Hi, I am a new to the forum and fairly new to knife collecting. I am currently planning on purchasing a new knife. I am extremely torn between the SOG Twitch XL and the Kershaw Leek. Unfortunately at this point of my life I am not able to afford both knives so I have to decide which knife I should purchase first and which one can wait... I was wondering if anybody could make any recommendations on which knife is a better knife all around. I have a few Benchmade knives, a Kershaw Scallion and a CRKT m16 among a few other knives but I have no experience with SOG knives or the locking mechanism of the Twitch XL so I cannot really compare the two knives. If anyone could give me any advice it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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SOG Twitch XL or Kershaw Leek?
- Thread starter skiersl9
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- Mar 4, 2006
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I played with a few of those SOGs and have only seen the Leek after all these years on the Internet knife shops and magazine ads, and one of the few times I was in Walmart. And after all these years of them being out and looking at there blade shape and overall profile,if I'm ever in Walmart again, I'd pick one up,so I'd say the Leek, just not the rainbow one
even if it does look more P.C., that is actually a mean little knife.
IMO Kershaw LEEK
even if it does look more P.C., that is actually a mean little knife.IMO Kershaw LEEK
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I have both the Twitch XL and the Leek (the OCC one) and I like them both. They spend roughly equal amounts of time in my EDC rotation and perform well at the light cutting duties I require of an EDC - opening boxes, cutting cable ties and opening envelopes mostly.
The Leek is lighter and more comfortable to hold.
The Twitch is more discreet (deeper and flatter) in pocket although the SOG cutout in the clip is not to everyone's taste.
I find the "safety switch" on the Twitch is easier to access one handed being on the same side as the kick/flipper.
Having a Sandvik bladed Leek I find the steel IMHO very similar to the AUS8 on the Twitch. Both take a very good edge which I find easy to maintain.
My recommendation would be to get the Twitch XL first and the Leek later.
The Leek is lighter and more comfortable to hold.
The Twitch is more discreet (deeper and flatter) in pocket although the SOG cutout in the clip is not to everyone's taste.
I find the "safety switch" on the Twitch is easier to access one handed being on the same side as the kick/flipper.
Having a Sandvik bladed Leek I find the steel IMHO very similar to the AUS8 on the Twitch. Both take a very good edge which I find easy to maintain.
My recommendation would be to get the Twitch XL first and the Leek later.
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2006
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- 443
Have no experience with the SOG, but do have several Leeks of varying configuration. Great little knife, though a bit thin at the tip. The two versions I'd recommend are the current version of the Random Leek (S30v) and the G-10 S30v Leek- very grippy, and the scales are a tad wider. For me, the g-10 version has the best ergos, it's the one most frequently carried. I'd also look very closely at is the 154cm/D2 composite blade Leek. Get enough of them and you can mix/match the blades and frames. fun knife to mod, use, and collect.
vjb.knife
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I sent a couple of Twitch XL's back to SOG because the lock did not hold. This was a few years ago and their customer service was crappy and sent me the wrong model (a cheaper one back) and it did not work properly either. On the second go around they got it right but that was the second bad experience with the quality of their recent knives and I won't buy any more. If you really want a small SOG AO the Blink model is a lot better, I have one of them and it is far better than the twitch series.
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- Dec 12, 2006
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I hae a Damascus Leek and love it. It's a great size, and very comfortable to hold. The "flipper" is fun to use and the blade flips out in less than a second. Fit and finish is good, no blade wobble.
It's the kind of knife you almost forget you're carrying when you clip it in your pocket, it's extremely slim and probably won't get the sheeple after you.
It's the kind of knife you almost forget you're carrying when you clip it in your pocket, it's extremely slim and probably won't get the sheeple after you.
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2006
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- 443
One thing I failed to mention concerning Kershaw: Excellent customer service, they will bend over backward to be certain you are satisfied with your knife. Check out the Kershaw forum if you haven't all ready.
jfindon, the Damascus Leek is one of my favorites. Bought mine at a Nashville gun/knife show from Brad Vice of Alabama Damascus- they supplied the blade steel for these Leeks.
jfindon, the Damascus Leek is one of my favorites. Bought mine at a Nashville gun/knife show from Brad Vice of Alabama Damascus- they supplied the blade steel for these Leeks.
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I can only offer my experience with the TwitchII, but other Kershaw knives I've owned in the past were good knives without question.
I received the twitchII as a Christmas present and was initially put off by the locking back design (I prefer a liner lock for no particular reason).
After using it for the past 6.5 months I have to say I've been impressed. The lock hasn't failed and the secondary sliding lock prevents unintentional opening in the pocket. The blade has held up to regular use and still has the original edge.
Some may not like the cutouts in the clip, but I've found that it works pretty well as a beer opener (import and microbrew non-twist caps). Place the lip of the cap inside the cutout and pop the cap off.
I received the twitchII as a Christmas present and was initially put off by the locking back design (I prefer a liner lock for no particular reason).
After using it for the past 6.5 months I have to say I've been impressed. The lock hasn't failed and the secondary sliding lock prevents unintentional opening in the pocket. The blade has held up to regular use and still has the original edge.
Some may not like the cutouts in the clip, but I've found that it works pretty well as a beer opener (import and microbrew non-twist caps). Place the lip of the cap inside the cutout and pop the cap off.
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2008
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- 31
I only have experience with the Kershaw Leek. I HIGHLY recommend this knife.
x2.
Awhile back a coworker over tighted the screw on my Avalanche (and stripped it) and made it so the blade couldn't open or close (last time I lent a knife out btw, I think he took it apart to see how the auto feature worked).
I mailed the knife to Kershaw explaining what happened and asked them to fix it (was willing to pay), they mailed me a brand new knife, all I had to pay was shipping.
I've owned 3 Kershaws since that, and will own more.
WOW! thanks for the fast responses! Just to update everyone I found a SOG Twitch XL on ebay and ordered it today. I will be purchasing the Kershaw Leek in a few weeks if not sooner. I just have to decide between the standard Leek and the new version with the combination blade. Thanks again for all the advice.
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- Feb 26, 2007
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Leek Leek Leek Leek
all versions are great versions. be careful though when you go to get one. there is a born on date on the flipper (at least of mine). make sure it says July07 or later for you to get the knife with 13c26 steel. otherwise, unless it is the composite model or the S30V model, then it could be 440A.
just a friendly reminder
all versions are great versions. be careful though when you go to get one. there is a born on date on the flipper (at least of mine). make sure it says July07 or later for you to get the knife with 13c26 steel. otherwise, unless it is the composite model or the S30V model, then it could be 440A.
just a friendly reminder
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2006
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I'd go with the composite D2 blade, or find a deal on the S30. I've have very good experiences with Kershaw and S30v, very sharp stuff. Also- if you don't have one consider a Sharpmaker, one of the easiest and best sharpening tools on the market and will keep your knives very sharp :thumbup: