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Benchmade 162 Sibert Bushcraft knife

Benchmade 162 Sibert Bushcraft knife

The increase in people participating in bushcraft has spawned a host of 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 also 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 too. 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-inches tip to handle with a 4.43-inch working edge. Steel width is 0.164-inches, 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.

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The handle scales are olive green micarta, a linen and glue laminate which offers a decent grip and looks good too. 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 forefinger indexing.

Hefty

It’s a chunky design weighing in at a hefty 7.72oz, 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.

The sheath is made of full-grain buckskin in medium brown, it’s well- made and solid with strong stitching and 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 a plastic liner to protect the insides from accidental cutting. There’s an integral loop for a sharpener or fire steel. Retention is by a strap and press stud.

Price: £179
Contact: http://shootingsports. edgarbrothers.com for nearest stockist

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