Mini Crooked RIver
Despite some other reviews who were sent free knives we pay for all of ours so here is the review.
I was super excited to get this model as the large Crooked in my opinion is just too big for most EDC situations.
First impressions out of the box this looks like a great size, opened the blade noticed it wasn't too smooth and the blade was rubbing a liner, ok this happens no big deal I tune and center them all day long. The size in hand is perfect and spot on for my hand. It resembles the big knife in all other aspects except the size of course.
The action of this out of the box was more than dissapointing and not because it was possibly a Friday afternoon assembly, this just can't be fixed. I noticed excessive liner flex in the small model. I proceeded to work in the blade and adjust the torx while working in side to side deflection and retuning waiting for it to find the sweet spot and set in. This never happened, a first on any Benchmade I have owned. I at one time I had over 500 in my collection.
Even with the pivot tightened to the point the blade would not move freely any side pressure makes the blade clunk over to the liner all the way. I had 3 of these Mini CR here and all the same thing with every knife. I dissasembled and reassembled, checked for flaws or machining tolerances that were out and still can't find anything other than the excessive liner flex that the larger model doesn't have.
Long story short this is now turning into a more widespread thing across social media so we will see what the solution is. Not sure if the was a bad run or what the deal is. I can say the new 565Mini Freek is a by far smoother and more sturdy platform than the Mini CR and it is almost half the cost!
I was super excited to get this model as the large Crooked in my opinion is just too big for most EDC situations.
First impressions out of the box this looks like a great size, opened the blade noticed it wasn't too smooth and the blade was rubbing a liner, ok this happens no big deal I tune and center them all day long. The size in hand is perfect and spot on for my hand. It resembles the big knife in all other aspects except the size of course.
The action of this out of the box was more than dissapointing and not because it was possibly a Friday afternoon assembly, this just can't be fixed. I noticed excessive liner flex in the small model. I proceeded to work in the blade and adjust the torx while working in side to side deflection and retuning waiting for it to find the sweet spot and set in. This never happened, a first on any Benchmade I have owned. I at one time I had over 500 in my collection.
Even with the pivot tightened to the point the blade would not move freely any side pressure makes the blade clunk over to the liner all the way. I had 3 of these Mini CR here and all the same thing with every knife. I dissasembled and reassembled, checked for flaws or machining tolerances that were out and still can't find anything other than the excessive liner flex that the larger model doesn't have.
Long story short this is now turning into a more widespread thing across social media so we will see what the solution is. Not sure if the was a bad run or what the deal is. I can say the new 565Mini Freek is a by far smoother and more sturdy platform than the Mini CR and it is almost half the cost!
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I am waiting for my mini to arrive very soon. I will check it. 0 -
I just received my mini crook river.
It is not centered when I checked.
To be sure this is mini crooked river.
The blade have lots of burs. I will strobe it off but the centering....
The rotation seems stiff so it is not too loose. I haven't done anything yet.
Any idea? How to fix it?0 -
This is really disappointed. That means I have to go to the store to check the knife first. I just don't trust any online order anymore. This is really inconvenience. BM wake up your QC department..... 0 -
I think there was a bad batch, you probably won't get anyone to acknowledge it here. Jason only acknowledges a couple of his little lap puppets on here. You will have to deal with BM warranty department, all 3 I have had are junk and I have had thousands of Benchmades over the years, nothing like these.
Machining is really rough and crappy on the bolsters and the action is terrible on all 3 I have. Sending them all in for a refund as defective, I will see if I can test some out in a store somewhere and see if was a bad run.0 -
A bad batch?
Mine is first production.
What are QA is doing? How can they allow these to pass?
This is worse than the forum knife I got. I can accept the flaw on the forum knife. I can not accept the off centered blade. This is so unbelievable. Even a child can see the blade is off.
I would fire the QC guy.
Maybe we have to blame the knife's name--"crooked" river?
But I do like the size of it. The regular one is too big for my hand. I have to reach out to open it each time.0 -
/|\ Thank to all for your initial reports on the mini-CR.
Does the mini-CR have full size axis lock or smaller version?
With tight tolerances reguired in building folders I’m surprised how good most are. I had similar problems with a 1st production Valet a few years back. BKC solution was bigger washers. The new washers did center the blade & reduced side to side blade play but didn’t totally eliminate it. I was told the residual blade play was within BKC acceptable limits. As I wasn’t as accepting I’ve not bought anymore Valet where I expected to buy 1/2 a dozen.
I think Benchie provided good advice, as cool as the mini- CR looks, if quality isn’t there move on to a model that has it.
Lastly, LOL on thought that QC person believed name Crook River meant blade was intended to bend to the liner.0 -
I haven't seen any pics of issues, so I can't really comment, but I'm not aware of a bad batch leaving the factory. It's a manual AXIS lock, so it shouldn't function any differently than what you're used to.
Do you want to try posting pics with something other than photobucket?
If the centering is bothering you, feel free to send it in and Product Services will get it squared up for you, no problem.0 -
This kind of QC will definitely reduce BM sales. It was so convenient to "order" a knife because you trust BM will made it up to the quality you want. I like the knife but I just hate BM starting to low ball on us. You won't see the sales go down right away but over times you will. If they continue this.
You also have to remember that we are pay a premium to buy the best.
What do you mean by full size axis lock?
Same size as the large crook?
To me they are the same. For the large the spring is stiffer. I believe because the blade is heaver so you need stronger spring to hold the lock.0 -
quote:Originally posted by arcsupply:
This kind of QC will definitely reduce BM sales. It was so convenient to "order" a knife because you trust BM will made it up to the quality you want. I like the knife but I just hate BM starting to low ball on us. You won't see the sales go down right away but over times you will. If they continue this.
You also have to remember that we are pay a premium to buy the best.
What do you mean by full size axis lock?
Same size as the large crook?
To me they are the same. For the large the spring is stiffer. I believe because the blade is heaver so you need stronger spring to hold the lock.
/|\ the axis lock on the Valet ireduced to 75% or 80% of normal axis lock. Every knife I’ve handled with that smaller axis lock had blade play. The mini-CR with a 3.4” blade looks big enough to have standard size axis lock but as I have not handled a mini-CR ( thus don’t know the size of the axis lock) I pointed out as a possible reason for problem encountered.
My solution is easy - I ‘d just buy another 940-1.
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It's your standard AXIS lock stud dia. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:
It's your standard AXIS lock stud dia.
/|\ good tried & true, so not likly the axis lock causing the problem0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:
It's your standard AXIS lock stud dia.
/|\ good tried & true, so not likly the axis lock causing the problem
No, not likely.
If it's a centering issue, it's probably just in need of adjustment.0 -
Any suggestions? 0 -
Just got mine in today. I consider myself rather picky, but reasonable. I 'only' have about 100 Benchmade knifes, and an assortment of other brands.
I don't have any of the issues benchieking mentions. Opening action is smooth, blade is almost dead-center perfect, no liner flex, lockup is solid with no play.
Bolster machining seems to be perfect. Really, this got me looking very hard for a flaw. Can't find one. CAN find a MINOR 'flaw' with one of the scales that meets the bolster - there's a tiny lip that could have been sanded a little better. It sticks up a little above the liner. It appears to be slightly sanded, but not enough, while the other side is perfectly contoured and obviously not sanded at the joint. In manufacturing, this is part of the "finishing" process. But, again, it's extremely minor, from a rather picky person's point of view.0 -
I fixed my mini not crooked river. 0 -
Sorry, can't post pics anymore. 0 -
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quote:Originally posted by arcsupply:
This is after you managed to adjust it? Cause it looks pretty good to me.0 -
quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:quote:Originally posted by arcsupply:
This is after you managed to adjust it? Cause it looks pretty good to me.
Yes, I think it is the steel liner and back spacer cause this off center issue.
The repair is very simple.
You don't need to touch the pivot screw or the discs.(I think most people do.)
What I did is just loosen the 2 back screws a little bit and check the blade is center or not.
Twist it a little bit side way if needed so the blade become centered. While holding the centered position tighten the back spacer screws. That is it.
I think the orange back spacer might have a slightly larger hole to allow when you assemble the knife and got forced and push to one side while it is being tighten.
I don't know if adding another spacer screw will make it more sturdy and eliminate this problem.
If you guys have this problem. You can try this to see you can fix it or not.
Good luck.0 -
Most of the time, you really don't even need to loosen those screws. I agree with you that most people seem to do all the screws, which actually hinders the process, IMO.
Typically an off-center blade is due to bend in components, or a pivot pin not going through perpendicularly to the liner/handle stack. It can virtually always be adjusted by straightening that pin. That lateral pressure is what helps get it square to the stack again.0 -
By the way, I do need a pivot screw for my 585BK. I accidentally cross thread it. I did get an email said replacement is on it way but so far still haven't. that was at least couple weeks ago. :-) 0 -
I'd assume they're processing it? Shouldn't take that long to ship a screw. 0 -
Ha, Ha,
You made me more curious. I went back to check my mail. It was Jan. 15th Shelby replied.0 -
I have no idea. The Product Services folks are really busy this time of year, but that feels long, even so.
Did you try giving a call in to CS?0 -
quote:Originally posted by JohnD586:
Just got mine in today. I consider myself rather picky, but reasonable. I 'only' have about 100 Benchmade knifes, and an assortment of other brands.
I don't have any of the issues benchieking mentions. Opening action is smooth, blade is almost dead-center perfect, no liner flex, lockup is solid with no play.
Bolster machining seems to be perfect. Really, this got me looking very hard for a flaw. Can't find one. CAN find a MINOR 'flaw' with one of the scales that meets the bolster - there's a tiny lip that could have been sanded a little better. It sticks up a little above the liner. It appears to be slightly sanded, but not enough, while the other side is perfectly contoured and obviously not sanded at the joint. In manufacturing, this is part of the "finishing" process. But, again, it's extremely minor, from a rather picky person's point of view.
Hi. The lip that you refer to is similar to what my full size crooked river had. I was going to bring it in to have them fix this but I decided to try myself and all it took was to loosen the scale screws and readjust and got the lip to disappear. See if that doesn’t do the trick first. I was going to sand the lip off but readjusting took care of it without sanding.0 -
I picked up a Mini Crooked River from my local dealer two weeks ago. Though it was ordered directly from Benchmade late January i managed to get a first production run 161/700. I have purchased two full size crooked rivers, one online from cabelas and one from this same dealer, i noticed some minor differences in those two knives but nothing that was worthy of complaint, but left me wary enough to inspect this knife thoroughly before taking it home. Upon inspection the fit and finish on the scales is on par with the quality expected from a knife at this price point, that is to say it is excellent. The first time i flipped it open with the thumb stud it felt like deja vu with the first time i flipped open a 940. You can almost say I fell in love with Benchmade Knives again. the handle fills my hand better than a 940, though i wear an XL glove so take that for what it is worth. This is a knife you can sit around the campfire or on the porch for hours whittling on your favorite stick without feeling much hand fatigue or developing any hot spots. the s30v is wicked sharp and up for slicing and stabbing your media of choice. The factory edge is toothy but not overly so. The lock up is rock solid, no blade play in any direction and the deployment is as smooth as any new from the factory knife I have flipped. As it is identically formatted to it’s bigger brother i am pleased with the materials and color combo’s, but if it is ever offered as a custom model I look forward to putting my own combo together, i think it would look wicked all blacked out with some red accents. I definitely recommend this knife. 
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Just received my Mini Crooked River about 2 hours ago, I have been lusting after this knife since before it was announced. Imagine my disappointment when I pulled the knife out of the box and was unable to open it. I mean I literally could not pull the blade out of the liner. I had to go get a wrench and back off the pivot screw to the point that would allow me to actually open the knife. It will now open but appears to be binding on the Axis lock bar as well as the liner and is anything but smooth. I mean, I'm keeping it, cause I really like the size and design but its not the Benchmade Axis lock action that I have come to expect. I'm a little disappointed, but I still like the knife 0 -
quote:Originally posted by daveyn:
Just received my Mini Crooked River about 2 hours ago, I have been lusting after this knife since before it was announced. Imagine my disappointment when I pulled the knife out of the box and was unable to open it. I mean I literally could not pull the blade out of the liner. I had to go get a wrench and back off the pivot screw to the point that would allow me to actually open the knife. It will now open but appears to be binding on the Axis lock bar as well as the liner and is anything but smooth. I mean, I'm keeping it, cause I really like the size and design but its not the Benchmade Axis lock action that I have come to expect. I'm a little disappointed, but I still like the knife
/|\ Nothing wrong with your mini-CR.
Benchmade ships all knives going to Canada with pivot screws tightened down so they are not considered switch blades by your custom agents. Use a T8 & loosen the pivot pin0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:quote:Originally posted by daveyn:
Just received my Mini Crooked River about 2 hours ago, I have been lusting after this knife since before it was announced. Imagine my disappointment when I pulled the knife out of the box and was unable to open it. I mean I literally could not pull the blade out of the liner. I had to go get a wrench and back off the pivot screw to the point that would allow me to actually open the knife. It will now open but appears to be binding on the Axis lock bar as well as the liner and is anything but smooth. I mean, I'm keeping it, cause I really like the size and design but its not the Benchmade Axis lock action that I have come to expect. I'm a little disappointed, but I still like the knife
/|\ Nothing wrong with your mini-CR.
Benchmade ships all knives going to Canada with pivot screws tightened down so they are not considered switch blades by your custom agents. Use a T8 & loosen the pivot pin
This. Unfortunately, that's a requirement for Canadian customs.0 -
Loosened all the screws and then retightened and loosened and retightened and now have the knife in perfect working order. It’s a beautiful thing 0
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