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Two folding knives will usually accompany me: one that has a narrow blade of modest length, and one that has a robust blade of additional length. They balance out my tasks. Recently the Ken Onion Leek has given my long-carried Ken Onion Scallion a much needed rest. The Leek is a great knife for quick jobs such as cleanly accessing boxes, seed packets, or heat-sealed plastic bags. The Leek opens as instantly as the Scallion, but then continues with a certain authority that its cousin's size will not claim. Like its cousin, however, the Leek is comfortable to handle and effortlessly slides into and out of a pocket.
I like a thinner blade for opening and breaking down boxes. This blade slices easily through heavy multi-layer cardboard on equipment pallets. I don't worry too much about how sharp the knife is out of the box. I like my blades sharpened at 20 degrees. and my sharpening system was able to reconfigure the primary angle on this blade fairly easily. It polished to a razor edge quickly, and I test-cut several boxes at home. It worked quite well. The knife sits very comfortably in my front pocket, as well as in the pliers pocket on my leg. The pocket clip is secure, and the knife hasn't fallen out of my pocket even once. The stainless (Sandvik 14C28) is just right for opening liquid containers (industrial detergent) with stuck seals and O rings. I'm also out in the weather often, and I've never worried about the knife getting wet and staying in pocket for hours before I clean it and re-oil the pivot. The assisted open works easily and consistently. The blade lock needs to be improved. This blade has an acute needle point, and if it opened while in pocket it could very easily stab the owner. The pin that blocks the blade needs to be stainless steel instead of plastic, and it needs to extend into the scale on the opposite side of the control. It works as is, but it's stiff and gritty to operate. I have to dig at it with a fingernail to work it. I'd pay more to get a ball detent type of lock that is easier to manipulate. A GFN or Micarta scale version to reduce the weight would be welcomed. Overall though, I'm really happy with the knife. The price is reasonable for a USA made knife with good warranty support. If you like a thinner blade for slicing and a very sharp point for picking out "O" ring seals and the like, you'll like this knife.
The Kershaw Leek is still Kershaw's signature EDC knife. And in an emergency can also be used as a defense knife if needed. I carry a leek all the time. Light weight and holds up to almost all chores. They come in a variety of colors so nice to collect. I have seven of them and plan on collecting them all. You can't go wrong with this Kershaw Leek. Gentlemen's or Lady's EDC.....buy one and find out!
After about a month of using this the open assist broke. Opening it up there was a simple piece of wire that worked as a spring that snapped in half. The metal appeared to be low grade iron, not a high quality steel. I admit I was using this as a fidget device and was opening and closing it quite often so perhaps I was too abusive for it. I could get it repaired but don't see the point as the spring wire will just break again if I use it regularly.
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Close-up of hand holding knife, opening or unsheathing knife, and then closing or sheathing knife.
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