Cryo and Cryo II.

captain spaulding · **on:** April 23, 2015, 07:23:18 AM

I just recieved the Cryo II blackwash. I already had the Cryo blackwash so I figured I would give some thoughts on the two.

My very first impression of the Cryo II was how...... uh.... washed it looked.

I'n all seriousness I was very surprised to see the stone wash causing such a light shade. I really like the shade on the Cryo compared to the Cryo II as you will see in the pictures. It seems like the guy running the stone wash machine was sleeping on the job or something.

Their are only a few differences in these knives. One is the cutout in the handle for the lock bar. On the Cryo it is visible on the outside. The Cryo II has it on the inside of the handle. I actually like the look of the cutout better so that was a bummer, but it doesn't really matter. I believe the jimping on the blade and handle is slightly different as well. I forgot to get a picture of that though. The detent ball is visible through a little hole in the lock bar on the Cryo II and not the Cryo.

Here are some size comparisons. You can really see how light the shade of the handles are in these pictures.

So here is where I did not want to see any difference in these knives. I am not sure if this is how all the Cryo II's are or if this is just mine, but the frame lock is very "low" in relation to the opposite handle which makes unlocking the blade a bit of a pain. The Cryo is a bit higher, but it makes all the difference. The Cryo is very easy to close.

Cryo

Cryo II

Some other thoughts are that the blade does not deploy as fast as the Cryo. It could possibly be due to the larger blade size and weight. I do not particularly like how tall and thin the handles are on the Cryo II. I also am not thrilled about the handle length and shape. For me personally simply scaling the handles to a bigger size does not translate well for this particular knife. Even though the handle is larger I get a weird spot between the pinky finger and the finger next to it. They ride strangely on the angle of the handle towards the butt of the knife. For someone else the grip might be good, but for me its pretty bad.
The fit and finish (besides the insanely washed handles) are great. Everything is solid. Lockup is rock solid. Blade centering is almost perfect. Came razor sharp. The edge is a bit uneven, but not much and honestly at this price point and the fact that it is extremely sharp it really does not even matter. I am going to carry it for a while and see if any of my opinions change. To be completely honest I was hoping to like the Cryo II much more than I do. I really enjoy the Cryo and I love larger blades so I figured the Cryo II would be a home run. Some things with scaling it up just did not translate right for my hands specifically. The thing that bugs me the most is the frame lock being so low and hard to disengage. I still think the world of Kershaw and I am sure the Cryo II will still perform excellent.

captain spaulding · **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2015, 07:26:20 AM

Just a note. Now that I look at the pictures of the frame lock it seems as though it is not the locking side that is different, but the handle on the opposite side that is higher.

I also take back the comment about scaling the handles up does not translate. It seems as though their is some slight differences. It still does not translate well for me though.

raistlin65 · **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2015, 08:11:29 AM

I think it probably is the size of the larger blade that makes it slower. My Knockout is a bit slower than my Cryo.

zoidberg · **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2015, 08:12:25 AM

Thanks capt.

I really appreciate the effort you went to mate.

SteveC · **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2015, 02:37:12 PM

Great review and comparison

NKlamerus · **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2015, 04:09:16 PM

Great comparison. The BW is really really light, even my ZT is darker than that.

Speaking if which, if you get a ZT566BW is practically the same knife except you can change the scales. Especially to a thicker one that might fit your hand better?

Don't you gave a CR you should be carrying?!?

Aloha · **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2015, 05:02:35 PM

I really like the Cryo and have enjoyed carrying mine. It fires fast and with authority so I can understand the noticeable difference with the larger knife. The BW is really light as compared

sawman · **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2015, 05:10:11 PM

I recon I'll have me one of the small ones mmmmhmmmm

SteveC · **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2015, 05:13:37 PM

I noticed they make the Cryo in G10 as well, I wonder if they will offer the Cryo II in G10 as well at some point ?

charlie fox · **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2015, 06:41:18 PM

I had both the standard and G10 Cryo; I tried hard to love them but they just never grew on me. Too short, too heavy and too slick (standard). I played with a Cryo II and just couldn't bring myself to invest in it.

Higgins617 · **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2015, 08:04:12 PM

Thanks for the comparison Cap't. I think both look really cool with the stonewash, I almost like the over done one more. But I could see the concern having the first and expecting the same finish.

evil510 · **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2015, 08:53:20 PM

After some reworking, my Cryo II has been a part of my EDC rotation for quite a while now. My biggest gripe was the very gradual plunge cut on the blade. While I love it now, it was my first, and last, knife I will ever buy with a grind like this. The first thing I do when I get a new knife is put my own new edge on it. The plunge cut on this blade ends up in a slight recurve when sharpening, which I don't particularly care for. I added a finger choil to remedy this.....

The blackwash on mine was more of a greywash than anything and not a very good one at that. I removed it all and redid it to match my Leek. A more bright tumbled finish with polished hardware. I also made a tip up-deep carry clip for it. Filled in all non-used clip screwholes with polished stainless steel plugs. I added my own thumbstud, added a pillar where the lanyard hole is with matching hardware and use the pillar itself to attach the lanyard. I did these same modifications to my Leek as well. I redid the jimping on the blade spine and scales so they transition better. Also, in regard to the lockbar, I added jimping to that as well which made a significant difference in ease of unlocking the blade.....

~ evil ~

zoidberg · **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2015, 09:39:53 PM

Quote from: evil510 on April 23, 2015, 08:53:20 PM

After some reworking, my Cryo II has been a part of my EDC rotation for quite a while now. My biggest gripe was the very gradual plunge cut on the blade. While I love it now, it was my first, and last, knife I will ever buy with a grind like this. The first thing I do when I get a new knife is put my own new edge on it. The plunge cut on this blade ends up in a slight recurve when sharpening, which I don't particularly care for. I added a finger choil to remedy this.....

The blackwash on mine was more of a greywash than anything and not a very good one at that. I removed it all and redid it to match my Leek. A more bright tumbled finish with polished hardware. I also made a tip up-deep carry clip for it. Filled in all non-used clip screwholes with polished stainless steel plugs. I added my own thumbstud, added a pillar where the lanyard hole is with matching hardware and use the pillar itself to attach the lanyard. I did these same modifications to my Leek as well. I redid the jimping on the blade spine and scales so they transition better. Also, in regard to the lockbar, I added jimping to that as well which made a significant difference in ease of unlocking the blade.....

~ evil ~

I like me some choil and would love to see a pic if it isn't too much hassle.

captain spaulding · **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2015, 12:02:03 AM

Quote from: NKlamerus on April 23, 2015, 04:09:16 PM

Great comparison. The BW is really really light, even my ZT is darker than that.

Speaking if which, if you get a ZT566BW is practically the same knife except you can change the scales. Especially to a thicker one that might fit your hand better?

Don't you gave a CR you should be carrying?!?

Maybe, but I don't have $160 to drop on one. The only reason I bought the Cryo II is because it is inexpensive and I liked the Cryo so I figured I would love the Cryo II.

Yup I have a CRK, but I decided to get something cheap to try out and beat up. I'm sure I will bring out the CRK in not to long.

evil510 · **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2015, 07:12:04 AM

Sorry for the late post. It takes me a while to make my rounds catching up on posts sometimes.....

~ evil ~

My Cryo II next to my Leek. Blackwash removed. Stonewashed bright finish. Blade reshaped, choil added. Jimping added to lockbar. New thumbstuds for both knives. Pillars added to original lanyard hole locations with matching polished hardware. Lanyards wrap around pillar. Polished stainless steel plugs for unused clip holes.....

A few versions of deep carry clips I've made. The Cryo II has a delrin "barb" underneath the end of the clip.....

captain spaulding · **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2015, 07:55:03 AM

Excellent! I love everything you did but surprisingly enough the thing I want the most is the clip screw plugs.

Actually I love the aftermarket clips as well.

3F · **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2015, 08:43:28 AM

Good stufff! Thanks!!

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuge fan of the CRYO....I have all 3 handle models!

raistlin65 · **Reply #17 on:** May 29, 2015, 07:04:53 PM

I decided to come tempt you, Cap

Amazon has $10 off $50 on Kershaw knives (discount gets added when you checkout), making the Kershaw Knockout $43, lowest it's ever been according to CamelCamelCamel. I consider it a worthy upgrade to the Cryo. Same flipper/locking mechanism, but better blade steel, with a longer blade than the Cryo, but weighs a bit less

sawman · **Reply #18 on:** May 29, 2015, 07:26:48 PM

UPDATE

For anyone interested, I received this knife today and love it. My only criticism is the tiny size of the pocket clip.

captain spaulding · **Reply #19 on:** May 29, 2015, 07:37:21 PM

Quote from: raistlin65 on May 29, 2015, 07:04:53 PM

I decided to come tempt you, Cap

Amazon has $10 off $50 on Kershaw knives (discount gets added when you checkout), making the Kershaw Knockout $43, lowest it's ever been according to CamelCamelCamel. I consider it a worthy upgrade to the Cryo. Same flipper/locking mechanism, but better blade steel, with a longer blade than the Cryo, but weighs a bit less

Thanks for the heads up.

captain spaulding · **Reply #20 on:** May 29, 2015, 07:38:14 PM

Quote from: sawman on May 29, 2015, 07:26:48 PM

UPDATE

For anyone interested, I received this knife today and love it. My only criticism is the tiny size of the pocket clip.

For look or functionality.

sawman · **Reply #21 on:** May 29, 2015, 07:50:23 PM

Quote from: captain spaulding on May 29, 2015, 07:38:14 PM

Quote from: sawman on May 29, 2015, 07:26:48 PM
UPDATE

For anyone interested, I received this knife today and love it. My only criticism is the tiny size of the pocket clip.

For look or functionality.

Both but mostly functionality. I'm concerned it might not be enough clip to keep it from escaping from pocket.

sawman · **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2015, 07:51:54 PM

That aside, for the price, this China made folder feels higher quality than some of my home made stuff. It's great for me as a collector but bad for us and our economy as a country...

captain spaulding · **Reply #23 on:** May 29, 2015, 08:11:11 PM

Quote from: sawman on May 29, 2015, 07:50:23 PM

Quote from: captain spaulding on May 29, 2015, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: sawman on May 29, 2015, 07:26:48 PM
UPDATE

For anyone interested, I received this knife today and love it. My only criticism is the tiny size of the pocket clip.

For look or functionality.
Both but mostly functionality. I'm concerned it might not be enough clip to keep it from escaping from pocket.

If you wear jeans I would say you are pretty safe. Anything can happen though.

captain spaulding · **Reply #24 on:** May 29, 2015, 08:11:56 PM

Quote from: sawman on May 29, 2015, 07:51:54 PM

That aside, for the price, this China made folder feels higher quality than some of my home made stuff. It's great for me as a collector but bad for us and our economy as a country...

Its amazing how well built the Cryo line is and all Kershaws for that matter.

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