Kershaw Leek -- twitchy?

G

Grover_Cephas

Joined
Apr 7, 2002
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721
I have a chive and absolutely love it. So does my SO. Now that I've seen her reaction to the Leek, I know what she's getting for our anniversary. :D

But see, here's my problem. Though I love the Chive, I just don't trust it. It's too "twitchy". The safety is just silly (why use an "assisted opener" if it's going to be slower opening than a standard one-hander?), so I carry it pushed up to the front of the watch pocket of my jeans. The pocket seam holds the blade closed and I've had no problems. Unfortunately, the Leek definitely doesn't look like a watch-pocket knife.

So, to anybody who has one, does the Leek feel "safe" in your pocket? Do you trust it? Or should I start saving up for the Leatherman Juice se wants? ;)

Thanks,
 
Clarify some things for me if you will, since I am thinking very hard about getting the rainbow colored chive to carry in my pocket to complement my Emerson Mini Commander. I really like the color and the small size of this knife. I think it will be less intimidating in certain situations than pulling out the mini commander, which opens as you draw it, not to mention the mini com looks pretty fierce to the uninformed. Anyway, what do you mean by it being slower than a standard one hander? Also, have you had it open on its own while in your pocket? Since I carry the mini com clipped to my pocket, the chive will most likely reside actually in my pocket. If it has a problem with opening while carried inside the pocket then I might have to rethink the purchase (I'd hate to cut one of the twins if you know what I mean). I really hope it isn't a problem because I really do like the looks of the rainbow version, and think the size is perfect for my needs.

Mike
 
Leek definitely doesn't look like a watch-pocket knife.
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You can a little bit modify your watch pocket (make the hole in the bottom of it :) and it will fit :)

about the safety. I caried chive with removed protection on my key chain for about a mounth (before I got my micra). it didn't opened on me once. it's quit safe. BTW bigger assisted opens mutch slower
 
Medic1210, it's slower than a standard one-hander because you to open it you have to disable the safety and then press the flipper.

Nifty mechanism, but the knife's borderline illegality and non-grippiness are big minuses in my book. It's hard to get a grasp on the knife to press the flipper, since the stainless scales are so slippery.
 
Originally posted by MamBo
BTW bigger assisted opens mutch slower
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This is true of the Boa, Ricochet, etc., but the Leek has a lot of "snap" to it--almost as "snappy" as the Chive.
 
I own the chive. I dont carry it anymore. it has opened in my pocket several times. I sent it back to kershaw 2 times. What happens is the screws loosen up and the "spring" pushes the blade to the side of the knife. The "safety" does not extend fully to the side the blade goes to. So what happens is the blade slips by the safety and walla
I put a hole in 2 pants pockets. Luckly I didnt cut myself.
Anyway, the knife sits in my drawer now. I dont use it.
I dont know to trust the spring loaded actions now.
Good Luck
Jack
 
I have a few Kershaw speed safe knives. Chive, Scallion, Random Task, Mini Task, Boa, Whirlwind. None have ever opened in my pocket. Kershaw is no fly by night company. They would not produce an unsafe knife that exposed them to a liability like that. Not to say it is impossible for it to occur, but it is rare. If you like the knife, buy it. It is one heck of a knife for the price.
 
I currently have a Boa due to arrive any day now! And have handle the chive, and leek, both seem very solid, but too small for my taste. I'm kinda waiting to handle this badboy.
K1450.jpg
 
I beleive he means that if you have to unlock the chive before opening it that it would just be quicker to use a regular knife that doesn't need to be locked shut(for safety reasons). You see the chiver opens with a tap of the finger on the flipper so it could easily go off in your pocket if you don't lock it shut.

There is something to this. I think chives are assisted opening just because its a really cool inventions. Everyone loves a switchblade, and now there is a legal one readily available that isn't threatening and is well made. If you want a quick opener get a commander :D
 
Originally posted by Jack142
I own the chive. I dont carry it anymore. it has opened in my pocket several times. I sent it back to kershaw 2 times. What happens is the screws loosen up and the "spring" pushes the blade to the side of the knife. The "safety" does not extend fully to the side the blade goes to. So what happens is the blade slips by the safety and walla
I put a hole in 2 pants pockets. Luckly I didnt cut myself.
Anyway, the knife sits in my drawer now. I dont use it.
I dont know to trust the spring loaded actions now.
Good Luck
Jack
Click to expand...

Wanna sell it?
 
Originally posted by ian_j
If you want a quick opener get a commander :D
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I already have the Mini-Commander. I really don't care about the speed safe assisted open since my commander is plenty fast, I just want a small knife to go in the pocket for a less threatening presentation in certain situations. I really like the Rainbow coating, and wouldn't consider the chive without it.

Mike
 
I haver the leek, scallion, chive, and I have to say I never use the safety on any of them, always leave it off. it does work, but personally I feel it should have been left off or moved up futher on the handle. I have been carrying the leek now for a month and dont feel the safety is necessary. It feels nice and flat in the pocket, doesnt print whatsover, and hardly feel its even there. as far as safety it hasnt been a problem, I clip it to my pocket, and sometimes carry it in the bottom.
 
Medic1210:
As a couple other people have said, what I meant is that <i>if</i> you use the safety, <i>then</i> the Chive is slower than an ordinary one-hander. With the safety disengaged, I think it's about the same speed (I never found autos to be noticably faster than, say, a Delica, either).

And I've never had it open in my pocket. Sometimes I carry it clipped at the front (so that it <i>can't</i> open), and sometimes loose in the watch pocket. No mishaps yet.

Finally, if you're not interested in the speedsafe mechanism, I'd consider a different knife. The Chive's got great ergonomics (for me--smallish hands) and a useful blade shape, but the cheap steel and slick scales... You could do better for general utility. I'd try a Spyderco Dragonfly or something.

The Chive is a toy.

3rdWound:
What <i>is</i> that? Me like :D

rev_jch:
Thanks, glad to hear from somebody who's carried the Leek for a while.
 
the blade steel on the chive is 420 (handle 420), the blade steel on the leek is 440 (handle 420). blade steel on the scallion is 420, blade steel on the avalanche is cpm440v. Ive noticed with some speedsafe knives, some tend to be faster than others. sometimes its a matter of breaking it in.

I have two leeks they are as fast as some autos I have owned in the past.

I have three whirlwinds, one isnt as fast as the other two.

I have three avalanches, two are fast, the third took a while to break in, its now as fast as the others.

two chives, both are pretty fast.

I have three of the scallions (gave one to the wife), all three are fast.

I think with some of these you have to break them in. I do know that if you have a problem with any that kershaw is pretty forthright about making it right!!


hope this helps!!!
 
Hey Guys...

Lets remember that the Chive isn't a first line defencive tool...

The knife is more for pocket knife type duties such as opening boxes,, mail,,and other such tactical ops...

It's got Tons of Gadget factor,, and to be quite honest,, I carry it quite a bit,, but its more to keep me occupied when I'm bored sitting in meetings and such...

The snap snap snap,, drives everyone quite nuts!! :)I've been asked to put it away more than once..:)

Great little knife...

ttyle

Eric
 
I just picked one up at Wal-mart for thirty bucks, I went there looking to replace the little Schrade stockman I lost while moving. My spear point M-16-03Z is a bit much in a university setting. But the Chive looks pretty innocent. It's also pretty lefty friendly. And it's way faster than my wife's Speed-Safe:D I guess I'll see how secure it is in the long run, but for now it's my new favorite knife. Maybe that will change when I get to handle a Salsa...

Frank
 
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