OKC's New Kephart Knife! Old Hickory Fish & Small Game Knife

[@knifedelights7473]

I recently purchased the Old Hickory 5.5 inch hunting knife. Its really a nice knife.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I got one as well and I have to say I like it very much.

[@SurvivalSpec]

picked up this OKC Fish and Game because of this video, thanks for the video and I love the knife

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks very much indeed! I hope you enjoy it.

[@jeffslaven]

Love my 7" Old Hickory. Good old American value!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I could not agree more!

[@michalurbanful]

Yeah! I've modded the 7" OH Hop knife to a drop point a few years ago and I love it (it's thinner than the Butcher, not too good for wood work but great for food and stuff like that).

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Nice, thanks for showing us. Take care.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching Quinn.

[@Echo5-Tango]

I have both of the production knives you show. I like your comparisons! I feel like the old hickory is about the best budget Kephart and a great starter platform for customization. If you ever start selling your Old Hickory Kephart CUSTOMS let me know I would definitely buy one!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks Michael, I agree that the price is right and it is just begging for a little customization. I really like the knife and you can't beat the price for a Kephart.

[@tramontane3239]

I made a Kephart from OH-Butcher knife. I traced out the blade shape from L.T. Wright Kephart. It is interesting to see a O.H. production model. I also did a O.H. project with Mora blade shape. And still yet I have a Viking Seax knife made for me from O.H. And yet another O.H. project was converting their full tang parring knife into a Sloyd knife which did not take much more than sharpen the tip, the large handle gives great control of smaller blade which is customary of carving knives. Perhaps the parring knife would be of interest to you and your viewers.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I think it would be of interest. Can you do a video?

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

It's amazing the number of people making money from the Kephart and Nesmuk names. I got the Old Hickory version to add to my collection and a new sheath was made to replace the ridiculous original which is way too shallow to securely hold the knife . The price for the Becker "kephart" version is total nonsense. Nice video and have fun with the modifications . All the best.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for the kind words. I did modify the handle scales and the knife is pretty useful as a general purpose camp knife, which I think Horace was after in the first place.

[@PAUL-pz3rz]

I carry Old Hickory knives in my business and I agree with you. MADE IN AMERICA means just that. I didn't know the sheaths were made in China. That really pisses me off. I sell American for a reason. So OKC you better catch on to that real quick!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I agree 100%!

[@MarkRuslinzski]

The quality is great

[@dennishein2812]

At an affordable price is nice and American made. A person could always change sheaths and maybe the handle and glue it down.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I completely agree.

[@wbsims2996]

About the Chinese sheath. A USA made leather sheath would probably double the price. Is it a $60 knife?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I would pay more for an American made sheath.

[@adrianotero7963]

The knife Kephart actually used most was a 4 inch version.........he also had a 5 inch but used it less.....so the Old Hickory is actually closer to the one he actually carried compared to the BK-62.....

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

That is a good point. Thanks for sharing that!

[@trapperscout2046]

I'll get my hands on a BK62 one day.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

They are available below retail, you just have to keep looking around.

[@trapperscout2046]

@@FreeAmericaChannel I'll keep looking. I recently ordered the Old Hickory version. It will do in the meantime.

[@adrianotero7963]

Have both......the Old Hickory is a little shorter......and that was the actual size that Kephart used.....the 4 inch....not bad for the price.......if I would have purchased the Old Hickory first........I would not have purchased the BK-62.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@adrianotero7963 I had the BK62 before the Old Hickory was available. Both have their place among my gear.

[@jerseyfaranginthailand8134]

Nice knifes. Bud, I collected Knifes years ago but I sold them all because I couldn’t bring them to Thailand with me

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Too bad Lloyd. Seems like a great place for outdoor sports like fishing and hunting. How can you do those without a knife?

[@Wildwestwrangler]

You can get some very good albeit utilitarian blades in Thailand

[@bensnider1581]

I would change the scales also.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I did change the scales, I need to do a video on them now.

[@NathansFerroceriumrods1]

Excellent price for a nice knife.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching, Nathan.

[@BedtimeStories167]

excellent knife i like

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

ZH Kids Viral, thanks for watching!

[@adrianotero7963]

Got mine from Amazon.....surprisingly not so easy to find.....I think for a production knife....it is the closest to the original Kephart design...only thing missing here would be a convex blade.....and the wood handle flare just a little at the choil.....with those two additions they could name it the KEPHART KNIFE and have a clone of the original.....they would sell like hotcakes.....the way this one will.....cheap well made knife just like the original Kephart design.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Luckily the handle scales are easy enough to replace. I haven't replaced mine yet but I bought some green spacers and camel bone slabs.

[@Airik1111bibles]

I love the size and shape ...The kabar is to long for my liking. I do have an Ontario Sk5 and prefer it over moat my knives. I think the old hikory would be a great project knife....Yes I'd pay more for usa 🇺🇸

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks @Arik1111 I really like this little knife but I plan to rework the grips.

[@michalurbanful]

Is it gonna fit the sheath with the thicker handle?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Fair question, if it doesn't then I have a couple of other sheaths to try.

[@michalurbanful]

@@FreeAmericaChannel Cool! :)

[@MarkRuslinzski]

That cut vey good

[@adrianotero7963]

What kind of steel

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

it is 1095.

[@jaybeslig]

If you wanna get creative and do anything fancy with the handle and the pins, by all means. But, I think it's fine with the ones you have right now. If it was me, I would file and remove that hand guard metal sticking out. Thank you for the video. I just ordered one and it's coming tomorrow.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

The finger guard is one of the things I wanted about this knife, and it is true to the original Kephart design.

[@chrismayo4902]

Old Hickory nailed it with these!! The sheath I threw in a box of other sheaths that I never use but the knife is the bees knees! Truest Production Kephart I have seen so far’ I also convert old Case and Old hickory knives into Kephart style as well’ good steel’ easy to sharpen and easy to modify to your liking.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I agree entirely. I like it very much. For some reason they have become hard to get again.

[@chrismayo4902]

@@FreeAmericaChannel yes they have! I always have an eye on Fleabay for them and grab what I can when I can when the price is right’ scored quite a few really nice specimens for next to nothing’

[@MarkRuslinzski]

Hi I'm Mark a new subscriber, can i ask where you purchased it ? I ask cause I'd like to get one, Thanks in advance

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Hi Mark, thanks for joining us! I got mine from a local place in Fredericksburg, VA, called KnifeCenter, but they don't have them at the moment. Try Smokey Mountain Knife Works and sometimes you can find them on ebay. Availability seems to ebb and flow with this model for some reason.

[@MarkRuslinzski]

@@FreeAmericaChannel Thank you for getting back to me

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@MarkRuslinzski My pleasure!

[@concretecowboy4212]

Thnxs 4 sharing. I prefer old hickory sportsman/hunter

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching. I have a Hunter as well, I just wanted the one that looks like a Kephart.

[@garyherring2485]

As long as you can reach in to a peanut butter jar it's good 👍 size just got mine x2 order one ☝ got two cool 😎

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I like that specification for a knife! I use a US Army mess kit knife made by Rock Island Armory in 1903.

[@timeonecop]

Missing one revits needs three

[@lucaslucaz]

Awesome vid man Could you repeat what you said at 5:20 😂

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

That's what she said.

[@Standswithabeer]

too small, but nice.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching!

[@navigator1372]

Id actually rather Rock with the old hickory. Thin, light and slicy. I do like the bk19 as a nessmuk but I think esee had the right idea on their nessmuk to go thinner.. Imo small knives shouldn't be more than .165 in thick and actually inthink .125 to .08 is the range. For large choppers 3/16 thick. Think about what you do with small knives. You aren't batoning anything larger than 3 inches.even a thickness .08 can actually handle that except maybe really hard wood. If you want to chop with your small knife which you shouldn't do unless you really had to you can just baton sideways down on a thin tree or branch. Really. Good to carry a large blade. I usually carry two or one large blade and a midsize. I don't need so much more weight in my small knife. Good to carry a mira companion for Bushcraft.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

This little knife is a great all around knife for just what it says, processing fish and small game. I am very happy that OKC made this little Kephart style knife.

[@samcole2381]

I have the same three knives you compared.I am sorta partial to the OKC 51/2 inch hunting knife.I use it a lot camping.Sharpens like a dream to a razors edge for about 20 bucks.The Becker is nice.but a little pricey but had to have it.It’s like a piece of knife history.The OKC Kephart knife Is a nice little knife also.I’m a Esee man but can’t beat the OKC for use at a reasonable price.If something happens to one just replace it.No big loss.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I completely agree. Thanks for watching!

[@turtletruth]

Good Knife handles must have pins... (Screws are cheap inexpensive junk!)

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

This handle is riveted so very much like pins, but has done great so far.

[@woodlandbiker]

Thankyou for unboxing straight away. Getting tired of waiting till half way through videos before actually seeing a knife.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

LOL! I feel the same way. This is not a striptease act, just show me the knife!

[@munchh2007]

Have you got the Condor Kephart, i use one, i like it alot.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Yes, I do have a Condor Kephart as well. I find it a tad small for my hands and I'm not a big fan of the handle shape, but you can customize the handles.

[@thesakguy3852]

Thanks for showing this knife did not know about the this one. Wanted to try this style but, did not want to spend the big bucks. I can do $30 to try it out.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

You can't go wrong with it. I love mine.

[@ike780]

I think a thin blade is a more effective knife so I like the thickness of it. I agree about the Chinese sheath.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

It is about perfect for most food processing uses. The thin blade makes a real difference in that regard.

[@paulll47]

I always liked this kind of old school knives, wish they made more of them even here in Europe, I'm not a soldier and I really dislike the way tactical styled knives look, feel and cost (most knife makers seem to be of the idea that if you slap a couple of military green g10 grips on a 440c knife, you can charge 100 euros or more for it).

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I like them too, obviously, LOL. I did modify this knife with an acid etched blade and tan/black micarta scales with red liners. I also added a lanyard loop.

[@paulll47]

@@FreeAmericaChannel Nice addons, I don't have a problem with micarta or g10, its just that they are often used as an excuse to charge more (I still don't understand the logic behind it). Knives seems to have gotten so espensive lately that you are really better of into contact with a craftsman and get one custom made for you, I just had one done in 440c and birch grips for 200 euros and unlike a commercial knife, this one is tailored to my needs and hands.

[@johngalzinski1280]

Love it

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching John!

[@wbsims2996]

Good review, the 2nd I've watched. How does it perform in real use?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Very well. I think it spends more time in my kitchen than in the field, but I am hoping to use it for big game this fall.

[@BlueOx2277]

I purchased this old hickory kephart and I have to say it sucks. The steel feels like it was cut from an old mailbox on a Friday afternoon after a liquid lunch..

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

That made me laugh, even though I don't agree. I have replaced the handles on mine and acid etched the blade for a darker color, but it takes a super edge. The blade steel is no different from the rest of my Old Hickory knives. It 1095 steel.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@B_L_Smith LOL, I can't argue with that logic. Fact is, it holds an edge and does its job well. Its not winning any beauty contests, but all of my beautiful knives live in the safe.

[@thisguy2659]

How do you like the 1075 in the Kephart vs the 1095 in the Butcher? Thanks for the vid.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

So far, to be 100% honest, I can't tell a difference. The Kephart keeps a good edge and is not hard to resharpen.

[@adrianotero7963]

I prefer 1095......1075 will rust if not attended.....so will 1095, but less so.

[@somheart3671]

Hello sir I recently got into fixed blades and been buying lots of Ontario fixed blades but I'm not sure if there QC is of or what but I bought a 2020 camp series knife and it looks poorly made and I got really lucky and bought a used one on the bay and its much better then there new production i kinda like your made or version of the kephart

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks Som, if you bought a new knife and the quality is poor you should contact them about their warranty.

[@somheart3671]

@@FreeAmericaChannel I did sir and funny thing is that the person on the other side of the phone had no idea what I was talking about and I'm listening and thinking to my self are these folks just hiring anyone that has no passion for what they are doing so I hate to say this but that's the reason the Chinese and all these other countries took our jobs they got nothing and will make something whit the highest of standards just a thought is like we have no more love for our MADE IN THE USA but good knife review

[@MarkRuslinzski]

Hi it's Mark, would you be willing to make a ttade i have a brand new leatherman muli tool or one of my knives, i really like it a lot, just let you know, some of the knives i have are over 100, but i have so many and i believe i would love this on Thanks in Advance

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I just found this knife on Amazon for $47.00

[@MarkRuslinzski]

@@FreeAmericaChannel Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate it Thank you

[@muhsinbustillo]

Jeeez so rare seeing anyone else also from Stafford 😆

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching!

[@MarkRuslinzski]

That machete looks grate to