Lost my Composite/D2 Leek

S

stumpnov

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May 31, 2015
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Hi, new to the forum, I am usually pretty loyal to one knife, but, on one of my recent business trips I managed to misplace the Leek composite/D2 that had been my constant companion for 5+ years and I am feeling a bit naked without it. I really liked the Leek, I carried it deep pocket with the blade stop, clip, and safety removed. I liked the assisted open, blade style, finesse allowed by the blade, and relative thinness in pocket. Things I didn't like as much, dulled somewhat easily and I bent the tip, grip was great in pocket but a bit slick when sweating. I am looking for something that will open lots of packaging (plastic strap, zip ties small to large, hard plastic enclosures etc.), cut wire, cut lunch, other random things. I am looking for a premium blade that is 2.75-4 inches, will require less sharpening, not appear threatening in a white collar office environment, is thin and lightweight, is capable of fine cutting, and one handed opening is a major plus.

Number 1 on my list is a Benchmark 940-1, over the 943 based on the higher quality steel. As a bit of a novice, are there other knives in this range I should be looking at?
 
Let me praise you for you attention to detail here. Many new guys around here typically just say " what a good EDC knife." now as far as good EDC blades, someone with better knowledge of pocket folders is bound to show up soon. Hope you find one worthy of your day to day task.
 
Any of the Spyderco Chaparral series. The Zero Tolerance ZT 0450. The Kershaw Knock Out. One of my favorites is the Spyderco Delica. Can be had in one of several premium steels: VG-10, ZDP189, Super Blue, and now HAP40.
 
Camillus 7 1/4" Carbonitride Titanium Folding Knife VG10 Blade, G10 Handles comes to mind ,,pretty nice blade ,
 
I don't own one but use a buddy's Leek composite often. I really like the knife. Sorry you lost yours, I can understand you missing it. Why not just buy another?
 
The 940-1 is a great knife. Look at the usual suspects PM2 and several benchmades. Those might be a little larger than what you're looking at but they are great knives. Maybe a ZT 801 or 808 might be included in you're search. It really depends on what appeals to what you want. I'd recommend trying to get a hold of them in person at a shop or something and see how they feel in hand and pocket.
 
Go with your first choice the 940-1 is an awsome knife . It has a lot of what you like in a knife . Slim , great to carry in the pocket , great steel , sweet looking CF lightweight . Second choice would be a 0770 CF in m390 steel .
 
I second the 940-1. The only other knife that I can think of is the Boker Urban Trapper. The new ones with wood or carbon fiber scales might appeal to you more than the full titanium one.
 
The 940-1 is a Really nice and light knife that will feel like is isn't there until you reach for it, and packs a seemingly large blade for the handle size. But, the s90v blade has reportedly been disproportionately hard to sharpen over the gains of s30v on the standard 940/943. Also, the cf scales on the 940-1 would likely also get slick when handled with sweaty or wet hands.
That being said, the standard 940 is one of my favorite knives to carry.

If you are primarily looking for a slim knife with a decent steel, you have plenty of options. Take a look at the Boker Urban Trapper, the new ZT 450 is nice, shorter in size, light and has a Ti frame lock, but the flipper might cause concern with the rapid blade deployment. But I have handled one and would have bought it if not for the ZT 770 in carbon fiber and M4 steel.
Which leads me to the 770, they are available in a multitude of steels, m390, m4, elmax, and one other I think, and I would look hard at that as a viable option. Though it is also a flipper, it can be deassisted (though some cannot due to the lack of a detent hole). Regarding the flippers, I would trade having a flipper and a better(?) steel over a more vanilla steel and a thumb stud. Though, that is only because steel is preferential to me over opening methods.

You could also look into a nice traditional styled folder for usage around the more timid folks of your place of employ, while using your regular carry around the more understanding people.
 
If you're looking for something for an office environment, the 940 series might honestly be a little much. I'd personally recommend the Spyderco Dragonfly 2 in ZDP-189, or if you're looking for something a little larger, the Spyderco Caly3.
 
SaintZe said:
If you're looking for something for an office environment, the 940 series might honestly be a little much.
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Agreed. Not a traditional looking blade. Not everyone will understand. Personally, I have never liked the looks of them, myself. Then I got to handle a limited gold class version. Now I understand why people like them. Great knife.

If you want to stay with Benchmade, try the Stryker or Mini Stryker. 3 to 3 1/2 inch blade. Or, how about a Barrage or Volli. The Volli is one of my personal favorites. Love the feel of the grip. The only thing keeps me from buying one (other than my wife) is the assisted opening feature. For you AO will be a plus.
 
There is also a Spyderco Air or a Spyderco Domino in blue twill carbon fiber (one in the exchange as we speak, or type as it were...), possibly even a Sage series or Native 5 Ti.

Don't forget to look at what William Henry Knives has to offer, also look at the Chris Reeve Ti-Lock and Small Sebenza.
 
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I don't know where in the US you happen to be, but if automatics are an option, the Benchmade 3150 Impel fits all but your blade length criteria. Machined aluminum handle with G10 inlay is neat, and the blade is S30V. Auto is pretty much one hand opening bliss.

Also, the Boker Urban Trapper might interest you. Titanium framelock, VG-10 blade, bearing pivot flipper, deep pocket carry, 1.8 ounces.

Definitely look at William Henry's offerings as well.
 
940-1 is an awesome knife. Hard to go wrong with that one. The axis lock is a dream to use. And I wish they made the 707 Sequel in a premium steel - that's another favorite of mine. Another BM I love, and that's super low-profile in an office environment, is the 482 Megumi in S30V. The blade is on the small side though at 2.5", and there is no pocket clip.

The ZT 0770 M390 also came to mind immediately from your description. Especially if you enjoy assisted opening knives. I see others have mentioned it as well. Check it out.

If you're willing to consider VG10 steel (good, but I don't consider it "premium") the Boker Urban Trapper line and the Spyderco Centofante 3 are worth a look.
 
If you liked the slim profile of the Leek, the 940 and 0450 might be good as a next step up. Or maybe one of the carbon fiber Skylines. The Valet also seems like it's of a similar profile (haven't seen one of those first hand though).
 
Benchmade is a bit pricier than Spyderco, but the axis lock is an absolute dream. The 940-1 is a great blade and the cf is a classy touch, but for office use you really can't beat a Benchmade 531. It's amazingly light, the profile in your pocket is practically unnoticeable with as thin as it is and the blade itself slices perfectly. The leek was one of my first edc knives too, and the 531 has all of the best features of the leek with a better blade shape and locking mechanism.
 
You liked the Kershaw assisted open, deep pocket carry, and looking for a non threatening design for white collar work with a premium blade steel upgrade from d2;

Kershaw Knockout in ELMAX gives you all of the above...
Kershaw Blur comes in s30v or ELMAX but isn't deep carry.

Also check out;
Kizer ki4421a1&a2 in s35v, not assisted but a flipper, sleek office friendly styling.
 
Try something different: check out Great Eastern Cutlery traditional knives made in the USA. Their thin blades will cut better than any of the knives mentioned above. They look elegant, are (generally speaking) cheaper than Benchmade and Spyderco's, and won't scare off your co-workers. They don't have pocket clips, but you weren't using one anyway.

DSC_4606_1200__64036.1409948229.1280.1280.jpg
 
Since you liked the Leek so much, try the Spyderco Caly3 ZDP-189. It is the same size as the Leek as far as the handle goes, but is much stronger and will stay sharp a long, long time. http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercocalypso3carbonfiberhandlezdp-189steelplain.aspx#.VWxIRFmeDGc

bigger version: http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercocaly35c144cfpelaminatezdp-189w4202j2blade.aspx#.VWxIblmeDGc

Also, the Spyderco Delica comes with a VG-10 Damascus clad blade and titanium handles, so it would be about the same size as your Leek, have the same scale look, and have that beautiful blade. http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercodelica4c11tipdtitaniumdamascusplainedge.aspx#.VWxH8VmeDGc

I have two Leeks I carried for years. These knives I mentioned have replaced them.

O yeah, I almost forgot. The Spyderco Endura is now made the same way: http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercoc...mascusvg-10steelplainedge-2.aspx#.VWxIz1meDGc
 
Almost forgot, the Benchmade 531 is a sweet, small, thin knife that you'll hardly know is in your pocket.

Of course, there's always the Spyderco Military, too. :)

While I'm thinking about it, I also have the blackwashed composite blade Leek. Awesome little knife! You should take a look at one!
 
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