Way back – 3 years ago! – I wrote about my fondness for Kershaw’s Leek pocket knives. My rotation of folding knives has grown recently and so I felt it to be an appropriate time to revisit my elegant little Leek.
Basic Knife Specs
- Designed by Ken Onion
- 3-inch blade
- 4-inch closed length, 7-inch overall length
- 3.0 oz weight
- SpeedSafe assisted-opening design (ambidextrous)
- 410 stainless steel handle
- Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel blade
- Frame-lock closure
- Pocket clip (reversible and removable)
- Street price ~ $35
- Made in USA
Stainless Steel Handle
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There are a number of handle options, but I opted for plain-Jane stainless steel version. The finish is smooth and satin in a way that fingerprints don’t stand out. Handle edges are all rounded and eased for user comfort, but they also give the overall shape a sort of elegant appeal.
Leek Blades
My first Leek was the plain-edge version, and I eventually purchased the serrated version as well. I find the plain-edge blade much more useful for most slicing tasks, but the partially serrated blade comes in handy at times.
The blade arrived extremely sharp out of the box. Heavier users might want to brush up on their honing skills, but I never so much as stropped these knives. I probably should, but edge retention has been excellent.
The shape of the blade’s edge is a bit straighter than I am used to, but I have never found it lacking.
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If you don’t know which blade style best suits your day-to-day cutting needs, stick with the plain edge version. If you cut cords, fabric, and other such materials the partially serrated version be a better option.
Ergonomics
For a relatively compact knife, the Leek is impressively comfortable to use. All edges of the handle are rounded over to avoid pressure points, and finger-gripping points are grooved for increased grip. Who knew such a small handle would be such a pleasure to use?
Blade Deployment – SpeedSafe Assisted Opening
If you turn your attention to the spine of the closed knife, you’ll see a small triangular protrusion. To deploy the knife, ensure the safety tip lock is disengaged and then apply gentle pressure to the flipper mechanism. The knife deploys with a reassuring click.
You can also deploy the knife via the thumb stud, but I don’t like to as it feels a little less controlled.
Kershaw’s SpeedSafe is an assisted opening mechanism. This means that users must apply gentle pressure before a torsion (spring-loaded) bar will yield. Once that happens, the knife deploys smoothly and swiftly to the open and locked position.
Closing the Knife
Closing the knife involves using your thumb to push the frame lock out of the way before you can return the blade to its closed position. I usually do this with two hands but can do it with one hand if I have to. Closing the knife is a little different than with manual folding knives since you have to do a little work to reset the SpeedSafe mechanism.
Fit and Finish
The SS Leek has a beautiful bead-blasted finish. There’s absolutely nothing I can complain about.
Even the jimping is perfectly machined!
Conclusion
Kershaw and Ken Onion did a remarkably good job on the Leek’s design. It is elegant yet robust-feeling; the blade is sharp and effectively shaped; and the handle is comfortable yet compact. On top of all that, the knife is made in the USA. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s extremely affordable at around $35.
Bottom line, the Kershaw Onion Leek is a phenomenal knife at a great price point.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Both of the knives featured in this review were purchased via Amazon.
It is important to note that the Leek is NOT an automatic knife, switchblade, or gravity knife. Even so, make sure you know your local knife laws before thinking about purchasing one!
jesse
Onion and leek – sounds like a kitchen knife LOL
John
The reason they are called that is because you will cry if you ever lose it. I lost my amazon special speedsafe and still mourn it.
Stuart
Ken Onion is a very popular knife designer. I didn’t know that when I first learned about the Leek a few years ago.
You’ll get a kick out of this – there are other knives in the Kershaw Onion lineup beside the leek, called the chive and scallion. =)
Joe 'the Pro' Sainz
I love my leek with G10 scales. I had to knock down the grippiness of the G10 a bit though with some 220 grit sand paper though.
Matt P.
Only thing I’d like to mention is specific to the ones with the satin or polished finish, they may tend slip when used with wet, oily, or cold-numbed hands. A Leek has been in my pocket for almost 10 years now, but I did upgrade from the stain finish to the G10-handled model a few years back after a few close calls. Just an FYI
Jerry
I really like mine. I was thinking of one of the bi-metal bladed ones for my Christmas present for myself. It has a D-2 core, which really holds an edge well.
brandon
I love the leek, super sharp right out of the box, my speed safe opening spring broke about 2 months into owning it, but I still carry it everyday
Dave Seaton
How can I buy this knife? Like where do I go to order this knife
Stuart
At the bottom of the post there’s a big blue “Buy Now” button that takes you to Amazon listings for both styles, plus a few other handle color options.
Or you can check Kershaw dealers, such as BladeHQ.
Greengeorge
Leek factory fit and finish on mine in shelf package was not inspectable but I wanted one.found mine had one handle screw put in crooked stripped frame threads and blade not centered.force screw in straight with lots of locktited on all threads.we’ll see if it holds.also assisted bar to strong slams out that’s why they break to often.and they use to much grease on frame and bar in assist.wont buy ever again screwed frames only use bolts.my buck spitfire beat kershaw leek in over all quality.proven tested
Teague
According to Kershaw, that’s not a thumb stud; it’s a blade stop. It’s not designed to be used for opening; it’s just there to ensure that blade doesn’t go too far when opening or closing. That’s why it’s awkward to actively use it.
Stuart
Sounds about right, thanks for bringing it up! On some of their knives released in the past few years, the stops aren’t at all usable for opening. The Leek was always a flipper, and I don’t recall if I mistook the stop as a thumb stud (it sure looks like one) or simply wanted to see if it could be used as an alternate opening method.