Help me decide: Benchmade AFO 2, Contego or Crooked River

Z

Zenturio

Joined
Aug 7, 2017
Messages
171
Hi folks,

I would like to hear your opinion on what I should purchase out if these 3 BM knives for a big working folder.

1. AFO 2
-Love the looks and the 154CM steel
-Handle seems to be ergonomic
-Out if these the most expensive

2. Contego
-Good look
-Like the M4
-Handle seems to make hot spots and too agressive
-Backspacer prone to break (Would have to order custom Backspacer)

3. Crooked River
-Do not like the look of handle options and Backspacer
-S30V is not my favorite Steel
-Would like the Blade shape and size


What would you recommend?

Thanks and BR Oliver
 
If I had to pick one of your three, I'd pick the Contego but only because I know the handle fits my big hand well.
Not a fan of the Crooked River handle options either. I'm also not a fan of bolsters unless its a slipjoint tbh.
I don't like autos and metal handles, so the AFO 2 is out for me.

Would you consider other BMs?

I like the Freek. M4 and the handle shape is more neutral. It should fit most hands well w/o hotspots.

I also like the Boost. I know the polymer handle isn't sexy materials but it is comfortable in the handle. Again, neutral handle shape. Alas, S30V tho. I don't mind that steel at all tho.
 
I have the Crooked River, (which I think is a big, beefy, beautiful knife) and the Contego with M390 blade which is a beast of a knife. My choice for a hard use folder is the Contego hands down. For a classy looking utility/hunter, the Crooked River. I also have the Freek and it's a real utilitarian knife. Why not the full size Griptillian with 20cv? I own that as well and it kind of checks a bunch of boxes in what you're looking for.

S30 is a good steel and I have no problem with it. It isn't the darling in the industry any longer and has its limits, as do virtually every other steel to one degree or another. My preference happens to be M390/20CV but S30 is just fine. I have a friend who has a Manix S30 that has been in his pocket and seriously used for over 3 years. I've sharpened and maintained it throughout and I'm really impressed. I'm unapologetically a Benchmade fan boy but if you can stand the Manix profile in your pocket and tolerate that hole in the blade aesthetically it's a damn fine large hard use folder.

Get what you like and appeals to you. That's what truly matters.
 
Build a custom. Crooked river at Benchmades website!! A few.choices.for steel and handles and hardwareIMG_20200624_144641.jpg
 
I can't own an auto in my state, but I've owned two Contegos -- the M4 and the M390 KW version -- and a Crooked River.

I found the M4 Contego's handle too pointy everywhere, although not quite as bad as online reviews had led me to worry it would be. The M4 steel was a no-go for my needs due to the humidity here.

The M390 Contego was gorgeous and completely solved the handle issues...except that because the handle is so smooth and so long, even with larger hands I had trouble closing the knife the way I usually would with an Axis lock. When I tried to brace the end in my palm to actuate the lock, it slipped. Maybe I could have gotten used to it, but it didn't feel like it at the time.

The Crooked River is the one I kept. I like everything about it.
 
AFO2!

I'm sure all are great but the AFO is auto, which is fun!, and it is a very ergonomic user. One of the few knives I regret selling.
 
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