While I am new to this forum I have been buying and carrying knives for over fifty years. A lot of cheap ones and a lot of expensive ones. My last purchase was a Buck Mayo TNT an extremely nice knife. I have had custom made knives and production pieces. With price not being a determining factor the nicest knife I have ever owned is the Kershaw Ken Onion Leek. The model I have is the bottom of the line plain blade stainless handle specimen. It just fits my hand better than anything else I have ever handled, the balance is excellent and it holds an edge quite well. The only thing I am looking forward to is the ZDP189 blade with the Titanium hadle that is supposedly on the drawing board. The current version in my mind is an excellent blend of form and function, great job Kershaw! YMMV.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Kershaw - Ken Onion Leek
- Thread starter jvan
- Start date
Never offered in AUS8? I better go recheck mine then. I am 90% sure it says AUS8 on the blade, but I'll double check to be sure.
I understand they come in S30V, an even more brittle steel now. I've broken the tip on mine twice using it for regular work. Kershaw was great about replacing it both times (I really do enjoy their customer service), I just think there is better knives out there in that same price range/category.
I grew out of the cool factor of the assisted opening as well. It's just not the knife for me. I'm not trying to change anyone's opinion, just simply offering mine...
I understand they come in S30V, an even more brittle steel now. I've broken the tip on mine twice using it for regular work. Kershaw was great about replacing it both times (I really do enjoy their customer service), I just think there is better knives out there in that same price range/category.
I grew out of the cool factor of the assisted opening as well. It's just not the knife for me. I'm not trying to change anyone's opinion, just simply offering mine...
- Joined
- May 3, 2005
- Messages
- 959
Well here is my opinion, I think is a winner whether all steel 440A blade basic model or G10/S30V blade model. Blade shape is as useful as they can come and YOU get to choose... G10 or steel or aluminium or Ti 
... 440A or S30V or ZDP-189... not gonna metion even finishes available.... and think if it fits your hand, YOU win...
... 440A or S30V or ZDP-189... not gonna metion even finishes available.... and think if it fits your hand, YOU win...
waynorth
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 32,311
I'm a long time Leek user, and I've never broken a tip! I've had 440 steel for years, and now S30V since they came out early this year! Of course I own several axes, prybars and screwdrivers, not to mention a machete, hammers and chisels, cheap knockoff knives for prying and general abuse, and then some fingernails and teeth;- - - - well you get the idea!!
Hey Thomas . .I love my leek and have seen the s30 version, although I love my 440 stainless to death . .I would really like a s30 with a frame lock as oppose to a liner lock . .is this a reality? . .basicly I looking for my current leek form to have a s30 steel blade and that would be the sweetest spot . .this model seems more streemlined and I love it's slim design.
Also, do you have any info on where I could find a highly polished serrated leek, or if you plan to do something like this in the future with s30? Thanks.
Also, do you have any info on where I could find a highly polished serrated leek, or if you plan to do something like this in the future with s30? Thanks.
robertmegar hit on the thing that I think I like the best about the Leek and that is the usefull blade shape. It has become one of my favorite kitchen knives and will reside on my magnetic knife rack next to the stove once I get my new Ti/ZDP version. Being my EDC it gets used for many other things out of the kitchen like carving walking sticks for the grand kids, opening envelopes and containers and whatever other day to day requirements pop up. I am by no means a steel expert but I do know what I like and I like the Leek.
John
John
Thomas W
Banned
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2005
- Messages
- 5,710
Stephan, the only way to create the Leek you desire, it to Frankenstein two different models of Leeks. There have been a few BF threads on flip/flopping Leek blades and handles that should be able to assist you. It's a fairly easy transition, and all the Leek parts are interchangeable. To date though, there is not an S30V frame lock Leek.
We have done a short run of combo-edged S30V Leeks that one of our distributors wanted. They recently left Kershaw, and should be shipping to dealers by now. This version also had the stone washed finish. S30V certainly won't win any beauty contests, as it doesn't polish up well at all.
We did produce a very, very small run of textured G-10, polished S30V, plain edged Leeks late last year for an east coast distributor, but none were combos.
All these variations get quite confusing, but it is cool, as there should be one or more flavors that people will like.
We have done a short run of combo-edged S30V Leeks that one of our distributors wanted. They recently left Kershaw, and should be shipping to dealers by now. This version also had the stone washed finish. S30V certainly won't win any beauty contests, as it doesn't polish up well at all.
We did produce a very, very small run of textured G-10, polished S30V, plain edged Leeks late last year for an east coast distributor, but none were combos.
All these variations get quite confusing, but it is cool, as there should be one or more flavors that people will like.
Family of Leeks -
I've always loved the Leek for its Frame-Lock and Speed-Safe assisted opening....
Some reviews -
Kershaw/Ken Onion LEEK (pics)
Kershaw Rainbow Leek - a pictorial review
Black "boron" Leek
G-10 S30V Leek (matte version)
A Ti Frame-Lock ZDP189 steel Leek would be really SWEET!
--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2006.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
I've always loved the Leek for its Frame-Lock and Speed-Safe assisted opening....
Some reviews -
Kershaw/Ken Onion LEEK (pics)
Kershaw Rainbow Leek - a pictorial review
Black "boron" Leek
G-10 S30V Leek (matte version)
A Ti Frame-Lock ZDP189 steel Leek would be really SWEET!
--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2006.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
Redhat said:
Honestly I don't even remember. It was quite some time ago.
I wasn't prying with it, but I'm sure I wasn't peeling an apple or anything. I use my knives hard and there are plenty of other blades that have withstood my abuse. The Leek did not.
I also noticed recently that the liner lock of my Leek closes EXTREMELY easy when "white knuckling" the handle. I wish I had noticed this while I still carried it, this is absolutely NOT acceptable in a 'high end' liner lock.
Don't get me wrong, I like Kershaw. I had a Chive and still have a Leek. I haven't tried their framelock version, so I cannot comment on that.
I can certainly understand how the Leek tip could break.
Some knives are just better suited toward certain tasks moreso than others.
I look at the Leek as somewhere between a gents knife and a light-medium duty knife.
It excells at percision cutting in small tight spaces, but it would'nt be my first choice as a general everyday utility folder.
I love the rainbow version and the black Boron version, and I'm eagerly awaiting the titanium one!
Kershaw and Ken Onion are a match made in heaven.
Some knives are just better suited toward certain tasks moreso than others.
I look at the Leek as somewhere between a gents knife and a light-medium duty knife.
It excells at percision cutting in small tight spaces, but it would'nt be my first choice as a general everyday utility folder.
I love the rainbow version and the black Boron version, and I'm eagerly awaiting the titanium one!
Kershaw and Ken Onion are a match made in heaven.
waynorth
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 32,311
I think of a good folder as a precision machine, made to do a good job with finesse. It seems if I'm going to be doing any "white knuckling" I'd use a fixed blade, or a specific prying tool! I guess it's a matter of perception. I agree I wouldn't want a Leek to use if I had to force something; maybe a well sharpened bayonet meant to withstand side forces.
waynorth said:
You and your family are walking to your car after a nice dinner.
You didn't happen to carry a bayonet with you tonight. :jerkit:
Some punk comes up and threatens you and yours, all you have is your trusty EDC. Now would you like this knife to stand up to a white knuckling test? There are PLENTY of other knives in the Leek's price range/category that WILL pass that test.
While this is an extreme story, it is still a very possible one. The only knife I can rely on to ALWAYS be with me is my basic 3" EDC. Currently, that's an Axis locked BM Griptilian. It wont fail me just by holding it tightly in my hands.
Yeah, I'm sure the framelock version is stronger. Is the G10 version a framelock?
I'd still prefer a more stable blade tip. The S30V is even more brittle than the original steel used (440A)? I can only imagine more problems coming from that.
The leek is advertised as a "gents" knife, yet it has the assisted opening feature. Generally a "gents" knife is used in offices where sheeple are everywhere. I wouldn't exactly say assisted opening is practical for a gents knife setting. Seems like Kershaw is contradicting themselves in the marketing of the exact same knife.
I'd still prefer a more stable blade tip. The S30V is even more brittle than the original steel used (440A)? I can only imagine more problems coming from that.
The leek is advertised as a "gents" knife, yet it has the assisted opening feature. Generally a "gents" knife is used in offices where sheeple are everywhere. I wouldn't exactly say assisted opening is practical for a gents knife setting. Seems like Kershaw is contradicting themselves in the marketing of the exact same knife.