Review: The BPS Finn Lite
A good knife is imperative to bushcraft, but you don't have to spend a lot to get a great blade. While several options from Mora have been defacto "budget bushcraft blades" for decades, a relative newcomer is offering them some competition. Since we first got our hands on BPS knives last year, we've been a fan. The Adventurer is a great midsized belt knife from BPS, but we're big fans of small knives that you can carry every day and, when paired with an axe or saw, make a great tool in the woods as well. That's where the BPS Finn Lite comes in. It has us asking, is this the Best Bushcraft Knife under $25?
Let's start off with the specs. The Finn Lite measures 7 inches overall with a 3.2 inch blade. The blade is made from 1066 carbon steel that's 0.08 inches thick and features a Scandinavian grind and a 90-degree spine. The straight spine is not only great for scraping a ferro rod, but it also works as an awesome scraper for fatwood dust or other projects. The handle scales are made of Ash wood, and the open portion of the grain absorbs oils with use, and this gives a nice patina over time, or you can rub in some stain to accelerate the process.
Overall, the shape and design of the Finn Lite lends itself to fine carving and camp cooking tasks. The tip allows you to clean game or work on intricate carving with ease. The handle is contoured to provide a bit of a guard, but it's relatively neutral, and it's comfortable in a variety of grips.
In terms of fit and finish, you can't ask for much more from the Finn Lite. The contoured Ash scales could use a little sanding, and on this particular knife, the tang sticks up above the scales a millimeter or two, but again, this is a $22 knife. The grind and factory edge was great right out of the box, and this knife would undoubtedly serve any bushcrafter well, regardless if they were a beginner or expert.
READ MORE: The Perfect Bushcraft Kit
My one complaint with the Finn Lite is that the sheath doesn't seem to match the quality of the knife. The leather is kind of soft, but so far, it's worked just fine. I'm careful when placing the knife into the sheath, but honestly, I might have been overly critical in my initial assessment of the quality of the sheath. After a week of using this as my EDC blade, it's had no issues. Just to plan ahead, I test-fitted the Finn Lite in some other sheathes, and a smaller JRE is a great option.
While no knife is "one size fits all," I have to admit that, in my opinion, the BPS Knives Finn Lite is an incredible value for $22. In my opinion, the quality of the grind, the edge retention, the well-designed handle, and the overall appearance put it a step above Moras at a similar price point. Plus, for $22, you can pick one up, give it a try, and if it isn't your cup of tea, you can pass it on to a beginner bushcrafter.