Kershaw Ken Onion Black Leek Serrated Folding Knife with Speed Safe

by Kershaw

Product Features

• Pocket-perfect knife with Sandvik 14C28N serrated stainless-steel blade
• SpeedSafe ambidextrous assisted opening system for easy 1-handed opening
• Simple stainless-steel handle with non-reflective DLC coating
• Kershaw pocket clip attaches to inside of pocket; thumb stud
• Blade measures 3 inches; knife measures 4 inches closed; weighs 3 ounces

Product Description

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The Leek series includes some of Kershaw's most popular knives, and this model is no exception. This particular knife features a distinctive design by celebrated knife maker Ken Onion, who created the SpeedSafe ambidextrous assisted opening system. With SpeedSafe, the user can smoothly and easily deploy the serrated blade with one hand, either left or right. This makes it ideal for sporting and work situations in which one-handed opening is easier and safer, such as when hunting, fishing, or working with your hands on the jobsite. The Leek also sports a simple stainless-steel handle with a DLC coating, which produces a non-reflective surface. If the stainless handle isn't your cup of tea, Kershaw also offers the Leek in a variety of other handle styles, some with technologically advanced coatings for enhanced performance. For example, the "smoked" double-anodized aluminum handle gives the Leek a truly one-of-a-kind look, while the titanium-oxide rainbow coating is sure to appeal to colorful characters.

The Leek also comes with a Kershaw pocket clip, which is meant to be clipped with the handle on the inside of your pocket. The clip is not to be worn on a belt, as this is an unsafe way to carry your knife.

The SpeedSafe assisted opening system lets you smoothly deploy the blade with 1 hand.

About the SpeedSafe System
The patented SpeedSafe knife-opening system helps users open the knife by applying manual pressure to the thumb stud or blade protrusion. The heart of the SpeedSafe system--which is built into many of Kershaw's best-selling knives--is its torsion bar, which keeps gravity from opening the knife. After the blade is out of the handle, the torsion bar moves along its half-moon track and takes over, smoothly opening the blade and locking it into position, ready for use. Although they may look similar at first glance, SpeedSafe knives are not considered switchblades. Unlike a switchblade, SpeedSafe knives do not deploy with the push of a button in the handle or by gravity alone. Instead, the user must manually overcome the torsion bar's resistance, putting the knives outside the federal definition of a switchblade. However, it's the responsibility of the buyer to investigate and comply with the laws and regulations that apply in his or her specific area. Buyers should rest assured, however, that SpeedSafe knives are extremely safe, as they open only when the user manually deploys them, and lock securely into position when open so they don't close accidentally.

Knife Maker Ken Onion
A master of his trade, Ken Onion is one of the most sought-after custom knife makers in the industry. His custom knives can be found in the most prestigious private knife collections as well in as in the pockets of his dedicated customers. Ken's involvement in the knife trade dates back to his time in Palestine, West Virginia, where he was inspired at the age of 12 by Vernon Ott, a local blacksmith and maker of garden tools and knives. In the ensuing years, Ken joined the U.S. Marine Corps and worked in such fields as construction, heavy equipment repair, and hydraulics repair, always with an eye toward eventually designing the perfect knife. In November of 1991, Ken met Stan Fujisaki, a talented knife maker who agreed to teach him the tricks of the trade. After years of preparation--and some inspiration while working on a Harley cam for a friend--Ken created his first SpeedSafe knife. Today, Ken designs a custom selection of knives for Kershaw, many featuring the patented SpeedSafe torsion bar system for assisted opening. Ken is personally involved throughout the design and manufacturing process to ensure that each knife meets his high standards for performance and quality.

Specifications

• Country of manufacture: U.S.
• Blade material: Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel
• Blade type: Serrated
• Handle: 410 stainless steel, DLC coating
• Blade length: 3 inches
• Closed length: 4 inches
• Overall length: 7 inches
• Weight: 3 ounces
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Product Description

3" 440A Stainless Steel tungsten DLC black coated partially serrated blade and handle. Ken Onion Speed Safe assisted opening design. Ambidextrous opening system. Reversible Clip for both tip-up and tip-down clip carry.

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Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009VC9Z4
• Item model number: 1660CKTST
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing every day carry, June 3, 2006

By 

W. Lewis (Davis, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kershaw Ken Onion Black Leek Serrated Folding Knife with Speed Safe (Sports)

Simply put, this knife is a joy to use. The blade keeps sharp for quite awhile under moderate use. It can be easily and quickly opened and closed with one hand. It's thin and light, making it very pleasant to carry around everywhere!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands down the best pocket knife you can own., December 29, 2008

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Victor Monroe (Fresno, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kershaw Ken Onion Black Leek Serrated Folding Knife with Speed Safe (Sports)

I have owned this knife for 6 years and still carry it daily. The size is perfect, the action is fantastic, and it stays quite sharp under heavy use.

A couple years back the tension spring broke, but Kershaw has a fantastic lifetime warranty. Ship the item back to them and they fix everything for free and pay for return shipping. I got the blade sharpened, the safety replaced, and a new tension spring. All it cost me was about $5 shipping (I shipped it UPS though, USPS would have been less).

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome knife for every day carry, December 9, 2008

By 

Michael J. Fidler (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kershaw Ken Onion Black Leek Serrated Folding Knife with Speed Safe (Sports)

I carry this knife every day of my life. It is very slim so it doesn't take up much room in your pocket. It's extremely sharp. The speed-assist opening system is totally ninja and super quick. The serration is very useful for cutting ropes and cords. The only drawback is the little plastic safety device for keeping the blade in. I have owned five of these knives over the years (I lose them at a rate of about 1.5 per year) and this little piece has broken off of every one of them. I tend not to use the safety lock anyway so it isn't a big deal for me. I prefer the black version because it looks ninja, but the black DLC coating does scratch up after a while. Overall, this is the best EDC I have ever used.