Kershaw Leek CPM-D2 or Spyderco Endura?

M

Mephtyrm

Joined
Jan 23, 2011
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I can get only one of these knives for the about the same price.
What do you recommend? I'm of course talking about the FFG Endura and the composite leek.
 
I have the FFG Delica 4 and composite Leek. I'd say that the Leek offers more for the money; longer blade, assisted opening, stainless steel handles, nice finishing, D2 steel (which will retain an edge better than VG-10, but can rust), and a great warranty. But the Delica/Endura is a knife that is really functional once you get used to it. After some use, you'll appreciate how light it is, how well it slices, and how comfortable it is. You can't go wrong with either.
 
I'd take the Endura. I think it's a better general use knife than the Leek. The blade has a more versatile size and shape. The handle provides better grip. I have a Leek(though not the composite version) and have a Delica 4(but not an Endura.) The bling of that composite Leek is sure attractive though.
 
For my part, I say Endura. In my view its more of a general usage EDC, whereas the Leek is more akin to a gentlemen's knife with a that delicate tip. The Leek stick out of my pocket too far as well, though I like the assisted opener.

You should gave both in your arsenal. But the Endura first, and save up for the Leek.

:thumbup:
 
The Delica is more comparable to the Leek due to size. I really like the Delica/Endura Wave and the Leek. It would almost be a toss up for me, but I prefer manual knives in general. I wouldn't say the Delica necessarily has a more utliitarian blade shape as I've found wharnecliffes to be very useful for EDC. But the Delica/Endura will have a more secure handle for hard work. The Leek's handle is a little thin, but that makes it great for pocket carry.
 
I guess I'll get the Endura. This was more of an introduction to the companies and I guess I'll try the Spyderhole.
Thanks everybody I'll try to post pics if my scanner will work.
 
Spyderco and Kershaw are both market leaders. I have more experience with spyderco though because kershaw put out many designs that did not strike me as practical. I don't care for assisted opening, to me it is one more thing that can break, a gimmick. I prefer the spyderhole over the flipper or the thumbstud. The spyderco is fool proof positive opening every time. Place thumb in hole, roll thumb out, feel blade open fully and lock up. No wrist flick, no partial opening or failed lockup.

That said, the Endura would be more akin to the Shallot in Kershaw's lineup (which is a great knife itself) and the Delica would be the cousin to the Leek. I would pick the Endura though, hands down, every time. The D2 Leek might have better edge retention, but the VG-10 Endura will be easier to bring back to a hair shaving edge, it is a compromise. The stainless steel VG-10 is less corrosion prone than the tool steel D2 as well.

Both are great companies that stand behind their top notch products but i have more experience with Spyderco, more of my preferences are met in their knives, and so I will 99% of the time lean towards choosing a spyderco over most other brands...YMMV
 
Darn. I missed your comment, Thomas. :(

I've got an FFG Endura and a Composite Leek and I love them both. The Endura lives in my gun safe. The Composite Leek lives in my pocket.

'Nuff said. :)
 
Mephtyrm said:
I guess I'll get the Endura. This was more of an introduction to the companies and I guess I'll try the Spyderhole.
Thanks everybody I'll try to post pics if my scanner will work.
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The Endura is a great knife, long and slender. Don't go to long without picking up a Leek, it's a great gents knife that can handle more then you think.
 
You can't go wrong with either imo both are great companies with great products I'd go with the endura though because I like the ergos better.
 
I hope it wasn't something I said that got Thomas W to comment. I have several Kershaw knives. The OD-1 is the fastest opening knife that I own. I am not a huge fan of some of the wierd recurves or odd shaped handles and large obtrusive clips on some of Kershaw's models. That said, when money permits, I want a ZT to take on my lobster boat to review. Until then..some Kershaw pron from around the waterfront...

The knife isn't mine, it belongs to the outboard mechanic that does work on my father's boat. I was helping him out one day a few years ago.

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When I first met him he had a Leek. This would be around 2002 or so and he asked me to sharpen it. The edge was so bad it took me forever on the sharpmaker to get it back to a working edge. This guy abused his knife. Aside from the blunt edge and a LOT of scratches, the knife locked up solid with no play and the spring assist was still decent. I believe the blade steel was AUS-6 on that particular leek. I don't know what happened to it. The next time I saw him use a knife it was the Junkyard Dog above.
 
I have a Leek and an Endura. I'd say the Endura is more practical, just due to its more durable design. If I were comparing an Endura to something of similar size and tip strength(like a composite JYD or Shallot,) I'd probably go with the composite Kershaw.

These are all great knives, though. Each is amazing in its own niche.
 
I have both knives and they are for different applications, in my opinion. The Endura is a working knife, all ergos and practical function, not super pretty. The Leek is a gentleman's knife, pretty and practical. They are also different sizes. The Leek has a 3" blade, the Endura's is 3.75". They are both great knives, just great in different ways.
 
The edge on my kershaw jyd composite has held up quite well and much longer than 2 days before any sharpening was needed. The Only reason why I sharpened it all was to compare sharpening d2 and cpmd2. I actually thought the cmpd2 was easier to sharpen. I would highly recommend the leek composite or any kershaw/ztcomposite knife. I own several now and they have all exceeded my expectations. The speed assist is a sweet feature that has really grown on me the more I play and use my kershaws/zt's with em. I wouldn't own so many kershaws if I didnt think they were well built or if I ever did get a defective knife that they would not take care of me. My vote is for the leek composite but I bet either knife will fit your needs.
 
to the OP.....

really either knife would be fine. i have both kershaws/ZT's and spyderco's. both are well made and solid performers.
 
I say get the endura. The assisted opening gets kinda yucky sounding when it gets dirty aka if you actually use the knife. The endura/delica series is one of the best, and you really cannot go wrong with it. At least that's my opinion. yes the d2 is much better of a steel than just a plain sandvic. I have owned both the regular model of the leek, and the d2 model. my friend has owned the S30V g10 model, and i sold the others that i had to friends. They have good blade shapes for edc stuff, but the assisted opening just gets dirty too easy in my pocket. it tends to attract dust and fuzzies. I like my g10 delica much better, and find the vg10 to hold a pretty good edge too. My friend with the s30v leek has switched over to spyderco as well.
 
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Such different knives. Leek is going to slice better, Spyderco will be more durable. Leek almost disappears in the pocket, Endura is a medium to large knife, still slim though. I gotta get goin, the shiny foot prints are blinding me...
 
orchunter93 said:
I say get the endura. The assisted opening gets kinda yucky sounding when it gets dirty aka if you actually use the knife. The endura/delica series is one of the best, and you really cannot go wrong with it. At least that's my opinion. yes the d2 is much better of a steel than just a plain sandvic. I have owned both the regular model of the leek, and the d2 model. my friend has owned the S30V g10 model, and i sold the others that i had to friends. They have good blade shapes for edc stuff, but the assisted opening just gets dirty too easy in my pocket. it tends to attract dust and fuzzies. I like my g10 delica much better, and find the vg10 to hold a pretty good edge too. My friend with the s30v leek has switched over to spyderco as well.
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Does it get "kinda yucky sounding when it gets dirty" in your pocket or when you use it? Pick one.
Maybe you're using the wrong end. Are you sticking the handle into muck or mud? :confused:
I know if I get dirt/crud in the handle of my Spyderco, Benchmade, Case or whatever brand they do not function as well if they were clean.
 
Would like some help to I am torn between the composite rake jyd and leek

This is for EDC also so that's a factor in my decision I am also considering a new cs ak-47 (I currently own and love the old model with the axis lock)
 
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