Kershaw Leek: Titanium and ZDP pics...see them here-FIRST!

Got my Kershaw Leek ZDP-189 today! :cool: :thumbup: :D This thing is NICE! Very sharp, light, great lockup. I'm going to like this one.

Thomas W, YOU DA MAN. Thanks for bringing this dream knife to life! :thumbup:
 
I wasn't too interested in this initially as my rainbow leek hasn't left me too inspired but after seeing one of these Ti puppies in the store today I've changed my mind. I'll be getting mine in the next day or so.

We'll see if it can give my small Sebenza a run for its money!
 
Knifeworks is out of stock. I cannot believe we are getting this knife at just over $100! When they announced it and it's MSRP I thought for sure it would go for full retail. At that price I would not EDC one - My limit is about $100 for an EDC. WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE!!

I currently have a SS, and a S30V/G10 Leek. I love them both for different reasons. This version combines what I like about each. I like the S30V for it's good steel and the SS for it's frame lock and thinness. This is a sweet knife and despite my earlier posts I believe it is a great deal at $114.

I've never held a Sebenza, but the above statement makes me wonder how a ti/zdp Leek would compare to a small Sebenza? I've heard that nothing cuts like a Sebenza, but I am impressed every day by my Leek. This has to be the perfect blade for my lifestyle. It cuts well for a small knife and is great for detailed work because of it's pointed tip. Anyone with a small sebenza and a Leek care to comment?

Also, has anyone wore out a Leek's auto mechanism yet?
 
I have a Small Sebenza in S30V and a Large in BG42. They both cut like crazy but I like the BG42 better. I cannot wait for the Leek. I may have to do my first comparo. At one-third the price I can pretty much figure the Leek is going to be a bargain. I don't think you can top the fit and finish of the Sebenza though. I remember reading somewhere that CRKs have hardened titanium handles, I wonder about those on the Leek. Also the screws holding the Leek together are in holes tapped directly into the titanium while the Sebenza is not. Be careful taking it apart. Either way I think the Leek will make an outstanding EDC with the new FOTM steel and at a price most can afford.
 
jasonwilldermood said:
I remember reading somewhere that CRKs have hardened titanium handles, I wonder about those on the Leek. Also the screws holding the Leek together are in holes tapped directly into the titanium while the Sebenza is not.
Click to expand...

Good point, I don't know much about the types of titanium. I wonder if there is a significant difference between ttitanium on a Sebenza and titanium on a Leek. Can anyone elaborate? I will search for info.
 
I think it is the same material, I don't know if it is heat treated or not. Either way I am sure it will be a tough knife.
Jason
 
Hey guys. The Titanium used in the ZDP-189 leek is 6AL4V (6%Aluminum,4%Vanadium) I am sure that this is the same alloy used in the Sebenza.

As far as heat treating Titanium....that is a can of worms. Some people swear that it is possible others say it is not. We at Kershaw feel that heat treating or flame hardening the lock face is of little value to the lock performance. By flame hardening the lock face, only a very thin oxide layer is formed. That thin oxide layer is what is actually hard, not the Titanium through out.

What we decided to do is to Carbidize the lock face. Carbidizing impregnates the surface with tungsten carbide, which is harder than the Titanium. The main reason for this is to eliminate sticky locks.

Tim Galyean
R&D Kershaw Knives.
 
Many of you know that Thomas is a good friend of mine. I have known him for a long time, more years than I care to think about.

That being said, I am no easier on him about the quality of the knives that Kershaw produces than I am on Sal at Spyderco, or Les at Benchmade or any other party responsible for production knife production.

I had to wait to get this knife in my hands like everyone else(came in the mail TODAY), just because I post the pictures, does not mean that I have product in hand!

1. I think that the blade finish on this knife blade is as good as many custom knives, as well as the grinds.

2. The handle frame is smoothly rounded so as not to produce "hot spots", a pet peeve of mine.

3. Overall fit, finish and function are about as good as it gets(ie, blade centered, no play fore/aft, side to side, no scuffs, scratches or waves in either blade or handle, spine finished cleanly...).

4. This is an issue with me, but it might not be for the rest of you. I wish that there was a tab or that the pocket clip firmly limited over travel of the locking bar. This was my peeve with the Skirmish/mini-skirmish.(nevermind, I switched the orientation of the pocket clip, and it works like a champ, are you listening BENCHMADE?)

5. This is about the closest that I have seen, outside of the William Henry Lancet to a perfect factory "gentleman's folder". This is NOT a Sebenza, this is FULLY a gent's folder, with a bit of OOOMPH, closer to a large Mnandi or the afformentioned Lancet than anything else, the blade stock is thin, as ZDP is simply not available from Hitachi in the wide variety of thicknesses as say, S30V.

Overall, I think this project was completed with a great deal of integrity, passion and commitment to a continually evolving, and simply better quality, FACTORY production knife, and that is a good thing.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
There you have it! I am stoked to get this knife. Thanks to Thomas W, Tim Galyean, and Kohai999 for all the info. I think their being here on the forum is great and can only improve the quality of knives in the future in part to getting direct feedback from customers/knife geeks. Mike Stewarts presence at the other place is another example of this. I will still love my Sebenzas but this knife will probably be in my pocket for a long time. Now I want a SpecBump with BG42 and CF handle.

Jason
 
UPS was supposed to bring mine tommorow. I paid for 2nd day air. It won't be here now till Monday. I don't know why every time I use 2nd air it always takes longer to get here. Arg! In two days it made it from LA to MS. Air my a**. I hate waiting:(
 
This is Ken Onion I'm using my buddy Imp's computer and he found this thread . Thanks for the positive comments about this knife . I just wanted to lend my experience with zdp-189 . In my personal experience it has a similar toughness to 440-C and similar strength . It has great super keen edge retention surpassing my old favorite Cowery-Y . working Rc-65-67 without brittleness. I vave noticed some very minor spotting issues .But then again I live in Hawaii and have been trying to test it's limits . I think this leek is a very good candidate for the ultimate EDC. I also know the cost and head ache associated with trying to get this material and know the price is extremely fair . That said I hope you all enjoy! Thomas gets the credit for setting this project up and for what it's worth and with the response it's gotten He nailed it !
Just to set the record straight with reguard to the Blurr. My custom Blurr's were almost always with a flipper .I only made two or three without .Kershaws Blurr didn't have a flipper because we were getting requests to offer a knife without a flipper and it just so happend we were working on the Blurr at the time . I do think Kershaw will eventually offer a Blurr with a flipper However the only way I know to expedite this is to show Kershaw /Thomas that there is a desire for one. So if you guys would like one now is your chance to let the gang at Kershaw know . Also let them know what type of steel and other things you'd like to see .
Sorry Thomas , I couldn't resist Aloha! Ken Onion
 
Ok Ken heres my request:D A 154Cm Blur, plain edge, with ti liners, and g10 overlays, or a Ti frame lock!
 
Thanks for the reply Ken.:thumbup: It's always good to hear from makers. It's a chance to gain some insight on designs. Thanks again.

PS, Thomas did make this (ZDP Leek) happen. A big thanks to him also.:thumbup:
 
I would like to see a large Leek, which means a Leek about 1" bigger than the existing Leek. Fact is, there simply isn't much to criticise on the existing Leek design so, making a large model would seem to be a safe move. Tip or down, there is minimal obstruction to the hand when sliding in the pocket due to the rounded edges. It is very easy to handle and use, the blade grind and profile are very nice, and very fitting for the typical EDC duties around a shop, lab, home or warehouse. The aesthetics and overall construction quality of the Leek are excellent. How could you go wrong making a large model of this knife. Make it a Titanium framelock, no reason to compromise.

Since we are talking about the Blur though, well, my vote goes for stainless or Ti handles, framelock, with steel picked by someone else because I like'm all.
 
It was bad news when I rediscovered this forum. When I saw this knife in this thread I decided I had to get this knife. Just ordered on on eBay. This will be one of my EDC knives for sure!

You guys just corrupt me!
 
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