Lots of interest in the G-10 S30V version of the Kershaw Ken Onion Leek.
This is the matte/grippy version - ie: the regular full production knife Model # 1660G10
The Kershaw Leek is one of my all time favorite knives -
I like the Leek so much that I have three (well, ok 3 different versions) -
Kershaw/Ken Onion LEEK (pics)
Kershaw Rainbow Leek - a pictorial review
Black "boron" Leek
........ now 4
.
Twice already the Kershaw Leek met or exceeded my expectations - read the previous reviews to see what I mean.
So how does this much anticipated full-production G-10 S30V Leek do?
Compared with the regular all steel Leek -
Closed -
OK same familiar size and shape - it fits me real well - the G-10 feels really grippy and almost to the point of being rough - but gives LOTS of confidence that it will not slip - almost no-matter-what......
Being G-10 the knife is noticably thicker than the all steel versions -
However it is still very much in proportion and does not look or feel too thick. In fact it probably is more in proportion - because it's the all steel Leeks that are actually slimmer than the norm.
Being thicker the thumb-studs are now pretty much unusable, since they are well below the level of the scales - it's not a big deal since I and most others use the index-open/flipper. Even though they may seem now even more superfluous, one should not remove the thumb-studs as discussed before they act as the stop-pin for the knife (see first review link at top of this page for a detailed explanation).
The G-10 edges are very nicely finished all the corners are very nicely rounded.
A small but practical point - because the G-10 is so grippy to the point of rough - I found that clipping the knife to the pocket actually pretty difficult - especially to fleece type material. This may also cause long term wear problems on the pocket(s).
The other major difference (other than the materials) is that the G-10 Leek is a
Liner-Lock vs. the Frame-Lock of the all steel versions -
The liner - just fully on the blade tang - I would have prefered the liner to be over a bit more to perhaps 1/2 way - however others may prefer this as it allows more room for wear.
When I did spine-whacks with a newspaper covered table edge - it passed fine - with no hint of release, or any damage - other than the dings in the newspaper padding....
The other attraction obviously is the use of the "premium" S30V steel -
S30V is etched on the tang.......
the stone-washed finish (sometimes call cracked-ice finish) is very nice and attractive - it seems a very sensible finish that combines attractiveness with the practicality of not showing wear/scratches easily.
So does this S30V steel blade cut things better......?
It slices free hanging paper fine....
Looking at the close-up photo of the blades above carefully - one can make out that the bevel of the edge seems narrower on the S30V blade - the actual edge has a less acute angle than the regular all steel version.
This probably means the S30V edge will last longer in use -
not only due to the steel itself -
but because of the edge geometry.
BUT -
my ad-hoc cardboard cutting shows that the S30V blade cuts less deeply than the 2 all steel versions I tried - both of which have visibly more acute edge bevels.
However it would seem as if Kershaw may have deliberately put a more obtuse edge on the S30V Leek blade to ensure that the edge will last noticably longer than the plain old 440A blades - but at a possible detriment to actual cutting ability.......
For me this is not a big problem - as I can easily reprofile the edge bevel - probably rolling and getting rid of the hard shoulder between the edge and the blade face - almost convexing the edge.
I really like the G-10 S30V Leek - it's now my fourth Leek and a worthy one because of the "premium" materials used -
However life is full of trade-offs - going G-10 S30V means -
- going from a Frame-Lock to a Liner-lock
- less slim - but some may prefer the the more substantial handle to grip
- very grippy - but may be too grippy causing some difficulties clipping to the pocket.
- S30V should hold edge longer - so the more obtuse edge bevel probably was not necessary - as it cuts less deeply compared to my regular Leek(s) 440A blades.
--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2006.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
This is the matte/grippy version - ie: the regular full production knife Model # 1660G10
The Kershaw Leek is one of my all time favorite knives -
I like the Leek so much that I have three (well, ok 3 different versions) -
Kershaw/Ken Onion LEEK (pics)
Kershaw Rainbow Leek - a pictorial review
Black "boron" Leek
........ now 4
.Twice already the Kershaw Leek met or exceeded my expectations - read the previous reviews to see what I mean.
So how does this much anticipated full-production G-10 S30V Leek do?
Compared with the regular all steel Leek -
Closed -
OK same familiar size and shape - it fits me real well - the G-10 feels really grippy and almost to the point of being rough - but gives LOTS of confidence that it will not slip - almost no-matter-what......
Being G-10 the knife is noticably thicker than the all steel versions -
However it is still very much in proportion and does not look or feel too thick. In fact it probably is more in proportion - because it's the all steel Leeks that are actually slimmer than the norm.
Being thicker the thumb-studs are now pretty much unusable, since they are well below the level of the scales - it's not a big deal since I and most others use the index-open/flipper. Even though they may seem now even more superfluous, one should not remove the thumb-studs as discussed before they act as the stop-pin for the knife (see first review link at top of this page for a detailed explanation).
The G-10 edges are very nicely finished all the corners are very nicely rounded.
A small but practical point - because the G-10 is so grippy to the point of rough - I found that clipping the knife to the pocket actually pretty difficult - especially to fleece type material. This may also cause long term wear problems on the pocket(s).
The other major difference (other than the materials) is that the G-10 Leek is a
Liner-Lock vs. the Frame-Lock of the all steel versions -
The liner - just fully on the blade tang - I would have prefered the liner to be over a bit more to perhaps 1/2 way - however others may prefer this as it allows more room for wear.
When I did spine-whacks with a newspaper covered table edge - it passed fine - with no hint of release, or any damage - other than the dings in the newspaper padding....
The other attraction obviously is the use of the "premium" S30V steel -
S30V is etched on the tang.......
the stone-washed finish (sometimes call cracked-ice finish) is very nice and attractive - it seems a very sensible finish that combines attractiveness with the practicality of not showing wear/scratches easily.
So does this S30V steel blade cut things better......?
It slices free hanging paper fine....
Looking at the close-up photo of the blades above carefully - one can make out that the bevel of the edge seems narrower on the S30V blade - the actual edge has a less acute angle than the regular all steel version.
This probably means the S30V edge will last longer in use -
not only due to the steel itself -
but because of the edge geometry.
BUT -
my ad-hoc cardboard cutting shows that the S30V blade cuts less deeply than the 2 all steel versions I tried - both of which have visibly more acute edge bevels.
However it would seem as if Kershaw may have deliberately put a more obtuse edge on the S30V Leek blade to ensure that the edge will last noticably longer than the plain old 440A blades - but at a possible detriment to actual cutting ability.......
For me this is not a big problem - as I can easily reprofile the edge bevel - probably rolling and getting rid of the hard shoulder between the edge and the blade face - almost convexing the edge.
I really like the G-10 S30V Leek - it's now my fourth Leek and a worthy one because of the "premium" materials used -
However life is full of trade-offs - going G-10 S30V means -
- going from a Frame-Lock to a Liner-lock
- less slim - but some may prefer the the more substantial handle to grip
- very grippy - but may be too grippy causing some difficulties clipping to the pocket.
- S30V should hold edge longer - so the more obtuse edge bevel probably was not necessary - as it cuts less deeply compared to my regular Leek(s) 440A blades.
--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2006.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
