The Kephart axe: a timeless design for modern adventurers

This week we take a look at a reproduction Kephart Axe, based on the original Colclesser Brothers' that Kephart himself used and promoted. Just like Kephart, we used a custom 14 inch handle and it is very close to the same weight of his. We talk about the history and what it was designed for. The Kephart and Nessmuk Axes are SOLD, If you are interested my early 1900's cookbook please send me an email at [e-mail]!
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[@YankeeWoodcraft]

Kephart understood the physics of tools... As someone who's swung a 2lb 15" hatchet for decades on roofs, here's how the weight to length correlation works out. Long handle lighter head produces same energy as short handle heavier head axes. The only differences are applications. For example, a 16oz head on a 15" handle is pretty useless for roofing but a 16oz head (Ti) on a 17"+ handle is formidable for framing and why? Because roofing swings are short and framing swings are about 3X as long so by the time the light head on a long handle is reaching it's target, it's at full speed and loaded with momentum which helps drive the fastenter (normally, 16D nails). I had a custom hatchet made for me by Hardcore Hammers and it was their standard head on a straight 17" handle with a gunstock finish. I love that thing. I can do a lot with it. I had that done up before I ever knew what Kephart's preferences were and I based them on my own needs and applications. It's like the miner's axe. A full sized head on a straight 20ish inch handle? That's useless, right? No, that's perfect for a camp axe as is t typical 2.25lb head on a 28" handle for your typical boy's axe or Hudson Bay axe aka the 3/4 axe. There are so many combinations that can only be figured out through trial & error. For me personally, I could get buy with a 3/4 axe for everything. I prefer it to a hatchet because I can do just about everything that I need to with it that a hatchet does, but a hatchet will never safely do everything that a 3/4 axe does. Again...physics.

[@sgd3805]

Nice video. Kephart said his axe weighed 1pound 10 ounces WITH THE SHEATH. If you can come up with a 4oz sheath you've nailed it. Thanks again for your videos

[@eddieburton4583]

Hey Mr dryer Eddie here just wanted to drop in and say hello hope you and your family are doing well we're a little chilly here in Lexington North Carolina God bless you and your family appreciate the information love your videos keep up the awesome work can't wait to see more really appreciate you and for sharing you're wonderful information on artifacts God bless Eddie over and out

[@eddieburton4583]

Merry Christmas 🎄🎄

[@honorableoutfitters]

Take care brother and I hope you have a great week!

[@maverick4462]

Fun to see an experiment with the tools they used. Thank you.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Thank you for the support friend. It is neat being able to make the comparisons first hand!

[@MrRourk]

The Isaac Shelby's American pattern Axe is the one to take into American Woods.

[@ssteinschreiber]

Great explanations and video brother!

[@honorableoutfitters]

Much appreciated!

[@inregionecaecorum]

I have a vintage "Gillwell Park" boy scout axe which is of a similar size to that, quite handy as a small axe which will not put to much strain on a weak wrist.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Nice! Was it yours as a youth, found, passed on, etc?

[@cetyl2626]

How does the "Prarie forge and axe" Kephart knife stack against the Ka-Bar Becker Kephart BK62 knife? BK62 is a full flat grind. Is it really that significantly noticeable different then the double convex?

[@The5150owl]

Can you make a video of you using the hatchet? I don't see it on your video list. Thank you from Dallas Texas

[@honorableoutfitters]

I did, took it down. I think I need to re-make it thanks to you!

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Cool ideas for sure. I wonder if quality tomahawks had been available in the day if the longer one wouldn't have come to be? I know it makes me think of my tomahawks. The little double bit is just stupid cute!

[@honorableoutfitters]

I had never considered that idea!

[@kphifer1]

I recently found your channel and and am enjoying your videos. What packet knife(s) do you carry? I’ve done a little research and cannot find anything about which pocket knife Kephart carried. Thanks.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Kephart carried a two bladed Jack knife. I carry my Scout knife for historic camping, Moose pattern when I hunt, and a Victorinox SAK for modern camping. :) What's your preference?

[@kphifer1]

@@honorableoutfitters thanks for replying. Working on deciding what I want. Getting back into camping/hiking and going to more historical equipment. Just starting my research to figure out what I want. My biggest challenge as I head back into the woods is that I now have to use a CPAP machine.

[@Frank7748124]

8 ounces is simply too light for a hand axe. I have the Vaughn axe which is similar in weight, and it is way too light. I used it, once, on a hiking trip for fire prepping. Barely did the lightest work. I think a one pound head with a 11 inch handle is the ideal combination, but I have not modified my project axe yet.

[@oldschoolwithamoderntwist6074]

,,,hello,,, very good,, they are Beautiful pieces of work,, can you strike a spark from flint with ether one of those axes?,, ,,just wondering!,, the Kephart has a Hudson Bay look to it,, & a small Bearded,, they are both most interesting,, thanks so much for sharing them with us,,,

[@honorableoutfitters]

That is a great question and one I had not considered until you asked. I tried throwing a spark with the Kephart and I cannot figure out how to hold it safely and get it done. I'll play around with it some more to see if I can get the technique down. There's plenty of carbon in the steel so it should work.

[@IdahoSewing]

I'm wondering what your source is for the 17-inch handle specification? Looking at Woodcraft and Camping, p. 30, I'm seeing a tomahawk with a 12-ounce head and 12-inch handle, that he thinks highly of. (And then a canoe axe with a 2-pound head and 18-inch handle.) Reminds me a lot of the Cold Steel Trail Hawk. It has a 22-inch handle. I've handled and sold several. Personally, I think I'd lean toward a shorter handle. Cutting down the handle on the Trail Hawk would be an easy modification. Eliminating some of the "extra" wood could also be progress. A big advantage with the Nessmuk is the thinner eye. Another hatchet I've sold quite a few of, is the Marbles SB700 single bit. Slung on a shoulder strap, this is a very nice little unit--great for kids, and loved by adults. Wish I could still get them. Had a Marble's double-bit hatchet, too. My personal axe is a S. A. Wetterlings with 1-1/4 pound head, 16-inch handle. I carry it on a shoulder strap quick-draw sheath. Very handy for hiking. Not so much for working, when bending or chopping. Overall, I consider the belt knife to be my best friend in a pinch. I like 5-6 inch blades, fairly thin, and moderate weight. 8-16 ounces. Just big enough to chop with. Handle must be tough enough to endure significant trauma. However, as Kephart says, they are a bit less efficient for chopping than a hatchet, simply because they don't put all the steel at one end of the handle. But they work better for cutting grass and vines than the hatchet.

[@honorableoutfitters]

I have heard good things about the Marble's double bit and may consider getting one and I appreciate your thoughts too! I also find myself reliant more on my belt knives for most tasks but when it comes to putting a quick point on something or cutting branches I always turn to whatever hatchet I have on me. As far as the reference, here it is:

[@honorableoutfitters]

“A woodsman should carry a hatchet , and he should be as critical in selecting it as in buying a gun . The notion that a heavy hunting knife can do the work of a hatchet is a delusion . When it comes to cleaving carcasses, chopping kindling, blazing thick - barked trees, driving tent pegs or trap stakes, and keeping up a bivouac fire, the knife never was made that will compare with a good tomahawk . The common hatchets of the hardware stores are unfit for a woodsman’s use. They have broad blades with beveled edge, and they are generally made of poor , brittle stuff . A camper’s hatchet should have the edge and temper of a good axe. It must be light enough to carry in or on one’s knap sack , yet it should bite deep in timber . The best hatchet I have used The best hatchet I have used (and it has been with me in the mountains for seven or eight years) is one shown in Fig. 103, except that the handle is a straight one, 17-inch, that I made myself. Its weight, with leather sheath, is 1 lb. 10 oz. With this keen little I Fig. 103.- Hatchet tool I have cut many a cord of the hardest woods - hickory, oak, dogwood, beech, etc.- up to young trees eight or more inches thick, often laying in a winter night’s wood with it. (The way to learn chopping is to go slow, give all your attention to making every blow tell just where it is needed, and don’t strike too hard.)” (1909, 166)

[@IdahoSewing]

@@honorableoutfitters Thank you! My book is 1916. The first paragraph is word-for-word identical. Then things change a bit.

[@albertmarte7354]

I'm interested in the Kephart Colclesser reproduction. How do we exchange info?

[@rickc4317]

Maybe Kephart's scale, he used for his ax's weight, wasn't as accurate (or the same) as yours. Could be a 4 oz. different in scales' measurements, or at least some ounces difference? Your thoughts are excellent ones!

[@honorableoutfitters]

Thanks for that idea, I never considered it!

[@albertmarte7354]

Email sent.

[@honorableoutfitters]

thanks friend!