You’ve Never Seen Handle ‘Scales’ Like This on an EDC Knife Before

Kershaw is angling for anglers with this wild, unique take on one of its USA-made classics.

Closeup of Kershaw Leek Rainbow Trout knife on blue background

Published January 16, 2025

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Updated January 16, 2025

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Fishing and pocket knives often go hand-in-hand. Knives can help with cutting lines, baiting hooks and even dressing fish after the catch.

But rarely do we see their synergy physically manifested quite like it is in the newest version of Kershaw’s Ken Onion-designed Leek. This pocket knife takes the concept of handle scales quite literally.

Kershaw Leek Rainbow Trout knife on blue background — The scales, made to resemble a rainbow trout, are actually made from ultralight, durable aluminum.

Tip the scales

Kershaw’s Leek, originally designed by Ken Onion, is one of the brand’s most enduring and iconic pocket knives. Over the years, it has seen loads of strange variants.

For instance, you can buy one inspired by mint chocolate ice cream (with a MagnaCut blade, no less). Another is made to reference Kershaw’s in-house comic book, The Edge. There’s even a hyper-patriotic American flag option.

But the Rainbow Trout Leek is one of the wildest. I, for one, love it in all its weirdness. I’m especially fond of the fact that it was made without compromise.

Yes, the handles look fishy, but they’re precision-machined out of ultralight, durable aluminum, contoured for comfort and even have a durable, long-lasting finish.

two Kershaw Leek Rainbow Trout knives on blue background, one closed, one open — This odd EDC blade is another in a long line of exceptional takes on Kershaw’s iconic Leek.

Nothing fishy here

There’s a lot more to love about this knife than just its bizarre handle. For instance, it’s made in the USA, so you can count on quality craftsmanship.

It also boasts a reliable, easy-to-maintain 14C28N steel blade. In addition to that hardworking blade, it has a SpeedSafe assisted flipper deployment — one of Kershaw’s hallmark mechanisms — a Tip-Lock for added security, a liner lock for security in use and a convenient pocket clip.

Yes, this knife looks like a novelty, but its design, craftsmanship and material quality make it stand out far beyond its status as a playful oddity.

Coming soon

You can now preorder Kershaw’s Rainbow Trout Leek on the brand’s site. While there’s no information about when it will ship, the preorder does come with a discount. If you buy now, you can score it for $100 instead of the $125 MSRP.

Editor’s Note: If the rainbow trout Leek’s oceanic qualities beckon you toward watery ends, you may also appreciate this mermaid-inspired Boker.