Strig asked for a post on the creation of the PR4. Happy to oblige and here it goes: Shortly after we started the Camplore line Jeff asked me to design a knife. I told him I wasn't a designer by any means. He said something that you would carry as an everyday woods knife. I have always loved the simplicity of the Kephart design. I told him everyone was doing them, but they didn't have Shon's mythical heat treat and our warranty. So I went home and began some child like sketches! I knew I wanted a four inch blade, 1/8" thick with a 90 degree spine and uncoated. So here is the final. Jeff and Mike approved and suggested I get James Gibson to make me a prototype. I wanted to use it and make sure I was happy with it before it went into production. I sent James a copy of the terrible drawing and about a week later he shows up to teach a Bushcraft class and hands me this! I used the prototype on a daily basis for about two years for everything from trap construction to field dressing various animals. I had never tried a knife with scales textured like this and wanted to make sure it didn't cause me any problems, and it didn't. We then sent it Shon to work his magic. At first I didn't know if we would be able to keep the scales the same without driving cost up. But when he started sending me pics of it, I knew he had nailed it! It's been a while since I have posted pics on here and I'm a little slow.
I have my own PR4 story....I was taking Field Survival in Dec of 2015 and on Day 2 saw Patrick pull out his knife...I asked to see it and after using it I had to have one...I contacted James the NIGHT I got home from FS and asked him to make me one as well...Love this blade! Prototype #2!
@shaneadams90 I first saw it at Field Survival in August of 2015, I only got to fondle it a little. When I saw the release of the PR4 I remembered it and knew I had to have it. Great knife and design @Patrick Rollins
And here I thought it came from a mole, haha. Patrick, do you have large hands? Do you feel it could be thicker in the handle? I saw a few people get these on the bushcraft forum, and they like the knife, but felt the handle was on the thin side. Also, why did you opt for a saber grind, when traditionally, Kepharts have a ffg?
I saw it in the Field Survival July 2016!! Felt like a solid knife, and very comfortable. P.S. I still think ESEE PatRol is a better name for it
I like it with the scales the way they are. But I would probably still like it with thicker scales. It all just comes down to personal preference. And I do have pretty large hands. As far as the high saber grind, RB convinced me that it would make it more appealing to some people.
Thanks for the history of the blade Patrick. I have had your knife a few times, in hand, and the production model is a very accurate rendition. Impressed with both. James does great work. Good to see you posting here as well. Shane has been out posting you thus far.
The high saber grind is what's making me think I have to get one, mainly because I LOVE the Laserstrike so much and your PR-4 reminds me of a compact LS. I also wanted to say thanks for posting the history of the design and add that I'm glad you're participating here with us lunatics! Having your and @bearthedog's knowledge and input is something this place was severely lacking!!! JMJ
Thanks man. It adds strength and I guess RB is right, it does look a little better that a full flat. Still a huge fan of full flat grinds though.
I definitely like the added strength, probably because in the back of my mind I think of my dad always saying I was like a bull in a china shop with how hard I was on gear growing up.
I hear ya. I have monster mitts, and sometimes prefer a smaller handle. A bit more nimble in the hand me thinks. To be honest, I didn't care for the looks with the saber grind, but admittedly, it has grown on me.
It was a good story and fun to watch it all come to fruition. James is our official prototype builder. We've always got him building something new to try out. He's pretty amazing when it comes to re-creating from a sketch on a napkin and actually turning it into a useful artistic design.