BPS Bushmate 2.0 Review: A Ukraine-Made Bushcraft Knife That Punches Far Above Its Price

Introduction

BPS Knives from Ukraine has been quietly building a reputation among bushcraft enthusiasts, and after spending time with their knives, the hype is easy to understand. The company sent over two versions of its collaboration with Dutch Bushcraft Knives, and we also picked up additional knives and a standalone sheath from retail to make sure the quality we saw was not a fluke. It was not. The consistency across every knife checked was genuinely impressive.

What Makes the Bushmate 2.0 Stand Out

The Bushmate 2.0 is the newer version of the Dutch Bushcraft Knives collaboration, and it outclasses the original in almost every way. If you have the choice between the original flat or saber grind version and the version 2.0, buy the 2.0 without hesitation.

The experience starts with the packaging. BPS touts sustainability, and it delivers: nothing in the package is plastic. The blade arrives sheathed in cardboard, coated in machine oil to prevent rust, wrapped in wax paper, with a paper napkin for wiping the oil off. Everything can be recycled or composted. It is a small touch, but it reflects a level of care that runs through the whole product.

Out of the box, the knife is impressively sharp, and the spine has been sharpened to a level comparable to the best-known bushcraft makers. The handle attaches with screws, so you can swap it for your own if you want, and there are no ridges between handle and blade that create hot spots during use.

The Scandi Grind Is the Big Upgrade

The difference between the original and the 2.0 shows up most clearly in feather sticking. The original’s grind struggles with fine wood work, while the Scandi grind on the 2.0 makes delicate shavings feel effortless.

If you want a knife specifically for woodscraft, a Scandi grind is the way to go, and the Bushmate 2.0 delivers exactly that. The edge held up with no damage even after splitting cedar, a notoriously unfriendly wood with a hard inner core that can genuinely stress an edge.

About the Steel: 1066 Carbon

The Bushmate 2.0 uses 1066 carbon steel, and it is a smart pick for a bushcraft knife. While 1085 holds an edge longer, 1066 is a tough steel that resists chipping and snapping. The trade-offs are real: it rusts relatively easily and does not have great edge retention, so you will need to touch it up often. But knowing the knife will not get damaged under hard wood work matters more for this kind of use.

For a full tang, well-finished knife made in Ukraine at this price, the value is hard to overstate.

The Sheath Alone Is Worth a Look

The leather sheath included with the Bushmate 2.0 is, frankly, shocking for the price. It is thick, well made, carries comfortably on the hip with a dangler, and comes with a ferro rod that has a nice wooden toggle you could even use to create tinder in a pinch.

BPS also sells this sheath standalone for around $17, and it fits a bunch of different knives without getting ripped up by the blade. If your current knife has a poor sheath, this one is worth a look on its own. Many people would value the sheath alone at roughly $30 of the knife’s total price.

Real Wood Work: Cedar Splitting and Edge Durability

Testing involved splitting a batch of cedar, a hard, chippy wood that puts real pressure on any blade edge. The Scandi grind came through with no damage whatsoever, which is a strong sign for a carbon steel blade at this price point.

Compared to the Mora, widely considered one of the best budget outdoor knives ever, the BPS is on par at least. When it comes to the sheath, it is not a contest at all. It is better than basically anything else tried in this class.

The larger BPS models tested showed the same quality control: excellent Scandi grinds, very sharp spines, comfortable handles, thick and comfortable sheaths, and included ferro rods. That consistency across knives bought independently from retail speaks volumes.

Pricing and Value

The Bushmate 2.0 runs around $50 on Amazon without discounts, or roughly $40 with discounts. Considering the sheath alone would be worth around $30 on its own, the overall package is remarkable value. Some of the larger models were around $37 with the ferro rod included. Prices seem likely to move, so if you are interested, it is hard to beat the value right now.

Buying Advice

If you are wondering whether to try a BPS knife, the answer is an easy yes. Pick the Bushmate 2.0 with the Scandi grind if woodscraft is your priority, or look at the larger models if you prefer a bigger blade and a different handle shape. Either way, get it with the sheath and ferro rod loop. And if you already own a knife with a lackluster sheath, the standalone BPS leather sheath is a genuinely useful upgrade on its own.

Conclusion

The BPS Bushmate 2.0 combines a tough 1066 carbon steel blade, a superb Scandi grind, thoughtful sustainable packaging, and a leather sheath that embarrasses the competition. For a full tang bushcraft knife at this price, there is very little to criticize and a lot to like.