Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife (1660BLKW); Sandvik 14C28N Steel Blade, 410 Stainless Steel Handle, Finish, SpeedSafe Assisted Open, Frame and Tip Locks, Reversible Pocketclip; 3 OZ

Some of the negative reviews on this knife are hilarious. -"Tried using the knife as a shovel and it broke because it's a knife and not a shovel." -"Thin long pointed profile of the blade made it break when I tried using it like a screwdriver." If you're the kind of person that likes using the proper tool for the job, this knife is incredible. It is a thin no BS efficient cutting tool that'll make short work of pretty much any job you SHOULD use a folding knife for. It's not flashy, it's doesn't have many special features, and it has a very slim design. Perfect combination for a pocket knife, in my opinion. The blade itself is thin and has nearly no curvature to the cutting edge at all, making it easy as hell to sharpen and effective at cutting. A straight blade means no wasted energy when puncturing deer hides, shaving wood, or slashing right through thick rope. Steel seems good, too. When it comes to stainless, 14C28N is about as good as it gets without emptying your wallet. Plus, with a blade this easy to re-hone, it's nearly a non-issue if it dulls just slightly faster than something 3X the price. This is a knife for people who know how to use knives. It is not a shovel. It is not a screwdriver. It is not a weapon. It is a tool, and a damn good one at that.

This little knife is so good that I just had to write my first review. I am by no means a collector, but I've owned a decent variety of knives of varying quality — straightforward classics like Mercators, a handful of daily-beater CRKTs (including another Ken Onion), and a couple high-quality Scandinavian fixed blades for camp use. I previously owned a Leek in the silver finish, and after losing it on a ride, tried to make due with some of the other knives in the stable. But for a daily carry, nothing compares to this little Kershaw, and eventually I had to get its replacement. I can't say enough about how much bang for buck you get with the Leek. It's simply the best pocketknife I've ever handled regardless of price, and if you're on the fence about the purchase, just do it. PROS - Blade Edge: This is the sharpest knife I've ever personally handled. X-Acto blade sharp. My high-end cutlery shop can't get the grind anywhere near how sharp it is straight out of the box. It's a marvel. - SpeedSafe Assisted Opening: This knife is simply a joy to use. Buttery smooth action that is extremely consistent with a super satisfying "snick." You'll find yourself playing with it out of habit. - Profile: Without sacrificing handling characteristics when open, this is the perfect slim profile for a daily carry knife. It rides perfectly in your pocket, and disappears both ergonomically and visually. I forget its there until I need it, and then when I do, it reminds me how a pocketknife should feel. Which brings me to the finish... - Finish: The black wash version is amazing. The clip disappears against dark fabric, and no one is going to know you are carrying unless you want them to. Its masculine, handsome, and I'd even say intimate. The patina on the edges feels personalized the moment you open the box, and will only be added to with use. It's simple, unadorned, and ideal for any sartorial situation outside suit pants. I'm really glad I chose this over the silver version for my second go-round. - Value: This knife is made in the USA. It's under 50 bucks. It competes with anything high-end I've held for a fraction of the price. There are surely some very well-made knives that cost several hundred dollars, but I'd rather own a few Leeks and put the remaining money into other EDC items that will serve me just as well. CONS None, nada, zilch. Buy it already.

I bought this knife to replace the exact same knife (including the finish) I had purchased over 8 years ago. My second to last day working delivering for Amazon, my knife fell out of my pocket and I lost my knife somewhere during my shift, never to be found again. I can say from owning this same knife for nearly a decade, it holds its edge well - and I’ve only had to sharpen it once (I’m a chef and hand sharpen all my knives. It also mostly gets used for breaking down boxes, so it was never really abused). That said, having a brand new one in may hand, I forgot how SHARP this was out of the box. The Speedsafe assured opening mechanism got a little sticky over the years, but I found this could be adjusted using a micro screwdriver and just slightly turning some of the screws on the frame. I also did take the knife entirely apart one time (there was nothing wrong with it when I did this), to clean the insides of the knife. Other than some stray pocket lint that had gotten inside it over the years, the knife’s internals were in great shape, and this routine maintenance (around 5 years of ownership) returned it to operating like new again. They also don’t really show you this in the booklet that comes with the knife, but you can remove the pocket clip from one side of the knife with a micro screwdriver and turn it to the other side. Having the pocket clip on the opposite side of the knife enables you to remove the knife and seamlessly press the flipper for assisted opening of the blade in one motion. If you leave the pocket clip in the factory position, you have to remove the knife from your pocket, and turn it a full 180° to reach the flipper to extend the blade. I can’t say enough about the quality of Kershaw/Ken Onion knives. I don’t ever hope to lose this one, but if I ever do I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this exact same knife a third time.

Solid knife, great design. I love the size and grip that the blackwash finish add. The duel locks feel sturdy and dependable. I carry it every day. It already increased in value since I purchased it.

I say I'm on number 7 of these, but I've actually lost count. (That's not the knife's fault - retention is excellent - I just lose them at airports and security). Been carrying them for almost 20 years. Tried plenty of others at way higher price points. Ken Onion was a master, and this is his opus. Incredible form factor, opening speed (feels like a switchblade), edge and build quality. My favorite at any price, but for $80 it truly is the best EDC value out there of any category. If it seems like I'm a fan, it's because I am. Do yourself a favor and get 2.

The Kershaw Leek is a classic EDC (everyday carry) knife, and has been since it launched almost 20 years ago. It’s not a great big brute of a working knife, but it’s big enough to fill your hand and give you a solid, four-finger grip on the handle. The first one I got was all black, and it stayed in my pocket for several weeks—I love it enough that I decided I wanted one of the black wash models for everyday use—it won’t be as glaring if the blade gets scratched. So I already own two of these babies—and I see that if you really want to blow some money they now have versions with semi-precious stone handles! Tip to tip length of the open knife is 7”, blade length is 3”, and (I’m sure you can do the math, but…) the handle is 4”. Width is 1”, and the thickness of the handle without the pocket clip is about 1/4”. Blade Steel is 14C28N. This is a spring-assisted knife, meaning that when you push down on the flipper, this thing is going to FLY open. If you’re a new user and holding it too loosely it actually might fly right out of your hand, so watch it. I definitely recommend new users spend some time with this knife, opening and closing it, to get the hang of handling it (it won’t be a chore—there’s a certain fun factor in doing this!). There’s a safety at the base of the handle—just a little bar that slides up to block the blade and keep the knife from deploying in your pocket. A lot of reviewers on YouTube grump about the safety, and in truth it’s probably not necessary, but all it would take is one, one-in-a-million clash with your car keys and this very slicey three inch blade would be open in your pocket. So I have made a habit of using the safety every time I put the knife back in my pocket. The safety was a little stiff when I got the knife, but a tiny dab of oil and a tiny tweak of the screw made it slide more smoothly without being too loose. There is also a small thumb stub, so in theory you could open the knife that way, but I’ve tried it a few times and my thumb always ended up bumping against the edge of the blade after it popped open—I could probably learn how not to do that, but given the flipper works really well I’m not going to bother. The frame lock is simple enough to reach, though I have a tendon issue with my thumb so it isn’t as comfortable as, say a button lock or axis lock, but honestly with the spring assist, I’m not sure one of these other locking mechanisms would be ideal. On my first, all-black Leek it comes in somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 of the width of the tang. On the black wash model it comes in right at 1/3. The latter is probably more ideal, but there is absolutely no play in the blade with either model when the blade is locked open. I like the sleek, smooth look of this knife, and it’s super slicey. It would easily cut through a seat belt if you needed it to, and I’ve already used mine to cut into that horrid plastic blister packaging—sliced right through like butter. This is a nice-looking, practical knife for light to moderate everyday use. It’s built solid, and everything looks and feels like it’s made to last. This knife is a classic for a reason.

Great light duty EDC knife. Really nice edge that has held it's sharpness. I wear it on my belt and like it's low profile. I use to carry a Leatherman but hated how it would catch on things. Nice crisp snap when opening. Easy to open and close with one hand with a little practice. The weight balance is nice also. It lays nicely in your hand and is not blade heavy like a lot of similar styled knives. Really simple design but made with a high level of quality. This is a great knife for box cutting, scraping, small wire and tape cutting. Great for precision work. Blade is thin so don't expect some scary military styled Tact knife. What you can expect is a well made product that will become a staple of your everyday urban EDC. I bought the Blackwash finish and like the aged look it gives the knife. It also makes it blend in with my black and grey uniform due to the matte finish. My black Leatherman has a high gloss finish and people noticed it all the time. No ever seems to notice my Kershaw Blackwash Leek witch is what you want in an EDC item. I'm very happy with my purchase.

I’ve bought several Kershaw Knives over the years, and most of them are Leeks. They are my personal favorite for an EDC carry knife. I’ve had the leek in olive green, orange, silver and now black wash. Blackwash is definitely my favorite, it’s a great worn-in look. Although, I will say the silver is a close second and a very classy looking knife as well. The blade arrives sharp enough to shave with, and holds a good edge over time with minimal sharpening. Definitely a great blade for the price, and they offer more expensive leek knives if you somehow need a better blade. Blade quickly opens on its own at the press of the opening mechanism on the back of the knife (there is also a nice lock on the bottom to keep it from ever accidentally opening) and can easily be closed with one hand if you know how. I really like the frame lock blade; they used to have a similar locking mechanism but have recently upgraded to a frame lock. You won’t find an American made knife of this quality for anywhere near this price. Get one and put it to the test, you won’t be disappointed.

Als leidenschaftlicher Sammler und Nutzer von Taschenmessern habe ich viele Modelle getestet, aber das Kershaw Leek Blackwash 1660BLKW sticht durch seine Kombination aus Design, Funktionalität und Verarbeitungsqualität besonders hervor. Dieses Messer ist nicht nur ein praktisches Werkzeug, sondern auch ein stilvolles Accessoire, das sich in jeder Sammlung gut macht. Klingenqualität und Blackwash-Finish: Die Klinge des Kershaw Leek Blackwash besteht aus hochwertigem 14C28N-Edelstahl, der für seine hervorragende Schnitthaltigkeit und Korrosionsbeständigkeit bekannt ist. Das Blackwash-Finish verleiht der Klinge nicht nur ein einzigartiges, rustikales Aussehen, sondern schützt sie auch vor Kratzern und Abnutzungsspuren. Die Klinge ist rasiermesserscharf und eignet sich ideal für präzise Schneidarbeiten. Ob beim Öffnen von Paketen, Schneiden von Seilen oder beim täglichen Gebrauch – die Leistung der Klinge ist stets beeindruckend. SpeedSafe Öffnungsmechanismus: Ein herausragendes Merkmal des Kershaw Leek ist der SpeedSafe Öffnungsmechanismus, der ein einhändiges, schnelles und reibungsloses Öffnen der Klinge ermöglicht. Mit einem leichten Druck auf den Daumenstift oder Flipper gleitet die Klinge mühelos in Position, was sowohl praktisch als auch sicher ist. Dieser Mechanismus macht das Messer besonders benutzerfreundlich und schnell einsatzbereit, was in vielen Alltagssituationen von Vorteil ist. Griffdesign und Ergonomie: Der Griff des Kershaw Leek Blackwash besteht aus Edelstahl und ist ebenfalls mit einem Blackwash-Finish versehen. Dies verleiht dem Messer ein einheitliches und stilvolles Aussehen. Der schlanke, ergonomische Griff liegt hervorragend in der Hand und bietet einen sicheren Halt, auch bei längeren Schneidarbeiten. Die kompakte Größe und das leichte Gewicht machen das Messer zu einem idealen Begleiter für den täglichen Gebrauch. Sicherheit und Tragekomfort: Zur Sicherheit verfügt das Kershaw Leek über eine Liner-Lock Verriegelung, die die Klinge sicher in der geöffneten Position hält. Zusätzlich gibt es eine Tip-Lock-Slider-Sicherung, die verhindert, dass die Klinge unbeabsichtigt geöffnet wird, wenn das Messer geschlossen ist. Diese doppelte Sicherung sorgt für ein hohes Maß an Sicherheit im Gebrauch und beim Transport. Der Taschenclip des Messers ist verstellbar, sodass es sowohl in der Spitze-nach-oben- als auch in der Spitze-nach-unten-Position getragen werden kann. Dies bietet zusätzliche Flexibilität und Komfort beim Tragen. Der Clip ist robust und hält das Messer sicher an Ort und Stelle, egal ob in der Tasche oder am Gürtel. Fazit: Das Kershaw Leek Blackwash 1660BLKW ist ein herausragendes Taschenmesser, das durch seine Qualität, Funktionalität und Ästhetik überzeugt. Die scharfe Klinge, der zuverlässige SpeedSafe Öffnungsmechanismus und das elegante Blackwash-Finish machen es zu einem unverzichtbaren Werkzeug und Sammlerstück. Es ist perfekt für den täglichen Gebrauch geeignet und bietet ein hervorragendes Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis. Für alle, die auf der Suche nach einem hochwertigen, stilvollen und praktischen Messer sind, ist das Kershaw Leek Blackwash eine ausgezeichnete Wahl.

Das Leek kam auf der Suche nach einem Messer mit gerader Klinge zu mir. Von der Verarbeitung absolut sauber gemacht: - die Passungen stimmen - die Klinge weist kein seitliches Spiel auf - der federunterstützte Mechanismus verrichtet klaglos seinen Dienst - die Schärfe ordentlich bei Auslieferung (legt beim Nachschärfen allerdings noch zu, sodass man sich damit dann rasieren kann) Ich war zunächst skeptisch, ob das Messer sich nicht in der Tasche auch einmal unbeabsichtigt öffnet, war aber unbegründet, ist nie passiert (zumal es eine Sicherung gibt, wenn man 100% sich gehen möchte). Vom Stahl war ich sehr positiv überrascht: kaum Gratbildung beim Schärfen, was dafür spricht, dass die Härtung sehr gut gemacht ist. Hält auch für die eher feine Klinge recht gut und lässt sich gut nachschärfen. Was man wissen sollte: - Öffnen funktioniert nur über den Flippermechanismus. Der beidseitige Pin an der Klinge eignet sich nicht gut zum Öffnen und dient in erster Linie als Anschlag bei geöffneter Klinge. - nach einiger zeit und Ansammeln von Fusseln muss das messer mal auseinadergenommen, gereinigt und neu gefettet werden (dann läuft es aber wie neu und das Ganze fällt unter normaler Wartung von Gebrauchsgegenständen) Unterm Strich: Reeller Gegenwert für das geld und eine Kaufempfehlung, wenn man eine eher feinere Klinge in der gebotenen Form sucht. Für die klassischen Taschenmesseraufgaben (Pakete öffnen, Apfel schälen, Stück Wurst unterwegs abschneiden etc.) bestens geeignet.