The purpose of this article is not to rehash how great the Kershaw Leek is. There are countless reviews and articles about this EDC (everyday carry) knife and most all sing high praises. This is also evident by the fact that this model has been on the market for over a decade and it is still going strong due to popular demand. The general consensus is that if you are looking for a thin, easy to carry, unobtrusive pocket knife, the Leek is among the best. For me, it is sort of a gentleman’s EDC with its sleek design and thin profile. Other characteristics that make this knife great are its simplicity and features. The Kershaw Leek has a long modified drop point blade (with an ultra thin tip that we will touch on later), speed safe opening mechanism, and a very sturdy construction. The question for the Kershaw Leek BlackWash designers was how to keep a product like this fresh.
Over the years the Leek has been offered in a myriad of colors and materials. One of the best looking is the titanium rainbow addition that gives the whole knife a unique array of colors. Of course the default for me is normally the black DLC (diamond like coating) that is very stealth looking and durable since this finish is actually part of the metal, not simply a surface treatment. The latest addition to the line is the 1660BLKW Kershaw Leek BlackWash. This gives the Leek a slightly worn in finish that I would liken to a good pair of jeans that have been washed 100’s of times. You know what I am taking about, these are your favorite pair to wear since they are so comfortable. This new model gives that comfortable, worn in feel right out of the box.
This edition of the Leek features an Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel blade that is mounted in a stainless steel handle. Even though the while knife is constructed of stainless steel, the knife feels lightweight. One of the biggest selling features of the Leek is the Speedsafe which offers quick blade deployment. The pocket clip is reversible for either tip up or tip down carry. The factory installs the clip in the tip down carry position. There is a small sliding lock near the blade tip of the handle that can be used to ensure that the blade does not accidentally open. I found found that in normal carry, the blade has never accidentally opened for me (therefore I never use the safety).
While the Leek is a great EDC knife for most folks, some hardcore users might find that the ultra thin tip blade can pose a problem. One of the drawbacks of the sleek design is that the blade is ground super thin as it gets towards the tip. This makes this knife ideal for doing field surgery (just kidding) or other precision work that does not require a lot of pressure on the blade tip. While I have never experienced a blade failure with this knife, I usually keep this knife for my days at the office when the most I am doing is opening mail, cutting tape, and trimming that annoying string coming off of the button on my shirt. As far as being stealth, this knife is perfect for the refined EDC user that works in an office full of folks that don’t carry knives all the time. When you pull out the Kershaw Leek BlackWash and flick open the blade, people won’t dive for cover or think you are there to terrorize them since the Leek is such an ideal, yet capable size.
With the Leek BlackWash’s long modified drop-point that comes razor sharp, this knife is ideal for slicing type work. The thin tip gives it great piercing capability and the ability to do detailed work. Of course if you are not sold on the Leek BlackWash finish, there are plenty of other options that will fit your taste. The blade is also available with serrations. No matter which model you choose, the Kershaw Leek will quickly become one of your favorite EDC knives.
Kershaw Leek BlackWash Features:
- SpeedSafe assisted opening
- Locks: Frame lock and sliding Tip-Lock
- Pocket clip: Reversible right side tip-up/tip-down
- Blade: Sandvik 14C28N Stainless Steel, DLC BlackWash finish
- Handle: 410 Stainless Steel, DLC BlackWash finish
- Blade Length: 3 Inch (7.6 cm)
- Closed Length: 4 Inch (10.2 cm)
- Overall Length: 7 Inch (17.9 cm)
- Weight: 3.0 ounces (85 g)
- Made in the USA
- Price: $99.99
