Hate to comment on things I don't have firsthand experience with, but the general impression I've gotten is that the Leek isn't the best shape for a ZDP blade that will see heavy use. The tip is very fine. When used as intended, just cutting and slicing, it probably excels, but the average person tends to lead cuts with the tip instead of the edge, or use the tip for things they shouldn't.
The feedback on the Ti-ZDP Mini-Cyclone pretty much has indicated that Kershaw has hit the nail on the head with this design. The blade shape seems to be more appropriate for the steel. Most of the people commenting on it seem to have put it through some fairly heavy use. Many of the darksiders have had it reground to a thinner profile for even more impressive cutting performance.
If you want a better blade steel than the Damascus in a similar price range, go for the S30V Random Leek or one of the G-10 variants. The S30V is an excellent steel and the Random Leek Blade shape gives a little extra strength (plus it looks great). The Random Leek is a frame lock. The G10 varieties are liner locks.
Generally most people consider ZDP a step up from S30V, but it depends on the use, blade geometry, and many other variables (like marketing skill).
Hopefully someone with more firsthand experience will jump in.