|
|
02-15-2020, 03:50 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oregon & Japan
Posts: 14,176
Likes: 46,075
Liked 33,248 Times in 9,082 Posts
|
|
New Pocketknife: Kershaw Leek Composite Blade
I usually buy slipjoint pocketknives, preferring the traditional look, but saw this Kershaw Leek recently and was taken with the clean, minimalist, all steel design.
The blade is D2 steel cutting edge with a Sandvik 14C28N spine. (Not that I know much about what that means, but per Kershaw.) The wavy line is the brazing that permanently joins the metals. The handle is 410 stainless.
For me the primary opening mechanism, the flipper, seen at the upper left in the first photo, takes a bit of getting used to. The thumb stud will likely be easier to use once the knife loosens up some. The blade, when locked open, is released by a “liner lock,” a metal piece inside the liner that one pushes aside with one’s thumb.
In the third photo, upper left, the hole is for a lanyard, and the slot below houses a sliding lock to prevent the knife from opening unexpectedly. The clip can be affixed to either end of the handle.
In the fifth and last photo, you can see that the back of the pocket knife is open. I like the look, and I assume it makes the knife a little lighter.
MSRP is $130, but I got it for half that off Amazon. It’s a very light, sharp, high quality knife for quite a reasonable price, I think.
|
The Following 17 Users Like Post:
|
6518John, browningcollector, brucev, Execpro, garddogg56, Ivan the Butcher, JayCeeNC, Kanewpadle, kmyers, les.b, Marshwheeling, MCorps0311, Oracle, PatAz, robvious, vonn, zipty6 |
02-15-2020, 04:06 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 18,966
Liked 3,524 Times in 1,127 Posts
|
|
I have a similar Kershaw and love the flipper design. I use it by drawing my index finger down from the top; extremely fast opening for me.
First thing I did was remove the lock. If I want a fast opening knife, I hate having some little doodad I have to mess around with every time I need to open it. YMMV.
__________________
John
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-15-2020, 04:49 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Derby City,Ky.
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 5,277
Liked 3,504 Times in 1,680 Posts
|
|
Sweet looking Kershaw sticker knife!
__________________
Life is short,live it fully.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-15-2020, 06:18 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 7,044
Likes: 6,864
Liked 10,540 Times in 3,921 Posts
|
|
The Kershaw Leek, designed by Ken Onion, is considered a classic by many enthusiasts. The standard 14C28N steel is excellent, with good edge retention and easy sharpening. The D2 should have even better edge retention, while being a bit more difficult to sharpen. I wouldn’t know about that, as my few D2 blades havent’t needed sharpening with the limited use I give them.
The all-stainless Leek is a very gentlemanly blade, and gives the impression of a much more expensive knife. My second Leek is the Rainbow or “disco” Leek my son gave me. I don’t go clubbing much, but if I ever do, I know I will be sporting the right knife.
__________________
Not in jail.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-15-2020, 06:28 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 6,874
Likes: 7,481
Liked 8,135 Times in 3,678 Posts
|
|
As if I need another Leek.... Thanks for posting .Nice looking steel and I think I have some left over Christmas Amazon gift cards just burning a hole in my pocket ! Oh Yeah...another Leek !
Gary
__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-15-2020, 08:04 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,801
Likes: 18,533
Liked 22,417 Times in 8,275 Posts
|
|
I've carried this one since 06, and feel undressed without it.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-17-2020, 12:49 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: On da Bayou Teche
Posts: 18,461
Likes: 18,559
Liked 58,905 Times in 9,673 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayCeeNC
I have a similar Kershaw and love the flipper design. I use it by drawing my index finger down from the top; extremely fast opening for me.
First thing I did was remove the lock. If I want a fast opening knife, I hate having some little doodad I have to mess around with every time I need to open it. YMMV.
|
I refuse to buy one with the lock-I have heard of several instances where it locked up the knife while in use-sure it may not happen but why take a chance. For me it's "pre lock" Kershaws only.
Sorry-but I just HAD to
__________________
Forum consigliere
|
The Following 8 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-17-2020, 11:29 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Eastern Nebraska
Posts: 3,907
Likes: 10,378
Liked 8,350 Times in 2,888 Posts
|
|
a Leek is my EDC knife... great piece of cutlery...
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-18-2020, 12:43 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oregon & Japan
Posts: 14,176
Likes: 46,075
Liked 33,248 Times in 9,082 Posts
|
|
Actually, I kind of like the lock.
I think the odds of me using the knife as a weapon are slim, and the odds of needing it as a weapon instantly, without time to manipulate the lock, slimmer yet.
And I do have a small auto — a Protech Stinger — without a lock that has had a couple of, um, negligent openings in my pocket. (Thank goodness that is a small, less than two inch, blade!)
There are often times, though,when being able to open a knife with one hand is useful because other hand is occupied. To me, the advantage of an auto or assisted opening knife is less speed of deployment than the convenience of one handed operation.
(Plus autos and assisted opening knives just have a cool factor that’s fun! )
|
02-18-2020, 12:58 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 114
Likes: 1,372
Liked 234 Times in 75 Posts
|
|
I bought the wife 2 Leeks with the stone inlay from A.G****ssell about 7 years ago. She swaps them out every other day for her carry knife.
Kinda like shoes I guess and she loves them.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-18-2020, 01:06 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oregon & Japan
Posts: 14,176
Likes: 46,075
Liked 33,248 Times in 9,082 Posts
|
|
Torx bit, actually, not an allen wrench, is what you need for removal. Probably a T6. Quite right that the lock is simple to remove though.
|
02-18-2020, 01:31 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Washington State
Posts: 18
Likes: 69
Liked 9 Times in 7 Posts
|
|
I have had a Kershaw Leek for a few years and I really like it. It's with me every day. At first I was unsure about the shape of the blade; I had never seen that before and that is partly why I bought it. Now I am a big fan. I especially like that it is thin and light as I carry it in my pocket. I don't use the clip on any of my knives.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-18-2020, 01:40 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,801
Likes: 18,533
Liked 22,417 Times in 8,275 Posts
|
|
The lock on mine kept sliding closed so I put a small drop of blue locktite on it and it fixed the problem.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-21-2020, 10:42 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 133
Liked 1,609 Times in 518 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onomea
I usually buy slipjoint pocketknives, preferring the traditional look, but saw this Kershaw Leek recently and was taken with the clean, minimalist, all steel design.
The blade is D2 steel cutting edge with a Sandvik 14C28N spine. (Not that I know much about what that means, but per Kershaw.) The wavy line is the brazing that permanently joins the metals. The handle is 410 stainless.
For me the primary opening mechanism, the flipper, seen at the upper left in the first photo, takes a bit of getting used to. The thumb stud will likely be easier to use once the knife loosens up some. The blade, when locked open, is released by a “liner lock,” a metal piece inside the liner that one pushes aside with one’s thumb.
In the third photo, upper left, the hole is for a lanyard, and the slot below houses a sliding lock to prevent the knife from opening unexpectedly. The clip can be affixed to either end of the handle.
In the fifth and last photo, you can see that the back of the pocket knife is open. I like the look, and I assume it makes the knife a little lighter.
MSRP is $130, but I got it for half that off Amazon. It’s a very light, sharp, high quality knife for quite a reasonable price, I think.
|
Did somebody say "Slip Joints"? Actually your Leek is a great looking knife Onomea, Well done!
__________________
"You're messin' up my Zen"
Last edited by mod34; 02-21-2020 at 10:45 AM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-21-2020, 12:19 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 1,062
Liked 2,109 Times in 860 Posts
|
|
Leek's are very nice knives but one word of caution. I carried one tip up in my back pocket and I reached back to pulled it out only to find out it had partially opened. Fortunately, I did not need stitches as the cut was so clean but...
Yes, there is a safety but I always found that to be very inconvenient until that point.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-23-2020, 12:01 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Western Pa.
Posts: 565
Likes: 2,245
Liked 1,896 Times in 371 Posts
|
|
Cripes,,,, reading this got me to thinking, I gotta get one of those . We were at our favorite flea market today, the Don-Wes, and I went to see a knife dealer who had sold me a beautiful Texan Damascus folding knife a couple of years ago. Asked if he had any Kershaw Knives and he said that he had a couple. Turns out he had one Leek, Ken Onion Edition in black. Couldn’t believe it but had my wallet out before I knew what the price was, which turned out was exactly half of factory retail. Fantastic knife which I know will be my EDC from here on out.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-23-2020, 02:49 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Puget Sound
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 8,895
Liked 5,311 Times in 1,872 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gnystrom
Leek's are very nice knives but one word of caution. I carried one tip up in my back pocket and I reached back to pulled it out only to find out it had partially opened. Fortunately, I did not need stitches as the cut was so clean but...
Yes, there is a safety but I always found that to be very inconvenient until that point.
|
I'm no expert, but I carry my Leek with the blade against my side pocket seam. That tends to keep it closed. They're not pocket knives that can be allowed rattle around in your pocket like keys and spare change. The flipper stub can easily be triggered that way. Carry them as intended and I think they are problem free. They are nice, functional, working knives. Not an artistic piece, but well made and usable. It does what I need it to do.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-23-2020, 08:48 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 672
Likes: 255
Liked 1,343 Times in 449 Posts
|
|
I edc a very similar knife, the smaller kershaw “chive” which features a 1.9 inch blade. Otherwise it has all the same features as the Leek. It’s a very handy and practical knife. I keep it clipped into the watch pocket of my pants. I like it best because I can completely manipulate the knife with just my right hand, draw from pocket, unlock and open, make the cut, then unlock and close the knife, reinsert into pocket. It’s very well designed in that regard.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|