As a Camper, DIY person, or a craftsman, having the best pocketknife matters a lot. From cutting to opening packages to trimming and piecing, this handy tool covers you perfectly.
But if you do not have the right knife, you will always end up disappointed. Well, limited functionality and rust are the most common problems of knives.
In this guide, I’m going to introduce you to the Kershaw Leek review. After doing some rounds of research, I thought this tool might be the perfect match for your general cutting needs.
- KERSHAW LEEK POCKET KNIFE: The Kershaw Leek might just be your new favorite EDC. Not too big, not too small, the 3-inch blade and slim design make it capable of fulfilling a wide range of cutting tasks. Made in the USA.
- DROP POINT PLAIN EDGE BLADE: Made from high-performance Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel, the blade resharpens easily and holds its edge. The bead-blasted finish provides a clean, matte look.
- 410 STAINLESS STEEL HANDLE: The corrosion-resistant, stainless-steel handle is contoured for a comfortable grip while in use. Silver, bead-blasted finish. Includes reversible pocketclip for right, tip-up/down carry.
- DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND: Equipped with Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assisted opening for easy one-handed release with flipper. Frame lock secures blade open while in use and Tip-lock slider keeps blade locked closed when folded.
- SIZE SPECIFICATIONS: Blade Length: 3in. Closed Length: 4in. Overall Length: 7in. Weighing in at 3oz. Backed by Kershaw’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Overview
Kershaw Leek is a handy knife that was designed by Ken Onion. Ken Onion is a respectable custom knife maker based in the United States. The knife is one of the most popular cutting tools in the market.
And the reasons for the popularity are apparent: the knife is durable, perfect in size, and therefore suited for daily carry in the pocket.
Who is Kershaw Leek Knife For?
The foldable knife might be the perfect choice for piercing and detail tasks, thanks to its slim tip. The stainless-steel material used in the overall construction makes the knife durable. The knife is also very lightweight – thus, easy to carry around.
Generally, the knife could be an ideal option for contractors, artisans, DIYers, and woodworkers.
Kershaw Leek Review: Key Features
Quick Features
- Dimensions: 7 x 1 x 1 inches
- Item weight: 3.04 oz.
- Blade length: 3 inches
- Overall length: 7 inches
- Folded length: 4 inches
- Material construction: stainless steel handle, Sandvik 14C28N blade
- Locking System: Frame lock
- Made in: USA
Overall Design
The Kershaw pocketknife is an EDC market model. Courtesy of its small overall dimensions. It has a blade length that measures 3 inches; it’s a 0.4-inch thick, 4-inch closed length.
Overall, the length is 7 inches, and it weighs just a little 3 ounces. With this weight, it is never going to be a fuss in the pocket. In general, the Leek folds up to fit correctly inside the pocket.
The Blade
The Leek’s blade constructed using Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel is one of the most desired materials in the industry. This type of steel is optimized for high performance. It comes with top hardness levels and is anti-corrosion.
But in case you notice signs of rust, you could use a cheap knife eraser to eliminate this problem.
Besides, Sandvik technology enables the knife to meet the toughest of cutting demands, which is also the reason why its edges are very sharp and stable.
The blade shape is Wharncliffe style that features a flat edge, with no curvature in it. It tapers towards the tip into a sharp, pointy end. Such fine points are perfect for use in high-level precision tasks. However, they also pose problems in some situations.
The pointy tips are thought to be fragile. They can break off at any time without notice. So, don’t use the knife to make any problematic cuts; it can bend.
Also, the blade is very thin and slim, which is good news when it comes to sharpening the knife.
The Leek should be re-sharpened at an angle in the range of 18-22 degrees. At this angle, edge retention, durability, and sharpness are kept intact.
Included in the design is the SpeedSafe Assisted Opening. This is a safety feature that ensures that the blade is safely locked in its place through a blade lock. This way, the blade doesn’t flip out even without notice.
Some users do not find the blade lock to be convenient. They think it’s a bit irritating to have to lock and unlock the blade leading to a somewhat annoying cycle. However, I don’t think so – at least according to me, this is the perfect safety feature.
The Handle
Overall, the Kershaw Leek handle is a nice build. Given the Leek’s tiny footprint, the 410 stainless steel, ergonomically designed bead-blasted finish handle, is the ideal addition.
For durability, sleekness, and strength, the handle ticks all boxes just fine. And with these ergonomics, this handle is what you need to dispense light to medium tasks. You can grab the handle comfortably with your four finger-grips with the thumb.
However, the handle can be slippery in hand, as well, especially when handling some aggressive pieces of work. Keeping a safe grip is not going to be that easy in this kind of situation. That said, the knife is not your perfect cutting partner in heavy-duty tasks.
The pocket clip of the Kershaw Leek knife is a convenient feature. The clip is small and unobtrusive, yet it perfectly holds the knife. Whether you are going to take some tumbles or other moves, you can be sure that the knife holds tightly in its position.
Additionally, the pocket clip is reversible and allows for tip-up or s tip-down carry. You need to reposition it in your desired direction. While the knife slides low and disappears in the pocket, it is only designed for right-handed carry.
There’s no drill for ambidextrous carry, which opens up some inconvenience for guys who would wish to enjoy left-handed carry.
Generally, the Leek’s handle doesn’t add any significant weight to the knife. This makes handling it pretty easy and straightforward. Of course, as long as you keep its usage to the right type of the tasks.
Deployment and Lock-up
The Leek offers a SpeedSafe deployment mechanism. Ken Onion designed this robust technology to help the handlers of this knife keep safe and comfortable when using or not using the knife.
Courtesy of this technology, you can deploy the Leek in a snap. You need to apply a small amount of pressure on the thumb studs, and it opens up effortlessly. Alternatively, but in the same manner, use a little force to pull the flipper to open it.
The SpeedSafe system is a crucial security and safety feature. Have you thought about the knife opening up accidentally without even you noticing? Well, not with this mechanism since it locks down the blade so securely that it cannot snap out of its place.
However, some folks may not fancy the SpeedSafe stuff. I have seen some even saying this feature is a waste of time and annoying. If you are one of them, you can as well remove the spring that activates this lock to remain with a non-assisted knife.
Furthermore, Kershaw Leek knife is also designed with a frame lock. During usage, you want the handle to perfectly keep its position and leave the blade undisturbed. The frame lock safely locks the handle so that you experience a smooth operation. There are no instances of blade play or imbalance.
Again the Leek is designed for a one-hand close and open operation, which enables you to close and open the blade from the frame with minimum fuss and just using one hand. This feature is not limited to the right-handed people only; even the lefties may find it easy with the knife.
Pros
- One of the most comfortable knives for day-to-day carry in the pocket. It only weighs just about 3 oz
- It is sleek, and elegant, thanks to the stainless steel finish
- It is durable since both the handle and the blade are made of stainless steel. This material is corrosion-resistant
- The knife is also safe to use; it has a SpeedSafe mechanism and Frame lock to help keep the user safe all the time
- The convenience of this knife is a crucial selling point for the market. It is lightweight and, therefore, easy to use
- The overall minimalist design slides in the pocket quite easily. No one may even notice that you are carrying a knife in there
- The model also comes in an array of colors, making it an excellent collectible knife
Cons
- The pointy tip of the blade is somewhat weak and delicate. It readily breaks when subjected to more demanding tasks
- The slim and thin design of the blade cannot tackle medium to heavy-duty tasks
- There is no texture or enough texture on the handle. Instead, the handle is smooth and, therefore, slippery in hand
- The knife is not ambidextrous, which means that it is not drilled for a left-hand carry
- The SpeedSafe Lock Mechanism is not ideal for all types of handlers. Some find the unassisted knives better suited for the operation
Kershaw Leek Customer Reviews Summary
On the positive side, many customer reviews the knife seems to enjoy has to do with its pocket-friendly price. In addition to that, one customer was impressed by the knife’s simple, visual standpoint. He liked the fact that it is designed perfectly to do its job. Secondly, he said that being a patriot, he loved that it is American-made. The flag on the knife, according to him, was an icing on the cake.
There is a customer that liked the Leek’s sharpness. She gave the knife a 5 star because even out of the box, she discovered that it is legitimately razor-sharp unlike most of the others from sword and knife manufacturers. If it does not meet your sharpness needs, the reviewer recommends re-sharpening it at any angle between 18 and 22 degrees.
The knife’s unobstructed and thin nature was the main selling point of another customer. He said that he liked his purchase because its blade and stainless steel are flawless. The customer also loved this knife due to its excellent fit and finish. The knife’s SpeedSafe assisted opening is another feature that the buyer loved.
On the other hand, One customer was of full praise for his knife but complained that it breaks easily. He said that although the knife features the perfect size, holds a decent edge, as well as addresses all his work, and home needs, his only issue was related to the fact that the knife’s blades broke off easily. According to him, the Kershaw Leek is a wonderful knife but not perfect for buyers that value longevity.
Another negative reviewer had an issue with the fact that the knife might be fine for the right-hand use but dangerous for left especially when using the thumb stud. He said that it is difficult to open it using the left hand because the clip on the knife provides very little room for gripping. However, he didn’t have any issue opening the knife on the right hand.
Additional Tips
Price
Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife (1600) is a moderately priced knife model. The Leek costs just above $40. Given the features you get for this amount, I think this price point is a bargain.
How to Use the Knife
This knife is ideally used for light to medium-sized tasks. It is a daily-carry tool that’s perfect for the pocket. You can also check other multi tool like Leatherman Wave (here), Leatherman Rebar (here) and leatherman sidekick (here)
When using the knife, be careful not to apply much pressure. You are supposed to be gentle on it so that the pointy tip does not bend or break off.
Some people have reported using the knife for heavy applications without breakage.
Warranty
The Kershaw Leek knife has a limited lifetime warranty. So, in case of any defects in craft, the company promises to repair or make replacements where necessary. The company also does the free sharpening.
However, this warranty is not applicable to wear or damage during use. Any accidents or theft cases are also not covered by the warranty.
To claim a warranty, you can fill out an online form and submit it for evaluation.
FAQs
– Where is this knife made?
According to the Kershaw website, the knife is manufactured in the United States, Japan, and China.
– Can I use the Kershaw Leek knife to cut meat, chicken, fruits, etc. without rusting?
Yes. You can use it for this purpose. The knife has a stainless steel blade and handle, which means that it is corrosion-resistant. Also you can use one of best Multi tools for this task (learn more)
The most important thing is to clean the knife after every use. This eliminates fruit acids and any bacteria on the blade.
– What material should I use to re-sharpen my knife?
First, it is very vital to use your knife carefully to avoid untimely blunting. The knife is always razor-sharp when it comes out of the box. However, you could use a suitable ceramic sharpener to sharpen the knife if you notice substandard performance.
You could as well take advantage of the Kershaw sharpening service. This service is outlined in the product warranty.
– Is there a different style of the pocket clip that will fit my knife?
No. You will have to settle on the pocket clip that comes along when you purchased it. There is no any other different style. Even if you receive a replacement, it will still be the same.
– What is the best way to sharpen my Kershaw Leek knife?
The only sure way to have your knife re-sharpened to retain its top cutting performance is by sending the knife back to Kershaw. You won’t have to pay anything for this service.
Of course, you will only need to pay for shipping the knife to the Customer Service Center at Tualatin, Oregon facility.
Once Kershaw does the sharpening, they send it back to you for free.
– Where you can buy Kershaw Leek Knife?
You can get the Kershaw Leek knife in all online market stores like Amazon.
– How Long to Wait for Shipping?
According to many users on Amazon, shipping this knife was super-fast. Plus, it was also cheaper in terms of overall costs compared to local retailers.
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Conclusion
If you are looking for the true gentleman’s folder, this Kershaw Leek review may give you a hint of what to expect. The Kershaw Leek comes with a simple design. It also fits pretty well in the pocket, thanks to the small footprint.
I recommend the Leek to anyone in need of a reliable knife for light to medium work. This is because the knife is sleek, slim, lightweight, and comes with great value.
Check out for the Kershaw Leek here and find out if it meets your needs as expected.