Kershaw Leek

kwselke · Nov 29, 2017

Over the last year I have become a small folding knife nut. I'm not big on high dollar knives, and really have concentrated on Spyderco brand for the last few years. The online knife retailers have my email address and sent me some rather compelling offers after Thanksgiving.

I really did not have a burning desire for anything. I thought a Kershaw Chive, Shallot, or Leek would be fun if the price was right. Ken Onion designed assisted flipper. The littlest, the Chive was the one I really wanted, but the best price I could find was $40.

For some reason I decided to see what was going on at Walmart.com. There I found a Kershaw Leek 3" 1660 OLBLK for $35 flat and free FedEx shipping. It's an unusual variant of the classic Leek design with a 3" black oxide coated blade and OD green aluminum scales. I believe that makes it "Tactical".

It arrived today and it is a very well made knife with a USA made pedigree, although I do believe the Sandvik 14C28N stainless blade steel is of European origin. It is not destined to become my favorite, but for $35 plus tax it is a great buy and utterly fine knife.

Posts here as well as a neighbor that is a regional manager for Starbucks and claims he cuts boxes for a living drew my attention to these fine Kershaw knives.

arjay · Nov 29, 2017

I have about a dozen knives I've accumulated over the years.The Kershaw and Gerber I picked up in the last year or two have really surprised me with the edge they take.Pretty impressive for $25-$30.

6518John · Nov 29, 2017

One of the finest knives out there at any price. Opens like lightening, easy to sharpen, retains an edge, extremely light weight, and incrediably thin profile.

tlawler · Nov 29, 2017

I’m a Benchmade man myself, but I’ve got a couple of Kershaws too, including the Leek. I agree, they are a well made knife at a very reasonable price.

Marshwheeling · Nov 29, 2017

My modern knives don’t get carried much these days, but my Leeks still get some play. My favorite is still the basic stainless. I think it is a really elegant design. Somebody once commented “that knife looks real expensive”.

My son gave me the rainbow model, perhaps in hope that I would pick up the rainbow Sig to go with it. Of course that one gets carried. I wouldn’t go to the disco without it.

chief38 · Nov 30, 2017

I received a Kershaw Ken Onion Leek as a gift about 5 years ago. Mine is all plain stainless steel (no applied finish as yours has) and has a half serrated blade. I have also found it to be well made, tough, and the blade (even though I am not big on stainless blades) takes a good edge and actually holds it for a good amount time. One hand opening is easy and I do like the lock that keeps the blade from accidentally opening.

Hard to beat for under $40 bucks and Made in USA as a bonus!! I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes this type of EDC knife. The reversible Clip is nice too which is terrific for Left handed guys who like tip up carry!

wingriderz · Nov 30, 2017

Congrats I too am been bulding my collection . Have looked at the leek its on my list for sure. I have been going back it seemes in time. Been on a 110 again and want a 112 and oh yeah been bitten real hard with the case bug

okiegtrider · Nov 30, 2017

One of my favorites for a number of years. I've managed to lose a couple.

CH4 · Nov 30, 2017

I am a ZT (a division of Kershaw) guy, but picked up a Kershaw Blur at this year's NRA conference. I must say really impressed with the quality.

6518John · Nov 30, 2017

Stuck mine in my suit pocket this morning.

LoadedRound · Nov 30, 2017

The leek is currently my favorite edc. Mine has an aftermarket low carry clip. Does everything I need.

Wee Hooker · Nov 30, 2017

I would agree that the entire Kershaw Onion series are outstanding. I am rarely caught without a small "Chive" on my pocket. That's saying something too as at $30 a pop, I've lost and replaced 6-7 of them over the last few years.

chief38 · Nov 30, 2017

6518John said:
Stuck mine in my suit pocket this morning.

Looks as though it's also your pencil sharpener - LOL

gnystrom · Nov 30, 2017

I have had a couple of variations of the leek. I sold my last one when I had it stored tip up in my back rear pocket and when I reached in to pull it out it had opened and I found out just how sharp that damascus blade was.

C J · Nov 30, 2017

I have a Ken Onion Blur with S30V metal. That blade costs more but it is as tough as any steel I've ever seen. It holds an edge a ridiculously long time compared to other knives I've owned and still own. I've carried it every day since I bought it and I have no plans to buy anything else. I would guess I would have gone through 3 knives with lesser quality steel in the time I've had the Blur. And it shows no signs at all of wearing out. I know a person can put an edge on any piece of steel but it just isn't the same after a while. But with the Blur I can open a can if I want and it's like I didn't use the knife at all. That would dull every other knife I've ever owned and I've owned a bunch of them. I can cut wire with it with no problems. It may cost more but it's worth it. I paid about $70 for it but that's been a while back. I just checked Amazon and they had the date I bought it. It was back in 2011. The price now is $85.

I've always used knives a good bit and I've kept a good one since I was a kid. This is the best one by far. It stands up to incredible abuse that would have ruined the Buck, Gerber, Uncle Henry, Case and any other knife I've owned. I'll admit I don't go in for expensive knives but I was actually going to buy something more expensive when people on a knife board talked me into going with the Kershaw. I haven't regretted it one second. The only thing that isn't great is how hard it is to sharpen but that's only because the steel is so tough.

BTW this Kershaw has never once opened in my pocket which is more than I can say for the assisted opening Gerbers I carried. That was the main reason I went to something else. That and the fact they wore out pretty quick. I got about a year out of them.

gwpercle · Nov 30, 2017

I'm a big Kershaw assisted opening knife fan myself. I have several Leeks...started with a Chive and went up from there.
Latest buy is a #1935 Fatback, blade steel is 8Cr13MoV , it is from China but sells for around $20.00 to $25.00 , has an excellent shaped handle and blade....this design is a keeper. I like the fact that if lost , I don't cry...just get another.
This Fatback is starting to get carried more than the Leeks ...that's saying a lot. Would make a nice Christmas present for a knife guy or gal.
Gary

CH4 · Nov 30, 2017

gnystrom said:
I have had a couple of variations of the leek. I sold my last one when I had it stored tip up in my back rear pocket and when I reached in to pull it out it had opened and I found out just how sharp that damascus blade was.

Me too!

But with my ZT 0801 Titanium

I love this knife so much, I bought a nice gun to pose with it.

H Richard · Nov 30, 2017

I have a black coated Leek that I have carried since 2006, and I don't feel dressed without it. The blade keeps a edge and it can be razor sharp, slicing curls off a sheet of paper is nothing. If anything ever happens to this one I will buy another just like it.

Geronimo Jim · Nov 30, 2017

Got the exact knife and love it.

JohnRippert · Nov 30, 2017

My work folder has for the last twenty years been a Gerber Magnum LST JR. After 17 years I finally sharpened it to the point where it was 1/8in shorter and less wide. Just would not hold the edge any more. So I pulled the second one out of the drawer and have been using it the last three years. I expect it to still be going strong when I retire in 7 or so years.

My off work blade is a Kershaw Scamp. I like it enough I bought a second and put it in that drawer for later. Inexpensive, and I believe made in China, but it holds a edge well and opens as good as a switchblade single handed.

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