FB26 Bushcraft
The FB26 Bushcraft was introduced in late 2009, discontinued due to problems with the wood in the handles, brought back for a short run as a blank in 2010, and later joined by a regular production G-10 version at the end of 2010.
Appearance in catalogs
The FB26 Bushcraft first appeared in the 2009 Spyderco product catalog.
Designer
Chris Claycomb
BushcraftUK.com
Spyderco
History, mentionings etc. from the forums
- Reason the wood-handle version was discontinued[1] by Sal.
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
FB26PWD Bushcraft
The Bushcraft knife pattern was created with outdoor use in mind. Spyderco fixed blades, just like our folders are fabricated using high tech materials, attention to ergonomic comfort and cutting safety as a primary focus.
Bushcraft as an outdoor sport has an interesting history. It follows a regime of survival skills derived originally from southern hemisphere Bushmen. Today it’s mainstreamed by UK resident Ray Mears through his televised programs outlining how to thrive and survive skillfully and comfortably in nature with nothing but a knife. Spyderco’s version of a Bushcraft knife is a result of a three-fold collaboration between Tactical Bushcrafter Chris Claycombe, a Bushcraft website called BushcraftUK.com and Spyderco designers.
Bushcraft knives have specific parameters such as having blades between 4-6 inches. Spyderco’s is typical of the genre with a 4-inch blade (no handguard) that’s fully-tanged. It has a Scandinavian grind, or Scandi grind. Scandi edges have a single bevel or double bevel but use a zero grind no secondary bevel. The result is wide and flat, cutting with strength and able to withstand twisting and hacking. The blade is O-1 tool steel. Bushcrafters don’t seek the characteristics of stainless over the performance of high-carbon edge retention and this is why traditional Bushcraft knives are produced using tool steel. O-1’s high carbon content offers long-term cutting retention but sharpens easily when laying on a new edge. The knife carries on a belt or strap encased in a leather sheath. Blueprinted for wilderness chores, it slices, chops, whittles and processes game in traditional Bushcraft style.
True Bushcraft knives have organic-material handles. Our handle is spalted maple burl that’s contoured for continuous comfort and comes with a backup lanyard hole. Spyderco chose end grain spalted maple burl for its beauty. The FB26PWD Bushcraft in Spyderco's online catalog
FB26SPEC Bushcraft Blank
Bushcraft is a tradition as much as a sport. It follows a regime of survival skills derived from Australian Bushmen and has been introduced into the mainstreamed outdoor sports industry by U.K. television host Ray Mears. He produced a documentary-style television series highlighting Bushcrafting and the sport’s skills of thriving and surviving in nature with just a knife and doing it skillfully and in comfort.
Spyderco sells a fully finished Bushcraft fixed blade and now additionally offers the option of purchasing a Bushcraft blank.
The blank has an un-scaled handle and finished four-inch blade made from 0-1 tool steel with a Scandinavian or Scandi grind. Leaving the handle unfinished makes a do-it-yourself opportunity for creative Bushcrafters to customize the knife with their preference of handle scales, carry and sheath options. Blueprinted for wilderness chores, slicing, and chopping, whittling and game processing in traditional Bushcraft style. Does NOT include a sheath. The FB26SPEC Bushcraft in Spyderco's online catalog
FB26G Bushcraft G-10
Bushcraft is a tradition as much as a sport. It follows a regime of survival skills derived originally from Bushmen of the southern hemisphere. It’s mainstreamed today by UK resident Ray Mears through his televised programs outlining how to thrive and survive with only a knife both skillfully and comfortably in nature.
Spyderco’s version of a Bushcraft knife results from a three-fold collaboration between Tactical Bushcrafter Chris Claycombe, a Bushcraft website called BushcraftUK.com and Spyderco designers.
Knives used in the practice of Bushcraft have specific parameters such as possessing blades between 4-6 inches. Spyderco’s is typical of the genre with a 4-inch blade (no handguard) that’s fully-tanged. The blade is a Scandinavian or Scandi grind. Scandi edges have a single bevel grind, wide and flat that cuts with strength and is able to withstand twisting and hacking. The blade is made from O-1 tool steel. Bushcrafters generally don’t seek the characteristics of stainless over the performance of high-carbon edge retention, and is why traditional Bushcraft knives are produced using tool steel for their blades. O-1’s high carbon content holds a long-term edge but also sharpens easily when laying on a new edge.
The black G-10 handle is contoured for comfort with a backup lanyard hole and the knife carries in a black leather sheath. It is overall blueprinted for performing wilderness chores such as slicing, chopping, whittling and game processing all done in traditional Bushcraft style. The FB26G Bushcraft in Spyderco's online catalog.
Variations
The FB26 is made in Taiwan
| SKU | Handle | Edge | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Sheath | Clip | Collectors club |
| FB26PWD | Spalted Stabilized Maple Burl | PE | O-1 | 2009-2010 | 299.95$ (2009) | Discounted to 89.95$ MSRP as a factory 2nd | >1000 | Scandi | Brown Leather | N/A | Main |
| XXFB26PWD | Spalted Stabilized Maple Burl | PE | O-1 | 2010 | 89.95$ (2010) | Factory Second due to problems with wood handles cracking. | Scandi | Brown Leather | N/A | ||
| FB26SPEC | N/A | PE | O-1 | 2010 + 2014 | 119.95$ (2010 + 2014) | Available only through SFO. Knife blank without scales. First batch number unknown, but in 2014 another 100 pieces. [1] | Limited | Scandi | None | N/A | |
| FB26G | Black G-10 | PE | O-1 | 2010-Oct. 2018 | 279.95$ (2011), 349.95$ (2018) | Regular Production | Scandi | Black Leather | N/A |
Most collectible variation
FB26 Bushcraft
Questions regarding collecting the FB26
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer:
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the FB26 Bushcraft:
| Variation | Length overall | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
| FB26PWD | 222mm | 102mm | 100mm | 6mm | 3.5mm | 175g |
| FB26SPEC | 222mm | 102mm | 100mm | 6mm | 3.5mm | 120g |
| FB26G | 222mm | 102mm | 100mm | 6mm | 3.5mm | 219g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the FB26 Bushcraft:
| Variation | Length overall | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
| FB26PWD | 8 3/4" | 4" | 3 15/16" | 15/64" | 9/64" | 6.2oz |
| FB26SPEC | 8 3/4" | 4" | 3 15/16" | 15/64" | 9/64" | 4.25oz |
| FB26G | 8 3/4" | 4" | 3 15/16" | 15/64" | 9/64" | 7.75oz |
