4" or 6" Blade Length for Outdoor Work?

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Dgabr

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May 1, 2015
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I'm sorta stuck on deciding between a 4.5" blade length (Esee-4) and a 5.75" (Esee-6). The two knives are very similar besides the weight and blade length. I would be using the knife for mostly carving and bushcraft-type uses, but as a knife in my BOB as well. I will be using a folding saw (Bahco Laplander) for wood processing. Is the only advantage of the E6's length for batoning/chopping wood? Any help appreciated. I'm currently leaning towards the E4, but I might get something of a similar length. Thanks!
 
As always, it depends on what you want to cut... and whatever you're comfortable using.

I'd choose a 3.5" - 4.5" blade, especially when paired with a folding saw. That's a really handy combo that's light and easy to pack/carry. With smart technique you can baton with a 5" or less fixed blade just as effectively as you can with a larger one.

6-7" blades are nice if you only want to carry one cutting implement, but they're a little awkward for the small jobs most people do most often, and don't offer enough leverage for real chopping. You don't get into real chopping performance until the blade gets over 8" long.
 
Do you have a hatchet or axe? If so, you don't need to baton. I have an ESEE-4 and it's plenty long for the woods, my Fällkniven F1 is plenty knife too at 3.8". Both are currently my favorite knives. The only knife i can see surpassing them is the Fällkniven S1 at 5.1". The ESEE 6 is probably a great knife and a real workhorse but it is overkill in my opinion if you have a saw and hatchet. Maybe a lesser concern is weight, the F1 is a good deal lighter, and more nimble, than the ESEE-4 and they don't differ that much in length. Even the S1 is lighter than the ESEE-4.

This photo from this post is a good example. The entire thread might prove quite useful for your search.
DSCN1620.jpg

Left to Right:
Custom NorthStar
F1
ESEE 4
Bravo1
Aurora
S1

It's not my photo btw.
 
basb said:
Do you have a hatchet or axe? If so, you don't need to baton. I have an ESEE-4 and it's plenty long for the woods, my Fällkniven F1 is plenty knife too at 3.8". Both are currently my favorite knives. The only knife i can see surpassing them is the Fällkniven S1 at 5.1". The ESEE 6 is probably a great knife and a real workhorse but it is overkill in my opinion if you have a saw and hatchet. Maybe a lesser concern is weight, the F1 is a good deal lighter, and more nimble, than the ESEE-4 and they don't differ that much in length. Even the S1 is lighter than the ESEE-4.

This photo from this post is a good example. The entire thread might prove quite useful for your search.
DSCN1620.jpg

Left to Right:
Custom NorthStar
F1
ESEE 4
Bravo1
Aurora
S1

It's not my photo btw.
Click to expand...

Good post and wonderful collection. :thumbup:
 
I would say 6inches. It is safer for battoning, provides more leverage and cutting area. I made myself a 5inch blade and then 6.25 and would take the 6 over the 5 anyday in the woods.
 
Longer blades really only benefit when using for wood prep, I've never found I needed more than 4" in normal knife tasks whereas batoning really does require a blade longer than 4" to be useful. I have a 5.75" blade (Gravelle FK5) for normal tasks; it can handle batoning quite nicely but is a bit big for normal knife tasks outside of that; that's where my 3" Guardian3 is used more often, the little cutting tasks.
 
I've been making a lot of knives in the 4-6 range. Out of all the ones posted, I like the looks of the Aurora best.

Here's my contribution:

 
james terrio said:
As always, it depends on what you want to cut... and whatever you're comfortable using.

I'd choose a 3.5" - 4.5" blade, especially when paired with a folding saw. That's a really handy combo that's light and easy to pack/carry. With smart technique you can baton with a 5" or less fixed blade just as effectively as you can with a larger one.

6-7" blades are nice if you only want to carry one cutting implement, but they're a little awkward for the small jobs most people do most often, and don't offer enough leverage for real chopping. You don't get into real chopping performance until the blade gets over 8" long.
Click to expand...

+1000

That is exactly how I feel (although personally I like things more in the 4-5in length, 3.5 feels a touch small to me).

About 6in is what I'd want if I only had one tool, but as James said, "chopping" with a 5-7in blade is just not really a good idea, as its kind of a waste of energy IMO. I have found that I am generally happier with two blades that are more specialized, than I am with one "middle of the road" tool.

I've found that a folding saw, a mora, and a BK9 cover just about all my woods use cases. A folding saw is so much faster/easier to cut wood with (even compared to chopping with a real "chopper"). The BK9 gets used like a froe if the need arises while I'm car camping. I prefer to split the little wood I need for a fire this way, as usually when I'm camping there are lots of people around, and I find it easier and more controlled to baton, than it is to split wood with an axe.

Oh, and personally, I'd skip the ESEE 4. I know it has a large following, but I've found that I don't need blades in that size range to be that thick. Also, I've heard that the handles are actually quite small, and somewhat uncomfortable. So between the two, I'd say that the ESEE 6 is the overall stronger choice. But if was choosing, I'd buy a BK16, and a folding saw methinks.

Anyway, good luck with the choice :).
 
Go with the 4.5 inch length. I used to carry around a 6+ inch myself but it was overkill and heavy. If your batoning wood that requires more than that length then your building a bonfire, not a camp fire. Plus if you need to baton a bigger thickness log you can start from the sides and narrow it down enough baton through the middle.
 
ocnLogan said:
+1000

That is exactly how I feel (although personally I like things more in the 4-5in length, 3.5 feels a touch small to me).

About 6in is what I'd want if I only had one tool, but as James said, "chopping" with a 5-7in blade is just not really a good idea, as its kind of a waste of energy IMO. I have found that I am generally happier with two blades that are more specialized, than I am with one "middle of the road" tool.

I've found that a folding saw, a mora, and a BK9 cover just about all my woods use cases. A folding saw is so much faster/easier to cut wood with (even compared to chopping with a real "chopper"). The BK9 gets used like a froe if the need arises while I'm car camping. I prefer to split the little wood I need for a fire this way, as usually when I'm camping there are lots of people around, and I find it easier and more controlled to baton, than it is to split wood with an axe.
Click to expand...
A lot of people find value this combo, often called the Nessmuk trio. But i see no point in bringing two knives if i can bring a hatchet and a knife.
My experience is that people usually stay away from someone swinging an axe, if not i kindly advice them to :). Or you could do it as shown here:
[video]https://youtu.be/X5W6r5U7yBE?t=2m20s[/video]

Oh, and personally, I'd skip the ESEE 4. I know it has a large following, but I've found that I don't need blades in that size range to be that thick. Also, I've heard that the handles are actually quite small, and somewhat uncomfortable. So between the two, I'd say that the ESEE 6 is the overall stronger choice. But if was choosing, I'd buy a BK16, and a folding saw methinks.
Click to expand...
The handles seem to be the biggest point of debate on the ESEE-4. My hands are medium sized(for a 184cm body lenght) and i have little issues. I somewhat agree on the thickness, the F1 has the same thickness(0.188") as the ESEE and it's as thick is i would want for a blade around 4".
 
ESEE 3 for general woods knife. Having seen what mine has been through with no ill effects I can't imagine needing the 4's extra thickness and even the 3 gets a bit cumbersome if I'm screwing around with traps and whatnot.
 
james terrio said:
As always, it depends on what you want to cut... and whatever you're comfortable using.

I'd choose a 3.5" - 4.5" blade, especially when paired with a folding saw. That's a really handy combo that's light and easy to pack/carry. With smart technique you can baton with a 5" or less fixed blade just as effectively as you can with a larger one.

6-7" blades are nice if you only want to carry one cutting implement, but they're a little awkward for the small jobs most people do most often, and don't offer enough leverage for real chopping. You don't get into real chopping performance until the blade gets over 8" long.
Click to expand...

That fits my experience as well and great advice. I'd go with the ESEE-4 if paired with the folding saw or if you add a hatchet down the road. For example, the BK-7 is a great blade, but it is a tad too big for normal kinds of things for most people and a bit too short for chopping. That's where the BK-9 comes into its own. But instead of the "9" I have gone with short machete's with a slightly longer blade if I am willing to carry something that big in the woods.
 
A 3.75"-4.5" fixed blade paired with a folding saw or hatchet hits the sweet spot for me but to each his own. I have many larger blades (5"-7" range) that I use at home or base camp but tend to carry them much less. Come to think of it I'm just as or more likely to carry a 9"-12" blade as something in the "5-7" range.
 
basb said:
A lot of people find value this combo, often called the Nessmuk trio. But i see no point in bringing two knives if i can bring a hatchet and a knife.
My experience is that people usually stay away from someone swinging an axe, if not i kindly advice them to :). Or you could do it as shown here:
[video]https://youtu.be/X5W6r5U7yBE?t=2m20s[/video]

The handles seem to be the biggest point of debate on the ESEE-4. My hands are medium sized(for a 184cm body lenght) and i have little issues. I somewhat agree on the thickness, the F1 has the same thickness(0.188") as the ESEE and it's as thick is i would want for a blade around 4".
Click to expand...

Yep, I'm familiar with the trio :). Although, mine isn't a true traditional nessmuk trio, as I don't have a folding knife, nor a double bit hatchet. It still does work really well for me.

What I didn't mention is that I frequently camp with smaller children (nieces and nephews), and while I try my best to keep an eye on all of them, the smaller ones sometimes haven't learned to be cautious of things. I just feel more comfortable swinging something blunt, just in case. But you're right, most people do stay away when you start swinging an axe. And I love Mr Mears videos. I've found many great tidbits in them, from things like how to properly strike a match and properly lay a fire, to some nifty campcraft things :).

And perhaps my hatchets haven't been the best, but so far I've found that the BK9 chops at least as well as the hatchets of the same size/weight category, and for me is more useful in other tasks while for me a hatchet is a single use tool. The BK9 does surprisingly well at smaller knife tasks, and while I know some people do make feathersticks/etc with their hatchets, I've found I'm much better at them with a knife. But of course that will depend a lot on each user, their skill level, and where they live. I may just be awful with a hatchet, which is why I prefer a knife for right now.

And for the record, I don't see batoning as a way to split wood for a log cabin. I see it as a way to take roughly wrist-forearm sized straight grained wood down to size to start a fire. I'm also not above whittling a wedge if for some reason I just HAVE to split that knotty piece of wood.

22-rimfire said:
That fits my experience as well and great advice. I'd go with the ESEE-4 if paired with the folding saw or if you add a hatchet down the road. For example, the BK-7 is a great blade, but it is a tad too big for normal kinds of things for most people and a bit too short for chopping. That's where the BK-9 comes into its own. But instead of the "9" I have gone with short machete's with a slightly longer blade if I am willing to carry something that big in the woods.
Click to expand...

I've been considering going with a machete as well, although around here we don't have tons of brush, and honestly I don't chop much at all (folding saw takes care of all my "chopping") so I'm not sure if it would work better in my situation. A 14in Tram only weighs a few ounces less (~4oz), doesn't come with a sheath, and I'm not sure how it would handle the other tasks I use my BK9 for. But yeah, I've been looking at things like the tram, the svord kiwi machete (12in), and the Mora machete actually.
 
ocnLogan said:
Yep, I'm familiar with the trio :). Although, mine isn't a true traditional nessmuk trio, as I don't have a folding knife, nor a double bit hatchet. It still does work really well for me.

What I didn't mention is that I frequently camp with smaller children (nieces and nephews), and while I try my best to keep an eye on all of them, the smaller ones sometimes haven't learned to be cautious of things. I just feel more comfortable swinging something blunt, just in case. But you're right, most people do stay away when you start swinging an axe. And I love Mr Mears videos. I've found many great tidbits in them, from things like how to properly strike a match and properly lay a fire, to some nifty campcraft things :).
Click to expand...
Very good point about small children.

His videos are much more useful than most of the guys that are playing the tacticool/survivor/prepper game on tape. Have you seen his video about his canoe/camp trip in sweden? It's about an hour filled with great stuff and wonderful surroundings.

And perhaps my hatchets haven't been the best, but so far I've found that the BK9 chops at least as well as the hatchets of the same size/weight category, and for me is more useful in other tasks while for me a hatchet is a single use tool. The BK9 does surprisingly well at smaller knife tasks, and while I know some people do make feathersticks/etc with their hatchets, I've found I'm much better at them with a knife. But of course that will depend a lot on each user, their skill level, and where they live. I may just be awful with a hatchet, which is why I prefer a knife for right now.

And for the record, I don't see batoning as a way to split wood for a log cabin. I see it as a way to take roughly wrist-forearm sized straight grained wood down to size to start a fire. I'm also not above whittling a wedge if for some reason I just HAVE to split that knotty piece of wood.

I've been considering going with a machete as well, although around here we don't have tons of brush, and honestly I don't chop much at all (folding saw takes care of all my "chopping") so I'm not sure if it would work better in my situation. A 14in Tram only weighs a few ounces less (~4oz), doesn't come with a sheath, and I'm not sure how it would handle the other tasks I use my BK9 for. But yeah, I've been looking at things like the tram, the svord kiwi machete (12in), and the Mora machete actually.
Click to expand...

A well thought out kit and a wedge goes a long but i would still recommend to learn to wield an decent hatchet/axe. Beside useful i just love them as tools. Nothing beats swinging a big two handed splitting maul :cool:. Not something i do at a camping trip though.

A machete is a wonderful tool if there is a lot of thin vegetation. I have one and i like it but in the northern and western part of Europe it's a bit useless.
 
ocnLogan said:
I've found that a folding saw, a mora, and a BK9 cover just about all my woods use cases. A folding saw is so much faster/easier to cut wood with (even compared to chopping with a real "chopper"). The BK9 gets used like a froe if the need arises while I'm car camping. I prefer to split the little wood I need for a fire this way, as usually when I'm camping there are lots of people around, and I find it easier and more controlled to baton, than it is to split wood with an axe.

Oh, and personally, I'd skip the ESEE 4. I know it has a large following, but I've found that I don't need blades in that size range to be that thick. Also, I've heard that the handles are actually quite small, and somewhat uncomfortable. So between the two, I'd say that the ESEE 6 is the overall stronger choice. But if was choosing, I'd buy a BK16, and a folding saw methinks.

Anyway, good luck with the choice :).
Click to expand...

Or consider the Kabar BK-15 which is 5.5" and a real handy woods knife. It's long enough to baton with and pointy enough to do most any task short of chopping. It's problem is mostly a sales thing. People seem to look at drop points more these days and ignore a blade shape like the BK-15. It is a really useful blade.

I own a ESEE-4 and tend not to use it. That's just me. I know it's popular. Honestly like the BK-15 for using a lot more and they are on sale now if you look around a bit.
 
I'd get the bigger knife. I typically take a 2.75 incher and a 4.75 incher (blades) when I go camping. I find myself going for the smaller knife way more frequently. But, the big knife jobs wouldn't really suffer from an extra inch or two.
 
My all a rounder fixed blades tend to be around 5". My favorites are the Blackjack 125, the smaller Blackjack 124, the BK-15, and a Dozier Pro Guides knife. But talk to me a year from now, and I will probably have new toys.
 
I like a knife at 4" or over 8. Large knives tend to wear me out and be more difficult to use for detailed cutting tasks. If I want to chop I want a 8+" knife that is purpose built as a chopper.

I like a Mora no 1 or Bushcraft Black for general outdoors stuff. I like a BK9 for a chopper and campsite construction. I have tried and am not one that can make a large knife work for everything.
 
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