5"(ish) blade for general camp/backpacking duties - ESEE 4/5/Fallkniven S1/????

[ozgooner]

As with any new hobby one undertakes, I initially flitted around buying random bits and pieces of knives with no real purpose in mind. Lately though I have really narrowed my focus a lot more and decided that a) I am not a collector and b) I want to only have knives I am going to use. To that end I am looking for a "better than your average" fixed blade in the vicinity of 5 inches in length for general camp/backpacking duties.

As a reference point I already have a Buck Vanguard, and while it's a nice knife, it feels a little small in my hands and I think I would like something in a better steel than the 420HC.

Sadly I have no way of trying out any knives in store so am relying on online ordering which throws up its own problems. For instance, two websites I regularly check and/or order from list the Vanguard as being 8" overall, whereas I measure it as being more like 8.5" so how do I know that what I am reading on any given site is accurate?

Anyway, looking around for knives that fit what I am looking for, the obvious candidates seem to be the ESEE 4 (9"/4.5" blade/1095 steel), ESEE 5 (10 7/8"/5.25" blade/1095 steel), or the Fallkniven S1 (9.75"/5" blade/VG10 steel). Does any one of these knives stand out above the others, or are there other options I should be considering?

Pictures that show any/all of these knives (including the Vanguard) together to compare actual size would be very much appreciated.

 

[jimwalter]

For a general camp blade I wouldnt get the 5. It really is a tank. I <3 the 4 though. Cant speak for the fallkniven though.

 

[GRIM 62]

If weight is not a big concern,the Becker Companion(BK2) is another good option.It is built like a tank,but can also perform some finer bushcraft chores.

 

[ozgooner]

I have just taken delivery of a BK-2 in the past week. Yes an absolute tank. If I was car camping then it will probably get taken along, but for hiking and things like food prep, while it is capable I don't know that it's ideal. Looking for something between the BK-2 and the Vanguard is what I'm getting at I think.

 

[GRIM 62]

Out of the ESEE offerings I'd take the 6 over the 4 or 5.It's a longer blade,but still not too heavy for packing.I have both the 4 and 6,but prefer the 6.The handles are longer and fit me better.The 5 is like the BK2 build wise,they could be first cousins.

 

[jasonbroni]

Hope this thread gets bigger ~ I have the same issue ~ need a good 5ish blade. I have a bk11 (3ish) for small chores and food, a recon scout (7ish) for batoning/ splitting firewood. I would like a 5ish flat ground, thicker blade for everything else... not even sure what 'everything else' means, but want a middle sized blade either way...

 

[ocnLogan]

If I were to get one right now, it would be a Kabar Mk1 leather or kraton. Its light enough to easily carry when backpacking, but still sturdy enough to beat on. Its a FFG so it slices pretty well as well.

Not mine, but a shot of a MK1 and a BK2 for size comparison.

Also, if you can wait a bit, the Becker tweeners are coming out soon. I haven't handled one, but I hear from those that have that they generally prefer the handle ergonomics over that of the ESEE 4. They will be announced at SHOT show next week, not sure when they will be available though.

A link to all of them.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/904116-Tweenahs-New-Pictures-specs...?p=10242455

And a photo, just to keep things exciting.

 

[Maddogg774]

As good as the ESEE is(and Becker too) they pale in comparison to the Fallkniven. You will pay for it too.

 

[GRIM 62]

That Becker Tweener 5 looks like it would fill the bill real well!As for ESEE and Becker pailing in comparison to fallkniven,I would'nt exactly say that at all.

 

[ocnLogan]

The "Tweener 5" is The BK15, but the name of the knife hasn't been released yet.

The mini BK2 is the BK16, and the clip point is the BK17.

And as far as Becker and ESEE vs Fallkniven, I have no idea, I've never owned one. These are just knives I knew of that seem to fit the bill for the OP .

Good luck with whatever you do .

 

[Cobra281]

All your choices are good. Like all of this, it comes down to personel preference. i.e I have an ESEE 4, the stock handles were too small for me (XL glove) Made some wood handles for it, longer and wider. Works great for me now.

Another choice in the Becker lineup: BK 10. Like a thinner BK 2 with a thumbramp. GREAT knife. Comes with Grivory and Micarta handles.

Check out the Blind Horse knives. Some nice stuff.
Bark River Knives too.

Also check the custom exchange here on the forums. Some real nice stuff at surprisingly reasonable prices.

Good luck.

Edit: If you like scandi style knives, Syderco Bushcrafter, EnZo Trapper, etc. - good gen. use/camp knives too

 

[GingivitisKahn]

Definitely have a look at the Becker BK2. Granted, I'm a biggish guy but when I wear mine crossdraw (or scout style - either one), I barely notice it's there.

It whittles tiny spoons and forks and things...

It chops seasoned oak for no good reason...

It cleans fish...

It batons...

It poses majestically...

It survives nuclear blasts...

What's not to love?

---

Beckerhead #42

 

[Shotgun]

Have you checked out the makers section? Lots of good knives there. This is my current camp/food prep knife.

 

[Flash Owl]

omg i really like 2 of those tweeners. i cant wait...
i dont have an ESEE 4,5, or 6. but i do have the F1, and its a great blade. not really the best at anything, but does so many different things really well.

my 5 inch fixed blade is a swamp rat RMD, its alittle more expensive because it doesnt come with a shealth. but i think its worth it.

my F1 and RMD...

 

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

Get a Swamp rat Ratmandu! Perfect backpacking knife. Light, great ergos, small but can do big work! The ESEE 6 is another great choice but its heavier.

Fallkniven's are a great option as well but very expensive.

I would stay away from knives like the ESEE 5 because of how much they weigh

 

[upnorth]

I suggested that one of these be called the ''Becker Pecker'' because it would be handy for boning out meat. Alas, the response was flaccid.

OZ, maybe hang tight and check these out. Their release is fairly close and the price will likely be lower than the main Becker line up. This is a factor when you consider what it costs to get some knives into your fine country.

 

[jt75]

I think you'll find any of the ESEE or Fallknivens you've mentioned will serve you well. Perhaps the 5 and the A1 are a bit big for general purpose, but that's only my personal opinion. You sound like you're in the same position I was in a couple of years back. I started with little idea and all my initial knives were too big and heavy for my purposes. Even since I've been moving towards smaller blades with more emphasis on the comfort of the handle. Stay on a blade forum like this and, if your experience is anything like mine, you may eventually move into customs and from there it's all good.

To the OP. ESEE has one of the best warranties in the business. The blades are built tough and will be more than capable of handling what ever you decide to throw at them. They have a cult following and for good reason. However, I've read (though never tested) that the coated blade makes striking a fire steel more difficult with the knife. I've also read for some people the handles don't fit great, but again, this is only a personal preference thing.

Fallkniven has a 2 year warranty, but I've never heard of one of their blades failing. I own a heap of them and they are my preferred blade for camping/hiking. Their usual steel is VG 10, which is a stainless if that's important to you. The fallknivens, like the ESEE, are built tough. They throw a great spark from the spine and aren't too heavy. Personally, I don't love the standard thermorun handles, so have had mine made from blade blanks.

My recommendation: the Fallkniven S1. It's expensive, but worth it.

PS Having trouble downloading photos. Some examples of modified Fallknivens are here: http://www.australianbladeforums.com/vb4/showthread.php?1929-Custom-Fallkniven-Set

Good luck.

 

[Reasoned1]

I have the F1, and it's a fine knife with a great design (I've given them to my young daughters), but I LOVE ESEEs (3, 4, and 6)--top-notch quality, and the comfortable choil allows intimate control of the blade when bushcrafting. For some purposes, however, I prefer no choil, so I just ordered a Justin King "Practical Field Knife" with a 4.25" blade (CPM3V).

 

[L4NE4]

As good as the ESEE is(and Becker too) they pale in comparison to the Fallkniven. You will pay for it too.

Explain please. I own both ESEE and Becker but not the Kallkniven, I just started looking at them a couple days ago so I know very little about them.

 

[sar5]

If your back pack camping the ratmandu is the way to go. The esee six is Aldo good or size to weight. The five is heavy for it's size but it will not fail you.