Bushcraft is a hobby I dip in and out of when I have the time. Bushcraft skills can be used in survival situations, but to me, it’s always been about how I can make nature work for me. It could be to survive, but it could be to camp, hunt, or just because I enjoy whittling feathersticks and trying to make spoons. Plenty of knives exist for the enterprising enthusiast, and Benchmade’s 165 Mini Bushcrafter is the latest to join the scene.
The original Benchmade Bushcrafter has been kicking for over a decade and is a well-respected knife amongst enthusiasts like me. It took over a decade for Benchmade to make any serious modification, but they’ve finally delivered us a smaller, lighter option for bushcraft purposes. The Mini Bushcrafter indeed looks like a mini-me variant of the original.
The shape of the blade and grip are almost identical. Both knives use the consistently excellent S30V steel and G10 scales, and both have traditional sheaths with ferro rod pouches. The Mini Bushcrafter has an overall length of 7.58 inches, a blade length of 3.38 inches, weighing 6.45 ounces. The Bushcrafter Mini has a flat grind instead of the scandi grind that came with the original Bushcrafter. We also get the drop point tip for excellent versatility.
The Mini Bushcrafter – Does Size Matter?
A shorter blade provides less cutting surface but makes the knife easier to carry. It’s also an option for folks who might be carrying the knife more on a daily basis. If you’re working outdoors and doing a lot of work with your hands, the Mini Bushcrafter might be a fantastic companion.
The shorter blade is still enough blade, at least for me. There aren’t many situations in bushcraft where I need a longer blade. The 3.38-inch blade will work fine for cleaning fish, deer, squirrels, and other game. The S30V blade is super sharp, and the long handle makes it easy to cut through rope, twine, vines, and more.
The Mini Bushcrafter might be smaller, but it still packs a punch for outdoor use. It’s a great choice for hunting, camping, bushcraft, and anything else that involves the great outdoors.
The Mini Bushcrafter Blade
The Mini Bushcrafter comes ultra sharp. The S30V steel can hold an excellent edge, and while a lot of outdoorsy types like the strength carbon knives offer, I like the corrosion resistance the S30V offers. The drop point blade works well for stabbing, cutting, slashing, and even whittling. The blade cuts smoothly, and while short, the belly provides an efficient cutting surface.
The blade has a fuller, aka a “blood groove.” This helps prevent suction when the knife is stabbed into something. I’ve never stabbed anything deep enough to worry about suction, but hey, I’ll take the extra feature. There is also a notch to insert a Ferro rod. It’s handy and efficient for creating sparks. If your rod doesn’t fit, the spine is squared and strikes a rod easily enough.
Overall, the Mini Bushcrafter has a useful and versatile blade. It’s capable of being super sharp, it resists corrosion, and it provides a versatile blade design for nearly any outdoor activity.
Getting a Grip
The Mini Bushcrafter proves a fantastic grip. While the blade’s short, the grip fills the hand. The G10 material provides a nearly natural no-slip grip on the knife. It’s also a wide and fat grip that fills your hand, which prevents hot spots and discomfort, and helps keep your hand from getting tired.
The grip has a rounded nature that feels nice and provides an excellent grip. In using the knife I never had a problem with my hand slipping or sliding. Fatigue rarely set in, and I stripped a cypress branch of its limbs and bark to turn it into fire kindling. The thick handle felt great, and the G10 digs in enough to keep your hand locked onto the knife.
On a recent rabbit and fishing weekend, the knife got plenty of use when it came to cleaning game. It’s not a filet knife, so it’s not the best for cleaning trout, but it worked fine enough. A little clumsy, and I only cleaned one before switching to a readily available fillet knife. With rabbits, it chopped through thin bones with ease.
The Mini Bushcrafter And The Great Outdoors
If you need a solid, dependable outdoor knife that’s a little lighter and shorter than most, the Mini Bushcrafter will have you covered. It’s mini but mighty and packs a lot of knife in a small package. Like most Benchmade knives, it’s not cheap, but it certainly lives up to the Benchmade reputation.
For more information, please visit Benchmade.com.
