Crooked River folder
Hi folks, just got this the other day, what a beauty she is too !!!
In the looks department it has some bling, not heavy but enough to make you take a second look, that along with the shapely flow of the handle and how the g10 scale meets up at a point with the bolster, nice touch there. Also please note that the presentation side (for right handers that is) you see that the screw heads are on the clip side while the smooth ends are on the presentation side, adding to that finished look.
The blade, she's big and bold to be sure, my pet peeve has always been the sharpening notch before the edge, here they set it at an angle so material that does fall into there will slide up and out, better than just a straight up and down sharp corner. The finish of the blade appears on the rough side, not a stonewash finish, but it's in the Hunt series of their new line so it's meant as a field folder, even if she's cute. The bevels are fairly even and quite toothy on arrival, I am holding off on sharpening this 4" long S30v blade until it needs it. Measured at the top of the current edge bevel is about .025" not super thin but fairly thin on such a large blade.
The Axis lock works flawless on this with it's bronze washers, no ball bearings in there, but it's smooth opening, solid lockup and easy to close. For those that are concerned with such things, the blade is nicely centered when closed.
The bolster is aluminum, Ti would have been nicer but probably unnecessary as the frame takes the brunt of the work of the folder, but it's nice to have a bolster on there instead of all g10 scale. The handle measure about 5 3/8" long, pretty long with plenty of ways to grip, as there isn't any heavy finger grooves to prevent that, but the guard serves well in keeping digits from being separated from your palm.
This has an orange g10 back spacer, some may dislike it, others will love it, myself, I can take it or leave it as my hand covers it in use I don't see it so it matters not to me. The way it's machined doesn't give any hotspots that I can tell so far, not sure just why it has a sprocket looking teeth on there but again, it isn't in the way for me. The g10 scales are smooth, a little more texture would have been handy, but might have taken away from some comfort/feel that the knife has.
The split arrow clip works well, I am looking to get one of the deep pocket carry clips in, but this works great. I've added one of my diamond knot paracord lanyards on there, the celtic bead slides up to your wrist to act as a keeper during use, very secure.
Here are some images taken tonight;
Nice swedge on there too, many compare this to the Buck 110, I can see it but it's still it's own style too.
and a shot showing it along side my Case mini copperhead, good companion folder to go with it's larger friend
It's knocked out the folder that was taking up room in my right front pocket, for how long? that's hard to say as I do go through knives far too quickly, hoping this one sticks around a while.
G2
In the looks department it has some bling, not heavy but enough to make you take a second look, that along with the shapely flow of the handle and how the g10 scale meets up at a point with the bolster, nice touch there. Also please note that the presentation side (for right handers that is) you see that the screw heads are on the clip side while the smooth ends are on the presentation side, adding to that finished look.
The blade, she's big and bold to be sure, my pet peeve has always been the sharpening notch before the edge, here they set it at an angle so material that does fall into there will slide up and out, better than just a straight up and down sharp corner. The finish of the blade appears on the rough side, not a stonewash finish, but it's in the Hunt series of their new line so it's meant as a field folder, even if she's cute. The bevels are fairly even and quite toothy on arrival, I am holding off on sharpening this 4" long S30v blade until it needs it. Measured at the top of the current edge bevel is about .025" not super thin but fairly thin on such a large blade.
The Axis lock works flawless on this with it's bronze washers, no ball bearings in there, but it's smooth opening, solid lockup and easy to close. For those that are concerned with such things, the blade is nicely centered when closed.
The bolster is aluminum, Ti would have been nicer but probably unnecessary as the frame takes the brunt of the work of the folder, but it's nice to have a bolster on there instead of all g10 scale. The handle measure about 5 3/8" long, pretty long with plenty of ways to grip, as there isn't any heavy finger grooves to prevent that, but the guard serves well in keeping digits from being separated from your palm.
This has an orange g10 back spacer, some may dislike it, others will love it, myself, I can take it or leave it as my hand covers it in use I don't see it so it matters not to me. The way it's machined doesn't give any hotspots that I can tell so far, not sure just why it has a sprocket looking teeth on there but again, it isn't in the way for me. The g10 scales are smooth, a little more texture would have been handy, but might have taken away from some comfort/feel that the knife has.
The split arrow clip works well, I am looking to get one of the deep pocket carry clips in, but this works great. I've added one of my diamond knot paracord lanyards on there, the celtic bead slides up to your wrist to act as a keeper during use, very secure.
Here are some images taken tonight;
Nice swedge on there too, many compare this to the Buck 110, I can see it but it's still it's own style too.
and a shot showing it along side my Case mini copperhead, good companion folder to go with it's larger friend
It's knocked out the folder that was taking up room in my right front pocket, for how long? that's hard to say as I do go through knives far too quickly, hoping this one sticks around a while.
G2
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Awesome handle and blade..... 
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Hi Gary!
It doesn't remind me of a 110 at all.
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Those are some seriously awesome pics! 0 -
Thanks Jason, and Po, I don't have a 110 to do a comparison but I am guessing that they meant it as a passing look, not a close resemblance, basically a bowie shaped blade, otherwise the rest certainly doesn't come off like a 110 at all.
G20 -
I love the look of that knife but I'm holding out for a Crooked Creek model, same knife...just a little bit of a smaller version would be a very welcome addition to my backpack 0 -
This knife is now on my short list.
And wow, excellent photography Mr. Graley.0 -
Thanks for the review Gary. It's a big knife but beautiful. 0 -
None of my local stores had these in stock and even Benchmade.com was Sold out. I had to order one after seeing the beautiful pictures and reading the review. From the other pictures I have seen- it appears the G10 and Aluminum are very similar in color. Is that accurate? The aluminum looks almost black in the OP photos. 0 -
The bolster is darker than the scales but not fully black, it's a very nice complimentary colour scheme I thought.
G20 -
Thanks for the reply. Mine was supposed to be delivered today (Overnight from CA to FL), but UPS claims there was Severe Weather somewhere. I checked the National Weather and the only severe weather is drought conditions. 0 -
The size of the knife is awesome ....Way bigger than most of the other folders 0 -
One interesting point, Keyman had the picture of side by side comparing AFCK (806) and Crocked river. It seems both are near identical size and shape. 0 -
Here is his post. quote:Originally posted by Keyman:
Wow, I never noticed how comparable these two are.
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Only Benchmade I purchased in 3 years. This model is worth the price.
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If you were only going to buy one Benchmade in three years, that's the one. Congrats, Doc! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:
If you were only going to buy one Benchmade in three years, that's the one. Congrats, Doc!
Agreed. Couldn't be happier with my Crooked River.
Home run for Benchmade.
Grand slam if you consider the -1601 LE. (Personal favorite)
Fingers crossed for a Gold release soon, and keep those LE's coming!
Fine taste Doc. Enjoy your new baby.0 -
Yeah I got the -1601 le and it's my favorite blade. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Akillist:
Yeah I got the -1601 le and it's my favorite blade.
Nice! And it ought to be.
Fine taste.
Fine knife.
Still having my honeymoon with it.0 -
They just nailed it with this blade and handle.!! I want two! Wouldn't it be the tits to have a gold class crooked river that was identical to the 15080-1601 as far as the checked stabilized wood scales but for the back spacer trade out wood for gear pattern solid brass. Then trade the scrolled aluminum bolster with brass pivot ring for scrolled brass bolster with a wood inlay pivot ring And top it all off with an even thicker damasteel clip point blade. I think the original is 1/8" lets make it 3/16 thick , with brass thumb lugs... I see this knife in my dreams.. Hey Jason, make this a reality ok? thanks! 0 -
Clearly, you've had the Crooked River on the brain, as I have.
Yes, fantastical knife in so many ways.
I too dream up many variations of this model.
I'm stoked to see the next one BM releases.
This is a knife that will wear many different suits, IMO.
I'm putting money aside just thinking about all the LEs and of course Gold offerings I'll need to have. Get ready folks... Get ready for the next decade of Crooked River releases.
(That's how I dream, anyhow)0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marty McFly:
...Get ready folks... Get ready for the next decade of Crooked River releases.
(That's how I dream, anyhow)
And it shall be EPIC.0 -
Ooooo...a beacon of hope on a dark horizon. 
...I've gotten a little head start with some help from the Keymaster.
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/|\ PO looks great & like the orange Paracord. If more of it I think it would look good on the standard too 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:
Ooooo...a beacon of hope on a dark horizon.
...I've gotten a little head start with some help from the Keymaster.
Nice looking! Desert Ironwood?0 -
you guys are making me miss mine! 
G20 -
quote:Originally posted by Crazyhorse:quote:Originally posted by Po:
Ooooo...a beacon of hope on a dark horizon.
...I've gotten a little head start with some help from the Keymaster.
Nice looking! Desert Ironwood?
Actually, that's Desert Ironwood Burl.
This one is just plain old Desert Ironwood, no burl.
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Keyman, that looks awesome! Especially that carbon booster. Did you keep the orange pivot collar? And what is that backspacer made out of? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by AxisofAwesome:
Keyman, that looks awesome! Especially that carbon booster. Did you keep the orange pivot collar? And what is that backspacer made out of?
Thanks AxisofAwesome!
Yes, I kept all of the factory parts, as usual.
The back spacer is made of brown canvas micarta.0 -
15080-2 sees more pocket than anything else I got.. can't wait for the auto black class model.. and any other model to come.. I love it! Anybody else want a 15080-XX?? TI mono lock? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Akillist:
15080-2 sees more pocket than anything else I got.. can't wait for the auto black class model.. and any other model to come.. I love it! Anybody else want a 15080-XX?? TI mono lock?
Sweetness all around. Ti monolock, slap machined Ti scales on it, or give it an integral/monolithic Ti handle design with 781-like internals... Any of the above would float my boat.0
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