Kershaw 1555G10: G10 Cryo.
Aug 14, 2014 6:10:30 GMT
Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 14, 2014 6:10:30 GMT
Introduction:
Hello, my good constituents! I've deigned to come down from on high, from far above in my Ivory Tower, to bless you all with another review!
(Hold for applause...)
Today I'll be sharing one that I've eagerly looked forward to for quite some time. It is the Kershaw 1555G10. It is similar to its less refined sibling, the 1555TI Cryo, only fancied up. I landed this fish for the princely fee of $26.99 shipped via Amazon.com.
Full Disclosure:
I still can't get into the Vikings show. Just doesn't work me up. Sorry.
I paid full asking price for this mutha, and have no stake in either kershaw or Amazon. I am not being compensated for nor asked to do this review. Just doing it out of the kindness of my own heart. My poor, poor heart...
Specifications:
Blade Length: 2.75"
Blade Material: S30V!...just kidding. It's still 8Cr13MoV.
Handle Length: 3.80"
Handle Material: 410 stainless steel liners, G10 scale.
Weight: 3.77oz
Lock Type: Frame lock.
Country of Manufacture: China
Initial Impressions:
Very sweet!
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1802640x478_zps9c106363.jpg)
Blade:
The blade is a modified drop point with a nice false edge. It is hollow ground, and while it cuts well, I cannot say it is as sharp as other Kershaw's that I own. It was a similar situation with my other Cryo's as well, so it was not unexpected. I can say that it passes the paper-cut test with great ease, though. The edge is ground slightly unevenly, being a tiny bit more shallow on the part near the base on one side. Very slight, and it does not affect the performance of the blade, but there. Unlike previous models, this one is not TI coated but rather is stonewashed. Very handsome, but kind of uneven as well. It features the company name on one side, and the model number, designer name and country of manufacture on the other.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1804640x478_zpsf75c61df.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1806640x478_zps3f2608aa.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1809640x478_zps61871b75.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1807640x478_zps010d0e67.jpg)
Handle:
People have long requested a G10 version of this venerable blade, and Kershaw has seen fit to reward us with one. One side of the handle is a black G10 scale over a stainless steel liner, while the lock side is solid 410 stainless steel, done with a stonewash finish. The G10 is actually much nicer in person, with an attractive sheen. I was unable to capture this on photo. Sorry. What the scale is not is really grippy. As a matter of fact, it does not offer much more grip than the TI coated steel model. But whatever, it's still a (tiny)improvement. The stonewash is attractive, but like the blade isn't perfect. The whole works are held together with the usual T6 torx screws, with an adjustable T8 torx pivot, and is a flow-through design. It has a small lanyard hole. It has a deep-carry pocket clip, and is rigged for up or down, right-hand only carry. The flipper also serves as a nice choil.
While the pocket clip is the same as on the TI model, I have to say it looks a tiny bit puny on this model. Not sure why, but that's the way it seems to me.
It also feature the lock over travel disc. All hardware is done in black.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1796640x478_zps6e7bdb03.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1811640x478_zps824f80b2.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1810640x478_zpsfd7d7b51.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1813640x478_zpsb0cdcd26.jpg)
Opening:
Opening is achieved via thumb-studs or flipper, and is augmented with Kershaw's Speedsafe technology. Very fast.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1815640x478_zpsc3993cad.jpg)
Centering:
Not good at all. I'd even go so far as to say it was bad. Didn't quite rub the scale, but almost. I have since remedied this.
Before: Terrible.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1812640x478_zpsedc50996.jpg)
After: Not perfect, but better.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1827640x478_zpsed68da47.jpg)
Lock-up:
Lock-up is achieved via a stout frame-lock.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1800640x478_zpsb286e08c.jpg)
Jimping:
Some jimping on the base of the spine and top of the spine of the handle, as well as some near the bottom of the inside of the handle. Not fantastic, but not useless.
Size Comparisons:
Here it is next to a couple of other good EDC knives, as well as its cave-dwelling, simpleton cousin, the 1555TI.
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian:
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1817640x478_zps8772eedc.jpg)
Spyderco Delica 4 FFG:
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1820640x478_zps7eee83d4.jpg)
Kershaw 1555TI Cryo:
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1822640x478_zpse04c916a.jpg)
Final Thoughts:
Kershaw looked to spruce up one of its more popular low-cost offerings, the Cryo. It added G10 scale to both increase traction and decrease weight(as the 1555Ti has always been thought to be a bit heavy). It succeeded,,,very marginally. The weight difference is almost unnoticeable, and the traction is still not awesome. The G10 needs to be a little more aggressive in my opinion. As I mentioned, it is better looking in person. Aesthetically, this looks more like a Rick Hinderer knife than the regular Cryo, and it definitely wins style points in my book. I also like the fact that they made these changes and elected not to increase price. As with the Cryo, I think this is a great value knife. It's very tough, cuts very well and is well designed, and as with the original Cryo I'd buy this knife again at its asking price. Kershaw stands by their products, so warranty issues are non-existent in my book. Buy with impunity! And remember, tell them Adrian sent you. They...won't actually know what you are talking about. Man I wish I was a big shot...ugh.
Thanks for reading! As always, feel free to comment or question, and don't be shy with the karma. Reward meeee!!!!!
Hello, my good constituents! I've deigned to come down from on high, from far above in my Ivory Tower, to bless you all with another review!
(Hold for applause...)
Today I'll be sharing one that I've eagerly looked forward to for quite some time. It is the Kershaw 1555G10. It is similar to its less refined sibling, the 1555TI Cryo, only fancied up. I landed this fish for the princely fee of $26.99 shipped via Amazon.com.
Full Disclosure:
I still can't get into the Vikings show. Just doesn't work me up. Sorry.
I paid full asking price for this mutha, and have no stake in either kershaw or Amazon. I am not being compensated for nor asked to do this review. Just doing it out of the kindness of my own heart. My poor, poor heart...
Specifications:
Blade Length: 2.75"
Blade Material: S30V!...just kidding. It's still 8Cr13MoV.
Handle Length: 3.80"
Handle Material: 410 stainless steel liners, G10 scale.
Weight: 3.77oz
Lock Type: Frame lock.
Country of Manufacture: China
Initial Impressions:
Very sweet!
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1802640x478_zps9c106363.jpg)
Blade:
The blade is a modified drop point with a nice false edge. It is hollow ground, and while it cuts well, I cannot say it is as sharp as other Kershaw's that I own. It was a similar situation with my other Cryo's as well, so it was not unexpected. I can say that it passes the paper-cut test with great ease, though. The edge is ground slightly unevenly, being a tiny bit more shallow on the part near the base on one side. Very slight, and it does not affect the performance of the blade, but there. Unlike previous models, this one is not TI coated but rather is stonewashed. Very handsome, but kind of uneven as well. It features the company name on one side, and the model number, designer name and country of manufacture on the other.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1804640x478_zpsf75c61df.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1806640x478_zps3f2608aa.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1809640x478_zps61871b75.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1807640x478_zps010d0e67.jpg)
Handle:
People have long requested a G10 version of this venerable blade, and Kershaw has seen fit to reward us with one. One side of the handle is a black G10 scale over a stainless steel liner, while the lock side is solid 410 stainless steel, done with a stonewash finish. The G10 is actually much nicer in person, with an attractive sheen. I was unable to capture this on photo. Sorry. What the scale is not is really grippy. As a matter of fact, it does not offer much more grip than the TI coated steel model. But whatever, it's still a (tiny)improvement. The stonewash is attractive, but like the blade isn't perfect. The whole works are held together with the usual T6 torx screws, with an adjustable T8 torx pivot, and is a flow-through design. It has a small lanyard hole. It has a deep-carry pocket clip, and is rigged for up or down, right-hand only carry. The flipper also serves as a nice choil.
While the pocket clip is the same as on the TI model, I have to say it looks a tiny bit puny on this model. Not sure why, but that's the way it seems to me.
It also feature the lock over travel disc. All hardware is done in black.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1796640x478_zps6e7bdb03.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1811640x478_zps824f80b2.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1810640x478_zpsfd7d7b51.jpg)
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1813640x478_zpsb0cdcd26.jpg)
Opening:
Opening is achieved via thumb-studs or flipper, and is augmented with Kershaw's Speedsafe technology. Very fast.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1815640x478_zpsc3993cad.jpg)
Centering:
Not good at all. I'd even go so far as to say it was bad. Didn't quite rub the scale, but almost. I have since remedied this.
Before: Terrible.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1812640x478_zpsedc50996.jpg)
After: Not perfect, but better.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1827640x478_zpsed68da47.jpg)
Lock-up:
Lock-up is achieved via a stout frame-lock.
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1800640x478_zpsb286e08c.jpg)
Jimping:
Some jimping on the base of the spine and top of the spine of the handle, as well as some near the bottom of the inside of the handle. Not fantastic, but not useless.
Size Comparisons:
Here it is next to a couple of other good EDC knives, as well as its cave-dwelling, simpleton cousin, the 1555TI.
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian:
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1817640x478_zps8772eedc.jpg)
Spyderco Delica 4 FFG:
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1820640x478_zps7eee83d4.jpg)
Kershaw 1555TI Cryo:
![](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff519/ajordan84/Cryo%20G10/DSCF1822640x478_zpse04c916a.jpg)
Final Thoughts:
Kershaw looked to spruce up one of its more popular low-cost offerings, the Cryo. It added G10 scale to both increase traction and decrease weight(as the 1555Ti has always been thought to be a bit heavy). It succeeded,,,very marginally. The weight difference is almost unnoticeable, and the traction is still not awesome. The G10 needs to be a little more aggressive in my opinion. As I mentioned, it is better looking in person. Aesthetically, this looks more like a Rick Hinderer knife than the regular Cryo, and it definitely wins style points in my book. I also like the fact that they made these changes and elected not to increase price. As with the Cryo, I think this is a great value knife. It's very tough, cuts very well and is well designed, and as with the original Cryo I'd buy this knife again at its asking price. Kershaw stands by their products, so warranty issues are non-existent in my book. Buy with impunity! And remember, tell them Adrian sent you. They...won't actually know what you are talking about. Man I wish I was a big shot...ugh.
Thanks for reading! As always, feel free to comment or question, and don't be shy with the karma. Reward meeee!!!!!