The CRKT Bear Claw is my preferred river knife and the knife I see most commonly used by river professionals. I helped motivate CRKT to make some of the updates to the 2024 version.
River knives are carried to cut free from entanglement hazards like rope, cord, or straps. Anyone working with rope or paddling turbulent water should carry a knife.
Unfortunately, PFD knife attachment plates are inconvenient for many paddlers … the knives commonly snag during wet re-entry (self-rescue). I’ve witnessed this countless times. Sometimes the knife comes loose and is lost (or found later inside the cockpit!). Other times the knife prevents the re-entry attempt. My preferred solution is to mount the CRKT Bear Claw on my PFD shoulder lapel where it is less likely to snag.
The 2024 Bear Claw has Veff Serrations, which are more effective at cutting cord and webbing compared to NRS and other blades. I like the asymmetrical shape and finger hole that ensure a solid grip. The upper left vest lapel is a good option for right-handers—mount the cutting edge facing away from your body.
All that said … I think that most paddlers don’t need a knife in a quick-deploy position. If the Bear Claw isn’t a good fit for your PFD or budget, a folding knife inside a PFD pocket is a good option.
The holster system is not as secure as other river knife options. I’m experimenting with adding a washer under the detent screw to make the knife more secure. Let me know if you want me to install or include a washer with your order.