during any task. The flat primary grind with a convex edge is the best of both worlds. And no camp food or sandwich was safe from the ML Kephart.

KA-BAR/Becker Knife & Tool BK62 Kephart

BK62 Specs
Blade Length: 5.125”
Blade Material: 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade @Thickest: .158”
Blade Finish: Satin
Handle Material: Walnut
Overall Length: 9.625”
Sheath: Leather
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $232.29

The KA-BAR/Becker Knife & Tool BK62 Kephart is a modern tribute to the classic American bushcraft knife based on the version of renowned author, outdoorsman and gear designer Ethan Becker. “Many copies of the Kephart are based on the one at Western North Carolina University because it was the only one anybody knew about,” Ethan said. He added that his design is based on the only known example, which was virtually pristine, outside a museum. That’s why Ethan said the BK62 is the closest anyone can get to the original Kephart.

Precision crafted, the BK62 features a 5.125-inch blade of 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel, known for its durability and edge retention. Overall length: 9.62 inches. The blade’s full flat grind and spear-point design make it versatile for wood carving and food preparation. The handle is walnut, providing a comfortable grip and a timeless aesthetic. The BK62 is a functional tool and a piece of history, as it closely replicates the original Kephart knife, which played a significant role in the early 1900s wilderness culture. Each Becker Kephart comes with a leather sheath.

The BK62 arrived when I was about to do a little cooking, so I quickly put it into service cutting roast and chicken breast. The flat-ground blade sliced meat like a champ. It performed like a kitchen knife and felt natural in the hand. The BK62 did its share of slicing potatoes, carrots and beef for a pot roast. Thoroughly convinced of its ability to handle food, I moved on to the woods test.

I performed two tasks with the BK62. The first was batonning practical pieces of wood approximately the width of a pencil. The blade’s .158-inch thickness allowed it to glide into the wood, and a twist of the wrist made the seasoned oak split. However, it didn’t perform as well as a saber grind for the latter chore. The next task was feathering hard oak, and this is where the blade’s thinness shone. The feathers were thin and curly, perfect for tinder with a ferro rod or coarse kindling.

ESEE Knives PR4

PR4 Specs
Designer: Patrick Rollins
Blade Length: 4.19”
Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel
Blade Grind: Saber
Blade @Thickest: .125”
Blade Finish: Tumbled black oxide
Handle Material: Sculpted Micarta®
Overall Length: 8.9”
Sheath: Leather
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $190.64

The PR4 is part of the Camp-Lore series from ESEE Knives and is named after the initials of its designer, Patrick Rollins, lead instructor for Randall’s Adventure & Training.** The knife features a 4-inch 1095 carbon steel blade with a high saber grind. It pays homage to the timeless Kephart design while incorporating Patrick’s modifications. The approximately 4.5-inch handle is suitable for large hands or use with work or winter gloves. The knife has a black oxide tumble finish resembling a patina but not a coating. The handle is fitted with textured brown Micarta® scales for a distinct look and comfortable grip. The knife comes with a plain tan leather sheath made by Wickett and Craig, one of the oldest tanneries in the USA.

I used the PR4 extensively in the Eastern Woodlands for various camp tasks. The knife proved versatile and was particularly effective for making camp implements and starting fires. It excelled in splitting small sticks and igniting the ferro rod to create a fire. Its sharp spine was practical without being overly flashy.

While I don’t typically baton wood when a chopper is available, I found the PR4 excellent for cross-grain baton work, making precise stop cuts on trap parts, stakes and pot hooks. I also used the PR4 to carve a chisel point on a thick piece of maple for a digging stick and found that it easily sliced dry maple. The knife remained effective despite exposure to various weather conditions.

After establishing a fire, the PR4 proved equally adept at culinary tasks, precisely slicing onions, peppers, potatoes, mushrooms, garlic and sausages for a stew. The thin grind made kitchen tasks a breeze, especially achieving paper-thin garlic slices. The knife performed exceptionally well in all tasks, including prepping tinder from fatwood and dry, split poplar. The high saber grind and sharp spine made the PR4 ideal for camp and woodcraft chores.

Bear Forest Knives GT-3

GT-3 Specs
Blade Length: 3”
Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade @Thickest: .125”
Blade Finish: Rock tumbled acid wash
Handle Material: Micarta®/G-10
Overall Length: 7.25”
Sheath: Black kydex (.08”) w/nylon cross-draw/Scout belt loop
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $149.99

Garrett Tremblay of Bear Forest Knives based the company’s GT-3 on his favorite bushcraft knife, the ESEE PR4. After discussing it with the knife’s designer, Patrick Rollins, and receiving approval, Garrett developed the Bear Forest entry.

The knife boasts a striking design, featuring a full-flat-ground, 80CrV2 carbon steel blade with a black oxide finish. The handle showcases an exceptional blend of burgundy and green burlap Micarta scales complemented by vibrant orange G-10 liners, all held together by Corby bolts. The difference in cutting performance between the full-flat-ground edge and the PR4’s saber grind was instantly noticeable. The GT-3 is equally at home as an everyday carry tool, a useful household companion or a reliable camping partner.

The knife is perfect for making notches for tarp stakes and trimming the ends to a chisel point to pound into the ground. The 90-degree spine is ideal for scraping poplar tinder and striking ferro rods. The 3-inch blade is just the right complement for a campsite that includes a bow saw and tomahawk/hatchet.

As Horace Kephart mentioned, a sheath knife is always “get-at-able” for quick tasks, which saves the jackknife from the messier work. This perfectly describes the GT-3. The handle is consistently comfortable. I keep a charred coffee can full of wood shavings—tinder and kindling—in camp. I whittle poplar and maple until the can is full. This is the last but most important task of the night, as it prepares for the next morning’s fire. The GT-3 is always up for the task.

*BLADE does not recommend shaving arm hair as a test of edge sharpness as it can cause injury.

**Both ESEE Knives and Randall’s Adventure Training (RAT) are owned by Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin under the parent corporation of TransEquatorial Solutions, Inc.

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Peltonen M07 Ranger Puukko makes the author’s all-time-best test list.

When I received the M07 Ranger Puukko from Peltonen Knives, I was really surprised to find that the Finnish company was using my favorite carbon steel, 80CRV2, my go-to blade material for the knives I make. It has suburb edge retention and a toughness equal to 5160 carbon steel. The TPV handle is firm but provides a great non-slip grip. However, the knife still has to come together as a comfortable cutter. Let’s get to the fun stuff.

M07 Ranger Sharpness

As I do with my blades to check for sharpness, the hair on my arm has to pop off. The M07 did not disappoint. It was hair popping from the start. For those who prefer the paper-slice sharpness test, using the weight of the knife only, I found the M07 very aggressive slicing the medium. You could hear every slice. The handle gave me great control.

Medium-Duty Cutting Tests

I grabbed some heavy double-walled cardboard and continued slicing. The M07 parted the material quickly with no snagging. I could feel it biting into the cardboard. I had to be careful not to nick my finger. The knife is that scary sharp.

When I started skiving 8-ounce leather, the M07 sliced all the way through as soon as I laid the edge on the medium. I really had to control the cut with just a quick touch; any pushing and the knife was clear through the leather.

I had enough half-inch sisal rope for the M07 to crunch to 200 cuts with no problem. So, I grabbed my last piece of 1-inch manila rope. It was no challenge for the M07. Seventy crunching cuts later and there was no sign of slowing down. The knife is perfectly formed for heavy cutting chores.

Heavy-Duty Cutting Tests

It did not matter if it took a small bite or a deeper one, the M07 produced nice curlicues. I could hear the knife cut the wood. The soft handle made controlling the sharp blade easy. Again, the cutting was quite aggressive.

It was time to hack some seasoned hackberry. Using a dead blow hammer, I pounded the M07 through the log. The handle absorbed all the shock from the blows, making the baton job a comfortable experience. The blade bit deep with each blow. In less than 30 seconds I had the log quartered. There were wood smears on the blade and some of the coating at the top of the grind showed a little wear. The edge was still extremely sharp. Great job, Peltonen.

It was back to the paper slice for the final test. There were two snags due to catching my thumbnail with the edge. The knife zipped through the rest of it.

Final Cut

The only change I’d make is to bring the grind line up closer to the blade spine. Otherwise, the M07 has to be in the top 1 percent of the sharpest knives I’ve tested in the past 30 years, and also the most comfortable handle. You could use this knife all day long and not get a sore spot. And the heat treating is excellent.

Peltonen Knives M07 Specs
Blade length: 4.68”
Blade material: 80CrV2 carbon steel
Rockwell hardness: 59 HRC
Blade grind: Saber
Blade @ thickest: .167”
Blade pattern: Drop point
Blade finish: PTFE Teflon (uncoated and Cerakote® finish also available)
Handle: TPV plastic blend
Weight: 3.75 ozs.
Overall length: 9.56”
Sheath: Plastic composite w/EasyLock locking mechanism; ambidextrous; MOLLE/PALS-webbing compatible (leather and Kydex versions also available)
Sheath weight: 1.75 ozs. (plastic composite)
MSRP: $68.43 at press-time exchange rate

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