This weekend I finally had the chance to meet the great folks over at Self Reliance Outfitters in person. It was nice taking some time to chat with likeminded outdoorsmen whose passion for their work and the outdoors is clearly evident. And it’s always awesome picking up a new knife too, am I right?!
Pathfinder Knife Shop
During my meetup with the guys, I heard all about the knives I was interested in and handle each of them (all of their knives are top notch, by the way). It was great to hear the design intent behind each knife, the attention to detail that goes into making them and how they perform in their own extensive field testing.
To top it all off, shaking the hand of the man who made my exact knife was a really cool and personal feeling. I could see & hear the pride he takes in work. This is the reason I love supporting small businesses and makers.
Pathfinder Knife Shop Kephart XL
In the end, I went with the PKS Kephart XL. This is my first Kephart-inspired blade and I couldn’t be more excited about it. I believe the overall design (simplistic broomstick handle, center-oriented tip, 1/8″ thick blade, micarta handles, etc) will lend this knife to being incredibly functional in the field, or wherever else I choose to bring it.
Some quick specs:
- Very sharp 1/8″ Thick Blade
- 1095 High Carbon Steel
- Crazy Sharp 90º spine
- Overall Length: 9.75 Inches
- Blade Length: 5 Inches
- Perfectly Contoured Micarta Handles
- Weight: 6.1oz
- Optional Leather Sheath
- Made in the USA (Indianapolis, IN)
As you all know, I’m typically a big fan of small knives (3-4″). So, this knife is a detour from the norm for me. But I really needed to get out of my own rut and try something new. And the PKS Kephart XL definitely fills a role that my other knives do not. This XL version of the Kephart could certainly fit the bill of being a one-tool option for me as well.
Follow Along for More
I hope you all have enjoyed this quick first look at the Pathfinder Knife Shop Kephart XL. If you like what you’ve seen and want to keep up with my experiences using this knife, and much more, follow me on Instagram.
And if you’re interested in picking up a knife of your own from Pathfinder Knife Shop, click here.
Read Next: Pathfinder Canteen Cook Set | All Gear Reviews
Gear Shown Above:
- PKS Kephart XL
- Opinel No12 Saw: This saw has been a great lightweight addition to my kit.
- Crud Gjöra Gloves: The Crud Gjöra Gloves are easily my favorite leather gloves ever.
- Überleben Kräftig 8″ Firesteel: If I was stranded on a deserted island, Kräftig would be my go-to fire starter.
- H&R Single Shot 12: I love simple tools, what can I say.
Ethics Statement: Pathfinder/Self Reliance Outfitters did not give the Kephart XL Knife to me or offer any kind of compensation for this content. They have not proof-read or influenced this article in any way. All opinions, statements, and content are my own.
