Benchmade Crooked River vs Cold Steel Broken Skull

Alfazulu said:
I keep seeing people say that the lock on the Broken Skull is stronger.
1. Has that actually been proven somewhere and I'm just unaware?
2. Has anyone ever broken an Axis lock in actual use, not just trying to destroy it?

Also, the whole "pocket jewelry" and "pocket prestige" thing sounds like people are buying Benchmades and similar brands to show them off. Personally, that has nothing to do with it for me. Yes, I like a nicer looking knife. But it's not to show off to other people. In fact, it's extremely rare that I ever show another person my knife, other than on BF. It's just that every time I pull it out to use it, a nice, good looking knife just makes me happy. So if that constitutes "pocket jewelry", then I'm guilty. But I like pocket jewelry because it makes ME happy, not because I like to show it off.

To me, the Benchmade is just WAY better looking, looks and feels much better made, and it has an Axis lock. The Axis lock, in my experience, is more than capable, and allows easy one-handed closing, which is huge. I also could not do the Steve Austin thing. Again, not that I would care what others think (because no one would likely ever see it), but it would just make me feel "tacticool" every time I opened it. I don't judge anyone else for having one, as it's a hell of a value, but I'd rather spend more for the Crooked River.

Back to the Axis lock strength thing, I would be very surprised to learn of Axis locks failing under even heavy or extreme real use (not just destruction testing). Part of my job is as an outdoor guide (backpacking, rock climbing, fishing, etc.), so I use the absolute hell out of my knives. That is especially true of my Griptilian H2O, which is my usual outdoor knife.

I remember one specific night when I was guiding some people on a 3-day backpacking trip in Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness, NC. I was teaching them about using natural fire starters on a 33*F night with sleet. I was procuring some fat pine from an old pine stump, and I only had my Griptilian H2O. If you've ever tried to get fat pine out of a stump with a folder, it can be tough. I was stabbing, batoning, and even kicking the knife. At one point, I had driven the Grip point down into the stump with a stick, then stomped on the butt of the knife to drive it further in and split out a section of the wood. It was wet, and I hit off center. The knife looked and felt like it bent about 30* off of straight. I thought for sure it broke, but it didn't. It did the job, and we made our fire in the precip. On another occasion, a climbing partner dropped that same knife (open) off the side of a climb in N.C. It fell about 270ft. The tip was blunted and the blade scratched, but nothing else. Overall, I am impressed with the strength and durability of my Benchmades and the Axis lock.
Click to expand...
In a word yes, it has been proven. And there is a wide margin between the 2 locks, not only in strength, but longevity.

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Crooked River looks notably better, Broken Skull has slightly better steel, better lock, lighter weight, better grind, and way better price.

So basically, if you're going for style and aesthetics, Benchmade all the way. If looks aren't important, Cold Steel wins without it even being a contest.
 
they really are two very different knives. kinda silly to compare them, other than they are both folding knives.
 
Saw the BM crookes Riverat my local store.

What a beautiful blade!




This BM feels more substantial in the hand very comfortable, robust.

Wayyy to big to EDC
It's too
It's heavy and wide in the pocket

For my taste
I'd really have to force myself to carry it because of how awesome it is
but once the new knife excitement fades, it would never see pocket time for me.


The Orange accents really "pop" in person I love the flat Orange of the g10 back spacer and how it contrasts the Polised orange anodized aluminum pivot spacer.
Great choice



The fit and finish is immaculate,

I wish the bolster was titanium (for the same price of course :P)

S30v will hold an edge longer the the CTS XHP but takes longer to sharpen.

In the end,

Being more of user then a collector I would buy the Broken Skull

It's not as pretty or comfortable

But I believe an EDC knife should be there when you need it and disappear in the pocket when you don't especially since if we are all honest with ourselves, these knives mostly live in the pocket more then being in the open configuration. ;)

Also price is right on the Broken Skull, even at $86

Its impressive how well such a big blade disappears in the pocket.

And CTS XHP may not have the wear resistance of S30v but dang does it take a killer edge with zero effort, especially on a full flat grind.
 
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Both fine knives, Both Practical, Both have their pros/Cons, Buy the one that fits your taste and budget, Done!!
 
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