Kershaw Cryo, Scallion, or Leek?

Jordanlynn · Mar 22, 2015

Title says it all

budget is around $40. Only concerns, has anyone had much experience if the cryo has opened in a non clipped Carry? I'd just throw it in my pocket, is the cryo maybe too heavy? I have a spyderco ambitious and its a bit chunky. Anyways..any input is welcome! Thanks

flarp · Mar 22, 2015

I'd pick the Leek of the three. I've never tried carrying my Cryo clipless and in pocket. Personally, I wouldn't do that with any assisted-opener unless there was some sort of safety mechanism (like on the Scallion or Leek). If you get the G10 Cryo, it is close in weight to the Ambitious. It's heavier by about 0.7oz, according to the specs (or about the weight of three quarters and a penny), likely because of the steel framelock scale. It is a bit more compact than the Ambitious though.

mycough · Mar 22, 2015

Leek. Pretty handy knife. Russ

blades&wrenches · Mar 22, 2015

+1 Leek

NorthernSouthpaw · Mar 22, 2015

Leek uses the best steel of the 3. Cryo is the most heavy duty. Scallion has the recurve which is good for getting a deeper cut but a real PITA to sharpen.
If it's for basic light, around the house use, I'd go Leek all the way.

Jordanlynn · Mar 22, 2015

NorthernSouthpaw said:
Leek uses the best steel of the 3. Cryo is the most heavy duty. Scallion has the recurve which is good for getting a deeper cut but a real PITA to sharpen.
If it's for basic light, around the house use, I'd go Leek all the way.

I open a lot of boxes of produce at work and a lot of mail/around the house stuff at home

I might go for a rainbow leek or just the plain finish I love the style and shape.

blades&wrenches · Mar 22, 2015

Jordanlynn said:
I open a lot of boxes of produce at work and a lot of mail/around the house stuff at home I might go for a rainbow leek or just the plain finish I love the style and shape.

For a couple bucks more than the rainbow, you can get the composite blade w/CPM-D2! It will keep a good working edge for a long time, and looks really cool too IMO. D2 is not stainless, however it resists corrosion pretty well. A quick wipe off after use around moisture and you'll be ok.

abcdef · Mar 22, 2015

+1 Leek

jc57 · Mar 22, 2015

Of those three, I have owned all of them and would prefer the Leek. I didn't like the Cryo at all. Just not my style of knife.

Metanica · Mar 23, 2015

I owned the Kershaw Cryo, and while I liked it, it was heavy and had almost too thick of a blade for the size of the knife, it also felt too small for me as well. The speedsafe/detent spring also broke in mine, rendering both the flipper, and anyway to keep it closed useless (and illegal in California). The Scallion looks like a good option, other than sharpening, and Ive heard a lot of good things about the Leek, however it always looked too light duty to me. Are you dead set on those options or are you looking for anything in that price range?

NeilB · Mar 23, 2015

I have like three Cryos and four Leeks. Never had a Cryo open in my pocket (unlike my ZT 0561). However, it's a baby Hinderer and made stout with a very thick blade for its size. Some people really like that, me included. However, for general use, no question, the Leek is the better choice. I have a Composite Blade, a Damascus, a Rainbow, and a blackwashed, any of which would work fine for your intended use. The Damascus is a bit dressy and the blackwash just looks cool. I love the look of the Rainbow and I find the Composite blade to be a fine knife indeed! It was my gateway drug into this lifestyle.IMO.

Bob Hunk · Mar 23, 2015

I like the blur. I wish they would make a slightly smaller version though. I do carry the scallion and maybe a chive in the pocket for Razer needs.

grownstar · Mar 23, 2015

Jordanlynn said:
Title says it all budget is around $40. Only concerns, has anyone had much experience if the cryo has opened in a non clipped Carry? I'd just throw it in my pocket, is the cryo maybe too heavy? I have a spyderco ambitious and its a bit chunky. Anyways..any input is welcome! Thanks

I'd go for the Leek. Great design, thin handle, perfect blade length, and all the variations mean you can pick one that really speaks to you.

Bob Hunk said:
I like the blur. I wish they would make a slightly smaller version though.

Have you looked at the Camber at all? I got one for my wife.

A-MAC · Mar 23, 2015

I love all three of my Leeks.

Seneca18 · Mar 23, 2015

Untitled by danny.nystrom, on Flickr

Top one is my Cryo and the bottom is a Chive, similar design but smaller than the Scallion. I would go for the Leek. It is an awesome bang for the buck knife. It has a very delicate tip though so it is not the best for heavy use.