Real Steel Folding Bushcraft Knife with D2 Blade Review

The Real Steel Bushcraft Folder is todays review.  This knife is modeled after the Real Steel Bushcraft Fixed blade knife.  According to Real Steel Knives "After our RSK Bushcraft Fixed knife has become very popular among knife-friends, we were asked to bring out a foldable version that combines the classical attributes of a Bushcraft knife with the compact size and mobility of a folding knife. This we did and therefore we have used D2 blade steel for our Bushcraft Folder and the classic Bushcraft Scandi grind. The back of the blade is edged sharp for the use of a fire steel. As a mechanism, we chose the proven liner lock. We reduced the weight through intelligent milling of the steel plates to 185g and contoured shells made of G10 ensure a firm grip even in wet conditions."  So with that being said lets get to the specs for this blade.

Blade: D2 (58-60HRC)

Blade Length: 90mm/3.54"     　

Blade Thickness: 3.5mm/0.138"   　

Total Length: 210mm/8.27"　

Weight: 180g/6.35oz

First I am impressed with the classic styling of this blade.  It has a nice weight and feels good in the hand.  The use of the Scandinavian grind shows that real thought was put into this blade for its designed purpose. The Scandinavian grind doesn't use a secondary bevel so for heavy use they tend to be a bit tougher at the actual edge. Which will obviously make this blade for Bushcrafters, who prefer them for battening and heavier wood work.

The Blade of the real Steel D2 Bushcraft has a classic styling.  The jibbing on top gave extra thumb grip during cutting tests.  It sliced nicely through paper in a standard paper cutting test.  But that's not why this knife was designed, now was it?  So we had to take it outside for a test spin battening kindling.   When used to baton the Bushcraft did a excellent job for a pocket folder.  The D2 blade was a formidable foe for  the mallet.   The wood was split with relative ease.  I would have preferred a longer fixed blade to baton, but for its designed purpose of accompanying a fixed bushcraft blade, it was spot on. The knife showed no signs of the beating it received, which was somewhat of a surprise.  I had no problem cutting through various pieces of wood that would be used for things like making a shelter.  While chopping is not what a knife of this type is designed for, it would do the job if it was the only tool on hand.  Overall, I was very pleased with its performance.

The grip of the Bushcraft is solid.  The g10 scales provide the grip you need in most elements.  The Bushcrafts balancing point is just behind the blade giving it a fixed blade feel.  The g10 scales are outlined in red which again provides that classic look.

The lockup on the knife is strong, as well as, it should be.  The liner lock holds the blade in position tightly with no blade play after being tested.  This is a must for any knife that will be used under bushcraft conditions.  I have found it very difficult to find some type of blade to compare this knife against.  The Enzo D2 Scandi folder is twice as much and has a shorter blade.   While, the Spyderco G10 Bushcraft is significantly more and is a fixed blade knife.  I feel like the Real Steel Bushcraft is in a different class.  We all carry a second blade and probably a hatchet or ax when we stay in the woods.  I never thought about making the my backup  knife a Bushcraft style knife.  But I see were it makes perfect sense.

The Bushcraft Shaved green wood like taking hair off your arm.  The wood was easy to notch and shape with the Scandi style grind on the Bushcraft.  This made the knife handy for doing things like making triggers for animal traps.  The thick ergonomic handle makes your work easier and reduces hand fatigue.  

The sheath of the Bushcraft is a nylon pouch.  I am no fan of a nylon snap pouch, but I would not use the pouch anyway unless i was going to wear it to dinner at the steakhouse.  This knife fit nicely into the front compartment of my molle style sheath on The CRKT Onion Redemption, as well as, the SOG Field Pup.  The Bushcraft also comes with its own polishing cloth which I do like but will definitely loose within a week.

The MSRP of the Real Steel bushcraft is $69.00.  This seems to be a reasonable price for the quality of the knife.  The D2 Steel blade and the ergonomic G10 scales combined to make a striking and attractive overall appearance that not only looks nice but is also very functional.  The handle is extremely comfortable which is necessary for hours of use and the Scandi grind blade has proven itself time and again in the field.  One side note,  I contacted the manufacturer to find out what steel was used for the liner and did not receive a return answer as of today.  I will add that information when they get back to me.  

I was very pleased with the performance of the Bushcraft.  I had to remind myself constantly that this knife is suppose to "accompany" a fixed blade knife.  Rest assured, I do not feel like you or I will be disappointed with this knife.  I will be putting one in my pack this weekend.  Until next time...