where did you fellas get your research info prior to the knife in the article showing up? I don't remember seeing such detail in HKs writing. Though often enough there is usually more in there than I seem to recall at any one time. Looking at the pics of the worn piece of kit from the museum I'm not sure one can discern much.
I guess what I want to know is, if the design details were known previously, why did so many makers ignore it?
There are a number of things on my mind related to it. Nessmuk. As far as we know, the one true Sears knife is no more. Many, even humble me, have attempted pseudo-muks. One from a GR 4" butcher, and one from a sheep-skinner. Neither one of those was good enough to make me eschew all others. I guess some makers tried to follow the drawing and comments to make a truly close copy- but I can't think of one now. Most I can think of have some more added to it. Thicker, wider, full tang, scandi grind, etc. Maybe that's okay since there is nothing exact to copy. Maybe it's not important even if there was one to copy. Or maybe it is important.
Horace was a fan of Sears' writing. Did he ever have, make, use a Nessmuk? I wonder how many different knives he used prior to getting the one he liked. I know he didn't have as many choices as are available today. Like today, there would have been some percentage of knives available that just wouldn't do. Maybe, as a keen observer he realized to make a splash, one needs a Brand. Or, to follow in Sears' footsteps thought- hey I need to stick with one blade just like Nessmuk.... well ok 2. Sometimes, it keeps me up at night- why can't I just settle on one belt knife for the field. I think it would feel really good.
On another note. I was wondering about the Colchester company. I would have to bet that the main operations in defining the tapers of the Kephart were done at the anvil. Sounds like too much work, too much abrasion time to try grinding with equipment they had then, when hot work would be better suited. The project Sarge is doing is really good. Awesomely cool. If I felt that was the blade shape for me I'd be begging. I'm just not sure.
It is easy to be wrong though. For a few years I fiddled and farted around with the GB mini trying and hoping it could be a Colchester tomahawk. If it was ever close to matching Horace's I can't say. I liked working on it, looking at it, and carrying it. Ultimately it was one of those things you bring, just to bring- like going camping with multiple sheath knives. That shouldn't be necessary.
Nothing important to say as you discovered, just trying to make some conversation