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Spyderco Bushcraft FB26PWD

Spyderco Bushcraft FB26PWD

Regardless of price and design a knife can be summed up very simply – it’s a piece of material than can hold an edge (normally metal) with a handle. So I was more than a little surprised and intrigued when speaking to Joyce Lautari Spyderco’s marketing manager she told me about their Bushcraft model. This is about as simplistic as a knife can be and miles away from what Spyderco are famous for – hi-tech and innovative designs that make the most of modern techniques and materials.

The name too is an indicator as the word bushcraft applies to an outdoor life style; perhaps best illustrated by UK survivalist Ray Mears. As man’s oldest tool the bushcraft-type knife is a simple and do it all design for every day outdoor needs. Ray designed his own blade years ago called the Bushlore.

Bush Folk

Research on the web shows a lot of people appear to participate in bushcraft and it seems to have become a bit of a hobby. As an ex-soldier and hunter I know enough about living off the land to get by, however, my primary need for a knife is not for chopping and whittling but gutting, skinning and preparing game. So I was intrigued to see how the new Spyderco stacked up when compared to my other blades.

The design is simplistic and generic and to me looks a lot like old Scandawegian or Soumi knives that have been popular in that region for hundreds of years. I already own a Bushcraft-style knife, which is hand made so it was useful to be able to compare the two. Though made by Spyderco the knife is collaboration between themselves, a bushcrafter called Chris Claycombe and BushcraftUK.com website.

Total Adherence

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Being machine-made the Spyderco is a well finished and presented product, but none the less still adheres to the concept faithfully. The build goes for a full tang blade made of 0-1 tool steel. No stainless here as the material’s ability to hold and retain its edge is paramount, given its primary role. The edge is unusual if you are more used to what we see today in that it’s a simple wedge shape (Scandinavian grind). This as I discovered on my other Bushcraft makes sharpening idiot-proof. All you do is lay the steel on the wedge and stroke it along, as the dedicated angle gives you the perfect cutting shape.

The drop point blade is 4” long and a pleasing 3.5mm wide so plenty strong. The handle is made from spalted burl maple, which looks very nice and is held on by brass rivets, with a lanyard hole at the rear. The shape is subtle but wide and hand filling though I did find it a little smooth.

Stiff Draw

Overall the Bushcraft measures 8 ¾” and weighs 7.1oz and comes in a basic leather sheath. This large, rectangular design is simple and swallows the knife to just below the lanyard hole. There is no actual retention system, just the grip of the leather and the fact that the knife is so far in you really have to give it some effort to pull it out, certainly when it’s cold. Doubtless this will loosen after some use and I’d recommend a leather food to keep it in top condition. At the rear is an integral belt loop and on the edge are six, hollow rivets so you can lash it to a pack.

To be honest the Bushraft is almost too nice to use as that burled maple handle is gorgeous and given what it will have to contend with even I was a bit worried about messing it up. However, it’s only a tool, so lay on Mac Duff…

Shape and size is good as is its ability to cut and it gives good address in the hand. Likewise edge retention is excellent as is the ease of which it can be sharpened. My one niggle is that the grip is too smooth! This might well wear in as it gets some use as mine has done, but for me I reckon it needs jimping along the top and bottom of the handle/tang and also at the rear, as when you are up to your wrist in guts the last thing you want is the knife turning or sliding through your hand!

This is a beautiful knife and a Spyderco I see being as popular with collectors as it is with practitioners of bushcraft world wide. Nice one…

PRICE: £235

  • Spyderco Bushcraft FB26PWD - image {image:count}

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  • Spyderco Bushcraft FB26PWD - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Spyderco Bushcraft FB26PWD - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Spyderco Bushcraft FB26PWD - image {image:count}

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