How's the heat treat on Kershaw's s30v? Compared to say, Spyderco's heat treat. I ask because a friend was thnking of getting a Leek in either s30v or 13c26. How do they stack up to eachother? Any experince with the Leek in either of these steels? Comparisons? The knife would be for daily medium utility work, and S.D. if need be.
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Kershaw's heat treat...
- Thread starter John79
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I have knives from both companies in S30V. They are both very consistent, with excellent quality control , and will do the job. There's not much to find wrong with either company IMO.
Hardness should be similar for both companies, likely within a point or so variance.
Hardness should be similar for both companies, likely within a point or so variance.
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I have a leek in 13c26 and the G-10 s30v leek. Don't waste your time on 13c if you have the money for s30v. The difference is amazing. The s30v comes sharp and stays there, the only downside would be ease of sharpening. My 13c26 gets hair popping quickly, but s30v gets hair popping and stays there all month 
and its just awesome.
and its just awesome.i say if you're targeting a leek be less concerned about steel and more interested in what model you want...leeks are popular because they are available in so many "looks"
i have always considered the leek to be in the "gentleman's folder" category. the s30v version are the exceptions. if you're hellbent on getting the leek for med utility use, then consider the combo blade because serrations make the cutting of utility work easier. the best version of this is the random leek: s30v, combo blade, reverse tanto point (stronger tip, less apt to break).
i speak from ownership and experience..
i have always considered the leek to be in the "gentleman's folder" category. the s30v version are the exceptions. if you're hellbent on getting the leek for med utility use, then consider the combo blade because serrations make the cutting of utility work easier. the best version of this is the random leek: s30v, combo blade, reverse tanto point (stronger tip, less apt to break).
i speak from ownership and experience..
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Personally, I've found Kershaw's 13c26 to be quite brittle. I've snapped tips off of two Kershaw knives in this steel. And I am not in the habit of breaking tips. I would recommend S30V over 13c26 anytime, if given the choice.
Jason B.
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Kershaw and spyderco use different HT and IMO spyderco has the better one. Kershaw's HT of S30V seems to make it harder to sharpen than any other S30V though this is kinda a good thing because it also has great edge retention. I like spyderco's S30V the best because its easy to sharpen and seems to hold a edge better than any other S30V though not having examples from each maker in exacting blade geometrys it would be hard to say for sure.
The S30V leek is a nice knife but I think a wrong choice for you friends uses. The one thing I did not like about the knife is the AO is slow and the blade is very thin. The thin blade makes it a good slicer but you would need to be carefull with medium utility work, it would also be a poor choice for SD because of its grip and size. IMO leeks are light duty knives.
The S30V leek is a nice knife but I think a wrong choice for you friends uses. The one thing I did not like about the knife is the AO is slow and the blade is very thin. The thin blade makes it a good slicer but you would need to be carefull with medium utility work, it would also be a poor choice for SD because of its grip and size. IMO leeks are light duty knives.
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I used a Leek as one of my primary EDC knives for years, and never had a problem with breaking the tip off. If you are not using the knife for a prybar or screwdriver, I honestly don't see why it should be a problem.
I have several Leeks, and the speed of opening seems to vary from knife to knife. My old 13c26 is lighting fast, while my composite is probably the slowest of the ones I own (although still fast enough for my use). If it is too slow, its not too hard to adjust the tension on the pivot or add a bit of dry lub to speed it up. As far as the thin blade being a drawback, again I don't see it for any reasonable cutting chores. Sure, its no good for battoning blocks of wood, but mine have cut everything I have asked them to, from apples to heavy plastic clamshell packaging.
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I used a Leek as one of my primary EDC knives for years, and never had a problem with breaking the tip off. If you are not using the knife for a prybar or screwdriver, I honestly don't see why it should be a problem.
I have several Leeks, and the speed of opening seems to vary from knife to knife. My old 13c26 is lighting fast, while my composite is probably the slowest of the ones I own (although still fast enough for my use). If it is too slow, its not too hard to adjust the tension on the pivot or add a bit of dry lub to speed it up. As far as the thin blade being a drawback, again I don't see it for any reasonable cutting chores. Sure, its no good for battoning blocks of wood, but mine have cut everything I have asked them to, from apples to heavy plastic clamshell packaging.
yeah, I have to agree with mdauben--haven't had a leek tip snap off. And if the leek doesn't open fast enough just order a new torsion bar, or lube it up some.
I EDC'd a leek for summer carry, and haven't had any problems with it whatsoever.
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Kershaw's 13c26 is run a little hard making it brittle. If given the choice I would take S30v from either maker. One thing about Spyderco is that their heat treats seem to be very good in any steel.
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I've never found the 13C, or 14C brittle. It takes excellent edges without difficulty. I consider the two brands almost equivalent as I've never had a QC issue with either companies knives, and I have what most folks would consider a large amount.
I'm more interested in ergonomics with each knife from either company when I select them as I just assume they will be built as they should. Maybe I've been lucky but that is my experience.
Both companies have warranties against defects if I did find a problem.
By the way I don't consider rust spots, or broken tips QC defects. They are a sign the owner is doing something wrong.
I'm more interested in ergonomics with each knife from either company when I select them as I just assume they will be built as they should. Maybe I've been lucky but that is my experience.
Both companies have warranties against defects if I did find a problem.
By the way I don't consider rust spots, or broken tips QC defects. They are a sign the owner is doing something wrong.
Jason B.
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2007
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- 11,196
I used a Leek as one of my primary EDC knives for years, and never had a problem with breaking the tip off. If you are not using the knife for a prybar or screwdriver, I honestly don't see why it should be a problem.
I have several Leeks, and the speed of opening seems to vary from knife to knife. My old 13c26 is lighting fast, while my composite is probably the slowest of the ones I own (although still fast enough for my use). If it is too slow, its not too hard to adjust the tension on the pivot or add a bit of dry lub to speed it up. As far as the thin blade being a drawback, again I don't see it for any reasonable cutting chores. Sure, its no good for battoning blocks of wood, but mine have cut everything I have asked them to, from apples to heavy plastic clamshell packaging.
The S30V leek is a little different and the blade is thinner.