Benchmade Crooked River Folding Knife Overview

After spending a lot of the final yr testing EDCs that push the bounds of how small and lightweight a pocket knife could be, I felt like I wanted a changeup. So when Benchmade despatched a pattern of the Crooked River, a classically styled folder made for looking and critical outside journey, I used to be prepared for it.

With fishing season in full swing and a few spring and summer time adventures lined up, this was a very good, if not good, time to place it by way of its paces. Though I’ll admit, the Crooked River is a departure from the favored knives on cabinets in the present day. I haven’t used a clip-point in ages, and the 9.3-inch general size places this knife close to the highest finish of my assortment, primarily based solely on measurement.  

I started testing the Crooked River in early Could, and continued to make use of it as my main carry practically 7 days every week. It accompanied me on each outside journey I took over the previous few months, and I examined it on every day duties: meals prep, opening and processing packages, fishing, and tenting. 

Briefly: Benchmade releases its newest premium knife within the “hunt” class, a folding knife designed for slicing, skinning, and meals prep. The Crooked River’s high-quality supplies and workmanship ought to make for a knife that may be handed down over generations. It gained’t disappear within the pocket, and it’s a good funding, however its traditional design and prime efficiency make it a top-shelf blade price its hype. 

Benchmade Crooked River Overview

Design, Supplies

Blade

The Crooked River carries a 4-inch clip level blade. This form excels at precision slicing and piercing, however stays versatile sufficient for general-use duties. Due to these attributes, this blade is good for looking and fishing functions — in my case, filleting fish.

It’s fabricated from CPM MagnaCut metal, with a hardness of 60-62. Nonetheless a comparatively recent knife metal, MagnaCut has been the “it” metal for the previous few years for its corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge retention.

I count on the blade to remain very sharp for a very long time no matter how arduous I work it, however the tradeoff being that it’ll grow to be tougher to sharpen over time. In case you’re accustomed to caring for, honing, and sharpening your knives, it is a worthwhile tradeoff for a high-performance metal. 

Deal with

Micarta has rapidly grow to be my private favourite for deal with supplies. It’s sturdy and robust, whereas offering superior grip even when moist.

The fabric is thought for its capacity to resist drastic swings in temperatures and humidity with out warping or turning into brittle, and I can wash it with cleaning soap and water. It additionally has beauty; producers sample and coloration it, which Benchmade took full benefit of with this darkish black canvas coloration.

The burnt copper aluminum bolster is an ideal coloration accent and actually strikes a chord, mixing toughness and sophistication. My favourite half is the finger groove on the underside of the deal with when open, mixed with the ridges on the backbone.

When I’m totally choked up on the deal with, I really feel utterly locked in with a gradual and balanced grip, with none concern of slipping or sliding beneath heavy strain. All of it shakes out to the Crooked River trying lovely and feeling incredible in hand.

The Crooked River makes use of the AXIS lock — or crossbar lock, because it’s identified exterior of Benchmade. I’m aware of this lock, so it was very straightforward to make use of, and I discovered it to be easy and crisp proper out of the field.

The locking mechanism is ambidextrous, together with the pocket clip, so customers can carry and function the knife in any means that matches their wants. Just a little gun oil and a Q-tip are all you want to clear and lubricate the lock, retaining it snappy and fresh-feeling even after heavy use.  

First Impressions

The brand new Crooked River is a magnificence to behold, however its motion captured my consideration above all else. The Benchmade’s AXIS lock is easy as silk. Its 4-inch blade carries a DLC battlewash darkish end, whereas the majority of the deal with employs black canvas Micarta, accented by a burnt copper bolster.

The form of the deal with match my hand properly. My index finger tucked properly into the entrance of the deal with and my thumb rested on the ridges alongside the backbone — the impact made for stable grip and safety throughout heavier use. 

The pocket clip is for deeper carry and sits very near the Micarta deal with. This makes it extra snug and reduces the “scorching spot” feeling when gripping the knife tightly. Aesthetically, your entire bundle is neatly designed and flows collectively properly. 

Benchmade Crooked River: Testing

I acquired my fingers on the Crooked River earlier this spring and instantly made it the first carry in my rotation. I’ve used it as my every day “every little thing” knife, placing it to work for meal prep, opening packages, and prying and slicing.

Whereas the knife lives in Benchmade’s “hunt” class, there at the moment aren’t any looking seasons open in Minnesota. So I’ve taken to different adventures and hobbies to place this knife by way of its paces and push it into some heavier slicing duties.

I’ve been on in a single day fishing journeys, day hikes, multiday tenting journeys, and extra. And inside these adventures, I’ve sought out methods to check the Crooked River and see what it may possibly do. 

I’ve lower by way of thick paracord to tie off makeshift rainflys, shaved down branches and sticks pulled from the woods to start out fires, lower out chook nests of fishing line in baitcast reels, pushed and picked at bent lure hooks, and whittled for the enjoyable of it.

The Crooked River proved an impressive instrument for all these duties. 

In a earlier overview, I used a knife to chop by way of a thick can of moist pet food. Actually, I hated doing it. However, it does function a terrific check for what a blade can take — so I put the Crooked River by way of the identical check. I punctured the can and sliced across the circumference to get it totally open. Ugh, the sound. The Crooked River did the job, although, and the blade stays sharp and clear. 

I’m a giant fan of Micarta handles to start with, and this knife exhibits why. It’s very snug to carry and has a texture that retains my hand from slipping. The black canvas coloring is enjoyable to the attention and is offset superbly with the burnt copper aluminum bolster. I additionally love that when my fingers get sweaty when the knife will get moist, the Micarta nonetheless stays cheesy and protected to make use of. 

On one other notice, over the previous few weeks, I’ve grown snug with the general measurement and weight of the knife, and it has grow to be much less of a problem than I initially thought.

Now, after I carry a light-weight EDC, I typically discover myself reaching for my pocket, checking to ensure I didn’t neglect to seize a knife. It’s similar to once you neglect your telephone and faucet your pocket as a result of one thing feels off — the scale of the Crooked River has grow to be a consolation in its personal means. 

Consideration: Measurement Issues

There are two issues about this knife that originally gave me pause — the value and the scale. This knife is $340, a steep value, even for a knife aficionado. That mentioned, most out there for a Benchmade blade know what they’re stepping into and count on a excessive value level in trade for the craftsmanship. 

The scale and weight of this knife are the one different drawbacks, no less than when seen as a pocket knife. First, within the grand scheme of issues, this knife will not be overly massive and it isn’t “heavy.” However, for a knife at this value level with this construct, it is available in on the heftier facet of the dimensions when in comparison with cheaper choices.

However the perfect looking knives are massive and heavy.

And at 5.3 inches closed, this isn’t a discreet EDC. It’s comparatively skinny, which helps, however you’ll really feel it in your pocket. It doesn’t “disappear” once you put it away like different, extra EDC-centric knives do. 

Are any of this stuff causes to not buy the knife? No. For some who hunt typically and discover themselves in heavy-cutting conditions generally, these is perhaps causes you wish to have this knife. Nevertheless, in the event you’re spending the cash, it’s price contemplating how you utilize the knife and what the tradeoffs could also be.

Remaining Ideas

Constructed with brawn for backcountry use and magnificence to show heads, the Crooked River is a knife worthy of a spot in a knife rotation, or as a standalone, hard-use pocket knife.

Equally ready for heavy slicing duties whereas tenting, looking, and fishing, in addition to gentle duties across the workplace, I’ve discovered myself drawn to this knife extra days than not. The Micarta deal with, CPM MagnaCut blade, and AXIS lock encourage confidence for long-term use and abuse. 

If the value and measurement aren’t a problem for you, this knife ought to be on the prime of your listing.