Need Your Opinions

As Jeru said, in my opinion not the greatest blade steel, but not bad for the money. My issue is normally on these cheap frame-locks, they take everything that can go wrong with a not cheap frame-lock and magnify them. That is all my opinion of course, but I have handled many of them.
 
The knife is too heavy, the steel behind the edge is too thick, the fit and finish is lacking, ergonomics are bad with the rough edges on the flipper and lock bar. And the steel is low quality.
 
Heavy, slippery, poor pivot, just a generally mediocre knife. Particularly when the excellent Skyline gives you similar size, much lighter, solid grip, better steel for a very similar price.
 
It's a $40 knife and you get what you pay for.If you have limited funds you could do a lot worse.If I only had 40 bucks and wanted a beater chicom knife, then yes go for it..I would prefer other choices in the Kershaw line that have higher quality steel(USA) and cost a little more..Take a look at the Skyline and JYD.......
A 1725CB JYD II Composite Blade Blem is pretty cheap from thekershawguy. Take a look at the blems as they are very affordable
 
Last edited:
By the way, I also try to avoid hollow grinds. I don't like hollow grinds.
 
It all depends on your budget. I started out with budget Kershaws and still own some, they are good edc knives, but eventually it is nice to upgrade. The steel is ok for what your paying and does a decent job, but you have to maintain it. I have used it fairly hard (the steel not that specific knife) and it holds up of, but it is still a chinese steel with not very good retention, but if anyone knows how to treat the steel it is Kershaw as they use it all the time (along with budget spydercos).
 
For less money you can buy a RAT1. Now, AUS8 isn't great either, but better than 8Cr13MoV and for 25 USD the 3.75" full flat grind RAT1 will blow any Cryo out of the water.
 
Jeru said:
For less money you can buy a RAT 1. Now, AUS8 isn't great either, but better than 8Cr13MoV and for 25 USD the 3.75" full flat grind RAT1 will blow any Cryo out of the water.
Click to expand...

Or get a Cold Steel Voyager for a similar price and get a significantly stronger, lighter knife with better edge geometry.

Edit: to be clear, better than the Cryo. The Rat 1 is quite good.
 
I'm not sure if the point here was to compare the Cryo II to it's contemporaries or to try and find a better value, so much as to just state opinions on the knife itself.

It pretty closely resembles the 0550 at a fraction of the cost.
I think it's purpose is to be a "poor man's" ZT / Rick Hinderer, and in that role, I think it does a pretty good job.
There's also the Thermite and some other Hinderer designs this year that fill that same role.

If the Chinese steel doesn't bother you, and you like the physical characteristics of the knife, pick one up.
They're only $35
 
It's not a ZT.

as long as you accept that. Go for it.

Some of you guys have some serious hate issues.

It's a $30.00 knife.
Get it and enjoy it.

I have a Hinderer Cryo II
and I'm going to replace one side with a carbon fiber
scale.

http://drdmsmith.wix.com/customscales#!Cryo-II-Prototype-1152014/zoom/c1yws/image1q5c

Some of these guys are stuck on steel.
I remember early 440C and its not that bad.
Now I will have a THIN 550ish knife.
 
Last edited:
It's not a very good knife. Price notwithstanding. There are better knives for the same price - even within the Kershaw line alone. Look at the Skyline. NOW you are talking serious value in an inexpensive folder, imo. Sure, it is still the same inexpensive steel, but the fit, finish, and overall ergos are B+.
 
Strong-Dog said:
I think we just have opinions.
Click to expand...

Agree.. opinions

But if OP is going to be like most around here.
OP will
Cutting a box open.
Open letters.
Cut a snack.

Followed by a evening of 're sharpening`because it no longer
Hair shaving sharp.
And who cares if it's Adamantium.
It needs to be stropped because it's not a flawless mirror edge.
 
uxo2 said:
Agree.. opinions

But if OP is going to be like most around here.
OP will
Cutting a box open.
Open letters.
Cut a snack.

Followed by a evening of 're sharpening`because it no longer
Hair shaving sharp.
And who cares if it's Adamantium.
It needs to be stropped because it's not a flawless mirror edge.
Click to expand...

I see what you are saying, and agree with it. I used to be like that, but now I use my knives until they no longer feel sharp to my fingers. If I have extra time to strop them after use, I probably will. But, I've only had one completely mirror edge ever, and it was on a benchmade mini-grip that it just so happened the factory edge was exactly 20 degrees on both sides. I used my sharpmaker ultra fines on it, but otherwise it's just not worth it to me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top