My dad bought a Kershaw Cryo as his first knife. I thought it was a nice little knife, but after handling it, the weight was honestly a huge killer for me. I carry a Leatherman Wingman with me everywhere I go, and it weighs seven ounces, so adding another 4.1 ounces to my already pretty beefy setup didn't sit too well with me, especially since the length of the blade is only .15 inches longer than the one on the Wingman. My suggestion is, if you want a knife around this size and price, and weight is a big factor for you (like it was for me) go for a Kershaw Leek. It's a tad more expensive depending on where you get it (~$40, I'd suggest buying a blem from Kershawguy for ~$25, which for me only had a few beauty marks). The leek is a little more fragile feeling only because of the thinness of the blade near the tip because of the wharncliffe blade shape, but it's a wonderful knife for everyday cutting tasks.
+Joseph D I agree with the weight issues. Its probably one of the big reasons I stopped carrying it as well. I've since started carrying either the 3" Hinderer XM-18 or a Spyderco Delica for a small knife.
I've had a Cryo for at least 6-8 months now, my clip was never tight enough to the scale for me. It was loose out of the package. Maybe you just got a really tight one. Great vid!
Most my kershaws have really tight clips. This is a great thing because once its clipped its not going anywhere. On the flip side it kinda sucks because its a pain to clip it in pocket. If you have Pants like the 5.11 tacpro, that have reinforced pocket clips areas, which I wear often, its not that bad but any other pants its a job. A lanyard is a must because if its hard to clip to pocket its hard to pull it out but a lanyard does the trick. For the money, I think Kershaw has the best value. Obviously not the best knives ever made but for their price point they are hard to beat. Also being a lefty myself most of there knives are lefty friendly with reversible clip. The thumb stud on almost all kershaws are almost impossible to use at first but once you start breaking in and using knife it will loosen a lot. The actually become as smooth to open as the speedsafe flipper.
I think these clips are almost a reason to make them a pure EDC knife because I'm sure not getting the knife out of my pocket in a hurry to defend myself. :-) Thanks for the comments.
Do you have much experiences with other Kershaw knives? I've always enjoyed being able to beat them up and not really feel bad about it compared to my nicer Spydercos and what have you. I have a Cryo that I've been dailying for a year now, and it's been a great daily beater knife. The clip was snug and loosened up to be very nice, and stopped right where I wanted it. Also, I actually use the thumb studs sometimes to open it depending on how I pull it out of my pocket, I never noticed an issue with it, but my dad can't seem to actuate the blade with them. I can't actuate a decocker on a Sig, he can, maybe we both just have weird hands.
I forgot to mention the spring on mine broke and Kershaw fixed it under warranty. Didn't help that I would constantly play with it by opening and closing it. Also I've beaten mine up pretty badly. There's a fair amount of blade play now. For a $30 knife its taken my abuse pretty well.
The best cheap knife ever! Been carrying one for well over a year and haven't regretted it.
BornFree Certainly a great knife for the money
This was the knife that got me into blade collecting. Great knife. I keep it in my truck.
Its a great knife for the money. Just a little heavy.
The Cryo has been my EDC for nearly a year! Great budget knife. The Blade has started to rust in spots but overall great!
It is a great little knife. How is the clip after a year? Has it loosened up any?
It was extremely tight and I had to bend it out just a hair. It has maintained since!
Jonathan Parrish I guess I'll give it a little time and see if it moves and if not perhaps I'll try and move it myself.
Nice edc knife !
Indeed it is! :-)
My dad bought a Kershaw Cryo as his first knife. I thought it was a nice little knife, but after handling it, the weight was honestly a huge killer for me. I carry a Leatherman Wingman with me everywhere I go, and it weighs seven ounces, so adding another 4.1 ounces to my already pretty beefy setup didn't sit too well with me, especially since the length of the blade is only .15 inches longer than the one on the Wingman. My suggestion is, if you want a knife around this size and price, and weight is a big factor for you (like it was for me) go for a Kershaw Leek. It's a tad more expensive depending on where you get it (~$40, I'd suggest buying a blem from Kershawguy for ~$25, which for me only had a few beauty marks). The leek is a little more fragile feeling only because of the thinness of the blade near the tip because of the wharncliffe blade shape, but it's a wonderful knife for everyday cutting tasks.
+Joseph D I agree with the weight issues. Its probably one of the big reasons I stopped carrying it as well. I've since started carrying either the 3" Hinderer XM-18 or a Spyderco Delica for a small knife.
I've had a Cryo for at least 6-8 months now, my clip was never tight enough to the scale for me. It was loose out of the package. Maybe you just got a really tight one. Great vid!
Thanks! Good to know.
Good video. *I thought the "Thumbstud-deployment problem" was just me! Definitely, a different deployment than every other Kershaw.
Thanks!
Most my kershaws have really tight clips. This is a great thing because once its clipped its not going anywhere. On the flip side it kinda sucks because its a pain to clip it in pocket. If you have Pants like the 5.11 tacpro, that have reinforced pocket clips areas, which I wear often, its not that bad but any other pants its a job. A lanyard is a must because if its hard to clip to pocket its hard to pull it out but a lanyard does the trick. For the money, I think Kershaw has the best value. Obviously not the best knives ever made but for their price point they are hard to beat. Also being a lefty myself most of there knives are lefty friendly with reversible clip. The thumb stud on almost all kershaws are almost impossible to use at first but once you start breaking in and using knife it will loosen a lot. The actually become as smooth to open as the speedsafe flipper.
I think these clips are almost a reason to make them a pure EDC knife because I'm sure not getting the knife out of my pocket in a hurry to defend myself. :-) Thanks for the comments.
Do you have much experiences with other Kershaw knives? I've always enjoyed being able to beat them up and not really feel bad about it compared to my nicer Spydercos and what have you. I have a Cryo that I've been dailying for a year now, and it's been a great daily beater knife. The clip was snug and loosened up to be very nice, and stopped right where I wanted it.
Also, I actually use the thumb studs sometimes to open it depending on how I pull it out of my pocket, I never noticed an issue with it, but my dad can't seem to actuate the blade with them. I can't actuate a decocker on a Sig, he can, maybe we both just have weird hands.
Good to hear about the clip. I don't really have many other Kershaws besides my 566 so I don't have a lot of track record with them.
I forgot to mention the spring on mine broke and Kershaw fixed it under warranty. Didn't help that I would constantly play with it by opening and closing it. Also I've beaten mine up pretty badly. There's a fair amount of blade play now. For a $30 knife its taken my abuse pretty well.
Do they also fix the blade play under warranty?
when I bought this knife it came unfolded and I can't seem to fold it. should I loosen the screws? any advice would be appreciated
The lockbar won't push over so you can close it?
No sir, it is locked unfolded.
If you can't get the lock bar moved over at all I guess I'd take it back and exchange it.
The cryo has been my edc since it was released. Love the little knife but its a little porky.
Indeed on the porky front.
Knife snob! LOL! 😉
Guilty! :-)
I wanted this knife till I saw it was one of Kershaw's China imports. I'll stick with their US made knives.
Yea, I understand that and can't fault you for it. Hard to find US made at this quality for $29 though.
Biggest piece of junk I have ever owned
ok