Intro, and a roughly $100 question

I would echo the Bel Air recommendations. Criminally underrated. They really gave us everything we ever wanted, and no one really noticed it. The one thing about my Leek that bummed me was how slick it was when closing. They have a great feel for the axis lock detent. Iridium especially. That thing feels like an auto, and it's all because of the clever geometry.
 
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lambertiana said:
That clip point/micarta Bel Air is sorely tempting me...too bad my budget is pretty stressed right now. How do you rate Kershaw's execution of the axis/crossbar lock compared to Benchmade? Which is smoother to operate?
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I have one Bugout. Props for bringing the mechanism to market, but if I did nothing but fiddle, the Bel Airs were consistently slightly better action. Then, I swapped the scales on the Bugout, which seemed to slightly improve it. I dunno, they operate very similarly to me, but with zero adjustment, out of the box, I'd say the Bel Airs were smoother.

The Bugout has marginal advantages in weight and length. But I give it to Kershaw for full frames, steel, and price. That's just my firm opinion.

https://flic.kr/p/2rs3v4U
 
edgelion said:
This one has been with me for a little while. There were a number of features present to "try out," as we do, and I picked the "pretty" version when it was on sale.
https://flic.kr/p/2r4PgMF
First thing I did was flip the clip. I don't know how much of a difference that made, but it has not slipped out of my pocket.
This knife taught me that I don't need assisted opening. Yet.
I also became sure that the blade shape is not my favorite.
However, I do appreciate the smooth scales. It's one of the few in my regular rotation that I can pull without it trying to bring my pocket with it.
It sounds like you would be happiest with a direct replacement.

That said, I do not believe there are any better folders in Magnacut for the money than the Belair. I highly recommend it.
https://flic.kr/p/2r8RsEb
The action is so smooth, I bet you won't miss the assistance. Blade is slightly thinner stock than a Leek, but I find the taller profile much easier for control. The clip point is personally my favorite. Very slim, very light in the pocket, very comfy in my hands. Better grip surface if the smooth steel is your only dislike.

I'd say get your Leek, but if budget allows try both.
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That Micarta option has peaked my interest!
 
There are carabiner clips to be had in a wide variety of sizes. You could get a length of cord or bead chain, pass it through the lanyard hole on the Leek, connect the other end to a small carabiner, and clip the carabiner to the belt loop near your pocket. The one between your pocket and your front pants fastener mechanism.

This assumes that your outer wear has belt loops, of course. Who am I to judge?

I've seen small leather slip sheaths with pocket clips, too. The leather might have a little more sticktivity to keep a Leek in place.

A cross-draw belt sheath? Again, assuming you wear a belt, and there aren't a lot of Gentle Souls in your area who will act like carrying in a cross draw sheath is the equivalent of unzipping in the middle of the shopping mall......
 
edgelion said:
I'd like to thank you for introducing a word into my vocabulary that Google doesn't have a good answer for.
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The English language is my play toy, and I use it, abuse it, and break it, for my own (and sometimes others') amusement.

The idea of making Google give up is also intensely pleasing. Did you know there's a game, called "Google Whacking"? The goal is to find a word or phrase which generates exactly one search result.
 
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