Kershaw Leek | A straight forward EDC knife

Following the “two is one, one is none” mantra, I recently added the Kershaw Leek to my menu of potential Every Day Carry (EDC) items. Operating now for over 40 years, Kershaw has been pumping out quality blades while always keeping an eye towards innovation. With a lineup that includes knives for tactical, rescue, hunting, and fishing, Kershaw’s Leek is a straight forward EDC knife.

Until now, my EDC knife has been a Benchmade Griptilian. However, I wanted to have a quality back-up for the vehicle, home office, garage, etc. My need for an easily accessible blade has greatly increased over the last few weeks due to the hermetically sealed packages arriving on my doorstep, seemingly on a daily basis. A function of my family’s online shopping during the current pandemic. As with sunglasses and watches, I tend to be very picky with my choice of knives. These classes of gear need to be durable, versatile, and of course they have to look good. So far, the Leek has been a performer in all of these areas.

Carbon Fiber + Steel

While there are several variants to fit personal preferences, this Leek features a gray “Stonewash” blade and black carbon fiber handle. The plain edge, drop-point blade is made of CPM-154 steel and measures 3 inches. (I’ve never been a big fan of serrated edges or other blade styles.) Sleek and extremely light at just 2.4 ounces, the Leek slides into any pocket with ease while still providing enough bulk so as not to get lost.  Kershaw’s Speedsafe® assisted opening mechanism makes deploying the blade a one-finger exercise. Slight pressure on the flipper with my index opens the blade manually part of the way, after which a spring takes over to open it the rest of the way eliciting a confident “snap.” The Leek’s frame lock securely locks the blade into place once fully opened and brings the overall length to 7 inches.

An ample thumb slot is provided to disengage the lock when closing the blade, and I’ve found that the Leek can easily be opened and closed with one hand. It also has a reversible clip so that you can carry it in a tip-up or tip-down configuration. The clip is quickly and easily reversed using a TORX T6 bit to remove the clip screws. One downside for you southpaws – the clip on this particular Leek is not ambidextrous.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I’m impressed with this Leek. It’s simple, yet refined. The sophisticated Stonewash finish screams versatility – equally suitable for those more upscale occasions, as it is for those typical days spent at the range.  The only concern that I have with the Leek is the thinness of the blade tip. While I try not to use EDC knives for significant prying as a rule, I find myself taking extra care when using the Leek to minimize chances of breaking the tip. That said, the Leek appears to have everything to handle most EDC tasks, and it has definitely made its way onto my list of carry gear. It’s regularly within arm’s reach, especially when I hear the delivery truck in my neighborhood.

Kershaw Leek Features & Details:

• Use: Everyday, Work
• Type: Assisted, Folder
• Style: Pocketknife
• Designer: Ken Onion
• Blade Style: Drop Point
• Blade Edge: Plain
• Opening Action: Assisted SpeedSafe®
• Opens With: Flipper
• Lock Type: Liner lock
• Pocket clip: Reversible (right, tip-up/down)
• Handle Color: Gray & Black
• Made in USA: Yes
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Specifications:

• Blade Length: 3 in. (7.6 cm)
• Blade Steel: CPM 154
• Finish/Coating: Stonewashed finish
• Blade Thickness: 0.09 in. (2.29 mm)
• Closed Length: 4 in. (10.2 cm)
• Handle Material: Carbon fiber
• Handle Thickness: 0.04 in. (10.17 mm)
• Overall Length: 7 in. (17.9 cm)
• Weight: 2.4 oz. (69 g)
• MSRP: $144.99  Amazon: $88.85!!