It’s been over 20 years since Kershaw’s Leek hit the scene. Is it still the best at what it does? Take a look at some challengers here: https://kcoti.com/3fplIy9
This Ken Onion assisted EDC pocket knife is one of the most popular pocket knives in the world. Since its introduction, the best knife companies in the world have attempted to replicate the success of this elegant and compact flipper. Are any of them worth your time?
Featured Knives
0:00 Kershaw Leek: https://kcoti.com/3sP5AsN
7:02 Kershaw Dividend: https://kcoti.com/3sM7MRW
9:43 Kershaw Zing: https://kcoti.com/3TV29Nh
11:19 CRKT Delineation: https://kcoti.com/3FEo3js
13:37 Kizer Swaggs Sway Back: https://kcoti.com/3FwLJ9z
16:01 CIVIVI Mckenna: https://kcoti.com/3UiDlyG
17:17 Gerber Fastball: https://kcoti.com/3fsHMbm
19:04 Boker LRF: https://kcoti.com/3We8jJQ
21:19 ArtisanCutlery Small Archaeo: https://kcoti.com/3UcG38E
24:09 WE Schism: https://kcoti.com/3DtklX8
25:17 Pro-Tech Malibu: https://kcoti.com/3NnW5dN
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Hey DCA! I'm starting a new job at the end of November and I will have to be in business casual attire. I want to treat myself to a new executive style knife, but I am stuck. The mini ceo is at the top of my list, but I would prefer something a little more flashy/high end, but in the 1.5 inch to 2 inch range. Budget is up to 200 bucks. Thanks!
I love that you put a 900 dollar Malibu as a competitor to the leek lol 😆
I've had a leek in my pocket for close to 16 years everyday. I use the clip as a money clip to hold my cash. My daughter has the chive in hers.
Congratulations on your YouTube weekly knife shows. Your "tech" talk keeps the industry standard terms, construction & materials fresh in my mind. Over time, you have become the "go-to" page for knife tech talk. Keep up the good work.
I do have an original Leek on my desk at work. It opens all the mail and never complains. Our son carried one for eons. If it had a wave opening feature I'd be open to carrying one in a combo blade setup myself.
MEDFORD KNIFE…bitches 👍🏻🇺🇸
I'm glad that they upped the steel on the Leek since I was selling them retail (2002-2008), when they were in (from memory) 420HC. That DOES technically make it US-made with international materials now, but I'm all for that trade off.
I also appreciate that the price on these things hasn't gone up by much. I remember selling these at $69.95 myself back then, of course being a brick/mortar store in a mall did have overhead.
It's one of the first instances of a spring assist, and that comes with a compromise. You can't remove the spring assist to turn it into a manual folder, since the torsion bar replaces the detent that other liner locks use to keep the blade closed.
Only other thing I can mention is the blade safety thing has never improved. It's made of plastic so it won't ding the blade, but just about every one I've seen has been cut off by the blade since it will loosen over time and flop into the closed position while the blade is deployed.
CRKT Flat out
Kershaw – Bring back the 1760 Skyline. Just saying.
Dang, just a year or two ago the Leek was $35 all day every day. At nearly double that price it's hard to say whether it's still a value purchase. But then again, I don't understand how money works anymore 🙂
Benchmade 490 Arcane is my choice over a Leek. Axis lock over a frame lock does it for me.
it is my EDC knife… has been for years… black tie & blue collar, it works for both… slider locks are not sturdy and have broken on all of mine…
I've enjoyed Leek since it came out. I have a high/ mirror polish handle and blade. It's very slippery. I want the all gold high polish one! To beat it, I just got Spyderco Mantra 2 used off eBay and then sent it for a factory sharpening after Blade West 2022. I'm super impressed with Mantra 2!! It's SO " just right" on all levels
I have composite Dividend, but I hate D2 and it drives me nuts the spine is my favorite steel and the edge is my worst steel alloy!!!! GRRR!,
Kershaw LINK in CV20 beats the leek hands down
Except the safety breaks on ALL OF THEM. ALL of my Leeks the safety is BROKEN!!!! Other than that, Leek is a great knife.
Sold mine because it just wasnt safe enough for me. If i have to use a safety its not a one handed knife for me anymore and without the safety it just opened up too easily inside my pocket.
I need to get me one
I find the leek is a bit too small for me to comfortably manipulate in my large hands.
I think the issue with beating the icon here is at the Leek's price, it kinda does what it does best. At cheaper prices, you're making major sacrifices in regards to both knife quality and steel, and a lot of these other blades have scales and liners, so they're much less slim in the pocket. To get those qualities in another knife, you're either spending a lot more for something with better materials or making some sort of compromise. Either way, I don't think there's anything that beats the leek if I'm looking for a small and slim utility pocket knife.
Was on a knife kick last 2 yrs. Guessing spent nearly 2 grand searching the perfect folding EDC. 2 leeks were the first purchases I made. Now a drawer full of knives later I Always carry my benchmade bugout in my right pocket, and a SAK fieldmaster clipped to my left.
I have found the stainless version of the leek to be a great companion at any farmers market. The knife has been a joy to cut any fruit or snack, easy to clean and back in the pocket.
EDC a leek for 20 years
San Mai
I have 73 of these, love this knife
I have the Ken Onion Leek in black washed color, I've had it for like 10 years, still great.
i got a Kershaw leek as a christmas present 4 or 5 years ago and its been my edc ever since until i started carrying a Columbia River CEO just for something different the last few months. but i still switch them up. for my money a leek is the very best affordable knife you can get from anybody….
The Böker LRF is sexy AF, but, for having handled them first hand, man do they have QC issue.
If Kershaw sees this comment….
Please bring the USA skyline back with a deep carry clip
I carried one of these for three or four months as my main edc. Great knife. Wish it had deep carry.
I now carry it as a back up in my slingpack.
Why is there not a ZT Leek with titanium scales and premium steel?
The plastic safety detent is shit and breaks if/when you drop the knife. Then you can't use the knife because it will deploy in your pocket. I have had to replace the detent twice and gave up. I have also had it deploy in my pocket a few time and almost stabbed myself. Not actually a great knife at all because of that.
I think its about time kershaw comes out with a manual leek . While its a great knife no one really likes assisted do they?
Also remove the lock, completely unnecessary and just adding to the overall cost of the knife
Thank you for a very inspiring video, once again. Assisted opening is a nono where I am, but I got inpired by the alternatives, and even if I have followed your channel for more than a year, this prompted my first order from you. I do not buy the expensive stuff, but the G10 version Small Archaeo and the Kizer Swaggs Sway Back both caught my interest to the point that I had to put in an order. I live overseas from you, so I dread the upcoming customs handling fees and VAT, but still these knives seems worth it.
I chose a Skyline over buying a Leek years ago. I still carry it almost everyday.