Kershaw Ken Onion Leek [bi-metal or composite]

elpidi0526

elpidi0526

Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
48
I just got my Blade Magazine (April 2009) and it has an article on the composite Kershaw Ken Onion-designed Leeks. It looks like a beautiful knife. My main preference is for the plain edge.

There's not a whole lot of sweep to the blade but one thing that caught my eye about the knife (the composite edition, that is) was that the edge is actually CPM-D2 steel while the rest of the blade is the Sandvik 13C26...which, as the magazine also talks about, is a brilliant and novel idea in cutting down the costs of an entire blade composed of the costlier CPM-D2.

On YouTube, I subscribe to a couple of knife 'gurus' including nutnfancy. Nutnfancy says that his major concern about the knife is its possible lackluster performance under heavy use (the lower end Leeks come in 440A steel [nutnfancy said his was 420 Stainless?])--hence his subsequent caveat that the blade is, at best, "a gentleman's blade."

My question is for those who own the composite blade. How does it wear? Does the heat treatment on this D2 warrant the blade's carry options extending past a simple "gentleman's folder"? If anyone has both the 440A option and the composite blade, can you give a description on how both operate, wear, etc.

I love the look of the knife--and if nothing else--I'll probably buy it as a simple collector's item, but I'd be psyched if someone were to tell me that the composite edition of the Leek is a substantial EDC option. If one has experience with the knife, compare it some other EDC favorites (e.g. Spyderco Tenacious, Endura, Delica; SOG Aegis, Flash I or II; Benchmade...blah blah blah).

Thanks.
elpidi
 
Hi elpidi, welcome to the forums! I have been EDCing a Kershaw Leek CB for almost a year now, of course in rotation with other knives. For me the Leek is a great EDC, it is light, has a slim profile which carries pretty well in my pocket and the bladeshape is really useful for a lot of chores I'm facing every day. It would never put it to 'hard use' because this is not what it has been made for. The tip will not take much abuse, but if I want to pry sth open I use a prybar/old screwdriver and not my Leek or my Military.
The design of the blade got a lot of attention because the nice pattern the two steels form, even non-knife people liked the knife when they first saw it. The Leek is quite like a gentleman's knife, but I don't consider this to be a bad thing, cause I don't need a Strider-like built folder. For opening boxes, letters and wrappings, for cutting fruits, vegetables or threads, the Leek just performs great. So my advice would be: Get this knife, enjoy it, there are not many knives out there that look alike. I like the CPM-D2 in this knife as I do in my Military, good edge retention, gets pretty sharp and I haven't had any issues with rust yet. I hope this helps a lil' bit.

Take care,
CZ
 
Thanks for the welcome!

And thank you for the response. Very informative. Everyone keeps mentioning the tip as the most vulnerable part of the blade (makes sense given the design). And I know that while the D2 is a step up from the 13C26, the D2 does have a bit of a reputation for being brittle--something else to consider, I suppose. Nevertheless, I think I will give the Leek a go! It will be a while before I can purchase the inimitable (and EXPENSIVE!!) Chris Reeves Sebenza and I'd like a nice sleek knife to carry, especially when I have to attend those horrid suit-and-tie events. (Gotta have something to remind me that I'm more redneck than refined. lol!)

Thanks again morales.
 
I have a G-10 Leek in S30V. Costs more, but I prefer the steel. Mine has the polished G-10, which is no longer made- but you can still get the textured G-10.
 
elpidi0526 said:
Thanks for the welcome!

And thank you for the response. Very informative. Everyone keeps mentioning the tip as the most vulnerable part of the blade (makes sense given the design). And I know that while the D2 is a step up from the 13C26, the D2 does have a bit of a reputation for being brittle--something else to consider, I suppose. Nevertheless, I think I will give the Leek a go! It will be a while before I can purchase the inimitable (and EXPENSIVE!!) Chris Reeves Sebenza and I'd like a nice sleek knife to carry, especially when I have to attend those horrid suit-and-tie events. (Gotta have something to remind me that I'm more redneck than refined. lol!)

Thanks again morales.
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Welcome. Kershaw has it's own forum here if you're interested...lots of good info on Leeks with some nice pictures as well.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=809

The Leek you're talking about is a fine knife. CPM-D2 is a good performer. I'm not really sure about D2 having a reputation for being brittle but having used my Leek with CPM-D2 quite a bit, I can tell you with certainty the CPM-D2 Kershaw is using isn't brittle. I thinned mine down to about 20 degrees (10 per side) and convexed the edge. If it was brittle...I would have seen some evidence of it by now. Pick one up...you'll be happy with it.
 
I just got a Kershaw Shallot in CPM-S110V. Similar to the Leek and a nice little knife. I also got a Kershaw Tyrade which is CPM-D2/154CM. Really nice, massive and both made in the USA. Kershaw seems to be making some limited runs of composites. Make sure they are in stock before you order because some have been sold out.
Also, I just bought a couple of close out MOD/Blackhawk knives from the factory. Clearance sale to get rid of old stock or whatever. I got the MOD BESHARA XSF-1 in A2 which goes for a couple hundred bucks for $105. And a Crucible FX which retails out at about $150 for $99. Am looking at the S-30V Nightwing too as it's only $116.00. The BESHARA XSF-1 has a unique double edge blade style. More of a field knife. Nice kydex sheath which can ride high or low. I got a MOD Ayoob Razorback a long time ago and it is a solid little knife. Anyway, you can't go wrong with the Kershaw composites.
(( please read the FAQ on deal spotting ))
 
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Ragnarok137 said:
I just got a Kershaw Shallot in CPM-S110V. Similar to the Leek and a nice little knife. I also got a Kershaw Tyrade which is CPM-D2/154CM. Really nice, massive and both made in the USA. Kershaw seems to be making some limited runs of composites. Make sure they are in stock before you order because some have been sold out.
Also, I just bought a couple of close out MOD/Blackhawk knives from the factory. Clearance sale to get rid of old stock or whatever. I got the MOD BESHARA XSF-1 in A2 which goes for a couple hundred bucks for $105. And a Crucible FX which retails out at about $150 for $99. Am looking at the S-30V Nightwing too as it's only $116.00. The BESHARA XSF-1 has a unique double edge blade style. More of a field knife. Nice kydex sheath which can ride high or low. I got a MOD Ayoob Razorback a long time ago and it is a solid little knife. Anyway, you can't go wrong with the Kershaw composites.
(( please read the FAQ on deal spotting ))
Click to expand...
(( he can't edit it out of your post, though :p ))

Ragnarok137,

You might want to edit your post and remove that link. It is considered "deal spotting" and isn't allowed here.

Rules
 
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Thank you for the welcome morrowj_98! I appreciate the link to the kershaw forum. I'll definitely check that out. And yeah, that's awesome that you haven't had any problems out of this D2 blade. In fact, that's the reason I'm asking about it, viz., "How does this D2-steeled-knife perform?"

The potential problem with D2 is that, sadly, all D2 steel is not identical. The chemical content of D2 tool steel is 1.4-1.6% carbon, 0.60% manganese, 11.00-13.00% chromium, 0.30% nickel, 1.10% vanadium, and 0.70-1.20% molybdenum. However, as chemist Michael Black has stated in a recent knife periodical, "Every production lot has allowable plus or minus fluctuation in the component contents. This means that it is possible for the variables to stack in a way that may either result in an ordinarily servicable knife or in an extraordinarily good knife." And perhaps no one produces a better D2 steel than Bob Dozier--the flipside to this, however, is that there are other manufacturers that botch up the component percentages because of subpar quality control specifications (as well as the necessary heat treatment) and the end result can be a brittle blade that chips easily--a shame considering we're paying a higher price for the D2. HOWEVER, since you say that you've never had that kind of problem with the Leek, that makes me happy (again, that's the kind of info I was hoping to get from those like you who actually own & use the knife). So thank you very, very much.

And billbo66, yeah the G10-handled - S30V Stainless Leek definitely caught my eye. I personally love the G10 material (feels great in the hand) and I this edition of the knife on my list too.

Again, a special thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome here in my first two days on the site. Very much appreciated.
 
I don't have the leek but I do have the composite JYD II and one of my friends has the composite leek. IMO they are some of the best looking knives with some of the best steel available. CPM-D2 is not what I would call a brittle steel it performs better than a lot of other steels and takes an amazing edge. I like the way it wears compared to other steels because the edge does not roll or chip but seems to evenly degrade, like any steel though if you hit something hard you will end up with some dings in the edge. CPM-D2 is my preferred EDC steel along with ZDP and S90V, once you have used one of these steels all others IMO just don't seem to meet the grade. You won't be disappointed with this knife but you may find yourself buying more composite kershaws. :)
 
Welcome elpid! As morrowj said, check out the Kershaw sub for all the info you need.

As for the blade steels, nutnfancy has been known to make a few mistakes before. This might be the case here. All Leeks (except for the CB, S30V, 110V) have been Sandvik 13C26 since, well at least July 2007. I don't think there was ever a Leek done in 420. As you mentioned there is a good difference between D2 and CPM-D2. Having the powdered metallurgy allows for a much finer grain composition than standard D2. I've never had any issues with the CPM-D2. Kershaw is also introducing knives in a proprietary steel they and Sandvik came up with: 14C28N.

Stop by the Kershaw sub and introduce yourself!
 
Welcome to the forums

Keep in mind that CPM D2 is a different animal than D2. It is finer grained with a more even carbide distribution since it is a crucible powder metal. It performs better and is more durable than regular D2. Kershaw does a great job with their CPM D2.

SPX beat me to it,lol.
 
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CPM-D2 vs. (regular) D2.

Yep, you're right. Didn't think about (doh!). Thanks for welcome fellas!
 
here is kind of half the answer:D i own a random leek and a compostite JYDII. leek is in my edc rotation and i use it(lightly) the steel is 14c28n. the composite edge on the JYDII is great, i can get it super sharp.
IMG_1915.jpg

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