Yes, another discontinued knife up for review. This one is the Kershaw Sapphire, model number 1450. This model was made in Japan and has a very nice handle made of titanium. Weight is 2.3 ounces, and you can find them for around $65 on-line. More about this phenominal cutter below...
Handle Details: The Sapphire is 4-1/8" closed and 3/8" thick without the pocket clip. The handle scales are blue anodized titanium and look really nice. I'd best describe the color as a sky blue. The liners are stainless steel, one of which locks the blade open with no play. The handle itself is an open-back design so pocket debris can be blown out or removed with a toothpick. Three polished stainless spacers and a stainless blade stop pin make the handle rigid enough to not compress when squeezed. Everything is held together with polished Torx (T-6) screws, including the pocket clip. The clip is reversible for tip up or tip down carry, but it's right-hand only. The pocket clip is also polished stainless steel. The left handle scale has a layered look and feel to it; both scales are smooth. You won't find a lanyard hole or jimping anywhere on this knife; it wasn't designed to be tactical. It's a very nice piece for office carry or weekend travels. The fit and finish on mine was perfect, and it's very comfortable to hold and use.
Blade Details: The Sapphire has a blade made of AUS-8, and it's 3-1/4" long with a 2-7/8" cutting edge. The left side of the blade has the Kershaw logo, while the right side has KAI 1450 Sapphire above Japan AUS8A. There is no manufacture date stamp. The blade comes highly polished and very sharp. It's flat ground also. There's a thumb stud on each side of the blade, which use Kershaw's stair-step pattern. Maybe somebody has an official name, but that's what I call them. The blade rides on two nylon bushings, and opening is smooth. The blade is 1/8" thick and 13/16" wide at its widest, so it's a little heftier than the Leek's blade. I would describe the blade shape as a spear point.
This a nice little knife for the money, and it's not even really that little. It's about Leek-sized.
"The blade steel is of lesser quality than the Leek and it doesn't have SpeedSafe, yet it's more expensive..." is what I've heard. I don't care. The handles on this knife are just awesome, and I really wish the Leek has this blade shape. I'm really glad I picke done up on close-out price.
Here's a stock photo from BestKnives since I don't have a camera handy...
And a 3-minute YouTube video from Severator... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC2ElXjrOak
Handle Details: The Sapphire is 4-1/8" closed and 3/8" thick without the pocket clip. The handle scales are blue anodized titanium and look really nice. I'd best describe the color as a sky blue. The liners are stainless steel, one of which locks the blade open with no play. The handle itself is an open-back design so pocket debris can be blown out or removed with a toothpick. Three polished stainless spacers and a stainless blade stop pin make the handle rigid enough to not compress when squeezed. Everything is held together with polished Torx (T-6) screws, including the pocket clip. The clip is reversible for tip up or tip down carry, but it's right-hand only. The pocket clip is also polished stainless steel. The left handle scale has a layered look and feel to it; both scales are smooth. You won't find a lanyard hole or jimping anywhere on this knife; it wasn't designed to be tactical. It's a very nice piece for office carry or weekend travels. The fit and finish on mine was perfect, and it's very comfortable to hold and use.
Blade Details: The Sapphire has a blade made of AUS-8, and it's 3-1/4" long with a 2-7/8" cutting edge. The left side of the blade has the Kershaw logo, while the right side has KAI 1450 Sapphire above Japan AUS8A. There is no manufacture date stamp. The blade comes highly polished and very sharp. It's flat ground also. There's a thumb stud on each side of the blade, which use Kershaw's stair-step pattern. Maybe somebody has an official name, but that's what I call them. The blade rides on two nylon bushings, and opening is smooth. The blade is 1/8" thick and 13/16" wide at its widest, so it's a little heftier than the Leek's blade. I would describe the blade shape as a spear point.
This a nice little knife for the money, and it's not even really that little. It's about Leek-sized.
"The blade steel is of lesser quality than the Leek and it doesn't have SpeedSafe, yet it's more expensive..." is what I've heard. I don't care. The handles on this knife are just awesome, and I really wish the Leek has this blade shape. I'm really glad I picke done up on close-out price.
Here's a stock photo from BestKnives since I don't have a camera handy...
And a 3-minute YouTube video from Severator... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC2ElXjrOak
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After looking at some of the prices you quoted I got a kicking deal on mine. 
They are nice little knives.
