I was requested to compare these two Kershaw knives, and to point out the similarities and differences between the two. They're both very well-suited for EDC and they're both about the same size, both using Kershaw's SpeedSafe technology, both very affordable; but the similarities end there. The knives I'm comparing are the plain-Jane Leek (1660) and plain Mini Cyclone (1635), both plain-edged.
Handles: Well, the handles are pretty close in length (4-1/4" for the Mini Cyclone, 4" for the Leek). The Leek has stainless steel handles, while the Mini Cyclone has stainless steel liners underneath scales of black anodized aluminum. The Leek is a frame lock; the Mini Cyclone is a liner lock. Both lock up very solid with no blade play at all. Weight is 3 ounces for the Leek, as compared to 5.3 ounces for the Mini Cyclone. They're both light enough to carry in an EDC role. The Leek is slimmer and fits better into a pocket without being in the way, while the Mini Cyclone fits better in the hand. Comfort-wise, the Leek seems to "melt" into your hand when working; the Mini Cyclone feels good but not as nice as the Leek.
Both have right-hand-only pocket clips, both reversible for tip up or tip down carry. Both use two Torx T-6 screws. Both clips are tight enough to keep the knife in pocket without making withdrawal difficult; however, the Leek's pocket clip isn't as tight as the Mini Cyclone's. The Leek's clip is longer than the Mini Cyclone's by about half an inch, while the Mini Cyclone's clip is wider by about 1/4". This doesn't mean anything other than what it is; one has a longer and slimmer pocket clip while one has a short, thicker tip. In the pocket, the Leek carries higher in the tip-up position and lower in the tip-down position than the Mini Cyclone. The Leek has a tip safety so the blade doesn't accidentally deploy in your pocket; the Mini Cyclone has no such safety. Both have lanyard holes in the butt.
Both use a T-8 screw for the blade pivot pin and three T-6 screws for the handle construction. The SpeedSafe mechanism propels the blade open on each, but there are a few differences. First, the Mini Cyclone has an On / Off switch that you can roll to make the SpeedSafe function as normal (On) or to make the knife function as a manual opener with no SpeedSafe (Off). The Leek has no such option. Furthermore, the deployment flipper on the Mini Cyclone is much harder to get moving than the Leek's. Even after taking the knife apart and lubricating, the flipper is quite stiff. Once it gets going though, it shoots open.
I love the ergonomics of both, but I think the Leek is a better choice.
Blade: Again, both have roughly the same size (3" for the Leek, 3-3/16" for the Mini Cyclone) blade size. Blade shape on the Leek is a spear point, while the Mini Cyclone has more of a drop point. Both are made of the same Sandvik 13C26. Both knives have ramped dual thumb studs, which are actually nicely done when you look at them and not take them for granted. The Leek is hollow ground, while the Mini Cyclone looks to be flat ground. As before with the handle, the Leek's blade is shorter and slimmer than the Mini Cyclone's. We're talking 13/16" wide versus 1-1/8" wide. The Leek's blade is just under 1/8" thick, while the Mini Cyclone's is exactly at 1/8" thick. The Leek is nice and stabby, and a wonderful slicer. The Mini Cyclone is also a phenominal slicer, but doesn't quite have the needle-like tip that the Leek has.
I favor the Mini Cyclone's blade here simply because of the thickness.
Price is also about the same; $43 for the Leek and $45 for the Mini Cyclone.
EDIT: The Mini Cyclone has been discontinued, and can be found for around $25-$35 now.
Both are very nice options for EDC and both have their places in my pocket. Hopefully this filled the niche that the person requesting my comparison wanted, and gives you a better idea of which knife is better-suited for your EDC tasks. I say for the price, get them both. I'll leave it up to you.
Handles: Well, the handles are pretty close in length (4-1/4" for the Mini Cyclone, 4" for the Leek). The Leek has stainless steel handles, while the Mini Cyclone has stainless steel liners underneath scales of black anodized aluminum. The Leek is a frame lock; the Mini Cyclone is a liner lock. Both lock up very solid with no blade play at all. Weight is 3 ounces for the Leek, as compared to 5.3 ounces for the Mini Cyclone. They're both light enough to carry in an EDC role. The Leek is slimmer and fits better into a pocket without being in the way, while the Mini Cyclone fits better in the hand. Comfort-wise, the Leek seems to "melt" into your hand when working; the Mini Cyclone feels good but not as nice as the Leek.
Both have right-hand-only pocket clips, both reversible for tip up or tip down carry. Both use two Torx T-6 screws. Both clips are tight enough to keep the knife in pocket without making withdrawal difficult; however, the Leek's pocket clip isn't as tight as the Mini Cyclone's. The Leek's clip is longer than the Mini Cyclone's by about half an inch, while the Mini Cyclone's clip is wider by about 1/4". This doesn't mean anything other than what it is; one has a longer and slimmer pocket clip while one has a short, thicker tip. In the pocket, the Leek carries higher in the tip-up position and lower in the tip-down position than the Mini Cyclone. The Leek has a tip safety so the blade doesn't accidentally deploy in your pocket; the Mini Cyclone has no such safety. Both have lanyard holes in the butt.
Both use a T-8 screw for the blade pivot pin and three T-6 screws for the handle construction. The SpeedSafe mechanism propels the blade open on each, but there are a few differences. First, the Mini Cyclone has an On / Off switch that you can roll to make the SpeedSafe function as normal (On) or to make the knife function as a manual opener with no SpeedSafe (Off). The Leek has no such option. Furthermore, the deployment flipper on the Mini Cyclone is much harder to get moving than the Leek's. Even after taking the knife apart and lubricating, the flipper is quite stiff. Once it gets going though, it shoots open.
I love the ergonomics of both, but I think the Leek is a better choice.
Blade: Again, both have roughly the same size (3" for the Leek, 3-3/16" for the Mini Cyclone) blade size. Blade shape on the Leek is a spear point, while the Mini Cyclone has more of a drop point. Both are made of the same Sandvik 13C26. Both knives have ramped dual thumb studs, which are actually nicely done when you look at them and not take them for granted. The Leek is hollow ground, while the Mini Cyclone looks to be flat ground. As before with the handle, the Leek's blade is shorter and slimmer than the Mini Cyclone's. We're talking 13/16" wide versus 1-1/8" wide. The Leek's blade is just under 1/8" thick, while the Mini Cyclone's is exactly at 1/8" thick. The Leek is nice and stabby, and a wonderful slicer. The Mini Cyclone is also a phenominal slicer, but doesn't quite have the needle-like tip that the Leek has.
I favor the Mini Cyclone's blade here simply because of the thickness.
Price is also about the same; $43 for the Leek and $45 for the Mini Cyclone.
EDIT: The Mini Cyclone has been discontinued, and can be found for around $25-$35 now.
Both are very nice options for EDC and both have their places in my pocket. Hopefully this filled the niche that the person requesting my comparison wanted, and gives you a better idea of which knife is better-suited for your EDC tasks. I say for the price, get them both. I'll leave it up to you.
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