2 ESEE to buy

[seabornshade]

Hi everyone, let me introduce myself, I live in the Philippines and I hike mountains, hunt and dive, sometimes with local guides, sometimes without. I've hiked multi-day mountain/jungle trails that are little more than game trails and I've been lost in mountains before.
I'm looking to buy 2 ESEE knives, one, a medium blade and a smaller more light use knife. The larger of the two ESEE's will be my survival/emergency knife while the smaller will be for bushcrafting and skinning.
Can you recommend a combo which two ESEE's to get? Weight is a priority, but I really want all bases to be covered, with a degree of redundance between the two. Please don't recommend the Junglas because I already have a kukri and bolos for when i need to clear trails.
Thanks in advance.

 

[sheriff125]

i say either the 5 or 6 and a Izula. just my 2 cents

 

[Skeet]

Izula, 5, win.

 

[Maverick888]

Get a 5 and a 3 Kabayan . Forgot about Izula 2!

 

[jc12]

:thumbup:

Izula, 5, win.

I second that

 

[aznfootball7]

Can't go wrong with a 6 and an Izula.

 

[goat37]

Yep. 5 and Izula/Izula 2

 

[Guruthos]

Yeah, my choice for only two knifes would be the Izula 1/2 for the fine stuff and a 6 combined with the extra pouch on the Molle back for survival :thumbup: If you haven't been looking into the sheath options: the pouch was designed for the 5 and 6 but can be attached to a 4 as well. With the pouch you get a nice small tin, sized like the well known "Altoids", which makes a good PSK or fire starting-pack

Personally I will have the Izzy, a 4 and the 6 in the near future to cover all my needs

 

[Moosez45]

I would say an ESEE6 and a ESEE3. That's a good combo for any region.

Moose

 

[mistrust]

For the larger knife I would generally recommend the 5, which is my favorite ESEE, but if weight is a concern then the 6 is your best choice. It is a bit longer but thinner and lighter.

For the smaller blade the Izula or Izula II would be fine but may I suggest you look at the 3 Mil. It is small and light enough to do anything you want but has a larger handle which I find more comfortable.

 

[shotgunner11]

ESEE-6 and an Izula or Izula II. Perfection.

 

[jamesmtl]

have not used, but very much like my 5 and Izula combo.

The 4 looks to be very manageable also, and may be my next purchase down the road.

 

[dirtypaulie]

I would say an ESEE6 and a ESEE3. That's a good combo for any region.

Moose

I 2nd this statement.

For the larger knife I would generally recommend the 5, which is my favorite ESEE, but if weight is a concern then the 6 is your best choice. It is a bit longer but thinner and lighter.

For the smaller blade the Izula or Izula II would be fine but may I suggest you look at the 3 Mil. It is small and light enough to do anything you want but has a larger handle which I find more comfortable.

Mistrust brings up very good points if weight will be a concern. I take it you will also be carrying your Khukuri or bolo on the trail as well.
This what I ended up with a Esee-6P with molle back & pouch & am Esee-3mil cp, although I will be getting more Esee blades soon enough
I also carry a Khukuri as well

 

[StoneColdChuckTX]

6 and 3 (or Izula if you want to go real small) would be my choice, especially if weight is a priority.

 

[eloreno]

I would say an ESEE6 and a ESEE3. That's a good combo for any region.

Moose

+1 ESEE3 and ESEE6.

 

[adaman04]

I would say an ESEE6 and a ESEE3. That's a good combo for any region.

Moose

Every once in a while, Moose slips up and says something I agree with.

Seabornshade, can you elaborate on "medium blade". Medium to me is a 4" blade but in your case "medium" may be between the smaller blade and a machete/kukri/parang?

A few comments from my perspective:

1. The 5 is a great knife, but the 3/16" thickness of the 6 will do everything you need it to do. The 5 has the advantage of thickness of 1/4" but I don't find it necessary for anything other than prying. Other than the ability to pry with it if needed, I would choose the 6 over the 5. I've been toting a 5 as of late and for the weight difference, I'd rather carry my 6.

2. Since you said bushcraft and skinning for the smaller blade, I'd definitely go 3 or 3MIL. The Izula and Izula 2 are great knives, but I prefer a fuller handle and slightly larger blade. I used my 3MIL as my deer knife for the first time this year and field dressing and skinning are two things it excels at.

3. If you want a little extra thickness for the smaller blade, I'm a huge fan of the 4. Honestly, the 3 or 4 are both knives you can keep on your belt that are up to any general knife task. The reason I like the 4 is that it has a little extra thickness without being overkill and is small enough to carry all the time.

Anyway, just my .02. The 3 and 6 or a 4 and a 6.

 

[TrailWolf]

I would say an ESEE6 and a ESEE3. That's a good combo for any region.

Moose

Yup :thumbup::thumbup:

The 6 is just perfect.

The 3 is a lot thinner (this is a plus) than the Izula, nicer belly and you get a bigger handle - I would always take a 3 > Izula. Its the best knife ESEE makes, IMHO.

 

[kfgk14]

Izula and 6.

 

[iyyob]

6 & 3/HEST
Izulas are great (I have 5) but in a survival situation I'd rather have my 3 or HEST , I haven't held a 6 but I have a 5 and it's heavy

 

[333rm]

I would say an ESEE6 and a ESEE3. That's a good combo for any region.

Moose

I'll second that! Makes for great combination.