Horace Kephart was born in 1862 in Pennsylvania.He went on to achieve success in two careers. Trained as a librarian, Kephart achieved national recognition during his years as director of the Mercantile Library in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1890 to 1903.

From 1904 forward Kephart turned from City Life and dedicated his activities to become one of the First and most Famous American Naturalists.




Kephart Devoted His Life to the Outdoors and was instrumental in establishing The Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

The part of his Legacy that has influenced most Modern Bushcrafters--"The Book Of Camping and Woodcraft" was printed in 1916.




He also Wrote over a hundred articles on the outdoors between 1890 to 1931

This Quote is almost Gospel of the modern American Bushcraft Enthusiast.

"Your thoroughbred camper likes not the attentions of a landlord, nor will he suffer himself to be rooted to the soil by cares of ownership or lease. It is not possession of the land, but of the landscape, that enjoys; and as for that, all the wild parts of the earth are his, by a title that carries with it no obligation but that he shall not desecrate nor lay them waste.

Kephart was very specific about his Outdoor Gear. his personal "Go-To" Field knife had it's roots in the Earlier Dadley Pattern with the Addition of a Self Guard.

The knife was duplicated and was offered for sale by Colclesser Brothers of Eldorado Pa.

Here is a cut of one of the Vintage Ads.




The Bark River Kephart is Based on the 4 inch blade version of this Famous knife. The Spear Point Design is the Basis for the modern Bushcraft knife that has become the World Standard in "Wilderness living" Pattern Knives.

Here is the Top View of this Full Tang Kephart.



The New Kephart FT is supplied with our Sharpshooter Sheath Systems Buschraft "A" Sheath.



The Kephart FT is actually a New Model so this run will all have "1st Production Run" on the right Facing of the Blade. The knife is a bushcraft Knife so it also bears the Bark River "Bushcraft" Compass Point Logo.

Specs:

Overall Length:8.775 Inches
Blade Length: 4.250 Inches
Cutting Edge: 4.1 Inches
Blade steel: A-2 @ 58rc
Blade Thickness: .145 Inch
Weight: 6.125 Ounces