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Kershaw Leek Review
The Kershaw Leek is an iconic knife. It's "SpeedSafe" assisted opening mechanism pioneered the use of assisted opening mechanisms and introduced Kershaw to a larger user base than ever before. Many of us became aware of Kershaw knives for the first time when we handled a Leek on display at the local outdoors store. The Leek was designed by noted knife maker Ken Onion, as was the Leek's smaller siblings the Chive and the Scallion. Since its introduction, the Leek has been offered in a wide variety of configurations, including:
Kershaw is a brand of Kai USA, Ltd, a Japanese company. All the Leeks I've handled were made in the USA.
The nice thing about the many Leek models is that if you don't like something about the basic Leek, you can find a version that offers what you like. Where the steel Leek handles can be slippery, for example, you can choose matte finish aluminum scales or grippier G10. The trade-off in handle materials, however, is that you get a relatively thin liner lock, rather than a stout steel frame lock. Similarly, where the Leek's pointy blade tip doesn't make for the best prybar, you can choose the Random Leek's stouter tanto blade. Some users buy several Leek models and assemble one "Franken-Leek" from the parts to suit their preferences. The Leek's screw-together construction makes this fairly easy.
What all Leeks have in common is the SpeedSafe assisted opening system. While Kershaw seems to be moving toward flippers and away from SpeedSafe, the mechanism still works very well. It is fast, sure, and reliable, with a built-in safety to prevent accidental opening in one's pocket. I have had several leeks over several years and find that the spring assist does weaken over time. I have never had a spring break, but Kershaw's outstanding warranty makes replacement springs available for free, it needed. All Leeks also have the same pocket clip: a Kershaw branded stainless steel clip that can be reversed for tip-up to tip-down carry. While the knife itself is fairly ambidextrous with thumb studs on both sides, the clip is for right-side carry only.
Who is a Leek for? Pretty much everyone. It's slim profile makes for a good EDC, although it is a little heavy for its size in some configurations. Other versions make a great "gentleman's knife" where you may want something dressier. The rainbow and pink versions are popular with the ladies in my life. The Leek seems to be fairly non-threatening to non knife people, too. My only minor complaints with the Leeks I've owned are that Kershaw's bead blasted Sandvik steel has developed rust in some of the models I've had and that Kershaw's scalloped serrations seem to be fragile compared to some of its competitor's designs (I've chipped mine.)
Go get one (or two.)
The Kershaw Leek is an iconic knife. It's "SpeedSafe" assisted opening mechanism pioneered the use of assisted opening mechanisms and introduced Kershaw to a larger user base than ever before. Many of us became aware of Kershaw knives for the first time when we handled a Leek on display at the local outdoors store. The Leek was designed by noted knife maker Ken Onion, as was the Leek's smaller siblings the Chive and the Scallion. Since its introduction, the Leek has been offered in a wide variety of configurations, including:
- Blade Design: plain edge, partially serrated, and tanto point ("Random Leek")
- Blade Finish: bead-blasted, DLC black coating, gold or rainbow titanium oxide coating
- Blade Steel: 440C, Composite 14C28N/CPM-D2, Damascus, S30V, Sandvik 13C26, Sandvik 14C28N, ZDP-189
- Handle: G10, titanium, 6061-T6 anodized aluminum (black, blue, olive drab, pink, red, tan), 410 stainless steel (some with carbon fiber or mother of pearl insets), graphic prints, or stone inlays from Brian Yellowhorse and Santa Fe Stoneworks. A few special editions like the Ken Onion Signature Series, Ted Nugent and Orange County Choppers versions have been produced as well.
Kershaw is a brand of Kai USA, Ltd, a Japanese company. All the Leeks I've handled were made in the USA.
The nice thing about the many Leek models is that if you don't like something about the basic Leek, you can find a version that offers what you like. Where the steel Leek handles can be slippery, for example, you can choose matte finish aluminum scales or grippier G10. The trade-off in handle materials, however, is that you get a relatively thin liner lock, rather than a stout steel frame lock. Similarly, where the Leek's pointy blade tip doesn't make for the best prybar, you can choose the Random Leek's stouter tanto blade. Some users buy several Leek models and assemble one "Franken-Leek" from the parts to suit their preferences. The Leek's screw-together construction makes this fairly easy.
What all Leeks have in common is the SpeedSafe assisted opening system. While Kershaw seems to be moving toward flippers and away from SpeedSafe, the mechanism still works very well. It is fast, sure, and reliable, with a built-in safety to prevent accidental opening in one's pocket. I have had several leeks over several years and find that the spring assist does weaken over time. I have never had a spring break, but Kershaw's outstanding warranty makes replacement springs available for free, it needed. All Leeks also have the same pocket clip: a Kershaw branded stainless steel clip that can be reversed for tip-up to tip-down carry. While the knife itself is fairly ambidextrous with thumb studs on both sides, the clip is for right-side carry only.
Who is a Leek for? Pretty much everyone. It's slim profile makes for a good EDC, although it is a little heavy for its size in some configurations. Other versions make a great "gentleman's knife" where you may want something dressier. The rainbow and pink versions are popular with the ladies in my life. The Leek seems to be fairly non-threatening to non knife people, too. My only minor complaints with the Leeks I've owned are that Kershaw's bead blasted Sandvik steel has developed rust in some of the models I've had and that Kershaw's scalloped serrations seem to be fragile compared to some of its competitor's designs (I've chipped mine.)
Go get one (or two.)
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