Kershaw Leek

madcap_magician

madcap_magician

Farts rainbows.
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Feb 27, 2005
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Just grabbed one of these from Wally World to replace my other knife. I absolutely love this design except for one thing: the default clip setting is tip down, but on this design that means that the blade can open in your pocket, so you may have to carry it with the safety locked, which defeats the purpose of having an assisted opener. Only other thing is that I'm a steel snob and would love to see this in virtually any halfway decent stainless. I know there's a Random Leek in S30V, but it has a modified tanto point which I think ruins the lines of this knife. Such a cool design. Came almost as sharp as my Spydies right out of the box, too.

Love the design, it's such a slim knife I hardly notice it in my pocket, and the ergonomics are awesome!

:thumbup:
 
I personally find the reverse tanto on the Random Leek has one of the most beautiful blades I've ever seen.

The leek in general is a pretty cool and very useful knife though.
 
I love my Leek; I got the "smoke anodized" version as a birthday present which happens to adjust for both tip up/down carry. I just checked a co-worker's Leek (his EDC, a gift from me) and his stainless also adjusts for tip up/down carry. He broke his safety bar a long time ago (if ya need anything broken, give it to him!), and continues to wear his tip-down without a problem. Circumstantially, he hasn't managed to break the AO yet...

I attempted to adjust mine to tip up, but the handle ergonomics make the handle stick out of pocket more than tip-down, so I adjusted it back to the stock tip-down.

I also consider myself a steel snob, but think that for the blade ergonomics the 440C functions well. It may not keep an edge like VG-10 yet it's incredibly easy to sharpen back to a scary edge. For under $50 there aren't many better values to be had IMO. The Leek was Blade Magazine's Knife of the Year for '02.
 
Yeah, looking at mine, I can see how a reverse tanto would be kind of cool. Maybe it looks different in real life. I really like all the different variations, I think I shall try collecting a few of them.
 
Kershaw says they will be making Leeks in speedier steels this year (S30V).

If you use the clip, the blade would have to open toward the side of your pocket, right? I dunno, I've carried mine for nearly a year with no hint of a problem. Great design, great knife.

Regards,

Jeremy
 
Wait... so Kershaw said that it would make the Leek in an S30V steel? Does anyone know how much they would go for? Holy crap... I will on that train faster than the conductor himself.

I just ordered a normal Leek for my dad for his birthday after seeing a friends and loving everything except the steel. I think it's only 440A correct?

That way, if my dad doesn't like it, it will be going in my collection...

-Cleary
 
FliGuy, there are a couple G-10, S30V standard Leeks on the market now in very limited quantities. There is also a version in our 2006 line-up that will retail at $129.95. They should be out in 4-6 weeks. Thanks for the interest everyone.

Thomas
Kershaw Knives
 
I'm not going to say I have looked for the S30V now, but you say they're out there? Do you know where the best place to look for one would be? And what will the differences of the new '06 model, and the old ones be (if known).

Do you have any pictures of the new ones? Also, you said the new Spec Bump is coming out in early to mid February right?

Thanks again Thomas...
Cleary
 
Love the Leek, nice wharncliffe blade and pretty smooth opening. Got the Titan coated black one with white smoked grip.

Only downside is the steel but as someone here mentioned earlier, this year there will be new Leeks with better steel.

Btw, check out the Kershaw K.O. Centofante, very similar Design (obviously).

Regards, vC
 
Thanks for that link man... It looks pretty cool, but I like the original blade type better, although the steel is awesome on the tanto version.

Thanks guys...
Cleary
 
I've been a big fan of the Leek is I picked up my first one in Alaska. I've since aquired a couple more in various configuration. I love the lines of the blade, and the AO is umong the best.

I only brought one with me to the desert. The Black T-DLC coated one. I'm not a fan of coated blades, and REALLY hope that the S30V offerings come with a bare option. There's some manufacturing issues that make it ALOT cheaper to coat the hard S30V blades, rather than finish them. Kershaw always does a great job of finding that comprimise/price-point.

The Leek I have here with me shares EDC duty with a mini-ritter. I'd be hard pressed to chose between the two. I really like the Axis lock on the BM. Wouldn't it be grand if I could but them both in a box, shake it a couple times and pull out the perfect knife?

The leek is a big winner for Kershaw and Mr Onion. I hope they keep it fresh without messing with it too much.
 
madcap_magician said:
I absolutely love this design except for one thing: the default clip setting is tip down, but on this design that means that the blade can open in your pocket, so you may have to carry it with the safety locked, which defeats the purpose of having an assisted opener.
Love the design, it's such a slim knife I hardly notice it in my pocket, and the ergonomics are awesome!
Click to expand...

I like the Leek enough that I have three (well, ok 3 different versions) -

Kershaw/Ken Onion LEEK (pics)

Kershaw Rainbow Leek - a pictorial review

Black "boron" Leek

all three have pre-drilled holes on the scale to allow tip up clip carry.

Being the worrying kind I have tried to make the knife open "accidentally" by dropping the knife - trying to get it to fall on the index-open flipper - then esculating to throwing the knife down (on to carpet) again aiming for the flipper - then finally really smacking the flipper hard on a pad of newspaper - all of those failed to open the knife.

I have essentially EDC'd (at home) a Leek since I first got one that's almost 3 years now and it has never opened on me accidentally and I have not used the safety - in fact screwing it down tighter so that it is barely movable - just in case I want to use it - but I haven't, so far.

Of course safety is important - and YMMV - one should always make one's own decisions when it comes to personal safety.

Kershaw has their 440A steel well treated, so it's actually a pretty good general purpose steel - for a general purpose knife - it can take a very nice edge and stays sharp a long time for me - and I only have to retouch the blade by stropping on cardboard.
Of course if I were to be cutting cardboard or carpet all day - I'd use one of my utility knives that I can change out the blades........

--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2006.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
 
What UnknownVT said. Been carrying Leeks (tip down) for several years with "safety" tightened to "off" and never had it open by accident.
 
Its a sign, as soon as i decide i want the leek, this thread pops up

Is there any blade play on the leek?
 
KamSingh said:
Its a sign, as soon as i decide i want the leek, this thread pops up

Is there any blade play on the leek?
Click to expand...

I have two Leeks, a coated blade version with the smokey scales and the plain stainless version without the scales. I like both of them, IMO both are quality built and the SS version is almost like a different model rather than just a different version. I guess what I'm trying to say is you'd be happy with the cheaper one too. My father couldn't believe how well built the SS version was.
 
KamSingh said:
Yea i thinking of getting the ss one

How does it compare to the SOG Blink?
Click to expand...

The blink is smaller , I would say that the SOG Twitch II is probably closer in size / style.
I don't own the either SOG but looked at the plain Twitch II when I bought the SS Leek. I liked the lock-up on the Leek better.
I do own a SOG aluminum handled TINI flash II and after some light use the blade has developed a bit of side to side play. I'm going to look for the correct Torx bit on the weekend and try to tighten the blade.
 
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