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polished G10 S30V Leek

U

UnknownVT

Joined
Feb 15, 2003
Messages
2,575
Family of Kershaw/Ken Onion Leeks - with the Ricochet (polished G10 CPM440V - model # 1520)
pG10S30Vsz.jpg
pG10S30VszBk.jpg


Closed clip side -
pG10S30Vclip.jpg


Locks -
pG10S30Vlck.jpg

The Ricochet has full titanium liners - whereas the polished G10 Leek has steel liners.

Thickness - G10 vs. all steel
pG10S30Vthick.jpg


The S30V on the polished G10 version is satin finished - but pretty "coarse" - the rub lines can easily be seen - very similar to the satin finish of the Ricochet. I think I prefer the stone-washed finished blade (on the textured/matte version), but much prefer the polished G10.

There is one small point to note - and one can just see it in the thickness comparison photo - being a more limited edition and the satin finish - the blade has squared off corners - without the smoother rounding of the other versions - it is felt most noticably on the filework/ribbing on the flipper/index-open - it feels much sharper and not as comfortable as the more smoothed out rounded ones on the other versions......

Overall the polished G10 Leek looks almost like a hand finished knife.

Previous reviews of other Leek versions -

Kershaw/Ken Onion LEEK (pics)

Kershaw Rainbow Leek - a pictorial review

Black "boron" Leek

G-10 S30V Leek (matte version)


--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2006.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
 
The S30V blade of the polished G-10 Leek
next to the 440A blade of the 1660 all steel Leek,
and the CPM440V blade of the Ricochet (also polished G-10) which also has a very similar coarse satin finish.
pG10S30VBld.jpg


Notice this polished G10 Leek satin S30V blade has an edge bevel that looks about the same as the 440A all steel Leek. And indeed it is - its cutting performance through corrugated cardboard was about the same as the all steel 440A Leek (whereas one may recall the G-10 S30V Leek (matte version) with the stone-washed finish blade had a more obtuse edge bevel and did not cut through the cardboard as well).

I have touched up the S30V blade with some light strokes on fine ceramic V-hone crock-sticks, and was VERY surprised to see what looked like fold-over edge!

It took me quite a lot more work to get rid of that burr/fold-over than I was expecting. I have only seen this on 420J2 and the stainless steel Opinel (only near the tip). Also the edge under 30x magnification seems coarse/jagged (like there is micro-chipping) even after some stropping/polishing on cardboard - whereas the 440A blades take a nice smooth polish no problems - as do my SAK blades.

I am at a loss to explain this....

--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2006.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
 
Great reviews and pictures! Thanks for posting them and the good info.
 
UnknownVT,

I've had a steel Leek as an EDC for about four years. The only thing I dislike about it is the thickness. It's just a little too thin. I put a piece of skateboard tape on it to assist in the "grippiness" while cutting and add a little to the thickness.

After reading your all reviews, I ordered a G10, since I could not find one locally. It should arrive next week.

Thanks for the reviews.

John
 
JCM298 said:
I've had a steel Leek as an EDC for about four years. The only thing I dislike about it is the thickness. It's just a little too thin. I put a piece of skateboard tape on it to assist in the "grippiness" while cutting and add a little to the thickness.
After reading your all reviews, I ordered a G10, since I could not find one locally. It should arrive next week.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input and kind comments.

Which did you order the Polished or the textured G-10?

The textured/grippy G-10 S30V Leek (matte version) blade is a nice stone-washed (cracked-ice) finish which I like better in looks, it also has rounded corners/edges which makes the flipper and spine thumb rest more comfortable in use, however on my sample of one, the edge bevel was more obtuse than all my previous Leeks, so it did not cut through as well. It has a reversible clip (whereas the polished version does not have pre-drilled holes to do that). BUT the textured/grippy finish as-is makes the clipping to pocket awkward and pretty rough.

Overall I prefer the polished G-10 version -
probably mainly because of the looks, and the much easier in/out clipping to the pocket.

BUT I like the Frame-Lock versions of the Leek even more, because of the frame-lock (over the liner-lock of the G-10 versions), and their overall thinness - which makes pocket carry mich easier - for me.

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
Vincent:

Your reviews and pics of the Leeks helped convince me to buy a textured G-10 Leek. I like the Leeks, but the G-10 is so grippy that I have it offered for sale (on glocktalk, as I am not yet a paying member here). I think it would shred a pair of jeans in short order.

I would like to get a 1660 steel version, though, as I do like the look and design.

cheers
 
powernoodle said:
Your reviews and pics of the Leeks helped convince me to buy a textured G-10 Leek. I like the Leeks, but the G-10 is so grippy that I have it offered for sale (on glocktalk, as I am not yet a paying member here). I think it would shred a pair of jeans in short order.
I would like to get a 1660 steel version, though, as I do like the look and design.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input -
might want to look at this thread - Stone washed Leek and Pockets!
one can sand down the clip side's G-10 to make clipping to the pocket easier (but please beware of not beathing G-10 dust)

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
UnknownVT,

I ordered this:

Kershaw 1660G10 Leek - G10 with S30V steel

I'll probably follow your directions and sand it a little. Had I known that powernoodle had one for sale, I'd have contacted him.

John
 
Unknown, you keep these type of threads up and I'll need to start offering you a commision.;)
 
I think it's all a nefarious plot put together by UnknownVT and the knife makers.
He writes a great review, shows wonderfull pictures, and convinces us to shop for knives that we don't really need, just want.

I was satisfied with my stainless Leek, looked for the G10, but could not find it. It was no big deal until I read his reviews. He led me astray and cost me money.

Now, I can't wait until it arrives.

John

PS: UnknownVT, thanks again for the info.
 
JCM298 said:
I think it's all a nefarious plot put together by UnknownVT and the knife makers.
Click to expand...

Of course it is -
any addict and supplier/dealer want to get lots of others hooked :p

Just another point - the edge bevel on the blade of the textured G-10 - stone-washed S30V Leek was more obtuse on my sample of one - so it did not cut through things (like cardboard) as well (see the linked review) -
personally, I would reprofile the bevel to a more acute angle like my frame-lock Leeks - but it will take some work......

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
UnknownVT,

The G10 arrived today. It feels quite a bit lighter than the stainless model. The thicker scales feel better in my hand so the stainless is now in the "knife box" and the G10 is in my pocket.

From reading your review and other posts, I thought I'd have to sand down the scales a little but the rough texture feels good in my hand. I never clip a knife to my pocket so I don't have to worry about wearing out the cloth.

You mentioned that yours didn't cut cardboard as well as the other models. I used the G10 to cut up the shipping box and it was like using a scapel. The edge is like a razor. It cuts as well as the stainless.

Now I have the Chive, Scallion, and two Leeks.

Thanks again for the review. Now, I'll add you to my "Ignore List" so that your reviews will not tempt me to buy more knives.

John
 
JCM298 said:
The G10 arrived today. It feels quite a bit lighter than the stainless model.
Click to expand...

Many thanks for the follow up.

Yes, good observation, the all steel 1660 Leek is 3.1oz and the G-10 Leek is 2.3oz according to the specs of the Kershaw '06 catalog.

Although less than 1oz might seem hard to detect - the G-10 Leek is about 26% lighter than the all steel version.

Even the all steel Leek can't be said to be heavy @ 3.1oz - it is "dense"/solid feeling for such a slim knife.

JCM298 said:
You mentioned that yours didn't cut cardboard as well as the other models. I used the G10 to cut up the shipping box and it was like using a scapel. The edge is like a razor. It cuts as well as the stainless.
Click to expand...

That's great to hear - one of the things I liked so much about the Leeks is their apparent consistency - all of my previous frame-lock versions had really good edge bevels - and I was somewhat surprised that the stone-washed/matte S30V steel blade had a more obtuse edge bevel
(note: the satin finished S30V blade on this polished G-10 version has an edge bevel that looks the same as the frame-lock versions, and cut through cardboard about as well)

Would you mind looking at the blade tang/heel and please let us know the month/year etched on your S30V blade?

Thanks,

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
UnknownVT ,

To me, there is a noticable difference in weight between the two. It was apparent as soon as the G10 came out of the box. With all the junk, I carry in my pockets or on my belt, I tend to apy attention to weight differences.

The date on the blade is Apr 06.

I cut up a few more boxes today and it really does a good job.

John
 
JCM298 said:
The date on the blade is Apr 06.
Click to expand...

Thanks John.

My more obtuse edge beveled stone-washed S30V blade was etched Mar/06 - so hopefully either my sample of one was just an anomoly or Kerhsaw may have changed their minds about putting a more obtuse edge on a premium steel like S30V.

I doubt it, but maybe our comments on BladeForums has influenced Kerhsaw..... in which case they've responded really quickly.:thumbup:

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
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