Removing the Torsion Bar from the Kershaw Cryo

A brief look at the Kershaw Cryo's torsion bar and how to remove it. After trying it myself, I've decided to leave the torsion bar in place. However, for those who are curious, it can certainly be removed.

The pivot tension can be adjusted to the point that the knife won't open in your pocket, but at that point, you'll sacrifice the ability to flick the knife open using the flipper. Conversely, you can loosen the pivot to make the blade easy enough to flick but I'd be careful with this configuration in your pocket as the knife will open with very little pressure.

Thanks for watching!

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[Reginahomeboy]

i bought this knife just today after looking at your video about it my old knife was a gerber paraframe knife that i used for work. so far this knife is perfect for my edc

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

I don't own a Cryo anymore, but I've read this tip from a few folks now. Looks like a nice modification for those that have the skill (and nerves!) to try it. Thanks for sharing, Ulph!

[GuroBillyBrown]

I have never see a legality issue towards assisted openers! I carry blades daily. I teach blade combatives and have used them in self defense situations! I have never had an assisted opener accidentally open or malfunction. It is all about how you train with your tools to insure how they preform! Thanks for the videos!

[mikea.drover]

Thanks for the video! And I am a subscriber. For the cleaning my 1555TI Cryo . I use this knife for my EDC and use it hard, a tool. Fyi cutting bags open of mortar and sand, not good on the workings of any knife. But the 1555TI can be field striped like any firearm. Your vid gave me the courage to do so. All said and done the Kershaw is back together and working as well as it did from the company.
Best regard
Mike A. Drover
~M~

[dakine]

Wow the bar is totally different from their other assisted models. Great job on the video. I know a lot of people were going to try this. I did the same with a ZT350 and it holds the blade in better.

[mooseclappin]

Please forgive me if you have already done this, but I suggest taking it apart again, and bending the lockbar over. Doing so will strengthen the detent, but if you screw it up, it may become too strong. Such things take a lot of trial and error, but are well worth it in the end.

[mikehughes]

Thanks for the video. I found it interesting, nice to see the inside before you open one. It is a very simple setup. I'm glad you found quality in the construction. I do like Kershaw knives a lot (for the price point).  Tooztatz

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

Yeah, that's really great to hear. I no longer own a Cryo but I may take the Cryo 2 for a spin when it releases. Thanks very much for the info!

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

Definitely. I'd be worried about not being precise enough in my drilling and ending up with a wiggly closure. I've also read as much regarding the ZT0350 and how nice it is when converted to manual opening. Kershaw, are you reading this??!

[nordicomsystems]

I de-assisted my Cryo II about an hour ago but not by choice.

I was watching TV and playing with is (it was my favorite assisted opener) and I heard a "pop" from the inside of the knife. Suddenly the flipper was toast.

I remembered having watched this video when I first got the Cryo and didn't wanna mess with it since the one in this vid had no detent obviously but now I had to either fix it or remove the torsion bar and hope for the best.

After taking it apart and de-greasing it I removed the bar, applied Frog Lube to the appropriate parts, put it back together, adjusted the pivot screw and it's fine now.
Mine has a detent and holds the blade closed although it's not the strongest detent I've ever seen. It certainly works though and I'll update after I've carried it for a few weeks and we'll see if it opening in my pocket is an issue.

[WOEShorts]

Ah, it was a good attempt for knife science anyhow Abe! I feel the same way about spring assisted knives. I'm not really sure why, but the only flippers I gravitate towards are those that are non-assisted. I guess to me having a knife that is very dependent on a torsion bar that could break eventually is a bit of a turn off. I'm sure the Cryo will do just fine though. Interesting vid man! Thanks for sharing!

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

I would try adjusting the body screws and pivot screw together (turning one and the others) and see if that helps any. Mine has a sweet spot at the pivot that is almost too tight right before it's pretty well centered and it's easy to miss. And don't worry if it isn't 100% perfectly centered; a lot of times frame lock blades will sit just a bit out of center from the lock scale's pressure.

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

Hi there! Sorry I missed your comment until just now. Unfortunately, I'm not sure which Speedsafe knives take well to removal of the torsion bar. In fact, the only one I know for certain works well without is the Blur (and now, the 0350, thanks to you!). I believe the Echelon can also have its assisted feature removed and still function well, but don't hold me to it -- it just seems that I've heard that before. Thank you for watching!

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

I'd probably get the best of both worlds (Cryo + Skyline) and go for a Kershaw Leek, which I prefer to either knife. Thin, light, but still very stout feeling with its stainless steel frame lock (unless you go for a G10 or aluminum variant) and a very unobtrusive flipper. If either the Cryo or Skyline really speaks to you though, you can't go wrong. They're all really well-built and should give many years of great service.

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

You might like the Cryo II, expected by the end of the year. It should have a much more appealing (to you and me) 3.25" blade and longer handle to match. I can't wait to get my hands on one. The Cryo design is very appealing, but like you, I much prefer a larger blade.

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

Thanks for watching. I watched your contest video the other day and I plan on entering soon -- I just have to come up with an idea for it that'll hopefully be interesting. Talk to you soon!

[dangerpea]

Where are you dissasembling this knife, the Clockwork Orange milk bar ?

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

Exactly. I just found out that my new and beloved Kershaw Piston also lacks a detent and cannot be "de-assisted". Bummer! I'm with you: I really wish Kershaw would design their A/O knives with this option in mind. Hopefully the concept will gain traction over time and we'll see this open up a little. Thanks for watching!

[loliown]

Hey sweet video. I was wondering if you had this problem with your cryo. I have had my cryo for just about a week now and it has been making this creaking noise as it closes. I have looked to see if it is rubbing on the side but it is not. Does it just need some lubricant? or did I break it. Thanks

[sherman]

Great video, man!
And I don't like assisted knives generally either. That's what kept me from getting the Kershaw Knockout, Piston, and Rake. But for the price of this knife, I don't mind it at all :) And yeah, pretty much every assisted Kershaw acts the same when you take the torsion bar out. It's the only thing that keeps the blade in the handle basically