The CRKT Bear Claw is a compact, purpose-built river rescue knife that earns its place in any backcountry or whitewater kit for river surfing. The blunt tip helps reduce accidental punctures around rafts and inflatables, while the hawkbill blade with Serration excels at cutting ropes, leashes, and webbing when seconds matter. The main drawback is the single-sided blade—you need to be mindful of blade orientation in an emergency. That said, we’re big fans of the grip and retention hole, which make it easy to control even with wet or gloved hands. The corrosion-resistant steel holds up well in river environments, and the versatile sheath mounting options keep it accessible. Overall, the Bear Claw is a durable, highly effective rescue knife for fast-moving, hazard-prone river conditions.