Cryo - Fit and Finish?

TripleB67

TripleB67

Joined
Jan 28, 2016
Messages
183
First let me say that I appreciate everyone's help over the past several days with the best EDC for my needs...your expertise and patience with my questions have been a tremendous help.

After much looking, reading, viewing, researching, holding, operating, etc. hundreds of knives, I've narrowed my choice down to three knives: Ontario Rat II (silver blade), Kershaw RJ Tactical 3.0, and the Kershaw Cryo.

Really love the feel of the Cryo and it checks all the boxes I'm looking for (under 3" blade, flipper, under $40, decent blade, great first knife, etc.) but the amount of tremendous reviews for the Rat II make it a tough knife to ignore.

The question I have concerning the Cryo is: for those of you who have owned this knife, which finish (G10, Blackwash, Titanium) did you go with, and did you have any problems with the fit and finish of the model you chose?

I like the look of the Blackwash but would assume the G10 Is easier to grip/hold onto?

Thanks for your help!!!

TripleB67
 
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I went G10 because it's far easier to grip. I found the other finishes too slick, and the TiCN finish is particularly slick.
 
Another vote for the G-10.
Blade centering was off on mine when I received it, and that was easy to remedy. Another interesting observation thats been mentioned before: Although the deep carry clip is great, the heads of the screws to mount it stand proud, or stick out too much, and can keep it from carrying as deep as it could/should with thick pants.
 
G10, lighter and easier to grip then the others.

Don't own one, smaller then I like, but I haven't had fit or finish issues with any of the low cost china made Kershaws. I typically always buy from reputable dealers, and Maybe I just get lucky, idk, but zero issues to date, and I've bought several of the other models; Scramblers, cqc-4, Thermite, tremor, and they've all been spot on.
 
I only have a Cryo in titanium plated, and a black washed Cryo II. I think the fit finish are great on mine. The only cons I can think of is that they are quite heavy for their size. Also, I really don't like the feel/texture on the small Cryo. I can't explain it, it just bugs my skin and tends to get sticky by hand oil or sweat salts. If I buy another, it will be the G10.
 
I have a review of the Cryo G10 here if you would like to read it. If you just want the quick summary, I like the knife a lot. The fit and finish was good on mine, and the G10 is the route i would go.

The Rat II is also excellent, but I find the Cryo just a little more sheeple friendly myself. Your mileage may vary. You aren't going to go wrong with either choice, but the Cryo G10 is my go to recommendation for people looking for an affordable EDC. I think it is a good little knife.
 
abbydaddy said:
I have a review of the ]Cryo G10 here if you would like to read it.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the link...one part I found extremely interesting is where you talk about the thumbstuds on the Cryo: "The thumbstuds are a hazard on this knife. They make it harder to get out of your pocket, tear up the pocket, and if you do try to open the knife with the thumbstuds it is very easy to cut your thumb due to the amount of force needed and the small size of the knife."

This makes me wonder if I should take a closer look at flipper folding knives that don't have thumbstuds? (such as the RJ Tactical 3.0 or the Leek, even though the Leek is over my budget)

Thanks for everyone's input so far....seems the G10 is the way to go with the Cryo.

TripleB67
 
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I have the Rat 2 and the Cryo, you need both for budget the folder category! Rat 2 is the best stud opener I have, but I edc the Cryo because of the action the flipper provides, both are excellent knives for the money though, fit and finish far exceed price point!
 
If the thumb studs turn out to be a problem get a file and file them slightly until the problem is gone
 
I took my thumb studs right off. They are simply threaded together. This made a world of difference on this knife. I also added some skateboard tape to the outside of the pocket clip to get more grip while grabbing it from the pocket.
I agree with the review about the stiffness of this knife. When closing the knife, the frame lock is very stiff and took some getting used to.
Another consideration: My wife tolerates my knives & I just fine, but has expressed that some the knives I carry are a little intimidating looking when I use them around friends, especially when kids are around. She likes the way the Cryo G-10 looks, and has commented that it is a good looking knife and not scary at all.

 
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TripleB67 said:
I appreciate the link...one part I found extremely interesting is where you talk about the thumbstuds on the Cryo: "The thumbstuds are a hazard on this knife. They make it harder to get out of your pocket, tear up the pocket, and if you do try to open the knife with the thumbstuds it is very easy to cut your thumb due to the amount of force needed and the small size of the knife."

This makes me wonder if I should take a closer look at flipper folding knives that don't have thumbstuds? (such as the RJ Tactical 3.0 or the Leek, even though the Leek is over my budget)

Thanks for everyone's input so far....seems the G10 is the way to go with the Cryo.

TripleB67
Click to expand...

For me, the big thing is just to rememer to never try to use the thumbstuds on the Cryo. The Kershaw Scrambler is a nice flipper without thumbstuds in your price range, but in my experience that knife scared people. Like a2avery said, the Cryo doen't scare people. I also reviewed the Scrambler, but I'm not going to clutter your thread with my reviews.
 
I bought 3 Cyro's as gifts for Christmas this year. Two had issues with the pivot, one with the lock bar. Long story short I am not a fan of this knife. The Rat is not my favorite, but the pink one I bought my GF a year ago is no doubt a great knife.
 
a2avery said:
I took my thumb studs right off.

My wife tolerates my knives & I just fine, but has expressed that some the knives I carry are a little intimidating looking when I use them around friends, especially when kids are around.
Click to expand...

When you removed the thumbstuds did it leave a hole in the blade? If so, did you fill it up with something because on the pic it seems like there isn't a hole where the thumbstuds were?

I appreciate your input as far as the wife is concerned. Mine wasn't very happy (understatement of the year) when I told her I was going to get my concealed carry permit. I've been carrying a weapon for over a month now and hasn't even realized it. If I were carrying a large knife and a gun I'm sure she'd really be freaked out.

Thanks for all the input.

TripleB67
 
I got the all black, when i got mine they didnt come out with the blackwash stuff yet.. If it were my choice now to biy another cryo, i would go for the black wash because i have to many plain all black knives. I dont really get lighter color blades unless thats my only option. I prefer a dark color blade out of preference, heck the handle could be rainbow for all i care.

Edit: If not strictly asking for color (sorry im tired i had 3 hours of sleep) i would totally go for a g10 version, as others stated they are pretty heavy for their size. Some even have compare it to carrying a little brick of steel in your pocket. It is a nice knife though if weight doesnt really concern you.
 
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TripleB67 said:
When you removed the thumbstuds did it leave a hole in the blade? If so, did you fill it up with something because on the pic it seems like there isn't a hole where the thumbstuds were?

TripleB67
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There is a small hole left from the thumbstud, you can see it in the photo above. I thought it looked odd at first but then have pretty much forgotten about it.
 
Although one thing I will say about carrying heavier knives. My main blades have seemed to increase in weight as I increased weight in firearm carry over the years. Heavier just seems to balance hip weight. I currently carry a 1911 on the right, so I need a couple heavy knives and spare mag on the left.

And the wife will eventually catch on to the CCW thing. The key is to be dedicated and carry every day possible. It takes persistence to go from that self conscious "Holy Cow, I've got a gun" state, to forgetting about you, and paying more attention to your surroundings. Early on with CCW (around 20 years now), my wife would usually roll her eyes when she saw me putting on my carry rig just to go to work or the store. Then after landing in some very sketchy areas, she'd ask if I was carrying. The answer is always, "always". She now just expects me to be strapped and there for the family. We've also raised our kids around guns, which they see on almost a daily basis. The main thing is to teach them that they need not fear, or be overly intrigued by them. Just simple respect, and proper handling rules. If a kid ever wanted to see or handle a gun, I would jump on the chance to teach. If one wanted to go shooting, I'd probably be packing a range bag before they could finish the sentence.

Be sure to give pics of what knife you end up with. And pretty sure the Cryo won't be the last. Kershaw's are like crack candy for even nicer knives.
 
I bought a Cryo (Ti finish) based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews from various sources. I want to like it, and mine has been problem-free, but it's just a bit smaller than I care for as an EDC knife. It has my favorite clip size/style, and is a real looker, but it has spent very little time in my pocket, replaced by an older RJI reentering the rotation . . . which happens to be my favorite EDC knife.

I'd probably like the Cryo II, but have no real use for one at this point.
 
I have the G-10 version and it doesn't have any problems. I have pretty big hands and I love the size. I like it so much, I'm almost tempted to get the ZT 0566. Almost.
 
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