Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife Assessment

Backside Line

The Kershaw Leek pocket knife is amongst our high picks for one of the best pocket knives and has confirmed itself as a worthy companion for on a regular basis carry, work, or out of doors settings. It has a pointy 3-inch blade and a slim design (weighing solely 3 oz.), making it extremely transportable. Though light-weight, the Leek is very versatile and capabilities nicely for duties starting from easy chopping to chopping greens and even intricate whittling. 

The assisted opening mechanism permits fast, one-handed entry however has a tip-lock function that retains the blade closed when not in use. Though it’s a high-performing knife, there are nonetheless some drawbacks. The skinny blade tip might not maintain as much as extra rugged jobs round camp or the workbench, and neglecting upkeep, particularly in a moist local weather, can result in rust or corrosion of the blade. Regardless of these minor drawbacks, the Leek delivers wonderful efficiency and is effective for these needing a reliable knife for every day duties. If you wish to see what different choices we love, take a look at our information to one of the best pocket knives.

Construct High quality

From the second you deal with the Kershaw Leek, you may see the eye to element paid to its design and development. It excels in each aesthetic enchantment and practical sturdiness. Throughout our testing, we inspected the knife, each new and after prolonged use, evaluating the match and end. We discovered minimal indicators of wear and tear after extended use, indicating that the Leek can effectively carry out every day duties whereas requiring minimal upkeep.

Its slim profile and light-weight design make it straightforward to hold, however it’s nonetheless massive sufficient for the typical grownup to carry comfortably. The assisted-opening function, deployable by way of thumb studs or a backbone flipper, provides to its user-friendly enchantment. We’ve examined the Leek in yard, workbench, and tenting settings, and it constantly delivered dependable efficiency.

Blade Retention & Stability

The Kershaw Leek maintains sharpness by in depth use and successfully handles versatile chopping duties. Throughout our testing, we subjected the knife to a variety of supplies, together with cardboard, rope, paper, and contemporary produce. The blade is sturdy, chopping cleanly with out important dulling, even throughout prolonged chopping duties and over a number of weeks. The metal blade is engineered to steadiness edge retention and ease of re-sharpening.

Our checks did observe some minor edge rolling after preliminary use, which might happen when a blade is floor to a really acute angle. Whereas this didn’t considerably affect the knife’s total efficiency for routine duties, it’s good to maintain it in thoughts throughout extra demanding chopping jobs. A fast honing session can restore the blade, so bear in mind to maintain up with correct upkeep for optimum efficiency. Concerning stability, the Leek carried out nicely underneath strain, exhibiting no noticeable wobble throughout chopping duties.

Ergonomics & Grip

The Kershaw Leek affords a snug and safe grip that enhances usability. The contoured deal with design permits for a pure match within the hand, making it straightforward to regulate in all chopping positions. Throughout our testing, we employed totally different grip kinds—common, reverse, and pinch grips—whereas performing numerous chopping actions. The knife remained comfy and steady, particularly for precision work.

Whereas the Leek’s slim profile is good for pocket carry, its deal with thickness could also be a disadvantage throughout prolonged use. Extended chopping can result in hand fatigue, particularly for duties requiring important power. Regardless of this, the deal with design does a superb job of stopping slipping, even when dealing with slippery supplies like meals. The assisted-opening mechanism, activated by both a thumb stud or an index finger flick, additional enhances accessibility and ease of use.

Moreover, the knife includes a versatile pocket clip that permits for tip-up or tip-down carry. Sadly, it is just designed for right-handed customers, and the anchor factors should not mirrored for left-handed carry. This determination, seemingly made for aesthetic causes, limits accessibility for some customers.

Corrosion Resistance

In our testing, we uncovered the knife to a saltwater answer to simulate real-world situations that knives would possibly encounter, particularly when utilized in humid or marine settings. After this publicity, the Leek’s 14C28N stainless-steel blade confirmed minimal indicators of corrosion. It isn’t utterly impervious to rust and deterioration, however the blade has corrosion-resistant properties that improve its efficiency. 

Developed by a partnership with a Swedish engineering agency, the 14C28N alloy metal affords wonderful resistance to corrosion. A corrosion-resistant blade is advantageous for customers who use their knives in moist situations or can’t at all times wipe them down after use. Whereas no knife is totally resistant to corrosion, the Leek’s resistance is noteworthy in comparison with different knives in its class. It scored an eight in our corrosion resistance metric, however correct upkeep—reminiscent of common cleansing and oiling—can improve its lifespan.

Locking Mechanism

The Kershaw Leek has a dependable liner lock to maintain the blade in place throughout use and a novel security function to maintain the blade closed throughout transport. We examined the locking mechanism’s energy and reliability by repeatedly opening and shutting the knife and utilizing it underneath various stress ranges. The liner lock held agency and we have been assured the blade wouldn’t unintentionally disengage whereas chopping. Nonetheless, we discovered that the mechanism may very well be stiff and require extra effort than anticipated to shut once more.

We additionally assessed the lock’s efficiency when the knife was moist or soiled. Regardless of these situations, the liner lock didn’t budge, providing security and safety all through our checks. The knife design features a slider mechanism that locks the blade closed, stopping unintended openings throughout transport. Listen when slipping the knife in your pocket as a result of this function can have interaction.

Weight

The Kershaw Leek weighs simply 3.1 oz, which is fairly common for a pocket knife of its dimension. This steadiness of performance and portability is especially interesting for on a regular basis carry, because the knife nearly disappears in your pocket. Throughout our testing, we appreciated how the slim profile allowed the Leek to be simply accessed with out including bulk to our pockets.

The skinny deal with design does elevate some ergonomic considerations for prolonged use and when you’ve got bigger arms. A extra rounded deal with profile would possibly improve consolation throughout lengthy chopping duties, however for typical on a regular basis eventualities, the Leek is comfy sufficient. Whereas backpackers would possibly search even lighter alternate options for many every day duties, the Leek affords a superb compromise between weight and usefulness. It’s robust sufficient for frequent use with out weighing you down.

Ought to You Purchase the Kershaw Leek?

The Kershaw Leek is a wonderful alternative for anybody in search of a dependable, on a regular basis carry knife. Its light-weight design and slim profile make it excellent for many who prioritize portability. It’s well-suited for on a regular basis duties like chopping by packaging, meals prep, or different detailed work. Additionally it is a superb choice for informal customers and out of doors lovers.

Nonetheless, when you anticipate needing a knife for heavy-duty duties or prolonged use, you would possibly discover the Leek’s skinny blade and deal with uncomfortable. And when you’re on the lookout for one thing ultralight, this isn’t the most suitable choice. Nonetheless, the Kershaw Leek affords wonderful worth for its high quality and is designed for anybody on the lookout for a reliable, aesthetically pleasing knife for every day use.

What Different Pocket Knives Ought to You Think about?

Benchmade Bugout 535 Assessment: The Benchmade Bugout 535 is a knife made for many who admire the Kershaw Leek’s smooth design however are on the lookout for a good lighter knife choice. Weighing simply 1.9 ounces, the Bugout affords a compact, easy-to-carry profile excellent for EDC or as a consideration for backpacking. Not like the Leek, the Bugout includes a guide lock that retains fingers clear throughout closure to reinforce security. 

Opinel No. 8 Assessment: If price range is a priority, the Opinel No. 8 offers a basic, dependable different. It’s light-weight (1.5 ounces), making it good for out of doors actions like mountaineering, however it lacks a pocket clip. The comfy beechwood deal with and safe collar lock do look good, however the collar lock requires two arms use, which might be annoying at occasions. Though it will not be as sharp because the Leek initially, it’s straightforward to sharpen and preserve.

Spyderco Para Navy 2 Assessment: For these in search of a high-performance choice, the Spyderco Para Navy 2 is a premium different. It has a pointy, sturdy blade, and is far bigger than different choices with a blade size of three.41 inches. The four-position pocket clip provides versatility. Though it’s heavier and bulkier than the Kershaw Leek, the grip and dimension of the deal with make it simpler to maneuver for extra agressive duties.