Advice needed: HCLE, ESEE 3 or HRLM

G

Gr3g

Joined
Mar 20, 2011
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39
Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice regarding a small utility blade for the forest, used for game prep and general bushcraft related chores.

The profile and size of the HCLE looks ideal. The ESEE 3 is a very highly regarded utility blade and the HRLM is also well known for being a good all-round brute. Of them all perhaps the HRLM is a little to large for some of the finer tasks.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, if there are other Swamp Rat or Busse blades which would be better then please let me know.

Cheers
Greg
 
Last edited:
Hm, I thought someone would have responded by now. I'm not the most knowledgeable guy when comes to Busse and kin but it seems to me that all the blades you have selected are similar size but different in a lot of ways. It would just come down to what you will be using them for. There is also the Rodent Solution from the Swamp which is prob what I would go with in this size. The ESEE-3 is great and a bargain I guess, the HRLM is good but I would size up to the RMD. The HC is from what I hear a great game processing blade. Good luck and post what you get!
 
I have owned them all.

The HRLM's handle is by far the best for prolonged use and is the most comfortable. Also, SR101 is going to hold an edge longer than 1095 and 154CM. I think this knife is in a different league size wise than the others.

The ESEE 3 is a great blade but the handle is a little thin to really use it hard. Its difficult to get a really tight grip on it. Ive owned many of them and used them extensively and its a great blade

The HCLE isn't an ideal blade for buscraft. I didn't quite like the handle and I see it as more of an EDC. The rodent solution is a much better feeling blade all around and alot cheaper.

Another alternative if you really like super lightweight knives is the Wiener dog LE. Its almost weightless and will be the best knife mentioned for fine work.

I would say get either the Rodent solution or the HRLM. The are both great for bushcraft and hold a great edge. You may need to take down the edge on the Rodent solution though as all the ones I have owned didn't have the best factory angle.

Hope this helps!
 
Here's some comparison pics

ESEE 3 and HRLM
P1020413.jpg


3 and Rodent Solution
photo17.jpg


Various outdoor type knives
P1020411.jpg


Rodent solution and HRLM
P1020416.jpg
 
Id say the HCLE if you can find it, the HR is last out of the three for fine tasks, and my experience with Busse Kin HT the 154 cleans and skins game far longer than 101... skin and fat is a continuous resistance-- price wise the ESEE is good, and TKC has extended handles for a more secure grip.
 
And here are some more that you might want to consider! Hope this pics help. Sorry I don't have better comparisons.

The top one is the game warden, next is the wiener dog LE and finally is the MUK
photo19.jpg
 
The HRLM is a decent skinner and a hard use knife rolled into one. I am liking the new Busse Basic 4 and will be parting with one of my HRLM's to get it. I still want to hang onto one, as I think pretty highly of them.
 
RUNIT said:
Hm, I thought someone would have responded by now. I'm not the most knowledgeable guy when comes to Busse and kin but it seems to me that all the blades you have selected are similar size but different in a lot of ways. It would just come down to what you will be using them for. There is also the Rodent Solution from the Swamp which is prob what I would go with in this size. The ESEE-3 is great and a bargain I guess, the HRLM is good but I would size up to the RMD. The HC is from what I hear a great game processing blade. Good luck and post what you get!
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot RUNIT, I'll check out the rodent solution.
 
KalEl said:
I have owned them all.

The HRLM's handle is by far the best for prolonged use and is the most comfortable. Also, SR101 is going to hold an edge longer than 1095 and 154CM. I think this knife is in a different league size wise than the others.

The ESEE 3 is a great blade but the handle is a little thin to really use it hard. Its difficult to get a really tight grip on it. Ive owned many of them and used them extensively and its a great blade

The HCLE isn't an ideal blade for buscraft. I didn't quite like the handle and I see it as more of an EDC. The rodent solution is a much better feeling blade all around and alot cheaper.

Another alternative if you really like super lightweight knives is the Wiener dog LE. Its almost weightless and will be the best knife mentioned for fine work.

I would say get either the Rodent solution or the HRLM. The are both great for bushcraft and hold a great edge. You may need to take down the edge on the Rodent solution though as all the ones I have owned didn't have the best factory angle.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Excellent stuff KalEl, thanks for the breakdown on the pro's & cons of each knife. Another vote for the rodent solution so I'll be checking that out.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to post the images, they help a lot in figuring out the size difference. The HRLM is a lot closer in size to the ESEE 3 than I thought.

I've narrowed it down to the HRLM and Rodent Solution, at the moment I'm leaning towards the rodent solution.
 
KalEl said:
And here are some more that you might want to consider! Hope this pics help. Sorry I don't have better comparisons.

The top one is the game warden, next is the wiener dog LE and finally is the MUK
Click to expand...

If you had to choose between the Rodent Solution & Game Ward which would it be, I'm thinking utility and usability?
 
Super X said:
The HRLM is a decent skinner and a hard use knife rolled into one. I am liking the new Busse Basic 4 and will be parting with one of my HRLM's to get it. I still want to hang onto one, as I think pretty highly of them.
Click to expand...

Thanks SuperX, I'll have a look for the Busse Basic 4.
 
Gr3g said:
If you had to choose between the Rodent Solution & Game Ward which would it be, I'm thinking utility and usability?
Click to expand...

For me, rodent solution. I can get more of a grip on the Rodent Solution handle than the GW and greatly prefer it. I did profile the edge down on the RS.

The HCLE didn't feel quite right in my hands. I LOVE the HRLM but it is a larger utility blade. The RS is a fantastic smaller, slim blade that, when profiled down, is an amazing slicer.

ESEE - I haven't heard anything bad about them; the ESEE forums will have an abundance of info about them.
 
I prefer the rodent solution to the game warden. The RS has a more comfy handle as well as more cutting edge.
 
As big a fan as I am of swamp rat, of those 3 knives I would pick my E-3 everytime... Now if you add the rodent solution to the mix, I'd have a hard time choosing. They're really very similar and occupy the same niche in my gear (making my decision difficult sometimes )

But you will always be able to buy an ESEE 3, the rodent solution will not be around forever ;)
 
Paddling_man said:
For me, rodent solution. I can get more of a grip on the Rodent Solution handle than the GW and greatly prefer it. I did profile the edge down on the RS.

The HCLE didn't feel quite right in my hands. I LOVE the HRLM but it is a larger utility blade. The RS is a fantastic smaller, slim blade that, when profiled down, is an amazing slicer.

ESEE - I haven't heard anything bad about them; the ESEE forums will have an abundance of info about them.
Click to expand...

Thanks Paddling_Man, great news. I have almost pulled the trigger on the HRLM and am trying to source a rodent solution, better to buy them both and have the one I like least as backup.
 
KalEl said:
I prefer the rodent solution to the game warden. The RS has a more comfy handle as well as more cutting edge.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I'm going for both, just need to find an RS.

Thanks again for the great advice and taking the time to post those pictures.
 
jbob24 said:
As big a fan as I am of swamp rat, of those 3 knives I would pick my E-3 everytime... Now if you add the rodent solution to the mix, I'd have a hard time choosing. They're really very similar and occupy the same niche in my gear (making my decision difficult sometimes )

But you will always be able to buy an ESEE 3, the rodent solution will not be around forever ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice jbob much appreciated. Now I'm trying to find an RS or 2 ;)
 
http://www.shop.ratknives.com/main.sc

The Swamp Rat Company Store would probably be the easiest place to find an RS... (link above)
Had one but had to sell it, it's an awesome blade though. Have you considered a SAR3? The recent Ganza offering with the jigged bone handles is a beautiful blade, plus it's INFI...
 
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