ZDP Leek - bad luck...or is it good

N

Naymit

Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
275
Leek ZDP-189 (without the clip) has been riding in my poket for a while has become one of my favorite knives. It is one of the original ones that came out dull, but Kershaw took care of that for me. After that it was a perfect little sheeple-friendly folder that was a part of my daily edc.

But bad luck struck again, when i was openning it today the blade struck the buckle of my watch and the tip snapped of :(. I wonder whether Kershaw will replace the blade or do i need to buy a new one. I also wonder whether it is possible to replace the zdp blade with S30V blade and whether it is a good idea.
 
Call Kershaw at 1-800-325-2891. When the beautiful Jennifer answers, ask for Dawn in Warranty or Thomas. They will solve your problem, don't worry.
 
There have been other reports of tip breakage with ZDP-189 Leeks here on BFC. IIRC Kershaw took care of it, with no further problems reported.
 
My July 06 blade snapped at the tip, as well. They were very quick to replace it, no questions asked.

DD
 
Daniel Dorn said:
My July 06 blade snapped at the tip, as well. They were very quick to replace it, no questions asked.
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hmmm.... makes you think -
The intital ZDP-189 blades that came out were sandwiches (san-mai style) - probably because of the reputed brittleness of plain ZDP-189.

Two cases of snapped tips on the ZDP Leek (one where the blade merely hit a belt buckle on opening) seems to show that ZDP on its own may not be such a great choice - especially on a blade with such a pointy tip as the Leek.

Don't get me wrong I am a BIG fan of the Leek - just don't think ZDP on its own is so advisable for such a pointy blade.....

In the meantime I am more than happy with my at home EDC -

Black "boron" Leek

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2007
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UnknownVT said:
hmmm.... makes you think -
The intital ZDP-189 blades that came out were sandwiches (san-mai style) - probably because of the reputed brittleness of plain ZDP-189.

Two cases of snapped tips on the ZDP Leek (one where the blade merely hit a belt buckle on opening) seems to show that ZDP on its own may not be such a great choice - especially on a blade with such a pointy tip as the Leek.

Don't get me wrong I am a BIG fan of the Leek - just don't think ZDP on its own is so advisable for such a pointy blade.....

In the meantime I am more than happy with my at home EDC -

Black "boron" Leek

--
Vincent


My thinking exactly, which is why i was thinking of replacing it with s30v blade.
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Thomas has even remarked/reflected that the Leek may not have been the best blade design for the Leek. The ZDP Mini Cyclone though, should be a SWEET Knife!!!
 
Vincent, sorry to hear about your tip, please send it in and we will get you fixed up.

We have had a slight tip issue with this Leek, I would guess more our fault than the steel. I still feel the majority of them that hit the streets are fine knives, and are problem free. We are taking care of the ones that come back.

I do believe we learned a bunch with this original project, and have plans for more ZDP short runs. The Ti/ZDP Mini Cyclone is a real sweetie!!
 
I don't know about the ZDP, but the S30V Leek is awesome. I'd recommend getting one of the S30V blades.
 
When I returned my broken tip ZDP Leek to Kershaw, the offered to replace it with either a new "improved" ZDP blade or an S30V blade. I opted for the latter, and couldn't be happier. The stonewashed finish of the S30V blade in the matte finish titanium Leek frame is a sweet combination. It has replace all my other knives as a daily EDC.
 
Thomas W said:
Vincent, sorry to hear about your tip, please send it in and we will get you fixed up.

We have had a slight tip issue with this Leek, I would guess more our fault than the steel. I still feel the majority of them that hit the streets are fine knives, and are problem free. We are taking care of the ones that come back.

I do believe we learned a bunch with this original project, and have plans for more ZDP short runs. The Ti/ZDP Mini Cyclone is a real sweetie!!
Click to expand...

Thomas,
I by no means meant to say that Leek is a bad knife. In fact it is my constant edc. Also, customer service at Kershaw is first rate. As for zdp - it may or may not be the perfect choice for this type of a blade. I'd like a chance to test out S30V in this role. Again, thank you for the line of great knives and your willingnes to experiment.
 
RIght now, there are four models of Leeks that come with S30V.

1. Random Leek :thumbup:
2. G-10 Leek
3. limited 1660CGT
4. Polished G-10 Leek
 
Patapsco Mike said:
When I returned my broken tip ZDP Leek to Kershaw, the offered to replace it with either a new "improved" ZDP blade or an S30V blade.
Click to expand...

Did they tell you how the ZDP blade was improved? Possibly a heat treatment change or a blade profile change?
 
John, the 2nd batch of blades were ground thinner, and the hardness was drawn back to 63-64 (from 64-65). Improved?, just different.
 
I snapped off the tip on my ti/zdp leek from the first run, the sep 06 marked blade they replaced it with hasn't done this, Kershaw was quick to fix it, just sent it back with a letter explaining.
 
I contacted Kershaw and, as we came to expect of Kershaw, they were courteous and professional. They offered to replace the broken blade. The knife is on its way.
 
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