BENCHMADE LEUKO No BS Review & Edge Test 

Thanks man! I really didn’t want to sound like I was bashing it. But I felt like people needed to know. I wanted so much to like it but it ended becoming a knife I use in the kitchen more than anything else. It definitely does much better for light duty use like cutting vegetables and stuff. Glad I could help though! Thanks for watching 🍻

Thanks man, I wanted to like it but even doing light kitchen tasks I couldn’t keep it sharp. The whole thing felt rushed tbh.🍻

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews I ordered one yesterday. I hope they made some improvements over the one you received. Hopefully I don't regret not going for the Garberg a second time.

Yeah if you get a good field sharpener you’ll be alright. I use a small foldable ceramic rod by Benchmade. It cleans the edge right up pretty easily for 3v. A lot of times when they heat treat a large number of knives the ones on the outside usually have a lower hrc than the ones directly center of the forge especially if the heat isn’t evenly distributed. Of course that’s just a guess as to what actually happened with this one. I’ve never had any issues with Benchmade in the past so idk.

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews Thanks for your insight into the issue. I am hoping to get a DC4 sharpening stone for my birthday that's coming up soon. I'll buy one if I don't get one. That makes sense about the hardening. It's a shame that spending the money on a so called "super steel" doesn't guarantee a Godly knife. Hope my luck is different or I'll try to send it back. If I have to sharpen it as much as my ESEE in 1095, what's the point of a 3V knife, you know? I really wanted to buy a Bark River Aurora in 3V, but they're never in stock.

No problem. Yeah I totally agree. My Esee 4 3D in 440 Stainless out performs it by a long shot. In no realm of the multi verse should 440 out perform 3v lol. That says a lot. Hopefully mine is just a dud. I’m considering sending it out to get the HRC checked. But you can’t go wrong with the Aurora. BR takes a much more personal approach to their heat treatment process. I’ve never had a bad experience with them. Actually my favorite knife of all time is the JX6. Hands down... I have it in Elmax with the Black C-tek scales and red liners. It’s a beautiful piece. I’ve maybe had to sharpen it twice in 2 years. Of course it’s an EDC size nessmuk esq blade so I don’t baton with it. But it cuts almost effortlessly. It’s crazy good.

Really?? That definitely explains it. At the time I couldn’t find any info pertaining to what could have went wrong with this one. I feel something like that definitely needs to be addressed by them before a bunch of people buy one and find out the hard way. I honestly had great expectations for this knife and made sure I was able to get one before they actually went on sale just to feature on the channel. Needless to say I wasn’t impressed at all. I did have a Puukko that I loved so I figured it would at least be on the same level… but after about 10 minutes of use I knew something had to happen during the heat treatment process. I know sometimes when they are heat treating a bunch of blades, the ones on the ends of the rack usually don’t get the same heat as the ones directly under the fire. So I just figured I maybe got one of those. I actually haven’t bought very much from Benchmade since. Maybe 10-12 pieces tops. All folders though, not 1 fixed blade.

Sweet! I love the Pukko. This one I've had a love/hate relationship with it but I've grown to love it more. It's actually my designated kitchen knife. 😂🍻

I have actually made mine a full time kitchen knife, which it works perfectly fine for. Aside from the constant sharpening it does well for that. I just think the handle could’ve used a little change from the original Puukko design. At least a little more thicker if nothing else. It was perfect for the smaller blade but for the larger one I would’ve preferred a little something more. Don’t get me wrong it will no doubt get the job done. It just wasn’t 100% for me. To each his own though right lol? 🍻

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews I know what you mean. I have a Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter in 3V as well, and that beefy handle is crazy comfortable.

Those are awesome knives. I almost picked one up at Blade Show a while back. I’ve been buying loads of EDC sized fixies lately but I just got a little Bowie in from Boatright Bladeworks called the Ventifact. Best ergos I’ve ever felt. I was blown away how such a small piece could feel that great in the hands. I was told his handles are the best in the business buy a friend and no doubt, he wasn’t lying. You should definitely look him up the next time you get the itch. Best $200 I’ve ever spent.

Yeah sadly I heard from someone else recently that the first couple batches they made were done with a different process and it didn’t temper correctly. Apparently they fixed the problem since though and they’ve been over 61hrc. I can’t confirm that part for sure yet though.

Agreed 100% The old bait and switch routine. They get you sold on one then try to ride the wave in. I really had high expectations for this blade too.

I believe the heat treatment failed or they possibly scorched the edge during. I planned on having it tested but never got around to it. It works great when sharp but loses its edge almost immediately during light use. A lot of times when they’re heat treating a bunch of knives at once the heat isn’t necessarily even throughout the oven. So the ones on the end usually don’t reach the same temp as the ones in the middle. No of course that’s just speculation on this one but I know it does happen and that’s usually the same result across the board. It actually happens more than people realize on large number productions so it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s the case.

I don’t blame you one bit! I haven’t bought one since tbh. I was able to keep it sharp for about 3 days hitting it with a ceramic rod… but it was literally after each freaking use I had to hit it. After that it lost its edge completely and needed reprofiling. My tops SXS I’ve only had to sharpen maybe 5 times in 2 years and it’s made from 1095! That shouldn’t last 1/8 the amount of time the 3v should but it still kicks it’s freaking ass every time.

Much appreciated, glad I could help. I've never had to sharpen a knife as much after use as this one. I felt bad because I've never had a bad experience with Benchmade, but I couldn't honestly tell people its not without its flaws. I guess its something with the 3v they used. The whole thing felt rushed and under planned.

Yeah, wish I had seen this before I bought mine. Worst edge in all of my collection.

Man I honestly had high expectations for this one too. A basic Mora Companion will run circles around this thing though.

No problem man. Thank you! Yeah actually I’ve used it in the kitchen for the past year or so but I’ve had to sharpen it after every use almost. Even just small vegetables against a rubber cutting mat will take the razor edge right off of it. Which it will definitely take an edge nicely with the proper equipment but it’s gone before you know it. I’ve actually used a work sharp on it maybe 20 times as well and still have the same problem. Of course we all know how much material a grinder can move so hopefully I can find a good sweet spot eventually.

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews thanks a lot for the detailed information. It does sound like Benchmade left unnecessarily much on the table.

Yuuup I'm slowly getting there. I honestly can't wait to get this gaw behind me. I already have the next one lined up lol. Let's just say the first 4 letters of the next gaw's name is Fall. 😂🍻

Yeah I agree. Once I got past the original bevel it held an edge a little bit longer. It still has to be touched up with a ceramic rod right after each use but if you keep up with it, it cuts just fine.

Yeah it just didn’t work for me considering how much other awesome stuff is out there. Like I couldn’t see trading it for like an Esee 6 or something… and that’s not even a premium steel. I honestly wanted to like it too.

Yeah I ultimately knocked down the secondary a bit as well and use it in the kitchen. The only thing is I have to resharpen it after 1 or 2 uses. I think since it’s a production blade it was probably on the end of the heat treat rack in the forge and didn’t hit the proper temp as the ones closer to the middle of the rack do. I’ve seen it happen a lot actually. That’s why large batches can vary in HRC and they just label it as 59-61 lol. This one is definitely on the lower end of that spectrum for sure but my pukko wasn’t like that at all. It would cut for days. I guess that’s why Ive been sticking to mid techs and customs lately. 🍻

That is the Tops Knives Bull Trout. Its an amazing little blade for sure.🍻

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews Thank you sir. I hope they make a bigger blade.

No problem, anytime. They have a couple that are somewhat close to it but yeah I'd love to see a larger version of it.🍻

A little better actually. It sharpened back up much easier using only a ceramic rod. But tbh the bk18's overalshape makes it a much more comfortable blade to use. Ntm the long sweeping edge just makes a wide range of tasks much easier. If I had to choose... Becker. Especially after changing the scales out to micarta and removing the traction coating. It's a beast now.🍻

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews Thanks for the quick response! I'll go with the Becker 👍

@@emmitt4313 Anytime! Good choice indeed. Ntm about $50 cheaper lol.

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews Yeah lol

Will do. I don't think ive ever heard of it tbh. Good looking out.🍻👊🏼

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews white river makes some very nice high end knives. You may also like the fire craft and hunter series knives.

I actually have the FC 3.5 in black. I picked it up a couple years ago now probably after seeing it on Chris Tanners channel. But yeah the Ursus 45 I've never seen before. I actually just checked it out earlier. Looks like a great design. Has that bushcraft knife look but a bit wider like Selknam. I'll probably try it out soon because I'm about to start doing more fixed blades again. I took a little break but been buying quite a few lately.🍻

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews I love mine and I look forward to your review. Also check out schenk knives you won't be disappointed.

Will do! Yeah I've never heard of that one before either. Thanks 👊🏼👊🏼

Its actually a handmade striker I got a while back. I reccomend Holtzmans or Exotac if you're looking to buy one for it. They both make great stuff.🍻🤙