Leek -- Sandvik 13C26 -- 440A -- What gives?

M

mikemock

Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
45
I recently purchased a Leek 1660. It is an all stainless steel knife w/frame lock.

I noticed on the Kershaw website that the blade is Sandvik 13C26.
I noticed on the package that my knife came in that the blade was 440A.
Also, even though the blade says 1660 the package says 1660X.

What gives?

What is the difference between these?

Should I care?

on another note:

I did notice that the frame lock is a little loose (very slightly). It seems that the portion of the frame that bends in to lock the blade is not sprung enough. I think if I take it apart and bend it in some more that it will lock better. I also noticed that if I manually push the lock in it will 'click' in and hold the blade nice and tight. Has anyone else experienced this.

By the way, I really like this knife. I'm thinking of getting another one.


Thanks.

MM
 
Different version of the Leek.


My Leek , I did some work on my lock so that it fully engages , gently ( gently being the keywork here ) filed a little bit off the top of the lock where it engages and gave it a gentle bend so it has more 'click!" when engaged.

Of course doing so voids the warranty but not too concerned about that.
 
whats the born on date? if its July 07 or later, then it is 13c26. if earlier, then well, its 440A
 
Thanks for the replies so far.

Born date on the blade is 'Jan 08'

I doublechecked the package and it definitely says:
'Shaving-Sharp locking blade (440A stainless-steel)

Could the package be wrong/old?

Could it be that the new ones are now 440A and they have not updated the website?
 
The Steel is Sandvik, the package is wrong. Keep in mind that the packaging is much older than the knife because the boxes are printed in BULK to keep costs down.

Welcome to the forum, and great choice of knife! The leek is my favorite!
 
Definitely sounds like old packaging. Should be 13C26 with that date. My Dec '06 1660 is 440A.
 
Thanks again all,

You guys are great.

Maybe I will call kershaw and see if I can get the definitive answer.

What is the performance difference between these two types of steel?

Also, what angle is this blade cut at. I'm thinking a little ahead for when this thing will need sharpening. I'm thinking of buying a Spyderco sharpener.

MM
 
mikemock said:

Also, even though the blade says 1660 the package says 1660X.



I did notice that the frame lock is a little loose (very slightly). It seems that the portion of the frame that bends in to lock the blade is not sprung enough. I think if I take it apart and bend it in some more that it will lock better. I also noticed that if I manually push the lock in it will 'click' in and hold the blade nice and tight. Has anyone else experienced this.

By the way, I really like this knife. I'm thinking of getting another one.

Thanks.

MM
Click to expand...

Kershaw labels all of the knives in plastic packaging with an X to differentiate between the boxed knives and the plastic packaging. You DEFINITELY have Sandvik steel.

Call Dawn at Kershaw and discuss your issue with the framelock. I turn 31 years old tomorrow :eek:, and in 31 years, I have never had a better customer service experience than the ones I experience with Kershaw. Not with TVs, cars, or anything. I will ONLY own Kershaw knives; and my son thinks knives are called "Kershaws" because I dont refer to them as knives.

mikemock said:
Maybe I will call kershaw and see if I can get the definitive answer. You just got it! :)

What is the performance difference between these two types of steel?

The short answer is that 13C26 is superior in many ways: Edge stability and retention, corrosion resistance, and others.

Also, what angle is this blade cut at. I'm thinking a little ahead for when this thing will need sharpening. I'm thinking of buying a Spyderco sharpener. The Spyderco Sharpmaker is a great tool!

MM
Click to expand...
 
Does the knife you're talking about look like this?!?!?!:eek: Quick, get rid of that thing.....corrosion! lock failure! lame assist! overall bad design!!!! Just send it to me and I'll replace it with a REAL knife, of my choosing. Trust me.

You knew somebody was gonna do it, right guys?
DSC00880.jpg


Welcome!!:D
Jon
 
that gold leek is somewhere between ostentatiously ridiculous and totally awesome! the only date that concerns the blade steel is the date on the blade, and since I doubt any blades made before July 07 were printed Jan 08 you've got the 13c26
 
Bookworm said:
that gold leek is somewhere between ostentatiously ridiculous and totally awesome! the only date that concerns the blade steel is the date on the blade, and since I doubt any blades made before July 07 were printed Jan 08 you've got the 13c26
Click to expand...

LOL why, yes it is Bookworm:thumbup:

Jon
 
I emailed Kershaw today and they said that the packaging must be wrong.
The did not elaborate on why the packaging was wrong.
 
mikemock said:
I emailed Kershaw today and they said that the packaging must be wrong.
The did not elaborate on why the packaging was wrong.
Click to expand...

if it makes you feel any better, i have a Lahar that is marked on the blade as model number 1745 instead of 1750. i asked Thomas W. about it and he said laser error. so dont worry about the packaging lol
 
OK... can someone please do a review on Sandvik 13C26?

No one has ever done one before, and I don't know if it's different than 440A
 
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