Benchmade Crooked River folder?...

[Coastal]

I'm considering saving up for one of these, or the Mini Crooked River, since I really enjoy mixing traditional and modern aesthetics and materials. Plus, the traditional clip point is my favorite blade shape. Plus, S90V is available through the custom shop. Anyone have experience with either knife? With the custom shop versus off-the-shelf? How has Benchmade's QC been lately? I have some of their older products (decades older), and they were fine for a full-production shop, but I've read that they've had some rough days.

What say y'all?

[Manixguy@1994]

I'm considering saving up for one of these, or the Mini Crooked River, since I really enjoy mixing traditional and modern aesthetics and materials. Plus, the traditional clip point is my favorite blade shape. Plus, S90V is available through the custom shop. Anyone have experience with either knife? With the custom shop versus off-the-shelf? How has Benchmade's QC been lately? I have some of their older products (decades older), and they were fine for a full-production shop, but I've read that they've had some rough days.

What say y'all?

Hi Coastal! I have looked at the Crooked River in both sizes for a year after handling one at a show . Like you I am a sucker for the clip point blade . It is at the top of my BM list to buy in the future . I bought two BM models in last ten months , Large Adamas and first run Turrent in PE Satin . The QC on both models were very good in every area , no complaints. Friend recently picked up the Adamas Auto and wish he did not show it to me . Action is same as my Hogue Ballista Military grade models but in Cruwear . A custom shop with upgraded steel to me would definitely be worth the wait . Dan

[Coastal]

Hi Coastal! I have looked at the Crooked River in both sizes for a year after handling one at a show . Like you I am a sucker for the clip point blade . It is at the top of my BM list to buy in the future . I bought two BM models in last ten months , Large Adamas and first run Turrent in PE Satin . The QC on both models were very good in every area , no complaints. Friend recently picked up the Adamas Auto and wish he did not show it to me . Action is same as my Hogue Ballista Military grade models but in Cruwear . A custom shop with upgraded steel to me would definitely be worth the wait . Dan

Thanks, Dan. Oh wow, that Adamas looks awesome! This is the first I'd heard of it. Man!

I'll probably be in for the original large Crooked River at some point. I find it hard to buy a small version of a knife when a large version is available. I really like my Schempp Bowie; similar concept but obviously way different design. I like it, but I always find myself wishing it was about a quarter again larger than it is.

[Manixguy@1994]

Hi Coastal! I have looked at the Crooked River in both sizes for a year after handling one at a show . Like you I am a sucker for the clip point blade . It is at the top of my BM list to buy in the future . I bought two BM models in last ten months , Large Adamas and first run Turrent in PE Satin . The QC on both models were very good in every area , no complaints. Friend recently picked up the Adamas Auto and wish he did not show it to me . Action is same as my Hogue Ballista Military grade models but in Cruwear . A custom shop with upgraded steel to me would definitely be worth the wait . Dan

Thanks, Dan. Oh wow, that Adamas looks awesome! This is the first I'd heard of it. Man!

I'll probably be in for the original large Crooked River at some point. I find it hard to buy a small version of a knife when a large version is available. I really like my Schempp Bowie; similar concept but obviously way different design. I like it, but I always find myself wishing it was about a quarter again larger than it is.

I agree the mini version would not be for me in the classic lines of the knife . The Adamas is a bit of a beast definitely not a Stretch XL carry wise but actually not that bad for someone who has carried heavier knives over the years . Dan

[murphjd25]

I dearly miss my Mini CR. It was a great knife. The large brother is just as great! Benchmade has really been killing it lately, and their QC has been top notch.

[Cowboyfromhell]

I just took delivery of a new Bugout and the action was stiff and blade centering was way off. I fixed it, only took 20 mins. qc is hit or miss with any large company.

[soc_monki]

I have 2 crooked rivers and 2 minis, standard and customs of each. They're all excellent. Some of my favorites honestly. I prefer the large, but do carry the smalls quite a bit because the smaller knives are easier to handle with some of the work i do.

They're like modern takes on the buck 110 and 112. They're just great knives imo, and Benchmade is a close 2nd for me as a favorite company. Love my Adamas, Super Freek, the crooked rivers, contego, and the Griptilian... Have a g10/20cv and 2 customs. Love them.

Benchmade seems to be a bit hit and miss on qc, but I've never gotten a knife from them that has been so bad it needed to go back. A reprofile because of a too obtuse edge, some pivot tuning maybe. Centered (or mostly so), but I don't worry about that much.

And if you do have issues their warranty is great. My first crooked river (bought on eBay for pretty cheap) had a broken scale and an oversharpened blade. Sent it to them and they fixed it up no problem!

[Manixguy@1994]

I have 2 crooked rivers and 2 minis, standard and customs of each. They're all excellent. Some of my favorites honestly. I prefer the large, but do carry the smalls quite a bit because the smaller knives are easier to handle with some of the work i do.

They're like modern takes on the buck 110 and 112. They're just great knives imo, and Benchmade is a close 2nd for me as a favorite company. Love my Adamas, Super Freek, the crooked rivers, contego, and the Griptilian... Have a g10/20cv and 2 customs. Love them.

Benchmade seems to be a bit hit and miss on qc, but I've never gotten a knife from them that has been so bad it needed to go back. A reprofile because of a too obtuse edge, some pivot tuning maybe. Centered (or mostly so), but I don't worry about that much.

And if you do have issues their warranty is great. My first crooked river (bought on eBay for pretty cheap) had a broken scale and an oversharpened blade. Sent it to them and they fixed it up no problem!

Only BM , I have sent back was a 940 G10 model . I wanted to switch out scale screws and ruined a screw head so bad I was unable to remove it . I sent it in explaining my error , they fixed it no charge . The knife came back perfectly centered , edge had been touched up , and opened smooth as glass . I don’t have a lot of BM knives but love everyone I have . Dan

[Coastal]

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

[SpyderNut]

Funny you mention the Crooked River folder as I too have been on the verge of buying one for a few years now. I will probably end up buying the smaller version at some point, but I’m thinking the new BM Weekender might have to come first (here’s a link: https://www.benchmade.com/317-1-weekender.html). My last two BM’s have been fantastic: a CF Proper with a clip point and a Mini 940 in black G-10. Both are top-notch in terms of fit and finish. I can find nothing wrong with them. The Proper has become one of my all-time favorites, due to its slender scales and low profile in the pocket.

[twinboysdad]

Just grabbed a Mini Bugout and love it. Only thing missing is the spyderhole! I have to say this knife delivers a lot of quality at the price point

[knivesandbooks]

I have the Crooked River and have for a few years. I enjoy it, though I don't like the pakkawood. At least the ones I got. But it's a good one. Wish it was hollow ground.