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Spyderco Bushcrafter Initial Impressions / Review

The handles look great, and I am pleasantly surprised at the price point. Looks like a fantastic knife.
 
Made in Taiwan won't be an issue with 99% of knife buyers. Spyderco did a great job to bring that to market at a fair price in today's business world. I hope that the stabilized maple will hold up to being whacked with a baton. I've seen a few knives lose small chunks right at the top corner of the scales if the grain was running at just the wrong angle.
 
That's a very good looking knife. I've had cracking like that from other manufacturers, both in wood and horn, which is why I prefer Micarta, although I will be the first to admit that this is a lot better looking than Micarta...
 
Thank you, now that I see the knife from different angles and inhand I like it much better. Seems like a very nice sturdy design. Hopefully I get to handle one at some point... (Good job Spyderco and mr Claycomb for bringing a bushcraft styled knife...nice one too!)

But what's the edge angle? around 25 degree inclusive?
 
Your initial impressions on this offering are very helpful.
I really wish they had done this in some type of micarta though. I'd hate to see what a week a hard use, up in the UP in the dead of winter would do to the wood especially after seeing the new knifes cracked slab.
Looks like it's almost a winner as far as the ergonomics and blade design go but not quite on the full package.
 
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I don't think so. It is stabilized. I think this was a fluke. If you see a lot of broken handles - expect a change from Spyderco. I would wager that Micarta is cheaper by the foot.

TF
 
I don't know TF. I've had spalted maple on firearms and knives. Obviously Spyderco is stabilizing it, hence the linseed oil all over the knife. Spalted maple is BEAUTIFUL wood, but in my experiences with it, I avoid it for scales and handgun grips. It needs to be wiped down with linseed oil periodically or it will crack for sure. It also tends to have random soft spots which makes it very prone to cracking/splitting/breaking; even after stabilization. If you have it on something that flexes in the slightest, like a knife, you'll find them soon enough. I doubt even liners will help, but they might. I hope they offer them with different handle material in the future.
 
Hi Talfuchre,

Thanx much for the great review.

Chris Claycomb get's the credit fothe design. I'll take the heat for the cracks.

Spalted maple was the most attractive wood I could find and the company that stabilizes the wood assured us that it was in fact stabilized.

We are notiicing that there have been complaints of some cracks in very dry climates, but it still should not happen. (where are you?) It seems to be isolated.

Sorry for the issues with the handles. I'm sure we'll take care of you.

sal
 
It does look good, but I don't think I will ever get around to getting one of them. Although it is a gorgeous knife.
 
It's a beauty although not my kind of thing at all. I'd be more inclined to the Temperance 2, but it's great to know the guy at the top has his eye on the ball.
 
ejes said:
I don't know TF. I've had spalted maple on firearms and knives. Obviously Spyderco is stabilizing it, hence the linseed oil all over the knife. Spalted maple is BEAUTIFUL wood, but in my experiences with it, I avoid it for scales and handgun grips. It needs to be wiped down with linseed oil periodically or it will crack for sure. It also tends to have random soft spots which makes it very prone to cracking/splitting/breaking; even after stabilization. If you have it on something that flexes in the slightest, like a knife, you'll find them soon enough. I doubt even liners will help, but they might. I hope they offer them with different handle material in the future.
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I hear you. Isn't spalting some aspect of decompostion? I don't know but I only notice it in dead trees around here.

Hopefully the stabilizing will help. But anytime you have any sort of natural handle material stuff like that is going to happen. I've heard people post about Bark Rivers having some troubles too. They use a lot of wood.

Micarta more durable but wood lighter I'm sure. I have a Koster in Micarta and one in Arctic Birch and the Birch one is WAY lighter.

I hope the maple doesn't crack much because it was a truly beautiful choice.
 
During the prototype process we talked about using Micarta, and as much as I like it, the problem for this design was getting suitable material thickness. If you use the standard 3/8 stuff the handle will be narrower and less shaped. Not a disaster, but we wanted to try to keep it fat if possible. Also, the wood compliements the carbon steel quite nicely.

I am a sucker for pretty wood, its the real reason I got into making knives in the first place. :D
 
I believe these are made in Taiwan. I have seen a number of small bush craft knives for sale on these forums, that I would pop for before buying a Spyderco at this price.
 
Good looking knife.

Mannlicher: I did see on a distributors website that they are made in Taiwan.
 
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