The CRKT Bear Claw is an exceptionally well-built rescue knife that quickly cuts through rope and webbing in rescue situations.
It has a comfortable ergonomic handle and is priced appropriately for such an excellent product and the blunt tip of the knife makes it perfect for river use.
Gear Score: 4/5
In this gear review, we will discuss the Bear Claw, how it works, and the pros and cons of this essential piece of river gear.
Before getting into the specifics of the CRKT Bear Claw, made by Columbia River Knife & Tool, let’s briefly discuss the nature of a river rescue knife.
What is a River Rescue Knife?
A river knife is essential for anyone venturing on river trips, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, SUPing, or canoeing.
Its primary function is to provide a reliable cutting tool for emergencies, mainly when entanglements occur.
Should you or another person get tangled in a rope, cam strap, or strainer, a rescue knife can help free you or the victim.
In a pinch, it can also spread peanut butter or cut off a chunk of salami and provolone cheese.
But safety first!
Possessing and knowing how to use a rescue knife is crucial to remaining safe on the river.
A good river knife needs to be accessible, durable, and effective for cutting through ropes and straps quickly. Carrying it on or in your Personal Flotation Device (PFD) ensures that it is readily available when every second counts.
It’s important that a rescue knife is stored within a sheath to ensure it doesn’t cut up any material, resulting in unnecessary wear on your PFD. Learn more about the lifespan of a PFD and what causes a PFD to wear out over time here.
CRKT Bear Claw River Knife Review
The CRKT Bear Claw knife is a rescue tool that stands out in the category of river knives.
It is designed with specific features to maximize efficiency and safety. The triple-point serrated black blade is ideal for slicing through fibrous materials like rope and webbing while its ergonomic grip and finger hold makes the knife easy to deploy and use with one hand.
The serration increases the cutting edge’s length and enables the user to cut effectively with a pulling motion, which is often a more natural and powerful cutting stroke.
Additionally, the tear-drop tip eschews the traditional pointed design for a rounded end, enhancing safety by reducing the risk of accidental punctures.
The Bear Claw’s handle is contoured for an ergonomic fit, providing a comfortable and secure grip even when hands are wet or wearing gloves. Its comfortable grip is crucial for maintaining control of the knife in high-stress or rapidly changing conditions.
Specs for the CRKT Bear Claw knife, per the manufacturer:
- Weight: 3.4 oz
- Blade Length: 2.02 inches
- Blade Thickness: 0.14 inches
- Overall Length: 5.72 inches
- Style: Fixed blade knife
- Sheath: Included
Where This Gear Shines
(1) Sharp Serrated Blade – Its serrated blade makes quick work of ropes and straps, requiring minimal effort. In comparison to other river knives, we’ve found the Bear Claw to slice through objects with less effort and with fewer cutting strokes.
(2) A Secure Grip – The ergonomic design ensures the knife feels good in hand, with a hole for the pointer finger that aids in grip and control.
(3) The Bear Claw Curve – The curved design eliminates confusion during stressful situations—there’s no mistaking which side is serrated. This characteristic shines compared to the NRS Pilot and Co-Pilot Knives, which are symmetrical but have only one sharp edge.
(4) Blunt Tip – Its tear-drop tip is a crucial safety feature of the knife. It’s nearly impossible to poke yourself or any delicate parts of your PFD or Raft because the knife’s tip is rounded and blunt.
(5) Easy Deployment – One-handed deployment is straightforward, which can be crucial in an emergency. At a price point of $48, it competes well with similar river knives on the market, such as the NRS Pilot Knife. However, we believe the CRKT Bear Claw is a superior product and should be considered before the Pilot.
(6) Affordability – At a price point of $48, it competes well with similar river knives on the market, such as the NRS Pilot Knife. However, we believe the CRKT Bear Claw is a superior product and should be considered a must before the Pilot or Co-Pilot knives.
The Bear Claw is curved and asymmetrical. This design makes it easy to grab and know where the sharp edge is, even if your vision is impaired or if you are trapped underwater. The NRS Knife is sharp only on one side and almost completely symmetrical, making it challenging to blindly know which side is sharp.
As a whole, when compared to others like the NRS Pilot and Co-Pilot Knives, the CRKT Bear Claw offers a superior feel in hand, a less complex sheath system, and a more effective blade.
Where This Gear Could be better
This rescue knife was not explicitly designed to be a PFD-compatible rescue knife but instead for multi-use rescue situations such as in canyoneering, for emergency rescue professionals, and for law enforcement.
Due to its multi-use purpose, the sheath’s compatibility with PFD knife mounting systems is limited, often requiring a couple of burley zip ties to secure it externally on a PFD.
For a knife that’s widely known as a reliable river tool and sold on many river-specific websites, it seems pretty silly for the manufacturer not to design a PFD-compatible sheath.
CRKT manufacturers – are you listening?
Additionally, although it is a stainless steel blade, we have found minor amounts of rust on the blade after being left to dry in its sheath. We don’t find this to be a major downside to the Bear Claw.
It’s important to note that storing a knife in a pocket is not ideal as it could hinder quick access in a rescue situation.
CRKT Bear Claw Gear Review Conclusion
The CRKT Bear Claw knife is a robust, efficient, and cost-effective river knife. Its design prioritizes safety and functionality, with an ergonomic handle that ensures control and comfort.
From an effectiveness and efficiency standpoint, this river knife does the job extraordinarily well.
While the sheath could see improvements in PFD compatibility, the knife’s overall performance makes it a valuable tool for river safety and a worthy investment for any water sports enthusiast.
We give this gear a score of 4 out of 5. The knife is nearly perfect, but it’s sheath leaves gear enthusiasts hoping for more. With a better sheath, it would certainly receive a perfect score.