Recommendation? Buying my first real knife...

B

Branden O'Donnell

Joined
Sep 13, 2020
Messages
25
Hello everyone,

I am looking to purchase my first real knife. Until now I have only purchased $20 junk knives that break inside of a few months.

I am looking to purchase a quality knife and have given myself a budget of $300 Canadian (probably ~$250 USD).
I was looking at the Benchmade Crooked River but heard mixed stuff about Benchmade quality in the reviews I watched.

The main thing I like about the knife is the wood handle (probably sounds silly). I find the wood handle to be very classy and appealing.

Please let me know your thoughts or other recommendations as I am excited to make the purchase before October.

Thanks very much in advance and let me know if there are any questions I can answer!
 
The crooked river is a fine knife. I have 11 benchmades and don't have any quality problems with any of them. Just go and check a few out before buying if you're worried about it.
 
Nothing silly about having a handle preference.

I like the look of the Crooked River, I've seen a couple out in the wild as well. While I am a major Spyderco fan, Benchmade is one of the popular companies that is also fairly reliable in quality, you can't go too wrong with them.
 
if you like wood handles you might like the spyderco police pakkawood, they also have a few other models with wood handles
SP07WDP4_1.jpg
 
There are a lot of good to great folding knives available for less than $300CAN.

I own a Baker’s dozen of production, mid tech and custom folders. They range in price from >$200US to $2K. One of the best is the titanium frame lock Massdrop Laconico Keen for $150-$170. It has a 3.6” spear point blade in CPM-S35VN.

When I think of wood scales I think of fixed blades.
 
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Wow! Thank you guys very much for the quick replies and great information!

I am not completely locked into this knife or spending the max possible. If I can get the same style at a lower price point that would be fantastic!

The spyderco looks very nice as well, but maybe a bit small? Could just be the picture.

soc_monki soc_monki do you find the Crooked River large at all?

I greatly appreciate everyone's help and input.
Thanks!
 
The police has a longer blade than the crooked river! But is much thinner I believe.

The crooked river is a big knife compared to what it seems people usually carry (less than 3.5"). I find it about perfect (I like knives in the 3.5-4" range). Most people like the mini Crooked River better due to it being more edc friendly. I only really carry my knives and keys, no flash lights or mini pry bars or anything.

If you want big check out the Cold Steel 4max Scout! 4" blade, heavy duty, 10 oz folder. I don't find it hard to carry although I could see how some would!

Love my crooked rivers though, both mini and full size.
 
Branden O'Donnell said:
Wow! Thank you guys very much for the quick replies and great information!

I am not completely locked into this knife or spending the max possible. If I can get the same style at a lower price point that would be fantastic!

The spyderco looks very nice as well, but maybe a bit small? Could just be the picture.

soc_monki soc_monki do you find the Crooked River large at all?

I greatly appreciate everyone's help and input.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

the police is actually their largest model with wood handles with a blade that is just over 4 inches, the other models in the series are smaller if the police is too big
 
JeremiahWeaver09 said:
the police is actually their largest model with wood handles with a blade that is just over 4 inches, the other models in the series are smaller if the police is too big
Click to expand...

Actually, if you count the Chinese line, the Resilience is 4.25". Its the longest blade I own! The Native Chief is pretty close though!
 
When you get into serious knife collecting what it really comes down to is what you like the look and style of. Spending that much on a benchmade, zt, spyderco etc you really cant go wrong, theyre all great companies with great knives. Some people will tell you they hate this and that and other people will say they love the same thing. Get something you enjoy looking at and using and don't worry about what others say, we all have different tastes. Just be ready, it never stops at one knife and you'll be hooked before you know it :)
 
I have a large Crooked River S90V custom from Blades Canada. It's excellent. Large in your hand but barely noticeable in the pocket. I think most of those Benchmade QC complaints are from 3-5 yesrs ago and mostly about blades not being centered from the factory. I've bought several made within the past year and all were spot on plus you can center it yourself.

Join the CKG (Canadian Knife and Gear) Facebook group. There's a massive sales thread every Friday and sub $200 thread every Tuesday. Plenty of quality knives to choose from.
 
You don’t have to spend $300 to get a ‘real knife’. You can buy some very capable knives for under $50, some quite nice knives in the neighborhood of $100, and then on up. I don’t want to dissuade you from buying the Crooked River if that appeals to you, but you don’t have to spend that much to get a Benchmade.
 
Thank you to everyone for your replies!
I am learning more here than from hours of research and I appreciate your help!

Very glad to hear that the Crooked River is a very viable option for me and no concerns in the back of my head.

I plan to research a few other options from the brand's mentioned in this thread.

If you happen to know of a high quality knife with a similar look to the Crooked River but a much lower price tag I would love to know!

Thanks again everybody!
 
Welcome to BladeForums! :)

Branden O'Donnell said:
If you happen to know of a high quality knife with a similar look to the Crooked River but a much lower price tag I would love to know!
Click to expand...

One of the vendors that supports this site, BladeHQ, has a great search feature that lets you filter by criteria like handle material. Here's a search for folders filtered by "wood" (which will return a few false positives, but they're easily skipped).

Offhand I can't think of any that specifically look a lot like the CR (faux bolster, long and lean, wood scales) but cost less, but you might look at the CIVIVI Elementum in wood for around $64; I have one in brass and, like most CIVIVI knives, it punches well above its budget price point. If you see anything you like in that search, the folks here at "Enabler Central" can probably help you confirm that it's a solid purchase. :D

It sounds like you've got what you need on the Crooked River, but just in case: I own one and love it, and I agree that by most standards it's a large knife. Mine is the now-discontinued version with G10 scales, and since this thread somehow has no pictures...

4bXNjAw.jpg


7NtM8pk.jpg
 
Alberta Ed said:
Not sure where you are in Canada but check out some knife shops in your area and handle a few.
Click to expand...

I am north of Edmonton :)
I go in about once per month.

Dadpool said:
Here's a search for folders filtered by "wood
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for this! I find it very helpful. Might pick out a few and ask before purchasing.

Velitrius said:
Myself, I like the Boker Urban Trapper in Cocobolo.
Click to expand...

This is a beautiful piece. It' going on the list lol

Thank you all! You're so fast to reply and be helpful!
 
A word of advice from one Canadian to another; if you are planning to buy a knife that can be opened with one hand (like the Crooked River), be sure to buy it from a Canadian dealer.

You could have problems importing it from outside of the country unless you take some peculiar and unintuitive precautions. Much simpler to buy locally.
 
Dadpool said:
Welcome to BladeForums! :)



One of the vendors that supports this site, BladeHQ, has a great search feature that lets you filter by criteria like handle material. Here's a search for folders filtered by "wood" (which will return a few false positives, but they're easily skipped).

Offhand I can't think of any that specifically look a lot like the CR (faux bolster, long and lean, wood scales) but cost less, but you might look at the CIVIVI Elementum in wood for around $64; I have one in brass and, like most CIVIVI knives, it punches well above its budget price point. If you see anything you like in that search, the folks here at "Enabler Central" can probably help you confirm that it's a solid purchase. :D

It sounds like you've got what you need on the Crooked River, but just in case: I own one and love it, and I agree that by most standards it's a large knife. Mine is the now-discontinued version with G10 scales, and since this thread somehow has no pictures...

4bXNjAw.jpg


7NtM8pk.jpg
Click to expand...
Love my Benchmade knives!

Not a big fan of the Crooked River myself but, I do like that one!
 
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