Kershaw Leek

Kershaw began its foray into the knife business sometime during 1974. The company was originally based in Portland Oregon, but most early knives were manufactured in Japan. The first US manufacturing plant was opened in 1997 & the company currently offers knives made in the U.S., Japan, & China. Pete Kershaw (an ex Gerber salesman) started the business.
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orvet
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by orvet »

Nice Q! ::tu::
What is the handle material?
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

Cool ~Q~. I like it. Especially the shield.
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by QTCut5 »

orvet wrote:Nice Q! ::tu::
What is the handle material?
Thanks guys.

The handle material is called Kingman Vein Turquoise with black & brown stone inlay.

Truth be told...as much as I like the Leek (I already have three of them), it was actually the shield that caused me to toss in a last second bid. One of the very rare times I got lucky and won the auction; I thought for sure it would sell for much more since I see these Yellowhorse mods selling regularly for two or three times what I paid for it.

~Q~
We are all just prisoners here of our own device.
In the master's chamber they gather for the feast.
They stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast.
(Eagles: Hotel California)


~Q~
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

I don't see customized Leeks very often. Am I just not very observant?
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jmh58 »

Q.. That is FINE!!! NICE!!! John :D
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by QTCut5 »

jerryd6818 wrote:I don't see customized Leeks very often. Am I just not very observant?
You're probably just not looking in the right place. I see more Buck and Case Yellowhorse mods on eBay, and the few Kershaws I happen to notice are usually ridiculously overpriced (IMO). Now that I've got one in hand that I can examine up close in person, I must admit, the custom work is exquisite. I do not understand how Brian Yellowhorse is able to churn out so many customized knives as he does. It seems like each knife would take a fair amount of time given the attention to detail and the quality of the finished product. Either it's simpler than I realize or he must be customizing knives 24/7 non-stop.

Check out this site to see more custom Leeks (and other knife patterns/brands):

http://www.yellowhorsecollectibles.com/ ... f953a1b6fb

~Q~
We are all just prisoners here of our own device.
In the master's chamber they gather for the feast.
They stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast.
(Eagles: Hotel California)


~Q~
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

This is the Leek Rob (whitebuffalo58) did for me. He tried it first with dyed wood but when that didn't turn out he re-did it with bone. I love it.
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Kershaw_Leek_VNSR.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by QTCut5 »

That is a nice one, jerryd. Very colorful.

I see that he removed the pocket clip and added a bail & lanyard...so, I assume your custom Leek is a double-side mod?

Is it all bone? (the green strips look like they could be malachite or jade)

~Q~
We are all just prisoners here of our own device.
In the master's chamber they gather for the feast.
They stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast.
(Eagles: Hotel California)


~Q~
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

Yes, both sides and I haven't checked. The green looked like bone in person and I didn't ask. I just assumed all bone except maybe the black.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by americanedgetech »

QTCut5 wrote:
jerryd6818 wrote:I don't see customized Leeks very often. Am I just not very observant?
You're probably just not looking in the right place. I see more Buck and Case Yellowhorse mods on eBay, and the few Kershaws I happen to notice are usually ridiculously overpriced (IMO). Now that I've got one in hand that I can examine up close in person, I must admit, the custom work is exquisite. I do not understand how Brian Yellowhorse is able to churn out so many customized knives as he does. It seems like each knife would take a fair amount of time given the attention to detail and the quality of the finished product. Either it's simpler than I realize or he must be customizing knives 24/7 non-stop.

Check out this site to see more custom Leeks (and other knife patterns/brands):

http://www.yellowhorsecollectibles.com/ ... f953a1b6fb

~Q~

I think it is like most other things in life. The first attempts can take hours/days/weeks to complete any project. Then every one after that becomes easier, and faster.

I started making scales a couple months ago. The first one took two days to sort of work out.
Now I can get much better results, and it takes about 2 hours, start to finish.

Engine swaps, bird houses, resume-s, leather belts... it's all the same.

On topic tho, I am a fan of the Leek. It's definitely on my "score" list. I prefer them a little bit dressed up too. Same for all knives... I'm not yet a big fan of the plain steel.
Ken Mc.

WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by Phaeton »

I owned two Leeks and worked them to death. I am hard on knives, they are tools to be used. The best tools are expensive but those are the ones that can be abused the most, so I do.
The Leek is a gentleman's knife, I am a bit rough around the edges and found them a tad bit fragile.
I bought two because they really do look good, even barbarians enjoy beauty.
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

This thread just kind of faded away but then a light was shined on it by ~Q~, over in a thread started by new guy Russ (poolhustler).

I've already posted my three favorite Leeks but want to add my others.

Bought this one for my granddaughter about three years ago. It's Teal.
KERSHAW LEEK 1660 TEAL.jpg
Gave this "Praying Biker" to my favorite cousin back in 2012.
KERSHAW KNIFE LEEK 1660BB - CUSTOM PRAYING BIKER.jpg
Gave this one to my grandson a few years ago for Christmas. His mother was not impressed but he loved it.
Kershaw Leek 'I heart Boobies'.JPG
This one went to my ex-Son-In-Law that same year for Christmas.
Kershaw Leek Mayan Skull Handle.jpg
A guy I went through Boot Camp with is into pyrotechnics and most years goes to a gathering for pyrotechnic freaks. He stopped in here a few years ago on his way to a gathering and was telling me because he can't run anymore, he needs to get something he can open quickly to cut fuse in case something goes wrong. So I pulled this olive Leek (Marine Corps green? Close enough.) out of the Kershaw folder and gave it to him.
Kershaw Leek - 1660OLBLK Olive & Black - Open.JPG
These are the Leeks I have left.
Attachments
Kershaw_Leek_1660BB.jpg
Kershaw Leek - 1660DSBLK Desert Sand - Open Mark.JPG
Kershaw Leek - 1660OR -- Open Mark Labeled.JPG
DSC02121.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

I had to get an Olive & Black Leek to replace the one I gave to Schuessler a few years ago. It showed up today. Now I have the bug for a Red one, a Blue one and a Purple one. ::facepalm::
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Kershaw Leek - 1660OLBLK Olive & Black - #2 (7-28-18) - Labeled.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by poolhustler »

jerryd6818 wrote:I had to get an Olive & Black Leek to replace the one I gave to Schuessler a few years ago. It showed up today. Now I have the bug for a Red one, a Blue one and a Purple one. ::facepalm::
Be careful man... once you start its hard to stop. Here's a pic of some of my Leeks. I have a permanent collection that I add new ones to and a "spare" collection that I continually add NIB old Leeks to.

leek collection pic.jpg
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

They can get in you blood. You have a few more Leeks than are in my Camillus 72 & clones collection. I have about 15 pounds of those (somewhere around a handful less than 100 of them). It looks like you may have quite a few duplicates unless there are subtle differences I can't see in the picture.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by poolhustler »

That's an old pic. I have most of them with subtle differences. The old ones had "Ken Onion" on the front scale, then the logo changed to "Speedsafe". Then there are the ones with the different serrations. The newest ones have a different "Kershaw" logo and then they added the Flag. I have most of the new versions but need to add them into the permanent collection. My "Spares" collection probably numbers around 100 now…. with most being old rare ones - NIB.
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

I just noticed the one that came today has the flag on the blade. It didn't soak in that that's new until you mentioned it,
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by Jacknifeben »

Been carrying this one for 10 years.
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D00083CA-18F2-4423-BA68-01645CD32C39.jpeg
887EAF24-A9DD-4A76-A42C-97DDF6212FFE.jpeg
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jmh58 »

DSC05439.JPG
Blackwash Leek with a friend!! ::tu:: John :D
Not all who wander are lost!!

Of all the paths you take in life,
Make sure some of them are Dirt!!!
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

jerryd6818 wrote:I had to get an Olive & Black Leek to replace the one I gave to Schuessler a few years ago. It showed up today. Now I have the bug for a Red one, a Blue one and a Purple one. ::facepalm::
Dug out my Kershaw folder this morning so I could put that Leek away and discovered it wasn't the olive/black Leek I gave to Schuessler after all. So now I have to send that one back and pick another color. Maybe blue. Sure would be nice if I could find my head. Oh! There it is. I thought I recognized that odor.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jmh58 »

poolhustler wrote:
jerryd6818 wrote:I had to get an Olive & Black Leek to replace the one I gave to Schuessler a few years ago. It showed up today. Now I have the bug for a Red one, a Blue one and a Purple one. ::facepalm::
Be careful man... once you start its hard to stop. Here's a pic of some of my Leeks. I have a permanent collection that I add new ones to and a "spare" collection that I continually add NIB old Leeks to.


leek collection pic.jpg
Yowza!! You need to change your handle to "LEEKhustler!!! VERY NICE stash!!! ::tu:: ::tu:: John :D
Not all who wander are lost!!

Of all the paths you take in life,
Make sure some of them are Dirt!!!
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by poolhustler »

jmh58 wrote:
poolhustler wrote:
jerryd6818 wrote:I had to get an Olive & Black Leek to replace the one I gave to Schuessler a few years ago. It showed up today. Now I have the bug for a Red one, a Blue one and a Purple one. ::facepalm::
Be careful man... once you start its hard to stop. Here's a pic of some of my Leeks. I have a permanent collection that I add new ones to and a "spare" collection that I continually add NIB old Leeks to.


leek collection pic.jpg
Yowza!! You need to change your handle to "LEEKhustler!!! VERY NICE stash!!! ::tu:: ::tu:: John :D
Thanks John!
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

jerryd6818 wrote:
jerryd6818 wrote:I had to get an Olive & Black Leek to replace the one I gave to Schuessler a few years ago. It showed up today. Now I have the bug for a Red one, a Blue one and a Purple one. ::facepalm::
Dug out my Kershaw folder this morning so I could put that Leek away and discovered it wasn't the olive/black Leek I gave to Schuessler after all. So now I have to send that one back and pick another color. Maybe blue. Sure would be nice if I could find my head. Oh! There it is. I thought I recognized that odor.
I did get a blue one to replace the olive one I bought by mistake.
Attachments
Kershaw Leek - 1660NBBLK Navy Blue & Black Blade - Labeled.jpg
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jmh58 »

::tu:: 8) ::tu:: Nice jerry!!! ::nod:: John :D
Not all who wander are lost!!

Of all the paths you take in life,
Make sure some of them are Dirt!!!
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Re: Kershaw Leek

Post by jerryd6818 »

This is the one I bought as a Christmas present for one of my grandsons about six years ago.
Kershaw Leek 'I heart Boobies'.JPG
And this is the one I bought for his sister about three years ago.
KERSHAW LEEK 1660 TEAL.jpg
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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