Kershaw Leek Carbon Fiber Knife Review

Kershaw Knife Company was founded in 1974. There is really nothing else like a Kershaw knife. They have award winning technologies and use advanced materials, so when you are carrying a Kershaw knife, you are carrying a lifetime companion.

When they founded their company, they had a founding mission: to design and manufacture tools that knife users would be proud to own, carry, and use. This is one of the reasons that they use their award winning technologies and the appropriate, high quality materials. Kershaw is also dedicated to intensive craftsmanship, which guarantees that the high quality materials are put together in a good way and stay together.

Kershaw also has a commitment to innovation. Something unique about Kershaw is that they have pioneered many of the technologies and advanced materials that are now the standard in the knife industry. Some of their finest innovative technological advances have been their SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism, knives that have interchangeable blades because of Kershaw’s Blade Trader technology, and one of their newest is the Composite Blade technology. This last technology is where they can actually use two different steels to give the knife the best of both worlds. For example, Kershaw can choose a steel that is known for having excellent edge retention and use it on the bottom portion of the blade, and then choose another steel that has been known for strength and use it on the spine of the blade. That way, you don’t have to compromise or give up either characteristic. This Composite Blade technology is truly groundbreaking.

Kershaw is actually a sub brand of Kai USA Ltd. Kai has now been Japan’s leading blade producer for over 100 years. Kai as a whole also has a commitment to innovation and uses an innovative approach for product development, research, production, marketing, and even distribution functions.

Kershaw has said, “If this is your first Kershaw, be prepared. You just may be back for more. If it’s not your first Kershaw, welcome back.” One of Kershaw’s newest releases is a new version of their famous Leek knife. This time, it is made with Carbon Fiber. So whether this is your first, or you are a returning customer, this new knife will be a great option for you.

 

The Blade:

The steel that Kershaw chose for this version of the Leek is CPM 154. This is a high end steel. The CPM stands for Crucible Particle Metallurgy. This Particle Metallurgy allows the steel to have finer carbide particles, which results in a slightly superior steel compared to just plain 154 CM steel. This superior version of the steel is easier to sharpen and has better results when polished. This superior steel is a little bit tougher and has better edge retention. For how tough this steel is, it is also relatively hard, because of the added Molybdenum. This steel has fantastic levels of corrosion resistance, which is surprising if you know your blade chemistry because it actually has less Chromium. When you have the correct equipment, this steel is pretty simple to sharpen, although it might take a couple of trial runs to get used to this particular style of steel.

 

The steel on this knife has been finished with a classic stonewash finish. A stonewash finish is when the steel is tumbled around with an abrasive material, usually small pebbles. After this process is completed, the steel is polished and smoothed over. The resulting look is a matte gray, with a textured look to it. Because the finish is an even, matte, the stonewash will help cut down on reflections and glares with the metal. The textured look of the finish also helps to conceal scratches and fingerprints, which allows you to go longer in between polishes. The stonewash finish on this Leek adds a rugged look while also cutting down on maintenance.

 

The steel on this Leek has been carved into a modified drop point shape. The drop point shape is the most versatile blade shape that you are going to be able to find. The shape is created by having the unsharpened edge slowly curve until it meets the sharpened edge at the point. This point is actually lowered, which gives you better control over the knife. The control aspect of the drop point blade shape is the reason why so many hunters or carvers love this shape. The hunters don’t have to worry about nicking the inner organs or damaging the meat while they are skinning their game. And carvers can go about doing their precision work without too much effort, because the knife is on their team. The difference between a drop point shape and this modified drop point shape is the point. On a regular drop point, the tip is relatively broad, which adds strength, but does not allow you to pierce or stab. The blade on this Leek is actually slimmer, which allows you to pierce, while also performing more intricate work. The only drawback to having this blade be the modified version of the drop point is that the tip is not going to have as much strength behind it and will be slightly weaker. One of the other reasons that a drop point is so versatile is that it sports a large belly with plenty of length for cutting or slicing. The ability to slice is one of the main features that you should be looking for on an everyday knife. So, the Leek is going to be a very comfortable everyday carry blade.

 

The Handle:

The handle on the Leek is made out of black Carbon Fiber. Carbon fiber is a reinforced polymer, and is considered a generic term for a material that has thin strands of carbon that have been tightly woven together and then set in resin. This material is a crazy strong material that also happens to be very lightweight. Although it is such strong material, it is not indestructible in any way. In fact, because of how strong this material is, it ends up being extremely brittle. If you happen to drop a knife with this handle material, or knock it against something sharp or hard, it is likely to crack. This is because all of the carbon fibers are woven together in a single direction, so while the material is extremely strong going in that direction, it is not strong when the fibers are stressed in any other way. Unfortunately, because it is a labor intensive process to create this material, it ends up being fairly expensive. Because of the cost, carbon fiber is usually only found on high end knives. One unique characteristic about a carbon fiber handle is the look of it. Because of the way that the carbon is woven, and the ways that the light reflects off of the carbon strands, you can get a variety of patterns jut by weaving the carbon in a different way. On the Leek, Kershaw has woven the carbon fibers in a diagonal checkered pattern. The ergonomics on this handle are fantastic. Kershaw elongated the finger groove, which helps to give you more control over the knife and your cuts. The handle fits perfectly in your palm, providing you with comfort, even when you have been using the knife for long periods of time.

 

The Pocket Clip:

The pocket clip on the Leek is black to match the rest of the handle. Kershaw has pre-drilled holes in the handle, which allow you to reverse the pocket clip in four different directions. You can carry your knife tip up or tip down, and also on the left or right hand side. This helps to make the Leek ambidextrous friendly.

 

The Mechanism:

The Leek is a flipper knife. This mechanism works by having a protrusion form the blade, on the Leek, this protrusion is triangular. This triangle is part of the blade, but sticks out of the back of the handle when the knife is closed. When you want to deploy your blade, you push down on this protrusion which will then flip your blade into the open position. One of the biggest advantages in my opinion about the flipper mechanism is that it keeps your fingers and hands out of the way of the sharpened edge of the blade during the entire process, keeping your fingers safe. Another huge benefit to this mechanism is that you can actually open your knife with just one hand.

Since it is a Kershaw flipper, it features the SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism, which just helps you to flip your knife open quickly, efficiently, and safely.

This knife also features a Liner Lock. This mechanism locks the blade open during use. On one side of the knife’s steel liner, which is the steel plate where the handles scales are attached, moves into position behind the blade to securely lock it open. When you want to close your knife, you unlock this and manually push your blade back into the handle.

 

The Specs:

The blade on the leek is 3 inches long. When the Leek is opened, it is exactly 7 inches long, with a closed length of 4 inches. This is a light knife, weighing in at 2.3 ounces. This Leek has been made in the United States of America.

 

The Pros of the Kershaw Leek:

• The steel is a high end steel with an excellent balance between strength and toughness.
• The steel has fantastic levels of corrosion resistance, while maintaining an edge for long periods of time.
• This steel is relatively easy to sharpen, when you have the correct equipment.
• The stonewash finish adds a rugged look to the blade.
• The stonewash finish helps to hide scratches and fingerprints, effectively cutting down on maintenance time.
• The stonewash finish creates an even, matte look, so glares and reflections are cut down significantly.
• The modified drop point shape gives you the control of the regular drop point, while offering a finer tip, so you do have stabbing capabilities.
• The drop point shape provides you with a large belly, allowing for easy slicing, and making this knife a fantastic option for your everyday carry knife.
• The carbon fiber handle is crazy strong and lightweight.
• The pocket clip can be reversed in four different directions, giving you the most comfortable carry options.
• The flipper mechanism allows you to open your knife one handedly, all while keeping your hand out of the way of the sharpened edge.
• Sports the SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism.
• Sports a Liner Lock.
• Made in the USA.

 

The Cons of the Kershaw Leek:

• The modified drop point shape has a finer tip, therefore, it has a weaker tip that is not going to be able to stand up to what a regular drop point would.
• Carbon fiber is a very brittle material, prone to cracking or breaking when impacted with a sharp or hard object.
• Carbon fiber is an expensive material.

 

Conclusion:

Kershaw is a well-known and trusted knife company. Since the beginning, they have been creating innovative and ground breaking new technology that has since become the standard in the knife world. Kershaw uses some of the highest quality materials to create the highest quality of knives. These are knives that will last a lifetime and will be able to last through all of your adventures.

The Leek is one of Kershaw’s most popular knife designs. For this version of the Leek, Kershaw decided to upscale it. To create a higher quality design, they switched out the handle material and gave it what they call, “a handsome new suit of carbon fiber.” This new handle material is light weight, which in return cuts down on the weight of the whole knife. This makes it an extremely comfortable everyday carry knife. The combination of a high quality steel, a versatile blade shape, and an easy going blade finish creates a one of a kind blade. If you have loved the Leek in the past, you are going to want to purchase this brand new Leek.