Kershaw’s Leek pocket knife is unremarkable at first glance. It’s slim, with a three-inch, drop-point blade and a thumb stud for opening, like many everyday task-oriented blades. But not all knives are flash and flourish, and the unsuspecting Leek is innovative, iconic even, for the mechanism inside of it.
That small bit of machinery is called SpeedSafe, and it was developed by Ken Onion, a former US Marine and an industry-renowned knife designer who has created more than 30 patents for blade technologies. SpeedSafe was his remedy for restrictive laws against switchblades; it’s a fast and smooth mechanism that springs to life partway through the action of opening the blade (think of it as semi-automatic). If this sounds familiar, that’s because even though Onion designed the tech for Kershaw, many other companies have since adopted similar variations.
The Leek is great because it’s so simple, and if you’re in need of a solidly-reliable pocket knife for everyday use it’s a good option. Right now you can get a Leek with carbon fiber handles for 54 percent off at Massdrop.
A note on Massdrop:
Massdrop is not like other online retailers. It’s a members-only site that requires signing up (all it takes is an email address). If you’re not a member, you can sign up here. When you place an order from Massdrop at a discounted price, you’re not buying from them directly. The site works by taking orders from consumers, then bulk ordering product at a discount directly from brands and other wholesalers. For more information on how Massdrop works, click here.
More Deals, Served Up Fresh Every Day
