Benchmade - Presidio II or Crooked River?

Presidio II or Crooked River?

  • Presidio II

    Votes: 11 31.4%

  • Crooked River

    Votes: 24 68.6%
  • Total voters
    35
N

nails1908@gmail.com

Joined
Oct 6, 2015
Messages
128
We're talking full-size workhorse knives here. They are both built like tanks, although the Presidio might be a little more rubust. The CR has the Presidio beat in the looks department, but which would you choose? They're both on the heavier side, so I don't know that weight is a factor.

I like both of these knives but the Adamas is just a little excessive for me.

I've gotta say now that I've got a dealer in which I can actually inspect the knives prior to purchasing, I've fallen back in love with Benchmade. I think the QC as a whole has gotten a bit better although there's still some variance, but when BM gets it right its a thing of beauty.
 
My broken axis lock springs have caused me to recuse myself from the vote. I agree with you on the QC as of late but Ive bugged out on Benchmade.
 
I like the Mini Presidio II personally. It is one of my current favorite modern knives.
 
I have never owned a Presidio but own a full size CR. While it's a bit too large for me to EDC I still really enjoy it, mainly because I believe it's gorgeous.
 
I vote CR. The Presidio 2 only comes in Al handles right? I'm not a fan of metal handled knives. I like a grippier handle. I'd go CR with the G10 between the two.

810 Contego interest you?
 
Cscotttsss said:
I have never owned a Presidio but own a full size CR. While it's a bit too large for me to EDC I still really enjoy it, mainly because I believe it's gorgeous.
Click to expand...
And if you happen to be American, you can customise it in Benchmades shop, and get some truly stunning knives.
 
I would probably go with a mini CR

But I do like the crooked river aesthetically by miles over the presidio
 
Another vote for the 810 contego. Mine has been run over twice(on dirt not concrete). And had been used hard since they first released it. Also I hate S30v and love cpm m4. I've owned a crooked river, great design, but sold it because of the steel.
 
I've owned both and the Presidio II is a better work knife to me. The G10 scales on the Crooked River are slick and offer little to no traction.
 
My personal opinion... which is different from many on this subject...

I own both. For general duty, I usually grab the Pres2 over the CR. However, here are a couple of my thoughts...

1. The CR has a longer blade/cutting edge and a thick spine (swedge is thicker on the CR), but it handles like a lighter knife. I might prefer the CR if I was to make a lot of more precise cuts, as the handle seems easier to manipulate for complex motions (2nd and 3rd finger manipulation is very good; saber grip cuts).


2. The Pres 2 feels more secure in hard cuts using a hammer grip (the grip I favor for harder use tasks).

2.5 The CR has a CP vs the Pres 2 DP, placing the point higher up relative to the axis of your wrist on the CR (if your needs require one or the other). The CR also has more belly because of this.

3. I usually grab my Pres 1 and often my 590 Boost over both when I walk out the door.

4. You might also consider the Turret or Vallation into your comparison. I own neither, so I can't give you an opinon on them.
 
Ive toyed with the presidio for a long time but just cant bring myself to buy it, im afraid of getting bored with it. I did handle one .its a well made knife,just doesn't blow me away ..
 
Cscotttsss said:
They would both benefit from a compression or frame lock.
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Nah. I prefer the axis lock over a frame lock. I don't have a problem with the compression lock but it suffers from some of the same downfalls as the axis lock - frequent side to side play when you tune the action to free. IMO both axis and compression require handling prior to purchase if you're the type of person who won't accept even the slightest bit of play.

Omega springs blah blah blah - I've never broken one and if I do I'll send it back to BM. Lord knows anyone on this forum has enough knives to be without one for a couple weeks while it's repaired.

Frame locks are fine but they're boring, less ambidextrous and so many makers struggle with proper lockface geo.
 
Cscotttsss said:
They would both benefit from a compression or frame lock.
Click to expand...

Just my personal opinion...

I have both (Para2, Yojimbo 2, and Military CF/Ti S90). I like the compression lock, but I prefer a smooth area (w/o doo-dads) where the web of my hand pushes down on the knife on hard, hammer grip cuts. Similarly, with a strong grip, the frame locks just feel wonky under my 2nd or 3rd finger (depending on saber or hammer grip). I just plain prefer the Axis lock, and often carry a back lock... I don't mind quality liner locks, but have often dremeled a portion of them to not stick out as much from the scales.

For the record, I do carry the 3 aforementioned Spydies now and then, and I really like them.
 
I had a presidio for years, carried it daily and I loved the knife. Ended up selling it to a cousin that needed a decent knife for a good price.
Never bought another as I eventually grew bored with it.
Though I’m not a big fan of clip points and prefer more of a spear point I was intrigued with the Crooked River.
My best friend ended up gifting one to me when he got bored with it as he doesn’t generally carry big knives.
I couldn’t like the knife more.
I’ve used it plenty and it still looks new. Benchmade does S30V right!
Ive been a fan of the axis lock since it’s introduction to mass production by Benchmade and have never had a spring break in more than a decade of daily carry on any of the models I’ve owned- and that’s quite a few.
I’d vote for the Crooked River, though that doesn’t mean the presiding is a loser- just not top dog between the two.
 
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