Thanks, Betsy!

I just got a Kershaw Leek with the 1776 Betsy Ross design.  I think it's pretty damn icey!  Boths side of the smooth handle pays homage to Betsy Ross's original flag.

The story goes, George needed a symbol and Betsy stepped up

Kershaw's Leek, Ross Commemorative

I've always admired Kershaw knives, especially the Leek design line.  Kershaw expanded the line to include Scallon and Chive, both employing Ken Onion's SpeedSafe design and sliding safety.  I remember a larger version of the Leek called the Ramp.  Ramps are stronger garlic-like onions popular in West Virginia.  But you know what they say: ramp eaters sit in the back of the bus. 

The Kershaw Ramp is discontinued.  I liked the bigger, bulkier knife.

I wrote about Kershaw's Launch 13 at https://knifesearch.blogspot.com/2024/02/launch-13.html.  So, forgive me if I repeat a bit.

Pete Kershaw formed his own cutlery company based on his designs in 1974.  In those days, his manufacturing was done primarily in Japan by Ichiro Hattori in Seki City.  His early work caught the eye of the knife industry, and by 1977, Kershaw became a wholly owned subsidiary of the KAI Group.  They opened a U.S. production facility, which Kershaw eventually outgrew and moved in 2003 to Tualatin, Oregon.  Oregon has knife-friendly laws, and you'll find many companies with facilities there.

Ross Leek, complete with sliding safety on left and clip on the right

During the early stages of growth, Pete Kershaw worked with Ken Onion, Ernest Emerson, Grant and Gavin Hawk, Frank Centofante, Rick Hinderer, and RJ Martin.  That's quite a rogue's gallery of famous knife makers.

Kershaw introduced the Leek in 1998.  Ken Onion envisioned the Leek as a fusion of form and function.  He wanted a combination of elegant aesthetics with uncompromising performance.  The Leek, with its smooth handle and dagger-like blade, caught the world's attention.  Contributing to this was the introduction of the flipper and the SpeedSafe torsion opener.

Closed M-16 with Carson Flipper

Kit Carson designed a flipper, often referred to as the "Carson Flipper," for CRKT's M-16 in 1999.  The combination of flipper and assisted opening was an earthquake across the knife landscape.

When open the M-16 flipper becomes part of the guard

I'm going to skip who invented the flipper discussion and resulting flame war, to say that the Carson Flipper extends outward to form a finger guard when open, while the Leek's flipper, when open, is hidden in the knife's handle.  It is a matter of looks and end purpose.

When open the Leek's flipper blends into the handle

The defining feature of the Kershaw Leek is its innovative assisted-opening mechanism.  Assisted-opening knives hit the market satisfying a significant part of the growing demand for legal "switchblades."  Many states tried to ban it, but they stumbled on the legal definition: an automatic knife has a button or mechanism that releases the blade when pressed.  Assisted-opening knives require you to start opening the blade before the assist takes over.

It is widely accepted that the first assisted-opening knife was Meyerco's "Strut N' Cut", designed by Blackie Collins in 1995.  It was Kershaw's SpeedSafe mechanism that brought the technology to main street knife buyers.

A simple spring applies tension to the closed blade, securing it in your pocket.  When the flipper is depressed, the butt end of the blade slides from a closed position to a shape that utilizes the energy stored in the spring.  Cool design, isn't it?

Ross Leek

The Leek has a high shoulder, concave grind, drop point blade.  What appear to be opening studs on either side of the blade are actually over-travel stops.  They are too short and poorly placed to act as opening studs.  Use the flipper; it's much easier.  The blade is bead blasted, giving it a matte finish, and ground from Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel.  This steel is a high-quality Swedish martensitic stainless steel from Alleima (formerly Sandvik Steel).  14C28N is known for its excellent balance of hardness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention, while remaining easy to sharpen with traditional stones.

The composition?  I thought you would never ask.

0.62% Carbon,

14% Chromium,

0.1% Nitrogen,

and a trace of other elements.

It is a well-thought-of steel used by manufacturers like Civivi, Ruike, Boker, Bestech, and Real Steel, among others.

The Leek weighs 3.0 ounces and features a pocket clip, lanyard hole, and sliding lock that prevents the blade from opening.  You can adjust the tension on the opening lock if you desire.  The knife locks open with a liner lock that secures the blade open.

I wouldn't take this as my only knife if I were spending a month in the Alaskan bush.  But if that's all you had, you could make do.  This is an everyday carry for work, going about town, a day at the range, and everything in between.

Ready to cut

But I have to say, I suspect I'd make this one a barbecue knife.  You know, carry it when I'm out with friends to show off or sitting in the backyard with the grill and a beer.  The finish is too nice, in my opinion, to get scratched.

You can find them at many purveyors of sharpened edges, or at https://kershaw.kaiusa.com/leek.html for $100.  It's a good deal, no matter how you slice it.

 

Flying with Cygnus

The Cygnus from Artisan Cutlery is amazing.  The carbon fiber handle is backed with a steel insert on each side for stability and to anchor the liner lock.   The blade is stone washed D2 steel and is fashioned as a reverse tanto saber grind.  There is a tiny false edge to move the blade’s center of gravity farther out from the pivot point.  This is assisted by three triangular openings in the top of the blade. There is mechanical advantage gained by having the acting center of mass extended from the fulcrum or pivot point. 

Enough of the physics, just know that when propelled by the flipper the blade flies open on ceramic ball bearings.  When the knife is locked open the flipper becomes part of the guard to keep your fingers off the sharpened blade.  I’m always appreciative of that!

Artisan Cutlery describes the blade as a drop point, but in my experience, drop points are curved and gradual.  This area is a downward slash and gives the blade its strikingly good looks.  The diamond cut outs add to its appearance.  It looks as if the open knife is already in motion even when it is standing still.

Back side closed

D2 is an excellent choice for a blade steel.  Not quite stainless, it requires a drop of oil now and again, but D2 tool steel is a versatile air-hardening steel with good resistance to wear from sliding contact with other metals and abrasive materials. With a HRc of 58-60 the blade will give you good edge performance and can be sharpened with ordinary stones.  

Here are a few more specifications for you:  The blade is 3.5 inches long, 0.15 inches thick and the open length of the knife is 8.5 inches.  The clip is reversible for left and right carry and a lanyard pocket is built into the spine.  The total weight is 4.23 ounces.  The Cygnus is worn tip up in your pocket, my favorite carry position.

 

I’m impressed both by the ease of opening as well as the stylish good looks.  You’ll get quite a few compliments with this knife.  Rub your fingers over the surface, look and touch for rough spots and mis-alignments.  I didn’t find any.  Feel the lock up and hear the snick when the blade closes.  The flipper is constructed to prevent the sharpened edge from dulling against the closed back of the knife.  There is a lot to like about this knife.

After you buy one, spend a few moments preparing for all the compliments you’re going to get.  Tell ‘em they can get their own at:

http://www.artisancutlery.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=64&product_id=317

Artisan Cygnus is $69.99,  Don’t be left out.