Looking for a better Leek

M

MSchott

Joined
Feb 9, 2017
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384
I really like my Leek but I’d like something with similar features in a higher quality folder. Features I like in the Leek are the flipper, liner lock, slim design and metal scales. I can do without the assisted opening and wharncliffe blade. I prefer drop point or similar blade shapes. I guess the ZT0450 fits the bill. What else in the up to $200.00 range is out there? Handle lengths up to 4.25” are ok.
 
Not a liner lock but Spyderco Mantra 1 sounds about right.
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I like the Leek but I don't have one anymore, the assisted opening just didn't work for me.
I really don't see why they won't do a non assisted Leek, I would be in for that.
 
I prefer the Mantra2
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but there are many ti and aluminum handled knives from which to choose.
If you can give up the flipper, check out the Sage2.
 
ZT 0900. It's not exactly thin, but everything else hits the mark pretty well. It's my favorite flipper that I've owned thus far, a rock solid knife for damn sure. Only bad thing is that it's been discontinued but they pop up on the exchange pretty often.
 
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Kreyzhorse said:
Take the spring out and you have a non assisted leek.
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Not if it doesn't have a closing detent hole. Most assisted knives achieve closing detent by the assist mechanism, in this case the torsion bar. Not exactly sure if this is the case with the leek but I believe it is. Without a closing detent of some type the blade will not stay in the closed position. Examples of blades I've had from kershaw that had a detent on closing and were assisted are the Blur and zt566 (these were successfuly de-assisted), all others had no closing detent hole.
 
Cow51 said:
The Mantra 2 is Spyderco as well, altough it has a smaller hole than the 1, much like the ones on their fixed blades.
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Thanks. That's a nice knife. I can live with that. I guess what I don't like is when the hole is in a big hump.
 
craytab said:
Not if it doesn't have a closing detent hole. Most assisted knives achieve closing detent by the assist mechanism, in this case the torsion bar. Not exactly sure if this is the case with the leek but I believe it is. Without a closing detent of some type the blade will not stay in the closed position. Examples of blades I've had from kershaw that had a detent on closing and were assisted are the Blur and zt566 (these were successfuly de-assisted), all others had no closing detent hole.
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Shoot, you are right. Tightening the pivot might help keep it closed without but yeah, don't take the spring out.
 
It does not meet all of your requirements, but i would suggest taking a look at the benchmade valet or the emissary. They have a similar profile to the leek.
 
MSchott said:
Thanks. That's a nice knife. I can live with that. I guess what I don't like is when the hole is in a big hump.
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That's the main reason I prefer the Mantra2. The trade-off is losing the hole as an opening option; but the aesthetic improvement is significant (IMO).
 
I am thinking the Kershaw Dividend might be good too. I have one in M390 and it has basically taken over the Leek. I think the assist in the Dividend feels better than on the Leek, but that might just be my experience.
 
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