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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Inquiry about the Sibert162 Bushcrafter.
- Thread starter hiwa
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The 162 is assembled without any glues or epoxies. The handles are held together with flared titanium tubing that is pressed into place giving you a solid piece without the fear of glues or epoxies wearing off or handles peeling apart.
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- Dec 12, 2010
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I got this knife right when they were released. Its a pretty cool knife. It's smaller than it seems from the pictures. Has a nice sheath. I'm pretty happy with it. I see it being offered at a lot higher than I ended up paying for it on a pre-order. I am sure the handles will not come off. I would not be concered with that at all for those that were wondering. I have big hands with that said the knife locks right in maybe a touch to small but nothing to be a deal breaker if you do have good size hands. Pretty sharp out of the box but it will benifit from a little touch up. Very slicey if thats a word. I give it a thumbs up
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- Jun 7, 2009
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Thank you for answering my inquiry.
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2012
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I've really wanted one of these ever since I saw a picture of one a month or so ago. I really like the look of the knife and the rugged leather sheath that it comes with; my only complaint is that I can't customize the handles. Other than that minor gripe, I love everything else about the knife.
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- Sep 4, 2012
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Benchmade,
Why was S30V chosen for the Bushcrafter over carbon steels that have traditionally been regarded as tougher than many leading stainless options. Most revered customs are made from O1, CPM-3V, or CPM-M4. Why did Benchmade chose S30V, generally regarded as an outstanding and balanced EDC slicer, for a knife that is likely to bounce against a rock while bushcrafting?
I LOVE the appearance of the Bushcrafter but would be interested in hearing an answer before pulling the trigger on one!
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- Dec 3, 2007
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The video goes a long way in convincing me that it is a pretty tough blade.
Would I worry about it less if it were in 3V? Yes.
there are plenty of Bushcraft-type blades that use similar metals. Bark River uses some stainless in many of their designs, and the SBK-5 by ontario is in CPM154 I believe. I wouldn't worry too much about it, especially considering BM's heat treat is top-notch.
It really does have more to do with the heat treat than the steel.
Just because it's S30V doesn't mean it has to be as hard (and brittle) as glass.
Although I would also like to know the decision process used to choose it. Although it can work, it's definitely not a steel I would have guessed in the top 3.
Just because it's S30V doesn't mean it has to be as hard (and brittle) as glass.
Although I would also like to know the decision process used to choose it. Although it can work, it's definitely not a steel I would have guessed in the top 3.
I bought mine a month ago locally from a store where I had a Christmas return credit, making it's $159 + s/t price easier to digest. I have many good examples of proper 'bushcraft' knives - and a few hunter types that fill that niche pretty well for me, too. The BM 162 Bushcrafter is a very good fit there as well. I would rate it higher if it had some thumb jimping on the blade's near spine - and sharper spine back edges further forward - to draw a ferrocerium rod, like the 3/8" 'Light My Fire' version that fits the sheath's loop perfectly, against more easily. The palm swell is forward - not centered as someone posted earlier. It is actually comfortable in my medium+ sized hands with no 'hot spots' found. G10 is actually glass fiber and epoxy - pretty color-constant and dimensionally/thermally stable. The dark grey of the securing tubes and smaller lanyard tube reveals they are made of Titanium and appear 'staked' to hold the handles on. The red fiber spacers between the handles and the tang add visual interest if nothing else.
About the best reason to buy a Benchmade blade in S30V is my previous experience with their S30V knives - most notably, my 630 Skirmish's that will cut darn near anything and my 610 Rukus, which is my idea of a pocket-carry 'bushcraft' folder. Like Buck, Benchmade has their S30V heat treatment down - perhaps not as high a Rc as CPM M4 - or other's S30V, it is good enough in my experience. I have had S30V edges roll and chip - in some decent named knives - but never in Benchmade or Buck S30V. They are a bit demanding in triangular ceramic file cleanliness and time as I re-edge only with a Sharpmaker, but a long lasting 'user' edge is attainable. It's a good choice - actually a welcome change - a SS 'bushcraft' knife. For size comparison, here is mine alongside my 24/7 EDC, another Sibert Benchmade - #755 MPR - for size comparison:
Alongside my previous BM goodie - a #482 Megumi (...in S30V, of course!):
Nicely made sheath, too - great fit!
Stainz
About the best reason to buy a Benchmade blade in S30V is my previous experience with their S30V knives - most notably, my 630 Skirmish's that will cut darn near anything and my 610 Rukus, which is my idea of a pocket-carry 'bushcraft' folder. Like Buck, Benchmade has their S30V heat treatment down - perhaps not as high a Rc as CPM M4 - or other's S30V, it is good enough in my experience. I have had S30V edges roll and chip - in some decent named knives - but never in Benchmade or Buck S30V. They are a bit demanding in triangular ceramic file cleanliness and time as I re-edge only with a Sharpmaker, but a long lasting 'user' edge is attainable. It's a good choice - actually a welcome change - a SS 'bushcraft' knife. For size comparison, here is mine alongside my 24/7 EDC, another Sibert Benchmade - #755 MPR - for size comparison:
Alongside my previous BM goodie - a #482 Megumi (...in S30V, of course!):
Nicely made sheath, too - great fit!
Stainz
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- Jun 13, 2007
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- 7,743
You guys have reaaally gotta stop... I have ZERO use for one of these (I only camp 3-6 per year) and yet I want one. Badly. 
Hey, would one of you lucky guys that have one of these 162's in hand be able to measure the blade width at the widest point (not thickness or length as that's in the specs) and post the results? I really like this knife for a big game hunting knife (right length, materials used, blade shape and grind), but I am thinking the blade is too wide to make it a great field dressing knife. I'm sure it would do the job on a deer, hog, or elk, but I prefer the blade to be somewhat narrow. Thanks in advance.
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Looks tough as hell...gonna have to start putting this beast to work.
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- Jan 1, 2013
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Anyone have an opinion on how the 162 compares with the Spyderco Bushcrafter?
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- Jan 25, 2013
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This Bushcrafter knife is based on Shane Sibert's Cascadia Bushcrafter. He uses S30V in his model and we wanted to keep it as close to his custom as possible. S30V has proven itself to be a great steel for knives. We did extensive testing on this model to make sure that we were offering a premium product. You can see some of our tests here:
http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/356008908001
This might have gotten burried in the drool over this knife, but can someone who has one measure the blade width at it's widest for me? Not the steel thickness, but the width of the blade. Thanks in advance.
I have question for the owners too...how does the handle feel- especially the bottom of the pommel? Looks to be kinda pointy there and wondering if it bothers the hand/pinky...
Surprised by some of the pics...more of a drop point than I thought. Anyone read any full on reviews of it yet?
Surprised by some of the pics...more of a drop point than I thought. Anyone read any full on reviews of it yet?
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- Feb 22, 2011
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The handle is more comfortable than it looks. The front can be a little blocky if you have really small hands, the wife doesn't like how it fits her. The bottom is actually very comfy. No issues with hot spots etc. It is very nice in other grips, pinch, chest lever etc. you will be surprised.