Benchmade Siebert Knife

The increase in people participating in the art of bushcraft – sort of living off the land has also spawned a host of supposedly dedicated knives based loosely on a simple design. I get a few of these across my desk from time to time most of which have their feet in two camps – the aforementioned bushcrafting and animal preparation. Benchmade’s 162 Sibert Bushcraft to me strikes a good compromise between the two being tough and strong for wood work etc. but well shaped and sharp for unzipping deer etc.

GOOD LOOKING

Whereas a lot of bushcraft knives are basic at best, the Sibert is a good looking and practical build. The strength of the design is a full tang, high ground drop-point blade with polished finish in S30V stainless steel blade with a Rockwell hardness of 58-60HRC. It measures 9.2” tip to handle with a 4.43” working edge. Steel width is 0.164”, which is retained for near full length, though we hunters do not perhaps require that amount of size/strength you are left in no doubt you have one tough piece of kit in your hand. Personally I like this slight over build on my knives, as my Fallkniven PH goes for this belt & braces approach, too!

The handle scales are olive green micarta, a linen and glue laminate, which depending on how it’s shaped and finished not only offers a decent grip but can look good to. The shape shows a low half guard at the front with a down-swept pommel at the rear, add in its wasp’s abdomen shape and it fits the contours of the hand for a solid yet flexible hold. It’s secured by three hollow rivets, the rearmost making a lanyard hole. Where it meets the blade the sides have been scalloped for thumb and fore finger indexing.

HEFTY

It’s a chunky design weighing in at a hefty 7.72 oz, though feels well balanced if a tad weighty in the hand. Handle shape allows for edge-up as well as edge-down operation, the former being an important factor for the hunter as opening up the belly cavity on a deer requires this approach and careful cutting. The only thing I thought missing was some jimping on the spine where the handle meets it for extra thumb purchase.

Now the sheath, which has an important role to play. Made of full grain buckskin leather in medium brown it’s well made and solid with strong stitching, the deep belt loop is riveted as are the tip and throat mouth. A nice touch is a hanging ring at the top of the loop and sensible is the plastic liner to protect the insides from accidental cutting. Plus there’s an integral loop for a sharpener or fire steel. Retention is by a strap and press stud. Missing in my opinion is a secondary retention loop, not saying the primary system is not up to it, but for me: better safe than sorry.