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What's better, Kershaw Leek or CRKT Ripple???

B

Biginboca

Gold Member
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Mar 17, 1999
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A friend is looking for a knife to give to someone for a gift and she asked me to do some research for a knife in the $50-$80 range for someone who is in an office environment and not a knife guy yet.

A quick search and I ended up with these 2 contenders. The Leek is cool cause it's assisted and the Ripple is IKBS so that is cool also. I think for a non knife guy they both may lead to a full fledge infection! But which is better?
 
The Ripple is pretty new. Not too many people have one yet.

The Leek is a modern classic. It's a solid knife that carries well and comes in many colors and steels. The SpeedSafe opener may freak out office workers, though...
 
Kershaw+USA over CRKT+Asia any day of the week! The Kershaw is 1/2 the money also.
 
I own both. Multiple Leek models. I like the Leek more than I like the Ripple. My two reasons are that the Leek offers tip up carry and feels better in my hand. I'm also a fan of SpeedSafe.
 
Go for the Leek. The Ripple is fun to play with but has multiple sharp edges on the scales and is more delicate in construction. The leek is wider and more robust but is less threatening in appearance for an office environment. The leek opens with an audible CLICK The Ripple is just about silent. The IKBS is ridiculously smooth but may not be appreciated by a non knife person. OldDude1
 
I'd say to start him out go with a Leek. Your friend will have so many versions to choose from, she should be able to find one that suits his tastes.
 
the leek is definitely better IMO. you could also look at some of the mini griptilians, or maybe a spyderco in that price range. neither are as "dressy" looking as the leek though.
 
My vote goes to the leek. Kershaw is a great company with awesome customer service and with Warranty
 
I' go with the Leek. I've given several as gifts in the past and everybody has loved them. They get addicted to the slick assisted opening. The Ripple is a cool knife but CRKT still hasn't proven to me that they have stepped up their quality to the BM, Spyderco, Kershaw level.
 
I can't comment on the Ripple because I've never played with one. But I have a lot of Leeks, and they do make a great suit knife. Time tested and reliable, with the best warranty you'll find.
 
Personally I would always take a Kershaw over a CRKT, other things being equal. Another great first knife in that price range (at least at its current deeply discounted closeout price) that's suitable for office use is the Spyderco Kiwi.
 
I have both and both are fine knives. The Leek has a more delicate tip than the Ripple. The Ripple is a much smoother knife in opening and is just a fast at doing so. In fact, it is the smoothest opening/closing action of ANY knife I have ever experienced. I'm not saying that I have tried tons of knives but I have several and fondled many, many more. The Ripple is smoother than any AXIS lock I have tried (710, 551, 557, 943, 707) and smoother than any of my flippers including the JYD II and very smooth Skyline.

Lockup on both is solid. They are both very slender knives in the hand and in the pocket. The Ripple is tip-down only. The steel on the Ripple is Acuto+ which I have no experience with but I hear it is a 1/2 step to a step up from 440C. The Ripple blade is slightly longer and wider and I like the belly on it more so than the Wharnie-type Leek although I do like the Leek blade shape but am just used to more belly. The Ripple has some sharp edges and corners on the handle scales that may catch your skin. I wouldn't call the Ripple "delicate". Its construction is quite solid. The Ripple is no more "delicate" than my Leek in the handle. In the blade, I'd say the Leek would break first since it tapers so thin at the tip.

My Ripple was $76 and my Leek was $40. Ge the S30V Leek and it would be close in price then.

As to which one is "better", well, I'm not the one to tell you that. Only you can decide what's best for you or your friend. I need more time with the Ripple to better make an informed judgment. I've had the Leek for a while and can easily recommend that. But in my limited use of the Ripple, I love it! I can recommend the Ripple too.

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Last edited:
Hi Biginboca -

I would say Leek - great knife.

I also would suggest a Benchmade Mini Griptilian - you can find them for around $60. They are not assisted, but they open with a flick of the wrist and they do not look as "mean" as a Leek if that is a problem in an office environment.

The Leek is very slim and easy to carry - I love mine.

Finally - have you looked at a SOG Flash 1? Those are nice as well.

best regards -

mqqn
 
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