Knife Gear Comparison: Kershaw Black Shallot vs Benchmade Griptilian

Make: Benchmade
Model: Griptilian 551

Make: Kershaw
Model: Black Shallot 1840CKT


I will not even attempt to sell you on which of these knives is better overall; that's truly a personal choice.  I once read that the right knife for you is the one that just "feels" right in your hand (same as a pistol, I suppose).  Both of these blades are quality pieces of hardware, made in the US by highly reputable manufacturers.  I'll simply try to compare and contrast them as Every Day Carry knives.

Opening Mechanism

The Griptilian uses Benchmade's AXIS mechanism and it amounts to having three ways to open the knife.  You can use the traditional thumb stud and simply push the blade out until it locks.  You can pull backward on the AXIS thumb stud which essentially lets the blade drop free and either gravity or a flick of the wrist will get it the rest of the way.  And finally, on most Griptilians I've seen, a more energetic flick will snap the blade open (though this can take some practice).

The Shallot uses Kershaw's SpeedSafe assisted opening, which only requires you to get the blade moving a small distance before the mechanism takes over and snaps the blade quickly and solidly into place.  Note that unlike other SpeedSafe models (like the Leek or Chive), the Shallot has neither a thumb stud on the blade or a safety lock.















Getting a Grip
The Griptilian is almost an ounce lighter, but the handle is considerably thicker.  That means it feels big in the pocket, but also gives you plenty of material to wrap your fist around.  The handles have good checkering and also have a slight bulge to them which again makes for a secure, comfortable grip.

The Shallot is thinner, heavier, and while the handles are flat, smooth stainless steel, they also have a more dynamic contour to them.  This, combined with a deep forefinger groove means that if the overall shape fits your hand, chances are you'll find the grip to be equally secure and comfortable.

Left or Right, Up or Down?
The Benchmade can only be carried tip-up, though the clip can be put on either side of the knife.  The AXIS lock has studs on both sides which means that it's easy for both lefties and righties to close the knife. 

The Kershaw, on the other hand, can be carried either tip-up or tip-down, but the clip cannot be put on the other side of the handle.  It's also worth noting that the Kershaw is a liner lock and therefore rather awkward to close for lefties.

Knife Gear: Kershaw Leek

Make: Kershaw

Models:

Leek, plain blade, G-10 handle (model #1660G10)
Leek, plain blade, stainless handle (model #1660)


I really the Leek for an EDC (Every Day Carry) utility knife.  It's not so small that you have to fiddle with it like a pen-knife, but not so large that it would draw unwanted attention should you need to use it in public.

I'm also a big fan of Kershaw's SpeedSafe assisted opening function.  It's essentially the closest thing to a fully automatic knife you can legally carry in California (unless you limit yourself to a blade smaller than two inches).  Essentially you just give the blade a slight nudge using the ridged ramp or the thumb stud and it flicks out solidly and locks into place.

Handles: Stainless vs G-10

I bought the stainless version first and it immediately replaced the Boker Subcom that I'd been carrying for years as a general purpose "left pocket" utility knife (a larger tactical folder sits in the right pocket).  But it only rode the pocket for a few days as I got the kydex neck sheath for it just a few days later, and have been carrying it that way ever since.

At that point, I felt like I'd found my ultimate small utility folder: perfect size, slick assisted opening, solid lockup and a practical blade.  I was carrying it when I went to my storage unit one day to organize junk and sort boxes.  The knife got its first full day of work of slicing tape and cutting up cardboard.  But I hadn't carried a stainless handled knife in awhile, and as my hands got dustier and drier, I quickly remembered just how slippery that material becomes.  If you use your index finger to engage the SpeedSafe opening using the top ramp, it relies on keeping a good grip on the rest of the knife with pressure between your thumb and middle finger, and there was a point where I could barely hang onto it.

At that point, I had to downgrade the stainless Leek from "ultimate" status.  If only it came in a grippier handle material...

I'd actually bought the stainless Leek on a whim (a birthday gift to myself) and hadn't really done too much research on the different versions it came in.  So it was only after the storage unit experience that I went back, did some hunting, and realized that the Leek came in a G-10 handle version.  The Leek was back in the running for Ultimate Utility Knife.

I placed an order and got it a few days later.  As soon as I took out of the box, I knew it was pretty much exactly what I was hoping for.  The handles are almost "sticky" and grip is a non-issue.  But there was one completely unexpected and tragically disappointing downside, although this had nothing to do with the knife itself...

By this point, I'd become a big fan of the kydex neck sheath, and had sworn to never again let a knife clutter up my left pocket.  But while the G-10 Leek is much lighter than its stainless cousin, it's also substantially thicker, and the kydex was form fitted to that thinner stainless version.

So unfortunately, each morning I'm forced to choose between bringing the near-perfect-for-me G-10 version Leek but having to carry it in my pocket like a chump - or using the elegant, you-almost-forget-it's-there neck sheath, but with the sometimes slippery stainless version.

At the end of the day, though, I'm glad to have them both.  And if you don't care for neck carry anyway then you probably can't go wrong with the G-10 Leek. 

I like them so much in fact that I'm tempted to get a third.  Kershaw sells a rather attractive version of the Leek with a composite blade.  It's been calling to me...