Kershaw Cryo Thoughts

JakeSnake

JakeSnake

Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
429
I know the Cryo has gotten a lot of praise and I agree with the vast majority of it. I also agree with the million and a half postings and comments that people have made regarding the yearning for a USA made version with better blade steel. The one thing I don't understand is....Why hasn't Kershaw listened to the huge number of people who are asking for a USA version.

Yes, I know the ZT0556 is coming out and it is damn near exactly what people are wanting. But, what about those of us who work in an environment where a blade above 3" isn't allowed and just doesn't fly. I am all about a 3.25" blade, in fact...when I'm not at the office I have my Buck Vantage Pro with me always.

Back to the point though, I do enjoy my Cryo very much, great ergos, great size, it honestly is a perfectly sized edc, once my Carbon Fiber Gatorscale arrives this week it will be even better. But, it is still a Chinese steel blade that doesn't hold up that great, yeah it is pretty good but not great. I would gladly pay 80 bucks for one made in the USA with sandvik steel or something comparable. Put a bead blasted frame lock side, a g10 scale on the other side and a stonewashed blade and, I mean yowsa that would be a sweet sexy knife. I personally hope that Kershaw decides to embark on a journey to bring the Cryo home and make it a little more badass. I mean, the skyline is made in the USA, why not the cryo?

Does anyone else agree with me? Kershaw, are you listening...the people are talking to you. Do you hear the voice of the masses? You're tagline for the Cryo is..."A hinderer for all of us"....its not a true Hinderer unless it is made in the USA.
 
I can't speak for Kershaw, but I don't think it's as simple as that. Do they have the ability/know-how to make those in the USA with higher end materials? Sure. However...

The price point would go up, which in turn would reduce demand. Kershaw sells a lot of knives, and I'm sure their analysts have good models for figuring out what the market will bear. If there was a strong enough business case for a US-made Cryo, I'd figure Kershaw would act on it. There's also the production capacity of their US facilities, which seem to be quite busy at the moment cranking out wave after wave of ZT awesomeness on top of all their other existing US-made lineup. While I'm sure a lot of people would prefer more US-made offerings, there is a matter of finite production capacity. I'm certain there are other factors they have to consider as well.

I too think there's still untapped potential for the Cryo. They've got a great design for the knife already. Mixing up the materials could lead to some interesting knives. They could do a peel-ply CF+G10 non-locking scale and Sandvik+D2 composite blade, and they'd have a poor-man's 0560CBCF. That may be just wishful thinking... ;)

As it is, I've been very happy with my Cryo.
Cryo_20130514_800x366.jpg
 
It may very well happen....the cryo isn't old or anything, im sure in the future something new will come out, better suited to these complaining masses :p
 
I think the ZT0550 fills the bill well. It's a little more than $80 but it's a lot more knife too. Just a guess, but I suspect that a US made Cryo would cost more than $80. Look at the Benchmade 551 - US made with horrible plastic scales and it's more than $80.

My guess is that Kershaw doesn't want to spend half a million $'s to tool up for US made Cryo's and only sell a couple thousand of them to collectors.
 
agile_1 said:
I think the ZT0550 fills the bill well. It's a little more than $80 but it's a lot more knife too. Just a guess, but I suspect that a US made Cryo would cost more than $80. Look at the Benchmade 551 - US made with horrible plastic scales and it's more than $80.

My guess is that Kershaw doesn't want to spend half a million $'s to tool up for US made Cryo's and only sell a couple thousand of them to collectors.
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That's because Benchmade now has an ego that is a little bit bigger than it should be. Yes they make nice knives, but their price point is excessive on most of them. You pay a huge premium for the name and butterfly.
 
jhyde7585 said:
It may very well happen....the cryo isn't old or anything, im sure in the future something new will come out, better suited to these complaining masses :p
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One great thing is that people seem to like it enough that there are a lot of independent people making their own handle scales now, which can offer all sorts of customizations. My thing is that i would be much more likely to "pimp out" a knife that has a little better blade steel. Having said this though, i do have a CF scale on the way and can't wait to get it on the knife.

Speaking of customization....does anyone know where i could get one of those 9mm casing lock bar stabilizers?
 
Well... blade restrictions usually don't have much bearing on what knife I end up using or carrying. My perfect knife is the CF Blur, regardless of what ridiculous restrictions happen to be in place.

Put away the Cryo, and get a CF Blur. It has CPM-154, one of the best all around steels I've ever come across.

You're welcome. :D :thumbup:
 
Yeah, i agree that there is most likely all sorts of other things to consider than just doing it. I would just love to see one with a better blade steel and a rounded flipper, just a little more refinement. They do it with all the ZT models and those things sell like crazy. I'm sure it is doable, there just has to be the need to do so and right now they probably don't have that.

It is a good design and has potential to go all sorts of places. I mean, look at the Leek, that thing has so many variants its crazy. Its a knife with multiple personality disorder, and a good little design as well. (got my green and black one in my bag right now).

They have already done the Thermite with the stonewash and g10. Why not the Cryo?
 
I wish i could just blow off the restrictions..but, I like my job a lot and would like to remain employed. I do like the look of the Blur though. I always like most of Ken Onion's designs.
 
I think that ZT should fill this gap for Kershaw. Similar to this thread here

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1052852-So-there-s-a-ton-of-big-ZTs-out-(or-on-their-way)-when-do-we-get-little-ones?highlight=smaller

By the way, I also have a ZT0550, ZT0350, and a Cryo with carbon fiber scales from Gatorscales. I would also prefer a smaller ZT for when I want to carry lightly, much like the cryo, but with a better steel and maybe a titanium lock bar side. Hopefully one day we will get our wish.
 
lintonindy said:
I think that ZT should fill this gap for Kershaw. Similar to this thread here

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1052852-So-there-s-a-ton-of-big-ZTs-out-(or-on-their-way)-when-do-we-get-little-ones?highlight=smaller

By the way, I also have a ZT0550, ZT0350, and a Cryo with carbon fiber scales from Gatorscales. I would also prefer a smaller ZT for when I want to carry lightly, much like the cryo, but with a better steel and maybe a titanium lock bar side. Hopefully one day we will get our wish.
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You hit the nail right smack in the middle of the head with this one. That is exactly what I would love to have. I'm getting one of the ZT 0566's when they come out to replace my Vantage Pro. Though it will be my "not at work" knife. A big bulging pocket knife in slacks just doesn't work.

A ZT about the same size as the Cryo with a flipper but with the materials of a 0550 or 0566 would be ideal. Or even just a steel framelock, it doesn't have to be titanium....at that small it wont really matter. Pretty much a 3" blade version of the ZT0566. I don't think I would ever need another edc knife....
 
JakeSnake said:
Yes, I know the ZT0556 is coming out and it is damn near exactly what people are wanting.
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Some people, perhaps. But certainly not me. Give me an 0560 with a 3" blade and I'd be on it like white on rice. But the 0566 is little more than a glorified Cryo AFAIC.
 
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bld522 said:
Some people, perhaps. But certainly not me. Give me an 0560 with a 3" blade and I'd be on it like white on rice. Otherwise it's little more than a glorified Cryo AFAIC.
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Thats why its near what they want, lol. I'd be happier than a mosquito in a blood bank if they had a 3incher
 
Yep. Unfortunately, there is no licensed option currently available or in the offing for those who want something similar to a 3" XM without having to pay $700+ for it. :(
 
I'm assuming he's talking about a Griptilian. I'm not sure how that relates to a discussion of knives designed by Rick Hinderer, though. :confused:
 
That was what I was thinking also. Hmm, not making too much sense there bucko. Either that or he was referring to custom handle scales for an xm18 and that still doesnt make a whole lotta sense.
 
JakeSnake said:
You hit the nail right smack in the middle of the head with this one. That is exactly what I would love to have. I'm getting one of the ZT 0566's when they come out to replace my Vantage Pro. Though it will be my "not at work" knife. A big bulging pocket knife in slacks just doesn't work.

A ZT about the same size as the Cryo with a flipper but with the materials of a 0550 or 0566 would be ideal. Or even just a steel framelock, it doesn't have to be titanium....at that small it wont really matter. Pretty much a 3" blade version of the ZT0566. I don't think I would ever need another edc knife....
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I'm not sure what the last post was about but back on the topic of a small quality cryo like ZT.

I've owned several knives in the past and sometimes as many as 25 or so at a time. I have cut down that number to the following 6 knives.

IMG_20130514_154751.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-..._mHTlVY/w365-h273-p-o/IMG_20130514_154845.jpg

But, I don't fully like two of them.

IMG_20130514_155035.jpg


The A.G. Russell Gentleman's folder is made in China and that I can get over. However, the flip action is not smooth, the sides were roughly finished, and it's not beefy enough for me. The titanium construction and VG10 blade are great however, and it does look nice and "dressy".

The Cryo has great action on the flipper with the speed assist, is beefy, and has a hindered design I really like. The materials however are lacking and I can tell in edge holding ability as well as feel.

I love my Blur blem for everything between loaning it out or doing something with a knife I shouldn't be. If it breaks I'm out a whopping 30 bucks. The serrations are great for work, cutting plastic straps and I can work with it and not worry about what happens to it.

The 550 is an awesome heavy duty, beautifully styled, smooth opening, tank of a knife. It is probably tied with my 350 for favorite and is definitely heavier duty.

The 350 is a little smaller, a little smoother with the scales I've chosen, slightly lighter, and has the speed assist as well.

The SAK is a back up and always rests at the bottom of my pockets almost unnoticed.

Love my 550, 350, Blur blem, SAK, but only like the other two. I would combine the styling and smooth opening action of the Cryo with the materials and elegance of the A.G. and I could cut down on my knives again to five. I really am looking to do that and I'm not sure how yet. I think I get exactly what you're talking about and I fully agree about there being a hole to fill by KAI.
 
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