Kershaw Leek replacement

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wickedwheels

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Feb 14, 2008
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I'm looking for something a little more durable and solid than Kershaw Leek, but similar in function and size. My budget is ~$150. Any thoughts?

For the past few years I've been walking around with these Leeks, in every blade combination, and they've been awesome. They're handy, easy to open quickly single-handed, easy to carry, and with the awesome assisted opening. However, I keep going through these. More often than not I snap the tip off (I know... don't use it to pry, but sometime life gets in the way). The standard stainless blades don't stay sharp long enough for me. The composite and damascus blades have been a little bit better in terms of sharpness. I primarily use these knives for cardboard boxes, zip ties and such.

This summer someone walked into my store and showed me a knife that he had that was very similar in size and action, but about double the blade thickness, with a more contoured blade. He said it was about $130, but I didn't write down what it was. I'd love to find something like it. Does anyone have any thoughts?
 
Try a GEC 21 Bullbuster. It is long and slim like the Leek, but built for heavier work.
 
Three of my co-workers carry various Leek models, but try as I might, I can't help but think that in situations where I've really needed a knife, a Leek would either be too small or have too fine of a tip. I feel the same way about my CRKT Ripple, which I really like but don't subject to the same sorts of use as my other EDCs. The closest I have is a Leatherman Crater, which I bought specifically to carry where one of my typical EDC folders (usually 3.5" blades) might be too scary for the safety police.

That said, I have a Kershaw Camber and really like it, although it doesn't get much pocket time. Similar length and weight to the Leek, and S30V as has been pointed out already. I was going to suggest the Shield as well, but it weighs twice as much and the steel would be a downgrade. You could go with a Link, but it's also heavier and I believe thicker than the Leek, which may be a good or bad thing depending on what you are really looking for a knife to do. So, yeah . . . I second the Camber recommendation.
 
How about a Spyderco Native 5 Lightweight? Much the same size as the Leek, but offers better blade steel and not such a delicate point.
 
Zero Tolerance 0770...
Still made by kai, kershaws patent company, so assisted action will be top notch.
It still has the flipper
Flat ground blade instead of hollow ground, (better edge retention and strength)
Blade and handle are just a wee bit thicker then the leek
And only a quarter inch longer in both as well.
Not as pointy, but still a Wharncliffe-esque style blade (with a recurve)
Elmax steel
Only 0.75 ounces heavier, so still pretty light at under 4oz.
*(you can over budget and opt to swap out the aluminum scales for carbon fiber 0770cf, and it weighs the same 3oz. as a leek)..

For all intents and purposes it is all but an overbuilt , slightly larger and sturdier leek???

Only downfalls imo are it's a liner lock instead of frame lock, but that's really not a major set back by comparison, especially by ZT since they do make quality knives. I mean, I love my Kershaw blurs, and they're liner locks also, so, it's not a huge issue by any means; (It is more aesthetically pleasing though to have backside scales...)

It's tip up carry only, where the leek is either-or, which could be a preference issue...

And you won't have all the color options available, but it sounds right up your alley, and can be found well under budget.
 
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I'm thinking benchmade 940 not a flipper but nice and thin and narrow with better steel and a much more robust tip. I'm pushing it on the budget but I have seen them on the exchange for around your budget
 
I daily carry a Spyderco Tenacious. Got mine on Amazon for $45 with one day shipping. I have the plain edge model. Has held up well for my EDC purposes. Have dropped it more times than I can count and it's holding up well, despite a few nicks out of the handle here and there. There are some more expensive Sypderco models that may suit you better, the Paramilitary is at the higher end of your price range.They're not assisted opening, but I find that I can flick my Tenacious open with my thumnail faster than my A/O Kershaws. I do actually prefer manual opening due to the fact that I can choose how fast it opens. Sometimes when there's people around it's better to open it slow and controlled, and other times it's fun to flick it open fast as lightning.
 
The leek is one of the most fun knives around, I can feel your dilemma. I agree on trying a zt. If you checkout Kershaw guy for a sweet second you can get a little more bang for your buck.

My only other suggestion would be a CF Boker Kwaiken or a spyderco domino.
 
The Leek is a sleek dress knife, if there is such a thing, but it's not suited to heavy use. My wife carries one everyday and is quite fond of it.

The Leek is very slim which makes me think a FFG Endura would be a good replacement. They have always felt flat as notebook paper to me.
 
If you do not mind going up a little bit in size and getting a great knife for the price, check out the Kershaw Link. It will get you in to a slightly bigger knife for $50. If you end up liking its size then it opens another world of knives to you. If you want to stay same length and thicker blade the options of the ZT0450, ZT0808 and Spyderco Native 5 are great options to consider. Good luck!
 
Like Witty said the Link. For me it's excellent, got mine with the nylon handles & 420hc blade for under $40.00, made in USA, excellent knife. Something I don't see often. It also comes in aluminum handles. The Endura ffg is another good choice. Gary
 
I played with a Benchmade Mini Barrage today and liked the size and loved the safety lock. I didn't like the feel of the knife... felt cheap, for lack of a better word.

I would like to have something with a safety lock as well. I have little kids and sometimes they get into my pockets. The Leek one is pretty crappy, but it's better than nothing. I don't see that as a feature on the ZKs. Am I missing it? Those knives seem great otherwise.
 
kershaw amplitude is a very similar knife, but a little more robust imo. price is right in the leek range as well.
 
Spyderco Yojimbo 2, it's got that same wharncliff blade with the blade being twice as thick as the leek
 
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