Tool & Knife Kephart Knife 4 1/2 Inch W/Leather Sheath - 1075 High-Carbon Steel Blade - Ergonomic Walnut Handle for Precise Control - Ideal for Survival, Camping, and Outdoor Adventures

UPDATE Used the knife over Memorial Day Weekend and was really satisfied with the performance. I carved wooden toggles, made feather sticks, used it to baton kindling, cut rope and many other tasks. Washed it up and then used it for food prep cutting potatoes and onions. After all that it still sliced tomatoes and raw chicken with little effort and still had a great edge. After touching it up on leather it was back to shaving sharp. The knife is more than worth the price. Gotta say I really like this knife. It would be very hard to find a better knife at this price. The form and function of this knife is spot on. Blade- Was not hair popping sharp on arrival but it would shave. The blade is blued to help prevent rust and should help if you are in the field for a prolonged time without any type of oil. A few minutes on the work sharp field sharpener and the knife is scary sharp. Handle- The hardwood handle slabs feel great in the hand. Holding the knife just feels right. The color of these handles can vary but I am very pleased with mine. They look much better in person than in pictures. Sheath- The sheath is worth the price of the knife. It is of the same if not better quality as most custom sheaths I have seen. Some people say their knife fit loose in the sheath. That isn't the case with the one I received. Function- Man this thing really cuts!!! Feather sticks are a breeze with this knife. I didn't think it would feather as well as my mora knives but I was WAY wrong. Slices very well also. Some people my complain about the blade thickness saying it bends and you can't pry with it.... it's a knife not a pry bar!!! This thing cuts better than many of my more expensive knives. I would definitely recommend this knife to friends and family.

DISCLAIMER: This is my first Condor knife, and I am already in love with this company. The knife arrived in a simple, but attractive box along with full company contact information and complete mini-catalog. SHEATH: + * * * * * is made of veg-tanned 9oz leather (very heavy and incredibly durable, for those who don't know leather by oz weight), and is riveted top and bottom, and it bears the patented Condor 'condor' emblem printed into the leather. In between the rivets is wax-cord stitching to preserve the triple-thick leather edge. *Try to avoid getting the sheath too wet, as leather holds moisture deep and for a long time. If you do get the sheath wet, wipe clean and heat-dry, then cool to room temperature before returning the knife to its sheath. You'll read why below. **FIVE STARS** BLADE: + * * * * is a full-tang CARBON STEEL design with a factory edge razor out of the box, which holds up very well even under bush-whacking duress. Make sure you have gun-oil handy as carbon steel (unlike stainless) will rust easily if exposed to weather. Read note above regarding the care and upkeep of leather sheaths/holsters. My one negative remark here is that the blade has a deep imprint reading "Condor" on one facet, and "El Salvador" (their factory location) on the opposite facet. These deep letter prints are not a good idea on carbon steel (In my opinion) since they 'pocket' water and can easily rust if the water is not quickly removed and the blade oiled. THIS IS NOT A NOVICE or ENTRY-LEVEL KNIFE! Use it daily> be prepared to care for it daily. You cannot use it and then leave it for a week before upkeep-care. **FOUR STARS** HANDLE: + * * * * is what Condor calls 'hickory-type,' but it is made out of a hardwood similar to hickory, which comes from South America. Again, have your gun-oil handy. Out of the box, the handle was properly dried, but it took several applications of oil, drinking deeply before it finally darkened up to what I would call a 'healthier' patina. Don't get me wrong. Condor got this right. I would rather have the wood factory-dry than factory-oiled. I prefer to apply my own products than to have a company apply them for me. Just be aware that this is a step you will need to take quickly. You wouldn't want water to soak into the dry wood and create rusting issues with the rear of the tang. Would've preferred genuine hickory, so **FOUR STARS** APPLICATIONS: + * * * * * The day I took it out of the box, one of my boys shaved the hair off his arm. This is common. Any factory can deliver a sharp edge, right? Sure! But how about after I've already hacked through a bunch of maple boughs to hew arrows for my boy's homemade bow? ...That's what I thought. The second application came after I had to dispatch a deer caught in one of our barb-wire fences. Without graphic details, the knife performed with razor-edged precision and the exactness I would demand from a MUCH more expensive knife. I've hacked limbs, cut through plastic- thick and thin, field-dressed animals, butchered animals, and even hewed fresh bone! ...Then I finally sharpened the knife! **FIVE STARS** SHARPENING: + * * * * the Bushlore holds an exceptional edge, but once sharpening is necessary, I suggest an oil-stone, heavy on the oil. It took awhile to smooth away the horizontal factory grind-lines, (They seemed a little on the deep side, hence the four stars) but once I did, I was able to easily float the edge and smooth away the excess. It took very little dressing to have the knife sharper than it was out of the box. **FOUR STARS** OVERALL 22 of Nater's 25 stars = Exceptional CONDOR INFORMATION: This company, which was founded in 1787 in Germany, was one of the preeminent cutlery manufacturers of that time, and helped Germany rise to fame as the finest blade-manufacturing country in the world. Their traditions and original designs, along with many new cutting-edge innovations, remain today, almost 230 years later. Now factory-based in El Salvador, they continue to turn out simplistic, unassuming quality of the highest order. IN CLOSING: Everyone who has read my reviews of (especially) HELLE KNIVES of Norway knows that I am very high on that company. No one makes a more beautiful knife in that price-range, in my opinion. I mention them now because I believe I have found a comparable match, but for a quarter the cost. For durability and field-usefulness, CONDOR soars above the rest. Since I do survival hikes every year, practicality and longevity are the highest considerations. This is a uniquely valuable knife to me. Having the knife now, I would gladly pay twice as much to repurchase if I lost it. *This is a hacking jungle-type knife: hence the name, Bushlore. Many of Condor's knives are of this design, and most of their products are designed with South-American usage in mind. However, the Bushlore's durability makes it a perfect fit for a more rugged, North-American 'survival' situation in which you might need to hack, chop, eviscerate, self-defend, wedge or spear. The Condor Bushlore knife will do it all, and then beg for more. Thank you, Condor, for making an exceptional tool. If this was a ten-star rating system, the CONDOR BUSHLORE would get ALL 10 Thanks for reading. Let me know if this review was helpful to you. -NATER

TL;DR Condor's quality control has improved, the knife came ready out of box and, and is a great all around blade for the common man who's watching their pack weight in the deep woods while hunting but need a dependable blade that can both prepare game and split wood if needed. Long part: I don't need to go too into detail about this knife, but I will say that Condor has really improved the quality of products they put out. For a while Condor was known amongst us almost as a project company, you'd by a solidly built tool but need to sharpen (sometimes even grind) it yourself really. My Kephart has been a constant companion (along with my old butcher knife and my Mora Classic) for many years now, but out of box I needed to do some sanding to make the Kephart's tip symmetrical and heavily sharpen it. Great steel and was a great little blade after some work. Mora's are almost always perfect out of box. I stayed far away from the old Bushlore, but the newer design as others have said the is not only better but in my opinion should be an industry standard for blades at this price point. Mine came with almost perfect symmetrical geometry (the cutting grind was perfect, the tip grind was a hair higher on one side but the tip is perfectly straight), was effortlessly able to take hair off my arm, and a perfect 90 degree spine for a ferro rod OR shaving bark. Keep it up Condor. As far as the design, the philosophy of use behind this knife is for Bushcraft and camp tasks, though would be perfectly functional for hunting (which I plan on doing a lot). Blades of this size should be complemented with an axe or hatchet if possible, but if needed this blade can baton wood (split wood by hammering it with a piece of wood). I love my Mora and my rummage sale picked butcher knife, but when hunting in the backcountry you want to keep your pack weight under 30 (or 25) lbs, your rifle or bow included. With a partial tang blade like a Mora or a thin blade like my butcher knife, you'll want to bring an axe or saw as well for processing wood. For small game and carving a Mora is perfection, but for deer or emergency fire making I want a more durable and slightly larger blade. Which is why I think the slightly higher price you pay for the Bushlore is just as an exceptional value as a Mora is. If you don't do a lot of backcountry hunting/bushcraft, a Mora will serve you well, especially for you Ultra-Light people. The Mora Bushcraft Black is also great but more expensive than the Condor Bushlore. If you're hunting close to your vehicle or base camp, you could bring an even larger hunting knife like a Buck or a KaBar plus an axe and dedicated skinning or carving knife because weight isn't as much of a concern. The Bushlore is an all around tool for the common man and one that fits the bill for one watching their pack weight deep in the woods but needs a durable blade for both large game and bushcraft, one I will pass on to my children most likely. I've done a bit of testing in the week I've had it, feathering wood, batoning wood (a test, not a practice), and cutting food. So far it functions just as well as my Mora and will be able to withstand abuse in the field if needed. 10/10, couldn't be made better for its intended use without increasing the price. Will be coming with me from now on.

Zuerst drei Worte warum das Messer Nessmuk Messer heißt. Nessmuk war der Schriftsteller und Spitzname von Goerge Washington Sears, einem frühen Waldläufer, Journalisten und Buchautor der von 1821 bis 1890 gelebt hat. Wie auch immer, Nessmuk war ein sehr kleiner Mann, mit wenig Körpergewicht, der dadurch gezwungen war, mit wenig Gepäck auszukommen da er mehr nicht tragen konnte. Er schuf das sogenannte Nessmuk Trio, bestehend aus dem Nessmuk Messer, einem kleinen doppelschneidigen Handbeil und einem Taschenmesser mit zwei Klingen. Diese Kombination ist bis heute vernünftig, da damit für die unterschiedlichen Arbeiten von Grob bis Fein das geeignete Werkzeug zur Verfügung steht. Gleichzeitig ist bei Verlust eines Teiles nicht alles verloren. Das Nessmuk Messer was da liebevoll von Condor nachgebaut wird, entspricht optisch ziemlich genau den Zeichnungen aus Nessmuks Buch. Das Original dürfte allerdings eine etwas dünnere Klinge gehabt haben. Aber genug von Nessmuk. Das Messer ist sehr sauber gearbeitet, Griff absolut perfekt eingepasst und die Klinge scharf und ordentlich geschliffen, also symmetrisch und sauber. Absolut nichts zu meckern. Die Nieten sind ordentlich versenkt, nicht steht vor oder ist rau. Damit ist es ein echter Handschmeichler und sehr ergonomisch und liegt gut und relativ schwer für seine Größe in der Hand. Es eignet sich für alle gängigen Arbeiten im Camping Bereich und leichte Holzarbeiten sind damit auch möglich ohne für alles das Beil bemühen zu müssen. Durch die Klingenlänge sind da allerdings Grenzen gesetzt. Durch die Buckelform kann man den Daumen sehr fest auf den Messerrücken aufbringen und damit enormen Druck auf die Klinge ausüben. Der Buckel an sich hilft, wenn man das Messer mit einem Holzknüppel in anderes Holz treiben will (Batoning). Hier hilft auch der ballige Anschliff, weil sich dadurch sehr gut Holz spalten lässt, ohne dass das Messer stecken bleibt. Feuerholz und Feahtersticks herstellen, Holzstangen schneiden und Schnitzarbeiten gehen gut damit. Ganz nach hinten am Griff genommen, kann man sogar leichte Hackarbeiten damit ausführen. Alles in natürlichen Grenzen, denn es ist ja kein sehr großes Messer. Reicht aber um sich im Wald zu behelfen, wenn man kein Beil dabei hat. Mühsam ernährt sich das Eichhorn, aber es klappt. Die Klinge hat dabei keinerlei Schaden genommen, ist also durchaus robust. Die Lederscheide ist wie von Condor gewohnt wieder mal enorm hochwertig und das Messer passt gut und rutscht nicht raus. Allerdings scheint die Scheide nicht speziell für dieses Messer gemacht zu sein, sondern dient vermutlich auch anderen Modellen als Scheide. Aber das empfinde ich nicht als störend, wenn auch das Messer dadurch in der Scheide durchaus martialischer wirkt, als es eigentlich ist. Ein handliches praktisches robustes Messer für unterwegs…Kaufempfehlung von mir.

por su tamaño, por la calidad, por el diseño clásico y por su funda, es un lujo para grandes y chicos. Mis hijas son pequeñas y no dejan su cuchillo "el salvador" en ninguna salida de aventuras.

Super Messer! Definitiv robust super Verarbeitet Fulltang! Aber! Leider ist die Klinge nicht wirklich scharf! Mit einem Fällkniven DC4 6x über jede Seite gezogen und am Leder poliert und es ist rasiermesserscharf was am guten Carbonstahl liegt! Leider riecht die Lederscheide stark nach Chemie die sollte man definitiv Ausgaben lassen an der frischen Luft. Würde ich das Messer wieder kaufen? Ganz klar JA!!!! TOP Verarbeitet und leigt super in Meier Hand (11er Größe) ich bin in dieses Messer verliebt nicht nur allein der Qualität wegen sondern auch wegen der guten Ergonomie und Griffigkeit. Man sollte aber bedenken es ist ein 3 Fingermesser! Ich nutze es als Backup Messer im Bushcraft, Survival und EDC! Feuerstahl anreißen ist gegeben auch Batoning ist dank der 3mm Klinge machbar! Kurz klare Kaufempfehlung, super Preis Leitung top Verarbeitung!

Das Condor Bushlore kommt sauber verpackt inkl. kurzer Anleitung (Stahl nicht rostfrei - bitte ölen) in einer schlichten Kartonverpackung inkl. Lederscheide. Besonders ins Auge fällt die sehr gute Verarbeitung der sehr stabilen Lederscheide mit Condor Prägung. Beim Messer selbst sieht man, dass es handgemacht ist. Es ist nicht gut, aber nicht pefekt verarbeitet. Der Schliff der Klinge wurde eindeutig manuell ausgeführt. Das Messer wird scharf geschliffen geliefert, allerdings nicht super scharf. Da muss man mit entsprechenden Schleifwerkzeug und Abziehleder selbst nachhelfen. Der Stahl ist sehr gut gehärtet und läßt sich gut schleifen - rasiermesserscharf. Kohlenstoffstahl ist dafür besonders gut geeignet. Das Messer bleibt lange scharf. Die Griffschalen sind etwas rauer verarbeitet und die Messingnieten stehen minimal (geschätzt 0,1 mm) über den Griffschalen. Das ist für den Preis des Messers OK - ich werde aber noch mit feinem Schleifpapier nachhelfen und danach das Holz wieder mit Öl versiegeln und wasserfester machen. Insgesamt bin ich sehr zufrieden und das Messer hat ein gutes Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis. Ich habe vor es vor jagdlich zu führen und für die notwendigen Arbeiten zum Versorgen des Wildes damit erledigen.

In kurzer Zeit, mein Lieblingsmesser und ich habe viele Messer❗️