Thinking of Kershaw Leek

[thejamppa]

Hi all!

I have heard a lot good things about Kershaw Leek's. Now I am not terribly big fan of A/O knives. But I have looked a lot information about Kershaw Leek and it looks good.

There are a lot Leek models in the market. Since due sheer amount of different model's in leek, I am doing research early on so I can decide which model I shall buy for myself as birthday gift.

So far I've seen 3 models that I like:

Kershaw Leek rainbow (its bright and psychedelic but I like it)

Kershaw Leek Black (DLC Tungsten seems to deal rust better than bead blasting blades)

And Finally but not least:

Kershaw Leek Composite (I have JYD II composite and the D2 is one mean cutting steel)

I really like leeks design and shape.

Now few questions:

since I live literally a stone throw from baltic sea, I have to consider corrosion resistance. Its not much to keep thin oil layer on the blade, like I do with my Kershaw Skyline but I am looking Leek that is more corrosion resistance out of box. So coating is important.

I have tried to google but I cannot find definate answer if Rainbow leek's surface treatment is corrosion resistant. Does anyone know that?

Someone mentioned that Kershaw's tungsten DLC coating ( which is used almost in all of Kershaw's black knives ) is highly corrosion resistant. Can someone verify this? This would mean Kershaw Leek Black would be perhaps most sensible (and most elegant) choice for someone like me.

I'd also like to hear bit comments of Leek owner's how they like their Leeks and how it performs as EDC knife.

 

[2bkc]

Now few questions:

since I live literally a stone throw from baltic sea, I have to consider corrosion resistance. Its not much to keep thin oil layer on the blade, like I do with my Kershaw Skyline but I am looking Leek that is more corrosion resistance out of box. So coating is important.

I have tried to google but I cannot find definate answer if Rainbow leek's surface treatment is corrosion resistant. Does anyone know that?

Someone mentioned that Kershaw's tungsten DLC coating ( which is used almost in all of Kershaw's black knives ) is highly corrosion resistant. Can someone verify this? This would mean Kershaw Leek Black would be perhaps most sensible (and most elegant) choice for someone like me.

I'd also like to hear bit comments of Leek owner's how they like their Leeks and how it performs as EDC knife.

The Rainbow Leek (KS1660VIB):
Very corrosion resistant. The titanium-oxide coating is excellent.

The Tungsten DLC Leek (KS1660CKT):
DLC: Diamond Like Coating.
Hard, durable, and corrosion resistant.
Excellent knife

The CB Leek (KS1660CB):
Composite blade Sandvik on the spine and CPM-D2 cutting edge.
The CPM-D2 is an excellent steel. It is a better cutting edge that the other 2 knives mentioned. (IMO)
This knife though will have the least corrosion resistance. You would have to put a thin oil layer on the blade just like your Skyline.
It will also be harder to sharpen than the Sandvik blades of the other 2 knives.

I own all 3 knives and have had no problems with any of them.
The leek is designed for light to medium duty use.
I use mine at work for just about anything for opening boxes to cutting zip ties. The DLC coating has not faltered.

Although Kershaw coatings are designed to stand up to continual knife use, in time, all coatings will show some wear. Scratches and other signs of wear should be expected and considered normal.

I personaly would go for the DLC Coated blade.
I hope this information helps in your decision.

Jason

 

[thejamppa]

Thank you 2bkc, I shall check the black DLC coated leek.

 

[James0723]

I EDC a rainbow leek.

It's a great knife, and a conversation starter because when you pull it out people go "wow, what kind of knife is that?"

My one complaint about the leeks is the blade shape. It's a very thin blade and the way it's shaped looks like they were trying to save on steel costs by not using as much of it.

But, perhaps in part because of the blade shape it's sharper than a razor. If I could get any leek I'd get the one in s30v for that reason. People say s30v is a pain to sharpen and we know it holds an edge well, so I say if you're going to have a knife that comes razor, razor sharp out of the box it's even better to have it in s30v because you'll probably have a difficult time getting another s30v knife as sharp as the leek.

 

[srmd22]

I have a couple, and one of my favorites is the Random Leek. It has an awesome s30v chromium nitride coated reverse tanto blade, touted as very corrosion resistant, and same with the handle. It is a combo blade, and while I usually prefer a plain edge, this one is a lot of fun, and the serrations don't bother me at all.

 

[James0723]

+1 on the random leek. Actually any s30v knife from Kershaw is going to be excellent because of the sharpness.

The other s30v leek doesn't have a framelock, the random one does which makes it a lot better.

Here's what I wish they'd come out with, an s30v leek with a titanium handle and framelock. Then it really would rival the Sebenza.

 

[KRB]

I have a Ti-ZDP189 Leek, which I like a lot. I wanted to get one for my brother-in-law, but they are no longer made. I ordered him a Rainbow Leek, but when it came, I was concerned that it was so smooth that it would be slippery in the hands if there's any moisture. Can anyone comment on that?

 

[James0723]

No, I've never noticed it being slippery, and there's jimping on both the top and on the choil.

For people with bigger hands it might be uncomfortable because the handle is kind of small, that works great for me though because I have smaller hands.

As I've said before, it's a very well built knife. No blade play whatsoever and it just feels solid. Also the AO torsion bar is awesome. I don't know what they made it out of but it's extremely strong, I've sprung open my leek thousands of times. When I'm sitting at my desk sometimes I'll keep opening and closing it just to do it, and it's not weakened at all after all this time. I've also dropped it a few times, once very hard on asphalt and it still looks and operates as good as new.

 

[Jpalmer1988]

I'd go with the Composite blade leek. I live in a extremely humid area and right on the gulf and never had any rust issuses. I've carried my skyline while doing yard work and covered in sweat and it hasn't rusted yet.

 

[lava_lamp]

My one complaint about the leeks is the blade shape. It's a very thin blade and the way it's shaped looks like they were trying to save on steel costs by not using as much of it.

I don't work for Kershaw, but I highly doubt that steel cost was a consideration in blade design. Kershaw offers many different knives with many different blade shapes and thicknesses -- most of which you can get for around the same price as a Leek.

 

[knivesandguns]

I EDC a rainbow leek during the summer. It is not slippery to the point that I have dropped it--because of its shiny coating, it actually is harder for you to move your finger across any coated part than on the DLC--kind of a squeaky clean feeling--hard to describe.

Kershaw did not try to save on steel cost--they meant for it to be a 3-inch thin and sharp knife. Lava lamp has a good reply as well.

Here's mine: http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/4048/collegehike009.jpg

 

[James0723]

I don't work for Kershaw, but I highly doubt that steel cost was a consideration in blade design. Kershaw offers many different knives with many different blade shapes and thicknesses -- most of which you can get for around the same price as a Leek.

All of the lowest priced kershaws that I've seen have that blade shape that's like a wedge. You know how a normal knife will be rounded, with knives like the chive, scallion, and the leek the blade it's a smaller triangle shape. As it moves towards the tip the blade sharply drops away. The knives shaped like that tend to be a little cheaper than the knives with fuller blades that I've seen by Kershaw.

And just look at how they're doing composite blades. The whole purpose is to save on costs, they have only the tip of blades made in D2 and binded to the top.

I love Kershaw, I believe their framelock knives have some of the best fit and tightest tolerances than any production knife, but it does seem to me that they're doing these things with the blades to save money and be able to offer them at cheaper prices.

 

[mowog]

Love the leeks! I have 4, DLC combo,composite,damascus,and S30V with G10 scales. My S30V has a liner lock, just like the others. I find the G10 very grippy, but less comfortable for EDC as it's a little thicker and snags some. I think the base in either plain SS handle or DLC would be a perfect first Kershaw, and could cost less than $40.

I wish they made more S30Vs, and am thinking about taking the blade out of the G10 and swapping it into a plain SS handled one. Too bad Kershaw doesn't sell knife parts like individual blades.

Bob

 

[Thomas W]

All of the lowest priced kershaws that I've seen have that blade shape that's like a wedge. You know how a normal knife will be rounded, with knives like the chive, scallion, and the leek the blade it's a smaller triangle shape. As it moves towards the tip the blade sharply drops away. The knives shaped like that tend to be a little cheaper than the knives with fuller blades that I've seen by Kershaw.

Hi James
We're not finding the Leek to be any less expensive to produce than any other knife in it's floor "category". As to the Leek pattern itself, we simply leaned on the Ken Onion design. It was laid out to be all thin, sleek, and gentlemanly like. Personally, I think the design is simplistically beautiful, and one of Ken's best.

And just look at how they're doing composite blades. The whole purpose is to save on costs, they have only the tip of blades made in D2 and binded to the top.

The purpose of the CB blades are to save monies on knives that incorporated premium materials. This is good right?

I love Kershaw, I believe their framelock knives have some of the best fit and tightest tolerances than any production knife, but it does seem to me that they're doing these things with the blades to save money and be able to offer them at cheaper prices.

Thanks for the complimentary words James.

We are indeed looking to offer consumers more for less, but not by skimping in any way, shape, or form.

 

[knifezoid]

I have a black/gold Leek. I really like it. It was my first Kershaw and as soon
as I handled it I knew it would not be my last.

 

[James0723]

Thanks for the explanation Thomas. I love the design of the leek too, that's why I bought one, and I hope to have many more leeks and kershaws in the future.

I'm fairly new when it comes to knife collecting so please don't take my criticisms too seriously. The only reason I suspected that is that the leeks seem to be so all around high quality that it looks almost too good to be true for the price, so I instantly look for ways in which the low price on such a high quality knife can be possible.

Can you give us any word on future leek designs? As I mentioned, I'd like one to come out in S30V with titanium. I think it should be called the Kerenza, and the marketing could focus on how Kershaw knives have fit and finish equal to the Sebenzas.

 

[2brothers]

As I mentioned, I'd like one to come out in S30V with titanium. I think it should be called the Kerenza, and the marketing could focus on how Kershaw knives have fit and finish equal to the Sebenzas.

There was a Ti/ZDP Leek that came out some time ago. You might find one floating around.

As for a Leek called a Kerenza, I don't think so.
Fit and finish equal to a Sebenza? (Thomas don't hate me. )
Come on man, I'm obviously a big Kershaw fan, but you're comparing apples to oranges.

There are a couple of designs in the works that are going to be really something though.

 

[hoopster]

The Leek is an awesome knife that carries well. I highly recommend it but would not consider it for super tough/dirty work. Grit tends to accumulate in/near the assist mechanism and the blade shape is not reassuring to me. For most normal knife duties though it should be just fine.

 

[CL01]

The Leek is popular & sleek design. The nice thing about them is that Kershaw made quite a few different versions of them.

If, for some reason, you really don't want an A/O, try out Kershaw's OD-1. It's a different design than the Leek, but similar in size & it's a manual flipper vs the Leek's A/O flipper.

 

[Ramm9]

Here's what I wish they'd come out with, an s30v leek with a titanium handle and framelock. Then it really would rival the Sebenza.

I'd like one to come out in S30V with titanium. I think it should be called the Kerenza, and the marketing could focus on how Kershaw knives have fit and finish equal to the Sebenzas.

Couple of nice attempts to troll in another knife and maker.

Maybe Thomas can explain it to you but simply using the same materials will not make something equal. If Kershaw wanted to chase the couple of thousand per year Sebenza market the retail cost would be relatively equal and it's painfully obvious you can't afford even an after market cost.

I'm fairly new when it comes to knife collecting...

Keep repeating that to yourself...