Kershaw Leek 1660

The Leek has been Kershaw's flagship EDC since 2002 and is one of the highest-volume pocket knives ever produced in the United States. Ken Onion designed it around two ideas: a slim profile that disappears in dress pants, and the SpeedSafe assisted-opening mechanism that snaps the blade open with a flipper-tab nudge. Both are still the reasons people buy it.

Sandvik 14C28N is a fine-grain Swedish stainless that takes a very thin edge and resists corrosion better than D2 or 154CM. It does not hold an edge as long as S30V or M390, but it sharpens back to scary-sharp on a basic stone in under five minutes. For an EDC that mostly opens packages, breaks down boxes, and handles food prep, that's the right trade. The 3" modified drop point has a fine, almost needle-like tip that's excellent for detail work but not durable enough for prying.

The 410 stainless handles are old-school. They feel premium and look polished in a slacks pocket, but they are slick when wet and they show scratches faster than G10 or aluminum. The Frame Lock provides solid lock-up. At 3.0 oz and 4" closed, the Leek is one of the slimmest knives that still feels like a real tool. If you want one knife that works in a suit and at the workbench, this is it.