Kershaw Leek replacement

wickedwheels · Dec 11, 2015

Spiderco does not appear to have assisted opening or a flipper. The Amplitude doesn't appear to have a safety... And looks just as thin as Leek. I think I'll snap the tip off again, like with half dozen leeks

RichardBay · Dec 11, 2015

2nd for 940. Love it

vanslem6 · Dec 11, 2015

wickedwheels said:
Spiderco does not appear to have assisted opening or a flipper.

That's what I like about 'em.

Delica is my best box slicer - I break down a lot of boxes. Perhaps that new HAP40 model will stay sharp a little longer than the VG10 does?

RichardBay said:
2nd for 940. Love it

I love mine too, but it sucks at breaking down cardboard. The studs get in the way, and it's just too fat behind the edge. Your mileage will vary.

MaxFisher · Dec 11, 2015

wickedwheels said:
I played with a Benchmade Mini Barrage today and liked the size and loved the safety lock. I didn't like the feel of the knife... felt cheap, for lack of a better word.

I would like to have something with a safety lock as well. I have little kids and sometimes they get into my pockets. The Leek one is pretty crappy, but it's better than nothing. I don't see that as a feature on the ZKs. Am I missing it? Those knives seem great otherwise.

Just announced this morning that Benchmade is bringing out a grey G-10 version of the mini Barrage for 2016. That might be right up your alley. There is also the 586 mini Barrage with M390 blade steel and G-10 with aluminum bolsters. Both of those would do the trick without feeling cheap. While I see your point on the original mini Barrage, I carry and use one regularly, and it is an amazing knife.

flarp · Dec 11, 2015

+1 on the ZT 0450. It's just a little larger than the Leek. It still carries very slim in pocket (which was one of my favorite features of the Leek), but just a little more stout.

Here are a couple of shots that show a Leek and 0450.

NeilB · Dec 11, 2015

If you continue to snap the tips off of fine points, then stop carrying a knife with a fine point. Carry a knife that doesn't have one, like a CRKT Folding Razel. I keep a stubby folding Razel around just because.

Bill1170 · Dec 11, 2015

Kershaw Blur.

wickedwheels · Dec 12, 2015

flarp said:
+1 on the ZT 0450. It's just a little larger than the Leek. It still carries very slim in pocket (which was one of my favorite features of the Leek), but just a little more stout.

Here are a couple of shots that show a Leek and 0450.

That was incredibly helpful. Thank you!!!

Does the 0450 have a safety like the Leek? My 2-year-old and 5-year-old get into my pockets sometimes and the safety helps to keep it safe... even though I've broken the Leek ones quite a few times.

JuJu- · Dec 12, 2015

No safety like on the onion series knives. These are not assisted knives, they are bearing flipper knives. The detent holds it until your finger pressure overcomes the detent and then it glides open very smoothly. As I said before I highly recommend this 0450 and the 0808. Both are more robust than the leek they are replacing without being huge as you can see in flarps pics.

chopsaki · Dec 12, 2015

Off the top of my head I'm thinking ZT 0566 or BM 940. Not too big but pretty strong and kind of in your price range.

wickedwheels · Dec 14, 2015

bad_juju said:
No safety like on the onion series knives. These are not assisted knives, they are bearing flipper knives. The detent holds it until your finger pressure overcomes the detent and then it glides open very smoothly. As I said before I highly recommend this 0450 and the 0808. Both are more robust than the leek they are replacing without being huge as you can see in flarps pics.

I'm bummed that they're not assisted... I really like that feature.

Just to recap... Looking for:

- similar size to leek, not much bigger
- flipper, assisted
- safety
- more robust than leek
- under $200

GlockandBalls · Dec 14, 2015

The safety requirement really makes this tough... The only knife that comes to my mind is the overseas produced, Kershaw Dimension. I don't know if they are discontinued, but there are some on "the bay" (auction site). for $30-$40.

GlockandBalls · Dec 14, 2015

Oh and I just remembered the SOG twitch II. Link is for reference purposes showing it's basically the same size as the leek. But I can't say its much more robust.. cant go wrong with the price though.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/925628-Kershaw-Leek-Victorinox-Sog-Twitch

strategy9 · Dec 14, 2015

wickedwheels said:
I'm bummed that they're not assisted... I really like that feature.

Just to recap... Looking for:

- similar size to leek, not much bigger
- flipper, assisted
- safety
- more robust than leek
- under $200

Just to reiterate
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-Tolerance-0770-Knife-Aluminum--15193
Quarter inch bigger in the blade and handle
Same speedsafe assist as Kershaw, W/ flipper
.03" thicker flat ground ELMAX blade, .11" thick handle, .75oz heavier, definitely just a little more robust...
Price at bladeHQ right now is hard to beat!
Only thing missing is the safety., but not all that many knives have them, however "typically" your higher end knives, like ZT, have a strong enough detent that it's not such a huge deal. Not that they can't open accidentally, but they typically won't so long as you're smart with your handling it.

thefirstsuspect · Dec 14, 2015

Go to bladeHQ and set your price range and see what tickles your fancy. As for my recommendation I would check out a Spyderco delica, Kershaw "premium'' skyline, or a BM 940.

Nap · Dec 14, 2015

wickedwheels said:
Spiderco does not appear to have assisted opening or a flipper.

Sure they do. The Southard, Domino, Dice...

A lot of people begin with flippers and can't imagine liking anything else. Then they discover that modern folders usually fly out just as fast regardless of whether it's a flipper, hole, or thumb stud (or that going "thwick" isn't really the end-all and be-all to a good knife); once you stop limiting yourself, your choices open up to so many (often better) options.

cchu518 · Dec 14, 2015

I had a Camber I didn't like it's balance points. I'd rather go for a Brous bionic over a camber. Same difference though.

The Kershaw od1 or random task make for a great leek replacement similar in size but stouter. Also a benchmade valet, 707. The Blur is not even close in size but its my favorite knife in any steel Config that it comes in. The sandvik edge is not as fine or stays as sharp as my old Elmax one but its really tough and still really damn sharp. It also sharpens back in under a few minutes after hard use. I consider hard use cutting fiberglass insulation and duct tape for an hour straight.

JuJu- · Dec 14, 2015

Nap said:
Sure they do. The Southard, Domino, Dice...

A lot of people begin with flippers and can't imagine liking anything else. Then they discover that modern folders usually fly out just as fast regardless of whether it's a flipper, hole, or thumb stud (or that going "thwick" isn't really the end-all and be-all to a good knife); once you stop limiting yourself, your choices open up to so many (often better) options.

Flippers yes, but they aren't assisted are they....?

Nap · Dec 14, 2015

bad_juju said:
Flippers yes, but they aren't assisted are they....?

"Assisted" means "I can't get the balance on my flipper right, so I added a spring to help." A strong detent should be enough.

I love the leek, but it's one-of-a-kind, and one shouldn't make a checklist based on its design features.

hangmanshammer · Dec 14, 2015

I have to second the 586 Barrage from Benchmade, right sized blade (in M390), spring assisted and has a lock that works to keep the knife open or closed