Kershaw Leek initial impression

[Aglifter]

I ordered a benchmade 250 as a "gentleman's knife" because their lock system was supposed to lock the blade shut, but those seem to be mostly vapor wear.

So, I saw that a Kershaw Leek also had a system to lock it shut, and I ordered a model w. the composite blade, and stainless scales.

It seems well-made, and tight. Its easier and safer to open it w. the "flicker" than w. the thumb stud.

There doesn't seem to be a means of easing it open w. one hand - before I go to TX, I will disable the spring - or, just leave it in SC.

It does have a slim, easy to carry profile.

The edge, as delivered, was awful, and quite dull. A quick honing on a ceramic steel helped, but it almost seemed like something was defective on the edge.

[Fivetoes]

Mine was wicked sharp when new and it holds an edge very well.

[Greg]

I have 2 Leeks. Easing it open with one hand just takes practice. I'm not likely to explain it very well, but try opening and closing it very slowly a couple of times, from fully open to fully closed and back and you should get a feel for a opposing forces involved.

[Darrell]

Mine was wicked sharp when new and it holds an edge very well.

Ditto for all three I've bought. Two are all stainless, the third had blue/black scales, gave two to my sisters. I can put a wicked edge on mine with a DMT.

[Durham68]

I loved mine until I beat it to death. The spring broke a couple years ago and I still have the pile of parts I intended to ship back to Kershaw. Mine took a sharp edge but never held it very well. Thanks for reminding me I need another one.

[Aglifter]

OK, well I'll call Kershaw about it. The blade is visibly rough - I've seen posts on-line about Benchmade having similar problems, so I'm sure it happens.

My last Kershaw, bought ~1995, was quite sharp, but loose. It opened quickly, including in my pocket - the current design is a vast improvement.

[Rich Jordan]

I've got an all stainless Leek I bought in 2004. I've replaced the spring twice and the lock once. The lock is just plastic, and mine broke one time when the knife was dropped. I carried it for a year after that and only had it start opening once unexpectedly (which led to a bandaid and an order for a replacement lock).

I love it and it has been very reliable for me other than the replacement springs; the original went 5 years, the replacement only one each ( its broken again so the knife only opens halfway then becomes thumb stud opening). Wondering if the springs come from 'somewhere else' now....

[Cybrludite]

Only real complaint I have is the tip is a bit fragile. All three of the Kershaw's I have (two Leeks and a Blur) came razor sharp out of the box.