You don't want bearings in outdoor style knives. They get gritty very quickly. You want those bronze washers to stay relatively grit free for much longer.
I've been watching a lot of EDC knife reviews as I'm looking to upgrade and I'm shocked at the price jumps that've happened since most of these videos were made. In the last couple of years most have gone at least 33% in cost for the same exact knife. This is a beautiful knife, but is currently $243 at Knife Center, $270 on Benchmade's website and a whopping $330 on Amazon. The one already in my pocket is looking sweeter every day.
WOW love it .........but then I love the Freek...........and the Steel Will Gekko...........Aaron you're costing me a fortune. Keep 'em coming my friend.
Great show! Have you ever considered doing a review the Terävä Jääkäripuukko (since you did a review on the skrama) ? Love to hear what you think about that design.
Both the mini and the full size are (to my eye) the most handsome designs in the production game right now. I've added the loop-over clip to my full size and it's amazingly pocketable for a 4 inch blade. Not sure the mini is my speed, but I can't argue with more options coming to this excellent platform.
I first saw the crooked river on ApostleP's channel I immediately pulled the trigger(didn't know it had a trigger did ya?) A tad big for EDC, but great for camping. I have the osborne(going gear's exclusive with the red insert, a Kershaw Almar AM-4 that I saw reviewed at shot show, CRKT cross bones, All for Sunday go ta meetin dress. I have kershaw link 1776 that you reviewed (which bit me, 5 stitches worth.) I have a Cryo and Cryo II But as soon as I saw a review on this knife, I bought it...from whoever had it in stock, none of this pre-order nonsense! I don't think I even finished watching the review! It feels great in hand, not too bulky in pocket. My only complaint...the name...mini crooked river. Now, rivers were were the highways in early America, centers for commerce and industry. You don't go down to the mini river. It just doesn't sound right . Creeks now,, ya got straight ones, an crooked ones, an boggy ones. Imagine the "Legend of Boggy Mini River" It just sound doesn't sound right. Now the Legend of Benchmade's "Crooked Creek" has a ring to it, after all, everyone knows that it's the Crooked Creek which is the stuff of legends!
I was between this knife and the Foray looking for an EDC knife. I went with the Foray as it is more of a gents knife, has 20CV steel and has the deep carry clip for the same price.
lol, you and I have the same taste in knives and stuff, that's probably why I value your opinions and reviews... that blade is amazing, definitely going to add that to my EDC kit ASAP.
Serious cred for recognizing that it's a Buck 11x form. I grew up with those bucks and it makes me want this update to a legend so, so bad.. but those $$$?'s and it's even more expensive up here in Canada.. If I walk down the street to get it it's 300 bucks. Thanks for pointing out the options.
Already working a deal to sell my old Model 44 Benchmade Balisong, which will fund the purchase of Mini Crooked River. I always wanted the full size, but the mini will be a little more practical for EDC. I also always thought the grey G10 on the full size didn't look right and thought black G10 would look great with the orange...or maybe red accents with the black G10. And then they added the CR to the Custom Shop. There goes the knife budget...
Great review! I really dig the CR and so I, too, bought the mini almost as soon as I could. It is excellent and so very pocketable. Just love it and the benchmade as my 2 most frequent EDCs.
The title says it all don't need but you b will wet this knife. Liked the comparisons with the classic buck knife and other benchmade knives. Another great review!
Man...I love the crooked river and the 940. I've been carrying the manix 2 lightweight every day for a year because of your review. I've been looking to upgrade and it's now between the crooked river mini and the 940. Which one comes closest to the manix 2's ergos? Because the manix 2 is unbeatable when it comes to ergos.
I got both benchmade crooked rivers mini and large . The large was a large crap in the box ( highly recommended crap in the box)! Send it back you say ! I spent the extra money so that I didn't have to send it back! The large had every part of the handle was sharp enough to cut you ! The lock stuck first open had to use a tool to un lock it ! The pivot was so tight there was no way it would ever losen up ! The blade is un finished ! The side of the blade is like afile that isnt ground down all the way ! Dosent work well even after hours of work ! No I dont send knives back ! I just dont buy or recommend anyone to buy them any more ! I dont send a stake back either I just dont go there anymore ! Thats not all that was wrong with the crooked river large ! I got the mini ! The shit yeah perfect ! But fuckin no ! Broken lock bar spring ! Wondered why the lock worked easy until it jammed ! It came that way ! Got a 940-1 it is perfect ( because its a clone actual size weight and build ) ( the patent is over this year 2018 ) Have never got a cull Chinese knife have like 10 or 20 ! Unless you count friggin lock-tite glued in screws ! Cant wait for the crooked river clones maybe then I can get one thats not a cull!
Don’t know why they don’t get rid of the penis clip because I have benchmades with really cool clips one happens to be my favorite clip on the Doug Ritter benchmade in s30v but u can get it in m390 also which came out after I bought mine would of preferred m390 and around $125-$150 not bad I’ve been beating on mine for 4 years and it still works great 👍
Is it only on the older 940 that it says U.S.A on the clip bc I bought a new one recently and it doesn’t have it and I don’t remember if my old one had it bc I switched out the clip
that orange lol the part around the pivot is fine, i like that. but the back spacer was ugly. so, the first thing i did with my brand stinkin new mini crooked river was to take it apart and paint that thing black. though a dark gray would have been fine by me too. also i used some 2k-3k polishing paper to get the area that touches those bronze bearings on the blade smoother. i've been doing this to all my knives and i like the performance more.
I just customized one so it should be here in a few days. Might do a vid I’ve only seen a few showcased one TH-cam👌🏼 these blades are so damn good but blue would make this look better.. orange is dope if it had black handles with the orange that would look Halloween level badass
Great performance but I hate the woodgrain combined with the metal on the handle. Maybe if it was bronze or brass but not steel. My favorite Benchmade for looks is still the 943 Osbourne with the blue accents and my favorite for actual use is the Bugout. I can honestly say that this is one I won't be buying which is fine because the new Steel Wills are on my list. Great video though
I got the fullsize in unused condition for $130 from my pawn shop and same for the mini so essentially got both for the price of 1 and I verified they are real with Benchmade I lucked out!
I want some one to cut up a bunch of taters with a bearing pivot . To see how they do compared to the washer pivot . Potatoes can gum up washers . I wonder how bearings would do with dried up starch compared to washer . Just wonder !!!
Darn it Aaron, I hope your happy, I haven't been willing to buy a Benchmade until now, you got in my head with this knife though, I wonder if I can pay the utilities with an I.O.U?
I almost got the gold-class (or whatever it's called) of the mini Crooked River. I'm not a fan of Benchmade - just my tastes - but the marbled CF and copper-mesh resin and damasteel...WoW! The high price and the fact I could get BOTH the damasteel Kizer Sheepdog and Spyderco Rex45 Native 5 for half the price dissuaded me. Oh and some other bastard bought it before I could. btw if done right phosphor-bronze washers are as good as anything else outside a lab environment
Awesome knife! Have you ever thought about reviewing the Boker Plus JB Stout Lateralus? It seems pretty nice. Maybe a little pricey for D2 but not too bad. I would love to see you review it!
As much as I love the blending of the old style with new features, I just can't justify spending that much money on a knife, especially one without ball bearings. I recently picked up a CRKT Ruger Hollow Point +P because of the blending of classic looks with modern features and was blown away with the performance vs price (under $35 at Walmart!).
Vets/First Responders get 30% off at Benchmade's website if you get verified. I ordered a custom mini crooked river with S90V steel for $15.00 more then I would have paid for one off the shelf with the standard S30V. Not to say that S30V is bad, but I don't like to sharpen my knives very often.
@@DatGrunt I am rough on my EDC knives. S90v is a lot stronger than 20cv, but it's hard to get is as razor sharp or to touch up in the field because it's tool grade steel or close to it, if I'm not mistaking. It holds it edge for a lot longer. M4 is harder than S90v and will hold an edge longer, but M4 is a high carbon steel and will rust and discolor almost as soon as you start using it. Plus it is very hard to sharpen. Benchmade defaults their M4 blades to be coated because they easily corrode otherwise, although you can get them without the coating in the custom shop if you prefer to constantly oil and clean your blade after just about every cut. S90v is a good heavy duty blade in my opinion because it's got all the hardness of a high carbon steel blade, but at the same time it has really good corrosion resistance like 20cv or S30v. I do carry S30v blades the majority of the time though. I think they are best overall for average daily use. It's fairly easy to sharpen. Hold its Edge for a really long time, and it can take a beating, but I wouldn't do too much prying with it or anything like that.
@@bkilpatr100 Wow thank you. I went with 20cv on mine since I'm not gonna use it for heavy use, but whenever I get another for heavier use I'll definitely be choosing 90v. Again thanks!
@@DatGrunt No worries! 20cv is great steel. You can't go wrong with that either. A couple of my camping/fishing knives are 20cv and I love them! They are super sharp, but if they get dull I can easily touch them up at camp with a honing steel the vast majority of the time. That's all it takes and I am able shave with them if I wanted to. You got a great knife!
It is a little high price . But I will pay a little more for American knife company ! But so far this last year I have ordered 5 American knife company folders and all but 1 have been culls in the box !
Probably the knife that appeals to eye more than any other out there for me. Plus it's extremely functional.
Did you get it?
You don't want bearings in outdoor style knives. They get gritty very quickly. You want those bronze washers to stay relatively grit free for much longer.
You really do have the greatest reviews and personality of any other review channel. Thanks for all the great content!
I agree, the orange on this seems to work. Also makes it easier to spot if you drop it while out in the bush.
I've been watching a lot of EDC knife reviews as I'm looking to upgrade and I'm shocked at the price jumps that've happened since most of these videos were made. In the last couple of years most have gone at least 33% in cost for the same exact knife. This is a beautiful knife, but is currently $243 at Knife Center, $270 on Benchmade's website and a whopping $330 on Amazon. The one already in my pocket is looking sweeter every day.
Sounds like a case of Sebenza Syndrome lol I feel ya bro.
Oh I agree with you I carried a 940 for work for years. But the mini crooked River feels better in the hand
This knife replaced my blue Bug Out the moment I held it in my hands for the first time. Thx for the review
Where were you able to find this in person to hold? I’d love to hold one.
Yup, pretty sure I need this knife in my life!
One of my favorites from my collection. A titanium deep carry pocket clip from MXG gear is a fantastic upgrade.
Just ordered a custom mini crooked river can’t wait for it to get here. This video really helped
I need BOTH that AND Big Bro! Such classic designs.
It really pops very functional but with a classic look. Solid
If they make this available to customize I would definitely pick one up!!
Did you ever pick one up?
It is customizable
WOW love it .........but then I love the Freek...........and the Steel Will Gekko...........Aaron you're costing me a fortune. Keep 'em coming my friend.
Great video, you really convinced me on this knife after looking at it a while.
Great show! Have you ever considered doing a review the Terävä Jääkäripuukko (since you did a review on the skrama) ? Love to hear what you think about that design.
Pierre Larsion possibly at some point
I’m looking for a great all around edc and hiking knife. Seems I’ve found it
Both the mini and the full size are (to my eye) the most handsome designs in the production game right now. I've added the loop-over clip to my full size and it's amazingly pocketable for a 4 inch blade. Not sure the mini is my speed, but I can't argue with more options coming to this excellent platform.
I first saw the crooked river on ApostleP's channel I immediately pulled the trigger(didn't know it had a trigger did ya?) A tad big for EDC, but great for camping. I have the osborne(going gear's exclusive with the red insert, a Kershaw Almar AM-4 that I saw reviewed at shot show, CRKT cross bones, All for Sunday go ta meetin dress. I have kershaw link 1776 that you reviewed (which bit me, 5 stitches worth.) I have a Cryo and Cryo II But as soon as I saw a review on this knife, I bought it...from whoever had it in stock, none of this pre-order nonsense! I don't think I even finished watching the review! It feels great in hand, not too bulky in pocket. My only complaint...the name...mini crooked river. Now, rivers were were the highways in early America, centers for commerce and industry. You don't go down to the mini river. It just doesn't sound right . Creeks now,, ya got straight ones, an crooked ones, an boggy ones. Imagine the "Legend of Boggy Mini River" It just sound doesn't sound right. Now the Legend of Benchmade's "Crooked Creek" has a ring to it, after all, everyone knows that it's the Crooked Creek which is the stuff of legends!
Why is this 100 dollars more 5 years later?
Check the benchmade pricing now lol.
I just got the mini crooked river this morning for Christmas!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas! ~Mayson~
Please show a picture once you get the loop over clip installed.
Here I am smiling and watching this video with my mini crooked river FP 133 in my hand!
kevin lin sick! FP bros!!
I’m about to order my first custom shop Benchmade and debating the mini/full Crooked River. I tem to like and cary large but light full size knives.
I was between this knife and the Foray looking for an EDC knife. I went with the Foray as it is more of a gents knife, has 20CV steel and has the deep carry clip for the same price.
lol, you and I have the same taste in knives and stuff, that's probably why I value your opinions and reviews... that blade is amazing, definitely going to add that to my EDC kit ASAP.
Did you review the full-size one.
Never have
Damn you for introducing this to me!!! ;)
Same!
All Your fault picked up one today threw a bugout pocket clip on it now it’s perfection. Great reviews keep them coming.
This knife just looks simply fantastic!!!
Beutiful looking knife
I feel like they need a interchangeable ball bearing washer make for pocket knives. Ball bearing for urban switch to washer for woodsy tasks
Got to admit, those bucks are beautiful
On my want list for sure!
I want this! REI dividends coming soon... Guess what I’m using it on... lol. Thumbs up 👍 review
Just did that today ... plus 20% off!
Got one today. And loving it!
I am debating the mini crooked river vs the 940 what is your thoughts?
DamionJR4923 I can’t answer that. I have and love the 940. I think I’m about to buy this Crooked River
Serious cred for recognizing that it's a Buck 11x form. I grew up with those bucks and it makes me want this update to a legend so, so bad.. but those $$$?'s and it's even more expensive up here in Canada.. If I walk down the street to get it it's 300 bucks. Thanks for pointing out the options.
Already working a deal to sell my old Model 44 Benchmade Balisong, which will fund the purchase of Mini Crooked River. I always wanted the full size, but the mini will be a little more practical for EDC. I also always thought the grey G10 on the full size didn't look right and thought black G10 would look great with the orange...or maybe red accents with the black G10. And then they added the CR to the Custom Shop. There goes the knife budget...
I love the whole design of the crooked River. I have the full size one, I just love it!! I wonder if it's worth it to get the mini ?
If you have full and like it, no need. Its just a little too big for EDC for me
Nice review I bought full size first glad I got there mini my box doesn't have the#for first production run is it on your box
Just go my 1st 949-2 cf this knife will be my next one it look wicked awesome
Just got mine, I love it!!
I agree
Exactly right !!!!!!
Great review! I really dig the CR and so I, too, bought the mini almost as soon as I could. It is excellent and so very pocketable. Just love it and the benchmade as my 2 most frequent EDCs.
Love love love this knife.
Super je l'achète merci pour ta vidéo 👍
Picked one up today and boom 💥 it awesome bro
Awesome video, keep up the good work brother
I'm sold ... Buying one tomorrow. Great video.
Thanks GT!
Great review. Keep up the great work!!!
Ever considered the condor neonessmuk? Looks like a great knife bu i haven't seen anything about it anywhere.
Great looking knife and it's not a scary looking tactical blade that some people worry about 😁
The title says it all don't need but you b will wet this knife.
Liked the comparisons with the classic buck knife and other benchmade knives.
Another great review!
Man...I love the crooked river and the 940. I've been carrying the manix 2 lightweight every day for a year because of your review. I've been looking to upgrade and it's now between the crooked river mini and the 940. Which one comes closest to the manix 2's ergos? Because the manix 2 is unbeatable when it comes to ergos.
Still don't have one.
Still don't _need_ one.
Still reeeeeally want one lol
Yeah
Iam 62...only have a shrade 197 ot...also buck 110 i bought in 1972..will my norton india stone sharpen it? U kow ur stuff boy...great vidio.
Just like you, when I saw the mini I need one also!
I got both benchmade crooked rivers mini and large .
The large was a large crap in the box ( highly recommended crap in the box)! Send it back you say ! I spent the extra money so that I didn't have to send it back!
The large had every part of the handle was sharp enough to cut you ! The lock stuck first open had to use a tool to un lock it ! The pivot was so tight there was no way it would ever losen up ! The blade is un finished ! The side of the blade is like afile that isnt ground down all the way ! Dosent work well even after hours of work ! No I dont send knives back ! I just dont buy or recommend anyone to buy them any more ! I dont send a stake back either I just dont go there anymore ! Thats not all that was wrong with the crooked river large !
I got the mini ! The shit yeah perfect ! But fuckin no ! Broken lock bar spring ! Wondered why the lock worked easy until it jammed ! It came that way !
Got a 940-1 it is perfect ( because its a clone actual size weight and build ) ( the patent is over this year 2018 )
Have never got a cull Chinese knife have like 10 or 20 ! Unless you count friggin lock-tite glued in screws !
Cant wait for the crooked river clones maybe then I can get one thats not a cull!
Don’t know why they don’t get rid of the penis clip because I have benchmades with really cool clips one happens to be my favorite clip on the Doug Ritter benchmade in s30v but u can get it in m390 also which came out after I bought mine would of preferred m390 and around $125-$150 not bad I’ve been beating on mine for 4 years and it still works great 👍
It is a good looking blade.
I cant decide if I want the full or mini. I'm getting one but keep going back and forth on which
Did you sharpen it yourself
Is it only on the older 940 that it says U.S.A on the clip bc I bought a new one recently and it doesn’t have it and I don’t remember if my old one had it bc I switched out the clip
Josue Alvarez the older clips had USA on them. The newer Benchmades I've bought don't seems to come with that clip anymore.
that orange lol
the part around the pivot is fine, i like that. but the back spacer was ugly. so, the first thing i did with my brand stinkin new mini crooked river was to take it apart and paint that thing black. though a dark gray would have been fine by me too.
also i used some 2k-3k polishing paper to get the area that touches those bronze bearings on the blade smoother. i've been doing this to all my knives and i like the performance more.
I just customized one so it should be here in a few days. Might do a vid I’ve only seen a few showcased one TH-cam👌🏼 these blades are so damn good but blue would make this look better.. orange is dope if it had black handles with the orange that would look Halloween level badass
Great performance but I hate the woodgrain combined with the metal on the handle. Maybe if it was bronze or brass but not steel. My favorite Benchmade for looks is still the 943 Osbourne with the blue accents and my favorite for actual use is the Bugout. I can honestly say that this is one I won't be buying which is fine because the new Steel Wills are on my list. Great video though
Woodland Warrior wow i totally love that look. im a fixed blade kinda guy but would buy this based soley on its aesthetic apeal
There Is a g10 version
I got the fullsize in unused condition for $130 from my pawn shop and same for the mini so essentially got both for the price of 1 and I verified they are real with Benchmade I lucked out!
Would you recommend on getting it for edc
Thoughts on mini crooked river vs mini gekko?
Nice might be a good Idea in the future to do a video.
Just ordered.. Lefty friendly so it got the nod.
I want some one to cut up a bunch of taters with a bearing pivot . To see how they do compared to the washer pivot . Potatoes can gum up washers . I wonder how bearings would do with dried up starch compared to washer . Just wonder !!!
Hmmm would the spyderco byrd raven 2 make a good secondary to my endura?
How do you really feel?
I want to get the customized one from Benchmade’s site
I too hate orange. I would have bought one if it wasn't for that. I love the design, kinda reminds me of my beloved Buck 110. Just modernized lol
Dang it I need one of these!
Darn it Aaron, I hope your happy, I haven't been willing to buy a Benchmade until now, you got in my head with this knife though, I wonder if I can pay the utilities with an I.O.U?
I almost got the gold-class (or whatever it's called) of the mini Crooked River. I'm not a fan of Benchmade - just my tastes - but the marbled CF and copper-mesh resin and damasteel...WoW! The high price and the fact I could get BOTH the damasteel Kizer Sheepdog and Spyderco Rex45 Native 5 for half the price dissuaded me. Oh and some other bastard bought it before I could.
btw if done right phosphor-bronze washers are as good as anything else outside a lab environment
You do a great review
Maaaannnn.... this blade just calls to me... time to fill up the piggybank. Thanks man!
It’s just like the benchmade freek. What’s up with all the glorious details?.
Awesome knife! Have you ever thought about reviewing the Boker Plus JB Stout Lateralus? It seems pretty nice. Maybe a little pricey for D2 but not too bad. I would love to see you review it!
Him: "pinch it, pull it"
My brain: "twist it, bop it!"
It being $270 now is insane. I understand it has a great design but man don’t think I can cough up that much for s30v. Benchmade has lost their mind
THumbs up man nice review!
As much as I love the blending of the old style with new features, I just can't justify spending that much money on a knife, especially one without ball bearings. I recently picked up a CRKT Ruger Hollow Point +P because of the blending of classic looks with modern features and was blown away with the performance vs price (under $35 at Walmart!).
I will have to check it out.
Bearings have a higher failure rate than bushings or washers. That's why CRK uses Phosphor bronze.
Still love the look of this knife but not for $240 nowadays. Geez
Great video, you convinced me just wish I could find it at the $150 range instead.
You had me at hello!
Such a beautiful knife. :-)
Oo its a beauity. Nice to i like it .
I want this Knife. Great presentation PEACE :-)
Great review but man at that price I'd be afraid to use it or loose it
Vets/First Responders get 30% off at Benchmade's website if you get verified. I ordered a custom mini crooked river with S90V steel for $15.00 more then I would have paid for one off the shelf with the standard S30V. Not to say that S30V is bad, but I don't like to sharpen my knives very often.
So why the S90V? I don't know much about metals but why that over the 20cv or the M4(?)
@@DatGrunt I am rough on my EDC knives. S90v is a lot stronger than 20cv, but it's hard to get is as razor sharp or to touch up in the field because it's tool grade steel or close to it, if I'm not mistaking. It holds it edge for a lot longer. M4 is harder than S90v and will hold an edge longer, but M4 is a high carbon steel and will rust and discolor almost as soon as you start using it. Plus it is very hard to sharpen. Benchmade defaults their M4 blades to be coated because they easily corrode otherwise, although you can get them without the coating in the custom shop if you prefer to constantly oil and clean your blade after just about every cut.
S90v is a good heavy duty blade in my opinion because it's got all the hardness of a high carbon steel blade, but at the same time it has really good corrosion resistance like 20cv or S30v. I do carry S30v blades the majority of the time though. I think they are best overall for average daily use. It's fairly easy to sharpen. Hold its Edge for a really long time, and it can take a beating, but I wouldn't do too much prying with it or anything like that.
@@bkilpatr100 Wow thank you. I went with 20cv on mine since I'm not gonna use it for heavy use, but whenever I get another for heavier use I'll definitely be choosing 90v.
Again thanks!
@@DatGrunt No worries! 20cv is great steel. You can't go wrong with that either. A couple of my camping/fishing knives are 20cv and I love them! They are super sharp, but if they get dull I can easily touch them up at camp with a honing steel the vast majority of the time. That's all it takes and I am able shave with them if I wanted to. You got a great knife!
I have to wait until March for my birthday.
It is a little high price . But I will pay a little more for American knife company ! But so far this last year I have ordered 5 American knife company folders and all but 1 have been culls in the box !