Thomas W- That is great news. I am personally very happy with the 440A Leek (it is my main EDC knife and doesn't see hard use), and I would prefer to spend my money on a totally new Kershaw model (I mean a model I do not have such as a Spec Bump) rather than another Leek. But I think an S30V Leek will be great for Kershaw. The Leek is already a very respected and beloved model, and I think an S30V version will go a long way towards ridding the public of the impression that Kershaw isn't first rate.
The Spec Bump and E.T. are on my "to buy" list, but because I am going to make an order for a Sebenza, SERE2K, Manix, Skirmish, and Griptilian next week, it will be a while before I can buy them (the 2 Kershaws). If you guys bring out some exciting new high-end models before then, I might have to change my list around. If you release anything I'd rather have than a Spec Bump, then you are topping yourself and doing things very right.
Redhat said:
I think for most day to day use the steel found in common knives is just fine for what most of us use an EDC knife for.
I agree. I didn't mean to sound like a steel snob in my post (not that there is anything wrong with being a steel snob). It is just that a lot of people on this forum are steel snobs (again, that isn't a bad thing), and Kershaw is less preferred to them than some other brands.
My Leek is my main EDC knife (though I mix it up *A LOT*). My knives only see light use, so the superior edge retention of S30V isn't a huge deal to me, though the lower price of 440A as well as the better stain resistance is pretty nice. The Leek is a great EDC knife because of the sleek, elegant design that rides well in the pocket, because it is fun to use, and because it is "enough" for EDC chores, and not overbuilt resulting in a higher price. The lower price allows it to make its way into more pockets.
That said, I am getting into higher-end knives and may be leaving my Leek at home soon for a Sebenza, Skirmish, SERE2K etc... So some new high-end Kershaw products would make sure Kershaw gets some pocket time with me. I do think the Spec Bump and Nakamura are high-end, but more variety would help. I also think a wider variety of high-end models would make Kershaw appear more high-end and less like their focus is on people that buy knives at Wal*Mart (and there is nothing wrong with that either- I got my Leek at Wal*Mart). Much of public perception of quality isn't based on how good the best model is, but how many of their models are high-end versus low-end.
There are a lot of Kershaw fans here, but there are more BM and Spyderco fans here. That isn't because any company is better than the next as a matter of fact, but because a lot of the people here tend to buy knives in the $100-400 range and like modern super steels. Kershaw simply doesn't offer as many knives in this class as brands like Spyderco (though Spyderco is probably the closest to Kershaw in terms of price and how much of their model line is cheap versus expensive), Benchmade, MOD, Cold Steel, Emerson, etc...
Ford's supercar (Ford GT) may destroy any closely priced Ferrari or Porsche around a race track (including much more expensive ones)... in fact, it does! But Ford doesn't make many supercars, and Ferrari and Porsche do. So in the public's perception, Ferrari and Porsche are more "first rate". Porsche and Ferrari also make some more expensive and even faster cars. They may be 5 times more expensive than the Ford GT, and only a tiny bit better, but the public sees them as much more high-end, and that makes the company look good.
99.99% of people may not notice the different between 440A and S30V for EDC, but it's a matter of perception.
