Well-Dressed Hunter: Benchmade Crooked River Folding Knife Review

After spending much of the last year testing EDCs that push the limits of how small and light a pocket knife can be, I felt like I needed a changeup. So when Benchmade sent a sample of the Crooked River, a classically styled folder made for hunting and serious outdoor adventure, I was ready for it.

With fishing season in full swing and some spring and summer adventures lined up, this was a good, if not perfect, time to put it through its paces. Although I will admit, the Crooked River is a departure from the popular knives on shelves today. I haven’t used a clip-point in ages, and the 9.3-inch overall length puts this knife near the top end of my collection, based solely on size.  

I began testing the Crooked River in early May, and continued to use it as my primary carry nearly 7 days a week. It accompanied me on every outdoor adventure I took over the last few months, and I tested it on daily tasks: food prep, opening and processing packages, fishing, and camping. 

In short: Benchmade releases its latest premium knife in the “hunt” category, a folding knife designed for cutting, skinning, and food prep. The Crooked River’s high-quality materials and workmanship should make for a knife that can be passed down over generations. It won’t disappear in the pocket, and it’s a respectable investment, but its classic design and top performance make it a top-shelf blade worth its hype. 

Benchmade Crooked River Review

Design, Materials

Blade

The Crooked River carries a 4-inch clip point blade. This shape excels at precision cutting and piercing, but remains versatile enough for general-use tasks. Because of these attributes, this blade is ideal for hunting and fishing applications — in my case, filleting fish.

It’s made of CPM MagnaCut steel, with a hardness of 60-62. Still a relatively fresh knife steel, MagnaCut has been the “it” steel for the last few years for its corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge retention.

I expect the blade to stay very sharp for a long time regardless of how hard I work it, but the tradeoff being that it will become harder to sharpen over time. If you’re accustomed to caring for, honing, and sharpening your knives, this is a worthwhile tradeoff for a high-performance steel. 

Handle

Micarta has quickly become my personal favorite for handle materials. It’s durable and strong, while providing superior grip even when wet.

The material is known for its ability to withstand drastic swings in temperatures and humidity without warping or becoming brittle, and I can wash it with soap and water. It also has good looks; manufacturers pattern and color it, which Benchmade took full advantage of with this dark black canvas color.

The burnt copper aluminum bolster is a perfect color accent and really strikes a chord, blending toughness and class. My favorite part is the finger groove on the underside of the handle when open, combined with the ridges on the spine.

When I am fully choked up on the handle, I feel completely locked in with a steady and balanced grip, without any fear of slipping or sliding under heavy pressure. It all shakes out to the Crooked River looking beautiful and feeling fantastic in hand.

The Crooked River uses the AXIS lock — or crossbar lock, as it’s known outside of Benchmade. I’m familiar with this lock, so it was very easy to use, and I found it to be smooth and crisp right out of the box.

The locking mechanism is ambidextrous, along with the pocket clip, so users can carry and operate the knife in any way that fits their needs. A little gun oil and a Q-tip are all you need to clean and lubricate the lock, keeping it snappy and fresh-feeling even after heavy use.  

First Impressions

The new Crooked River is a beauty to behold, but its action captured my attention above all else. The Benchmade’s AXIS lock is smooth as silk. Its 4-inch blade carries a DLC battlewash dark finish, while the bulk of the handle employs black canvas Micarta, accented by a burnt copper bolster.

The shape of the handle fit my hand well. My index finger tucked nicely into the front of the handle and my thumb rested on the ridges along the spine — the effect made for solid grip and security during heavier use. 

The pocket clip is for deeper carry and sits very close to the Micarta handle. This makes it more comfortable and reduces the “hot spot” feeling when gripping the knife tightly. Aesthetically, the entire package is neatly designed and flows together nicely. 

Benchmade Crooked River: Testing

I got my hands on the Crooked River earlier this spring and immediately made it the primary carry in my rotation. I’ve used it as my daily “everything” knife, putting it to work for meal prep, opening packages, and prying and slicing.

While the knife lives in Benchmade’s “hunt” category, there currently aren’t any hunting seasons open in Minnesota. So I’ve taken to other adventures and hobbies to put this knife through its paces and push it into some heavier cutting tasks.

I’ve been on overnight fishing trips, day hikes, multiday camping trips, and more. And within those adventures, I’ve sought out ways to test the Crooked River and see what it can do. 

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

The Crooked River proved an outstanding tool for all these tasks. 

In a previous review, I used a knife to cut through a thick can of wet dog food. Honestly, I hated doing it. But, it does serve as a great test for what a blade can take — so I put the Crooked River through the same test. I punctured the can and sliced around the circumference to get it fully open. Ugh, the sound. The Crooked River did the job, though, and the blade remains sharp and clean. 

I’m a big fan of Micarta handles to begin with, and this knife shows why. It’s very comfortable to hold and has a texture that keeps my hand from slipping. The black canvas coloring is pleasing to the eye and is offset beautifully with the burnt copper aluminum bolster. I also love that when my hands get sweaty when the knife gets wet, the Micarta still remains tacky and safe to use. 

On another note, over the last few weeks, I have grown comfortable with the overall size and weight of the knife, and it has become less of an issue than I initially thought.

Now, when I carry a lightweight EDC, I often find myself reaching for my pocket, checking to make sure I didn’t forget to grab a knife. It’s comparable to when you forget your phone and tap your pocket because something feels off — the size of the Crooked River has become a comfort in its own way. 

Consideration: Size Matters

There are two things about this knife that initially gave me pause — the price and the size. This knife is $340, a steep price, even for a knife aficionado. That said, most in the market for a Benchmade blade know what they are getting into and expect a high price point in exchange for the craftsmanship. 

The size and weight of this knife are the only other drawbacks, at least when viewed as a pocket knife. First, in the grand scheme of things, this knife is not overly large and it isn’t “heavy.” But, for a knife at this price point with this build, it comes in on the heftier side of the scale when compared to less expensive options.

But the best hunting knives are large and heavy.

And at 5.3 inches closed, this isn’t a discreet EDC. It’s relatively skinny, which helps, but you will feel it in your pocket. It doesn’t “disappear” when you put it away like other, more EDC-centric knives do. 

Are any of these things reasons not to purchase the knife? No. For some who hunt often and find themselves in heavy-cutting situations commonly, these might be reasons you want to have this knife. However, if you’re spending the money, it is worth considering how you use the knife and what the tradeoffs may be.

Final Thoughts

Built with brawn for backcountry use and style to turn heads, the Crooked River is a knife worthy of a place in a knife rotation, or as a standalone, hard-use pocket knife.

Equally prepared for heavy cutting tasks while camping, hunting, and fishing, as well as light tasks around the office, I’ve found myself drawn to this knife more days than not. The Micarta handle, CPM MagnaCut blade, and AXIS lock inspire confidence for long-term use and abuse. 

If the price and size aren’t an issue for you, this knife should be at the top of your list.