Thanks to Geoffrey from Normandeep.fr , I have the opportunity to test various knives of his collection. The Leaf Storm is one of them.
And it was a thick bird and have bought second hand…

They are a rattle when closed and the culprit was easy to find. The previous owner has pushed to much on the lock slab…
First step: I remove the screws on the G10 side. They are long and goes into the titanium liner on the other side.

It is a very simple construction made in Golden Colorado.

The lock bar has been forced outward and has not enough tension anymore. The detent ball is even not working anymore.

By gently pressing inward I was able to give more tension to the lock. Much better !

Some nano oil drops for good measure.

And voilà. I have not put any blue lock tite, leaving Geoffrey free to do it, as it can stain the jade G10 too…

What a beautiful little critter ! It has been design by American Kevin Wilkins started as a graphic designer and art student then an art director. He moved to Berlin in the early 90s where the knife bug really sank in. By 1995 he worked out how to make his hobby a livelihood and one of his favorite designs he called the Leaf Storm, dixit Spyderco card.

It is small lady and gentleman knife that fits and carries in the watch-pocket of a pair of denim jeans. Let’s compare it with one of the best little big knife Spyderco is producing.

My Lil’Native (featuring JD’s edge) got the same size and I carry it in my watch pocket. Main difference could be the hollow grind versus the full flat grind but not for me. What I miss the most is the choil…

Because as both knives got the same blade length, the Native give the opportunity to chock up the knife and have plenty of space for 4 fingers.

The Leaf Storm got no protection with its large ricasso and could be an issue if it is sharp. And it is sharp. My pinkie could be cut easily.

With the hammer grip, this is my index knife which is now the next candidate for a flesh wound…
In my own opinion, the Leafstorm is an eye candy and a collector knife, as it is rare now, been discontinuited but the action is not smooth and gritty and the ergos not to my taste, I rather go with my little Walker C22CFPE or my Lil’Native. There is even some lock sticking as there is no steel interface… It is a little on the crude side compare to smooth Lil’Native. Golden factory has made a lot of progress since the release of the LeafStorm. Designing little folders is not an easy task and esthetics are not mandatory. The LeafStorm is a beauty but not palm friendly.