Kershaw Leek Question- Not Stamped "MADE IN USA"

tje803

tje803

Gold Member
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Feb 4, 2012
Messages
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Hi everyone. I received my first Kershaw Leek in the mail today. It's a great little knife for a very fair price. Overall I am very satisfied with the knife.

I did noticed that the stamp on the blade reads:
1660
Patented
Ken Onion Design

My question- is this normal? Every Kershaw Leek I have seen in stores/online photos are stamped "MADE IN USA" on the last line. Is there a good explanation for why this "MADE IN USA" line is left off from my Leek?

Here is a picture. Any insight from the more knowledgeable Kershaw folks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

IMG_6907_zps5d6529ff.jpg
 
Still made in the US. The only knife I know of that has changed to Chinese manufacture is the Amazon exclusive G10 Tactical Speed Bump.

The exact text on their knives changes occasionally. Even from the same batch it seems it can vaey as one laser may have a slightly different text layout programmed in.
 
I have a ZT 200 that doesn't say "Patented" on it.
From what I hear, Kershaw changes their etching a lot.
 
How about the handle? Does it say speedsafe USA on it somewhere? But either way the leek is still USA made.
 
Thanks for the response. I figured everything was legit with the knife but just wanted to double check. The knife is flawless with perfect fit and finish. I would be surprised if a counterfeit would look this good. There are many folks on here with much more Kershaw knowledge than I have, so I figured it never hurts to ask.
 
oregonknifenerd said:
Still made in the US. The only knife I know of that has changed to Chinese manufacture is the Amazon exclusive G10 Tactical Speed Bump.

The exact text on their knives changes occasionally. Even from the same batch it seems it can vaey as one laser may have a slightly different text layout programmed in.
Click to expand...

The Kershaw Zing also changed to chinese manufacture. Also, to the OP, my Leek doesnt say anything about USA made either.
 
celtic11 said:
The Kershaw Zing also changed to chinese manufacture. Also, to the OP, my Leek doesnt say anything about USA made either.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, celtic11 (GO BLUE!!!). Good to know I'm not alone. It doesn't bother me that it isn't stamped "MADE IN USA," just a curiosity thing.
 
The Leek really isn't a knife that is worth counterfeiting, either. The economics of making a fake version of a $35 knife really don't work.
 
Bugout Bill said:
The Leek really isn't a knife that is worth counterfeiting, either. The economics of making a fake version of a $35 knife really don't work.
Click to expand...
Hopefully it's ok for me to correct you here Bugout Bill.

The truth of the matter is that the Leek has been the most heavily counterfeited/copied pattern that we've encountered. I think the economics of making a copy of one of the most popular patterns within any given brand is smart, if you're into that sort of thing. I've personally shut down many hundreds of fake Leek auctions over the years. The Leek copies are more prevalent then the rest of the brands copies combined.

To the OP, you got the real deal.
 
Kai Corp. said:
Hopefully it's ok for me to correct you here Bugout Bill.

The truth of the matter is that the Leek has been the most heavily counterfeited/copied pattern that we've encountered. I think the economics of making a copy of one of the most popular patterns within any given brand is smart, if you're into that sort of thing. I've personally shut down many hundreds of fake Leek auctions over the years. The Leek copies are more prevalent then the rest of the brands copies combined.
Click to expand...

I hadn't thought about it from that angle. I guess quantity would make up for production costs. I'm kind of suprised that they'd chose to counterfeit a model like the leek, rather than something like the Skyline. The Leek seems way more involved to mill out than a conventional liner lock.
 
Personally I've always shook my head at what they do counterfeit/copy over in China. The patterns they decide on seem like there always the high profile uber-low volume pieces that are out there. Kinda comical, but I know they are not overly smart at understanding the American market or American brands. Why would you counterfeit/copy patterns from brands that make/sell hundred of knives per year? It makes little to no sense to me.
 
I don't know much about the Leeks, but they originally had the date on the very end of the back (clip side) scale, then it was changed to the blade close to the pivot, same side. Finally it was deleted completely.......

The fakes are VERY easy to tell from the real deal, which was previously stated, you have!
 
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Kai Corp. said:
Personally I've always shook my head at what they do counterfeit/copy over in China. The patterns they decide on seem like there always the high profile uber-low volume pieces that are out there. Kinda comical, but I know they are not overly smart at understanding the American market or American brands. Why would you counterfeit/copy patterns from brands that make/sell hundred of knives per year? It makes little to no sense to me.
Click to expand...

I think what i comes down to is they will copy anything as long as they feel it will sell. That to me is the only motivating factor. There is many reasons why people will buy a replica and really the reason isnt important. The chinese I dont feel care one bit why someone wants something. They just know if they make it it will sell so they do so. The guys who buy them knowing that they are replicas either really like the design and cant find one or wont pay up for the real thing or they are seeking to intentionally rip someone off. Then there are those who are just oblivious and arent buying it or are even aware its a knockoff and are just buying it because they like the look of it. When you look at the prices they sell the counterfeits for in most cases they cant have much into them at all. They certainly dont have any R&D expenses into them so they can afford to basically replicate everything and see what hits. The current trend definitely seems to be the higher end knives. Still I dont think the real question is why are they replicating what they are but rather why are people buying it. And maybe even more importantly is how can USA based manufacturers take back that business. If it really is lost business at all.
 
celtic11 said:
The Kershaw Zing also changed to chinese manufacture. Also, to the OP, my Leek doesnt say anything about USA made either.
Click to expand...

The Zing received a full redesign when it moved to China. I don't consider them the same knife, just the same name. I believe the Bump is almost exactly the same.
 
Scurvy092 said:
The Zing received a full redesign when it moved to China. I don't consider them the same knife, just the same name. I believe the Bump is almost exactly the same.
Click to expand...

That's fair. I'm not too knowledgeable on the bump.

By full redesign, you mean in material right? They basically look the same with the exception of frame lock vs. Liner lock?
 
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