The Mighty Little Leek

[UDIVER]

The knife works great when de-assisted ....actually every Kershaw/ZT works better when its de-assisted.

I don't own any Kershaws anymore but when I did it was the first thing I did to it.

 

[Smaug]

Nothing that hasn't already been said - there's a lot of good in the Leek...but I don't own one. I'm just over assisted knives (though, admittedly, I thought they were pretty awesome after getting my first - a Kershaw Blackout). The simple truth is that with today's knives, assisted opening is no faster than a decent manual....and, to add opinion (and what I dislike) - the resistance to opening & closing, esp closing, is the deterrent to a/o knives.

Don't use the tip lock and it is an under-the-radar automatic.

The knife works great when de-assisted ....actually every Kershaw/ZT works better when its de-assisted.

I don't own any Kershaws anymore but when I did it was the first thing I did to it.

This has a torsion bar arrangement. I've seen that they're not able to be de-assisted. Is that incorrect?

 

[UDIVER]

I've done about 30+ Kershaws and ZT's with the torsion bar, it works fine, some better than others.

The Blur, Echelon and the ZT 0770 were really really good and I've done a few leeks.

The leek wasn't as good but it doesn't have a strong detent and its not a heavy blade....but it can be done and it was still snappy.

Also, while you're at it, remove that safety lock, knives with safety locks and assisted opening are usually always garbage, they should just stop making them with these two useless features.

 

[sharpguytoo]

I use mine as a "dresser" gentlemans blade and so speed isn't a consideration. Like the thin blade. I carry tip down, mostly with the safety set and so it is sorta like a two handed traditional in use. I also have many other choices for edc but carry a brawler for work so the Kershaws feel right at home in the pocket. For IWB I dont have to worry ( if the lock gets forgotten after use) about cutting anything important as I am not that well hung. insert emoji here.

 

[GatorFlash1]

Who was the designer?

 

[UDIVER]

Who was the designer?

Ken Onion

 

[metsfan]

Don't use the tip lock and it is an under-the-radar automatic.


This has a torsion bar arrangement. I've seen that they're not able to be de-assisted. Is that incorrect?

The Leek doesn’t have a detent hole in the blade, and neither do some other Kershaws and ZTs (the Knockout and the 0350 come to mind) so deassisting them can cause issues. If anyone wants to remove the torsion bar, do so at your own risk.

Now mind you, I’ve had torsion bars break and the knives still performed fine but I made sure to carry tight against the seam of my pants just to make sure the blade couldn’t open by itself while warranty sent me the replacements.

 

[khopesh]

One of my favorite designs. Good price, great ergo’s, and very thin blade. I normally remove the safety and never had a problem with opening.

 

[mwhich50]

I got rid of my Leek for two reasons:

1. I didn't like needing two steps to open it; made it slower than a manually opening knife. I also didn't like the idea of not using the lock and possibly having it flip open and castrate me. What to do then?
2. I was worried the needle-sharp tip wouldn't last many sharpenings. This was probably nothing to worry about, as I haven't rounded off a tip in a good while.

Anyone who carries theirs in a pocket without using the lock? Any times it sprung open on you?

I have four. I enjoy collecting Blurs, and Leeks.
My Leek opened in my pocket once, and I poked my finger reaching in.
I rarely carry it due to the weak, needle sharp tip. I damaged the tip (on a knife) opening a blister pack. I was trying to be gentle.

 

[grownstar]

The Leek has always been one of my favorite Kershaws. I've owned several over the years and they have always done whatever I needed them to.

I carried a CF Leek exclusively at a warehouse job for a few weeks straight and it held up like a champ. I love the thin blade stock. It's a mean cutter whichever grind you get.

 

[Planterz]

I got rid of my Leek for two reasons:

1. I didn't like needing two steps to open it; made it slower than a manually opening knife. I also didn't like the idea of not using the lock and possibly having it flip open and castrate me. What to do then?
2. I was worried the needle-sharp tip wouldn't last many sharpenings. This was probably nothing to worry about, as I haven't rounded off a tip in a good while.

Anyone who carries theirs in a pocket without using the lock? Any times it sprung open on you?

I've never bothered with the safety. On my old one, back in the day, I simply removed it. Or maybe I just tightened it down so it wouldn't move, I don't remember. Never had a safety on any of my autos either. The one auto that opened and bit me (or at least made some holes in my pockets) was my Microtech Mini SOCOM, which is tip-down only carry (I've always wanted to convert it). OK, there was also an LCC that I played with so much that the sear was worn and would fire if bumped, which sliced my pinky pretty good when I stuck my hand in my pocket.

I can't recall any of my Leeks ever opening in my pocket. When I had my old one I carried it tip-down because it stuck out of my pocket less, and it didn't open up. Obviously I carry them tip-up now, nice and deep with the MXG clip, and I saw the wisdom of having the spine against the seam of my pocket.

I did round the tip of my old Leek quite a bit. I didn't mind much, as it was still kept very sharp. Obviously my sharpening skills have improved in the 16 years since I joined here, and I have no worry about doing that with my Leeks now. I do, however, fear losing the needle tip by accidentally dropping the knife. It's definitely no spanto-tipped Hinderer.

 

[Smaug]

There's always re-profiling the tip, I guess.

Thanks for sharing the experience re. knives opening in the pocket. Seems like OTF autos are the riskiest...

 

[DocT]

I really like the design but I wish it was not assisted. I quit carrying all of mine because they all opened in my pocket from time to time. I got to where I was scared to put my hand in my pocket. So, I got a Spyderco Caly3, instead. Same overall size, it just doesn't open in my pocket.

 

[Planterz]

Thanks for sharing the experience re. knives opening in the pocket. Seems like OTF autos are the riskiest...

If you mean single action ones like the Microtech HALO, then definitely. No sane person would carry one of those in the pocket. They don't even have pocket clips. The only exception I'm aware of is the Dalton STC (Safe to Carry), as it had a different firing mechanism that needed to be depressed from 2 sides rather than one button.

If you mean double action ones like the Ultratech, Scarab, Infidel, etc, they're absolutely safe to carry in the pocket. At rest the blade is unsprung. Pushing the slider forward tensions the spring (it's the type that pulls rather than squishes), and at full tension the sear lets go and shoots the bade forward (or closed). It takes quite a bit of deliberate pressure to fire the blade open (many people who buy an OTF complain about this because they haven't built up the strength yet), and you're not going to accidentally do this in your pocket.

 

[dirc]

My leek is still the one I carry most often... I have no worries about the tip, I really like how they kept some thickness all the way down the spine to the tip. This is how you make an excellent slicer and excellent tip when you need a fine point.

14c28n is excellent in the standard base model... and the low price tag makes it a home run.

 

[Earl1]

I've owned one leek. Great knife for small everyday tasks,will do almost anything that most people need. Gave it to a family member who fell in love with it. Personally I prefer the dividend,it just seems to fit my hand better. I also like the pocket clip on the dividend better

 

[CarsonWayne]

Picked up a Leek at a Gun Show in 2003. It was the first assisted-opening knife I had seen up to that point, and I remember how badass it was (is this a switchblade - is it even legal???). I was in college and a bartender at the time and I abused the heck out of it; cut up limes, stripped wires, cardboard, foil, plastic, you name it, and never had an issue with the thin blade stock. Within days of me bringing it to work all of the other bartenders went out to snag one of their own. As they say, this thing really moved the needle. It was useful, sexy and affordable. Just a great tool. Ahead of its time, no doubt.

I've lost several over the years, but I've always replaced them as quickly as I could. I was scared that I lost that original Leek way back when, but fortunately ended up finding it years later during a move. I now have two - the 2003 with the old style serrated edge and a black one with Kershaw's new style serrated edge.

Nowadays I don't carry a Leek, and I no longer buy knives with serrated edges, but every once in a while I bring out the original and fire it open. I think about all the things I did while that little piece of magic was in my pocket and it takes me back to an incredibly fun time in my life - way less responsibility and way more adventure! Honestly, outside of a few knives given to me by loved ones, that Leek means as much to me as any knife I own.

Even if I ever get the crazy idea to trim down the collection, you can bet that old Leek is one I'll be hanging on to.

 

[Smaug]

I got my Leek yesterday. I'm kicking myself for not giving it a proper chance the first time I had one. I had the mottled blue one and it was GORGEOUS.

Today alone, I:

• Cut the shrink wrap on a jar of giardiniera; the fine tip came in handy getting under it!
• Cut up an apple; this thing is SO slicey! Puts a Delica to shame.
• Cut a loose thread on my sweatshirt
• Showed it to my daughter. She was so mad at me. She said: "Dad, why did you do this to me?!"
  "Do you like it?"
  "I LOVE it!"
  I think I will re-gift it to her for Christmas and get myself a red one with the black blade. Hopefully, I can find a Snap-on one. (I work for Snap-on)

It is comfortable in the hand, and sharpens up razor sharp.

It seems assisted opening is going out of style, but I like it. It flies open with AUTHORITY, even with poor technique or with the off hand. It also takes a lot less pressure to open, as we don't need to defeat a detent with enough force to open the blade; just enough to get it moving.

Someone said they prefer a Blur. I bought my brother a Blur at one point; he loved it, but managed to lose it somehow. It's kind of a monster, and is not as easy to sharpen, with that recurve blade shape.

I'm looking at this, but I sure can't see where the torsion spring is or how it works. Are there diagrams anywhere?

 

[jaseman]

Personally, I think the Leek really is one of the best modern knives from a design standpoint. Might not be a big, tactical, hard use knife, but that’s not really it’s forte anyway. Nice and light and thin, you can wear it with anything - jeans, dress pants, sweats, gym shorts, doesn’t really matter. And the blade is so thin and sharp, it’s almost a razor blade. Good ergonomics so it’s comfortable to use.

But the best part is that even as pointy as the tip is, it is fairly unintimidating looks wise - especially in all the various colors available. You can pull it out in the office, opening gifts at a party, on the golf course, at grandma’s house, or anywhere else, and most people won’t even bat an eye at it. I’d call it a true, modern gentleman’s knife, but I think it’s beyond that, since I know people that aren’t ‘knife people’ who carry one. Men and women both (wife stole mine)

yep, I like it just fine!

 

[tatsu]