Again with questions...

[Willy Fog]

Hello!

Maybe you remember my thread asking about the ESEE 5... I was planing to go to Finland to buy it but today I met my friend. He collects knives and guns.

He told me to check Chris Reeve Green Beret 5.5 or Pacific.

He knows people that knows how to get knives In Saint Petersburg ( Russia ) without any problems.

So the main question is, should I get the ESEE 5 or one of the Chris Reeve my friend suggested me.

I will not use the knife for hard use, maybe sometimes, but not ever day. But I prefer to have something that it's build like a tank will and will help me in case of any extreme situation.

Thank you for your help.

Juan

 

[addylo]

I have to ask the question...

Knowing a guy who knows a guy who can get them in Russia without any problem... are you sure they are real? There are some fake CR's on the market.

 

[Willy Fog]

I have to ask the question...

Knowing a guy who knows a guy who can get them in Russia without any problem... are you sure they are real? There are some fake CR's on the market.

I will answer that question.

One of my best friends here in Russia, have a friend who lives in Russia but near the border with Europe. This guy buy the knives in Europe and cross the border with them. Later he send it by express company to Saint Petersburg and that's it.

Is not a guy who knows a guys that knows a guy... is a friend of one of my best friends here in Russia. No fake for sure.

After you know that, which knife will you recommend me ?

Cheers

 

[Sonnydaze]

The ESEE is a great knife, using 1095 carbon steel blade...which can rust if not cared for.
The Chris Reeve uses S35VN, an excellent stainless, and costs twice as much.
They are both good knives. Some folks prefer carbon steel; some do not.

 

[JOELSM]

It also depends on whether you like serrations. I don't believe the Pacific or Green Baret come without serrations, a standard feature that has kept me from buying either. If you like serrations on a fixed blade give the Chris Reeves serious consideration. If you don't like serrations ESEE is the way to go.

 

[Willy Fog]

The ESEE is a great knife, using 1095 carbon steel blade...which can rust if not cared for.
The Chris Reeve uses S35VN, an excellent stainless, and costs twice as much.
They are both good knives. Some folks prefer carbon steel; some do not.

Thank you for your comment.

Well, the prices that I have to pay here are not the same like in USA, difference is not double, but price are really more high here...

ESEE 5 - 295$
Chris Reeve Pacific- 430$

I don't know which one I prefer, both look amazing!

 

[Willy Fog]

It also depends on whether you like serrations. I don't believe the Pacific or Green Baret come without serrations, a standard feature that has kept me from buying either. If you like serrations on a fixed blade give the Chris Reeves serious consideration. If you don't like serrations ESEE is the way to go.

Thank you

I don't know if I prefer serrations or not. I have some knives, but not serious... I just want to buy one ''GOOD'' knife and keep it for a long time. I don't care if I need to pay a little bit extra, but I want to buy something that it's good. Important, I only will have one and only knife, that's why I'm taking so long thinking, reading and watching videos in youtube

About the serration, I will not use it everytime, but maybe it's a good idea to have it just in case.

 

[Jeru]

Hi Willy,

I understand that the prices are almost as ridiculous they are here in Western Europe. That is why I never buy knives here, but order them in the States and happily pay for the international shipping. KC and TKC have relatively low shipping costs. BHQ too, last time I emailed them. Why don't you just order a US made knife in the US? The ESEE-5 is one of the best and toughest production fixed blades money can buy, not in the least because it comes with the best production sheath I know of and the best warranty possible. But for 140/150 USD that is! Not freaking 300 USD!? For 300 USD I would be looking at some CPM 3V blades. Survive! Knives or something. Perhaps Bark River. For 40 USD more you can get a custom Fehrman Last Chance. And for the price of your CRK you can get a freaking Busse TGLB!?

I would stay away from serrations. Personally I would not buy a CRK as my "one and only quality survival fixed blade". I would look at something in coated CPM 3V or INFI. Tough, durable and still with 7 to 8% chromium so that it doesn't rust immediately when you look at it.

 

[Willy Fog]

Hi Willy,

I understand that the prices are almost as ridiculous they are here in Western Europe. That is why I never buy knives here, but order them in the States and happily pay for the international shipping. KC and TKC have relatively low shipping costs. BHQ too, last time I emailed them. Why don't you just order a US made knife in the US? The ESEE-5 is one of the best and toughest production fixed blades money can buy, not in the least because it comes with the best production sheath I know of and the best warranty possible. But for 140/150 USD that is! Not freaking 300 USD!? For 300 USD I would be looking at some CPM 3V blades. Survive! Knives or something. Perhaps Bark River. For 40 USD more you can get a custom Fehrman Last Chance. And for the price of your CRK you can get a freaking Busse TGLB!?

I would stay away from serrations. Personally I would not buy a CRK as my "one and only quality survival fixed blade". I would look at something in coated CPM 3V or INFI. Tough, durable and still with 7 to 8% chromium so that it doesn't rust immediately when you look at it.

Hello Jeru,

Thank you for such an informative message.

I can't order knives from outside Russia... will be stopped for sure. Imagine, I just bought a Bell and Ross watch and I was thinking to order a couple of leather straps from USA, the seller told me that he can't send to Russia.

An idea can be to order the knive and send it to Spain, pick it up in Spain (I'm going on April to visit my parents) and fly to Russia, but customs can stop me and I can have some problems... Only option is to have some contacts and buy the knife in Russia for the lower price possible.

The prices I said are the lower prices you can find here, I saw the Chris Reeve Pacific in an online shop in Russia for 690$

Fehrman Peace maker in Finland (easy for me to go there) 445$ Have some discount, retail price is 560$
Bark River bravo 1 - 310$

I don't know what to do. Tomorrow they will tell me the final price of the CRK, but still thinking that ESEE 5 for the price is better.

 

[Jeru]

I'm so sorry to hear that. As libertarian I know: government is the problem. I understand it is completely forbidden to import stuff as an individual? Aren't there mazes in the law? For example you register as a knife importing company or something?

And what if you buy an ESEE-5 online in the US for 140 USD and let it be delivered in Finland? I really don't think you should spend 300 USD on a 5 inch piece of 1095.

If it so difficult and expensive there and if you "just want to buy one GOOD knife and keep it for a long time" I would strongly recommend for you to save up for a Busse or Fehrman and let it be delivered in Finland or something.

 

[Willy Fog]

I'm so sorry to hear that. As libertarian I know: government is the problem. I understand it is completely forbidden to import stuff as an individual? Aren't there mazes in the law? For example you register as a knife importing company or something?

And what if you buy an ESEE-5 online in the US for 140 USD and let it be delivered in Finland? I really don't think you should spend 300 USD on a 5 inch piece of 1095.

If it so difficult and expensive there and if you "just want to buy one GOOD knife and keep it for a long time" I would strongly recommend for you to save up for a Busse or Fehrman and let it be delivered in Finland or something.

Thanks one more time for your message.

By law here in Russia there are some knives that are strictly forbidden. If I go to Finland and buy one of the knives I said, I should hide it in the car...

Price if've found in US for the ESEE 5 with sheath is around 170$, plus shipment that will be around 200$ I guess. Then add 24% taxes.. I can choose to pick up in the office of the express company and save 40$, but in the other hand, for 40$ I know that I can go to the shop, see what I will buy and buy it.

Tomorrow I'll check the two brands you suggest me, Busse and Fehrman. I'm just a little bit afraid about the rust, that's why Esee5 was one of the options. Here the humidity can be high, and the knife will be use in summer in my country house, near the river and humidity also high.

I really appreciate your help and the time to take to do it.

Thank you

 

[Jeru]

You're so welcome! None of my friends carry even a slip joint, so chatting about knives is all my pleasure. I will PM you de dealer who sells an ESEE-5 for 140 USD. I mentioned it before. They're also the ones with relatively cheap international shipping. EDIT: apparently I cannot PM you. But one thing I don't understand, probably because of your English - you stated: "I'm just a little bit afraid about the rust, that's why Esee5 was one of the options."? The words "that's why" do not make sense here. Because ESEE's are made of 1095 and that has 0% chromium and will rust ver easily. Of course the coating will prevent that, but the ESEE-logo, lettering and the edge you will have to watch out for. Further the coating will wear when you use it.

CMP 3V and Busse's INFI are known for their toughness and have 7.5% and 8.5% chromium which isn't making them stainless, but stain a lot less quicker than 1095 to say the least.

FYI: according to Wikipedia a steel can be called stainless if it has at least 10.5% chromium. However, D2 tool steel with 11%-13% chromium is still considered semi-stainless. The knife industry/community considers a steel stainless if it has at least 13% chromium. By the way, a good page about steels is this: http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml
They have an even more awesome iPhone app called "Knife Steel Composition Chart".

Back to CPM 3V with 7.5% chromium (INFI has around 8.5%)

[video=youtube;bNo2YUe-mbQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNo2YUe-mbQ[/video]

So just oil the uncoated parts with Ballistol once in a while and you will have no problem what so ever.

 

[Willy Fog]

Thanks again!

Well, my English is not very good... hehehe.

As for what I said about the ESEE 5, ''that's why Esee5 was one of the options'' is because is fully coated and don't leave so much blade exposed to rust, just logos and edge. If you use the knife that will wear out, but I think will need a lot of abuse.

After the info you gave me about the CMP 3V, maybe I should forget the ESEE 5 and go to the Bark River Bravo 1 (A2 steel) or Busse Team Gemini Light Brigade (Infi steel)

The Bark River is easy to find, the Busee Team LB is difficult and prices are going nearly to 700$

But again, If I buy the ESEE 5 it's really so complicated to take care of the knife and avoid the rust? Maybe using Ballistol as you said. After every use or when you should use it? As fot the Infi and CMP 3V, also need Ballistol, right?

I've sent you an email, I will send you one more with my e-mail address.

Thank you

 

[Mikael W]

Thanks again!

Well, my English is not very good... hehehe.

As for what I said about the ESEE 5, ''that's why Esee5 was one of the options'' is because is fully coated and don't leave so much blade exposed to rust, just logos and edge. If you use the knife that will wear out, but I think will need a lot of abuse.

After the info you gave me about the CMP 3V, maybe I should forget the ESEE 5 and go to the Bark River Bravo 1 (A2 steel) or Busse Team Gemini Light Brigade (Infi steel)

The Bark River is easy to find, the Busee Team LB is difficult and prices are going nearly to 700$

But again, If I buy the ESEE 5 it's really so complicated to take care of the knife and avoid the rust? Maybe using Ballistol as you said. After every use or when you should use it? As fot the Infi and CMP 3V, also need Ballistol, right?

I've sent you an email, I will send you one more with my e-mail address.

Thank you

Hello!

I believe Bark River is availible in Russia.
It's the same with Fällkniven, as they have two distributors in Moscow.

If You want stainless, all Fällkniven models are in stainless steels.


Regards
Mikael

 

[Willy Fog]

Hello!

I believe Bark River is availible in Russia.
It's the same with Fällkniven, as they have two distributors in Moscow.

If You want stainless, all Fällkniven models are in stainless steels.


Regards
Mikael

Hello Mikael,

Thank you for the info.

My friend is checking prices for these knives, after I get the prices I will decide. But I will check the Fällkniven knives also, thanks.

Chris Reeve Pacific

Busse Team Gemini LB

ESEE 5

Bark River Bravo 1

Fehrman Knives First Strike

Regards

Juan

 

[Jeru]

You're welcome again! And no worries, I'm no native speaker either.

As for what I said about the ESEE 5, ''that's why Esee5 was one of the options'' is because is fully coated and don't leave so much blade exposed to rust, just logos and edge. If you use the knife that will wear out, but I think will need a lot of abuse.

No just batoning will wear it off, especially at the angle of the saber grind.

After the info you gave me about the CMP 3V, maybe I should forget the ESEE 5 and go to the Bark River Bravo 1 (A2 steel) or Busse Team Gemini Light Brigade (Infi steel)

The Bark River is easy to find, the Busee Team LB is difficult and prices are going nearly to 700$

If you go with Bark River I would suggest to go with CPM 3V instead of A2. I also would go with a Bravo 1.5 instead of the 1 then. Do you realize you're comparing 4" blades (Bravo 1) with 8" ones (TGLB)? Since you so clearly stated you "just want to buy one GOOD knife and keep it for a long time" I would take something bigger than a Bravo 1. But probably most hardcore bushcrafters will disagree and say that a Bravo 1 would be perfect (and bring along an axe and perhaps a saw).

But again, If I buy the ESEE 5 it's really so complicated to take care of the knife and avoid the rust? Maybe using Ballistol as you said. After every use or when you should use it? As fot the Infi and CMP 3V, also need Ballistol, right?

A lot of outdoor people would say "of course it isn't complicated, just take care of your knife p*ssy". True. If you take care of it, there is no problem. Humanity has used non-stainless knives for ever. Just never leave your knife wet, dry off after every use and oil it when you store it. Easy for me to say too. I don't know how your local environment is. I have prepped an ESEE-5 myself as a prep I could afford on that moment. It is thereby my safe queen (until it is replaced by something else) so easy to maintain rust free. But if you want to camp for a week in the snow or if you live in a salt air environment, it is of course a lot more difficult. It can be anything. I've heard of a story of a knife collector here that moved to another house and found all his blades with rust after a couple of months. Something in the air or air conditioning, whatever - who knows? I'm talking S30V en S35VN Para 2's and stuff. Long story short: you always need to take care of your blades. In the end stainless will stain also.

But if I were you and I wanted "to buy one GOOD knife and keep it for a long time" (which I don't) I would go with a big bladed Busse or Fehrman if I could afford it. Busse's are traded an awful lot here on the exchange. Aren't there secondary market websites in Russia for these kind of things? Or try to find a Busse that is already in the EU otherwise. If you're paying 300 USD for an ESEE-5, I guess the secondary market prices for a Busse doesn't matter either. I don't know where you would be planning to sell your CRK... but perhaps you can buy your Busse there as well...

 

[Willy Fog]

Hello

You got an email from me.