The Leek, one of Kershaw’s most popular knife series, features a compact, multipurpose, modified drop-point blade with excellent slicing qualities. The high-performance blade steels sharpen to a razor edge and maintain it for long periods of time. The three-inch blade is ideal for most tasks, and the small tip makes piercing and detail work a breeze. The Leek Classic knives are excellent stainless steel EDC knives. With SpeedSafe Assisted Opening, you can deploy the blade with a single pull back on the ambidextrous flipper. The fade-resistant, scratch-resistant, and permanently bonded colors are permanently bonded to the anodized aluminum handle.
Ken Onion, an American custom and premier knife maker and designer, devised and pioneered the SpeedSafe Assisted Opening mechanism, which is used in many of Kershaw’s best-selling knives. Onion produces award-winning and creative blades and technology for knife aficionados, collectors, and everyday knife users.
Sandvik 14C28N Steel, one of the world’s best knife steels, is used in this versatile 3-inch blade for enhanced hardness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention.
The 410 stainless steel alloy handle provides corrosion resistance as well as added strength and toughness.
The frame lock design offers the knife a slender, elegant appearance while keeping the blade open during use; the tip lock design keeps the blade closed while carrying.
Opens with Minimal effort and maximal functionality with SpeedSafe Assisted opening
simple pocket carry and tactical engagement with a strong or weak hand
3 inch blade; with 4 inch closed length results in 7 inch open length. It weights 3oz
Specs at a glance
Recommended Uses: Everyday, Work
Brand: Kershaw
Model Name: Leek
Included Components: Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Color: 1660
Style: Pocketknife
Blade Length: 3 Inches
Power Source: AC/DC
Product Dimensions : 7 x 1 x 1 inches; 3.04 Ounces
Manufacturer: Kershaw Sporting Goods
Domestic Shipping: Item can be shipped within the U.S.
International Shipping: This item is not eligible for international shipping
Leek Features
High-Performance Steel
Sandvik 14C28N steel is a high-performance steel having a higher nitrogen content in the formula for improved corrosion resistance and hardness. 14C28N steel is the world’s highest performing knife steel while still maintaining the productivity benefit of fine-blankability. It’s suitable for knife applications that demand high edge sharpness, edge stability, and corrosion resistance.
Attractive Blade Coating
Kershaw’s bead-blasted finish compliments a knife’s end-use and enhances its appearance. The high-tech finish is created by pressing a fine media mixture into the blade’s steel, resulting in a smooth, non-reflective matte surface. Glass and aluminum oxide beads are fine media that allow for color variety and optimal performance results for a beautiful overall impact.
Fast Deployment
Kershaw’s SpeedSafe Assisted Opening mechanism uses a torsion bar to lift the blade out of the grip, allowing for smooth, secure, and rapid one-handed blade deployment. To overcome the torsion bar’s resistance, apply manual pressure to the flipper or thumb stud with a light push or pull back, and the blade opens smoothly and locks into position for confident handling without premature closure.
Convenient Pocketclip
Kershaw creates pocket clips that are tailored to various knives based on its weight, intended use, size, style, and hardware. Some knives have several ways to carry them, while others are more simple. The reversible pocket clip allows the user to carry the knife tip-up or tip-down, as well as choose which side the knife is carried on. The user has the option of selecting a desired tip position or a carry side.
One-Handed Flipper
One-handed blade deployment is available on knives with SpeedSafe open. A thumb stud or a flipper can be pressed to trigger the smooth, quick open. Both left- and right-handed users can easily operate the flipper on SpeedSafe assisted knives. The flipper either disappears for aesthetics or remains visible for enhanced finger protection once the blade swings open and locks into position.
Durable Handle
Stainless steel contains chromium, which helps to prevent rusting and corrosion in knife handles. Stainless steel is also durable and is frequently combined with another material to make it easier to handle. It has a long life span. For a less slippery grip, stainless steel knife handles usually have etching, designs, ridges, or lines.
Secure Locking System
Kershaw’s frame lock mechanism enables one-handed blade deployment safer, securer, sturdier, and faster. The knife handle, or frame, contains two metal plates on either side of the blade, and the lock bar butts up against the blade’s backside to prevent blade closing when the knife is open. Push the frame to the side to free the blade and fold the blade back into the handle to close the knife blade. The Kershaw Tip Lock technology is found on all Leek and Scallion SpeedSafe knives and is designed to retain the blade inside the handle. When this simple slider is engaged, the blade will not open prematurely if it is not in use. In the closed position, the Tip Lock system is positioned where the blade’s tip meets the handle scales. It is activated with a thumb press for secure, safe knife use.
The Drawback
The texture of the grip, or rather the lack thereof. It may get slippery if your hands are wet or sweat easily. It comes with the smooth metal where many prefer a textured grip. This disadvantage is a matter of personal preference.
The warranty is for a limited time only.
My thoughts
For a modest price, this is an excellent American-made knife.
This is a pretty beautiful knife. It’s uncomplicated from a visual sense. There aren’t many frills; it does well what it’s meant to do.
This was razor sharp right out of the box. Not “razor-sharp,” as most knife and sword manufacturers claim, but razor sharp in the true sense. It readily slices through a phone book’s thin pages and can even cut a page through with its own weight as it approaches the blade’s end. Between the slopes of edge retention/durability and sharpness, they recommend resharpening it at an angle of 18 to 22 degrees. They have a good compromise on the angle, with pure sharpness going down to around 15 degrees and durability in relation to sharpness going down to about 25 degrees.
SpeedSafe Assisted Opening works as expected, and it’s really simple to open. They needed to include The Blade Lock because it is so easy to open. The blade lock is a manual safety mechanism that prevents the knife from accidentally flipping out, and it is an essential safety precaution to have with the knife. However, continuously locking and unlocking it can be inconvenient. well, at least if you sheath it often. It also comes with a reversible pocket clip though I have not changed it.
The knife is composed of Sandvik 14C28N, which has 0.62 percent carbon, 0.2 percent silicon, 0.11 percent nickel, and 14 percent chrome, among other compounds. It has an HRC of 55-62 and a carbon content that is on the lower end of the High Carbon range (0.5 percent – 1%), making it a robust knife without being unduly brittle. In addition, the nickel and chromium ratios help to give it a high level of corrosion resistance.
Should this knife be used to cut chicken, fruits, or any kitchen use without rusting?
The blade is composed of Stainless Steel, which means it will not rust. However, because I’m not sure if the fruit’s acid may damage it, make sure to clean it thoroughly after each usage, especially to kill bacteria.