BK2 versus ESEE 5

J

JJR512

Joined
Feb 6, 2014
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176
I've been lusting after the ESEE 5, and this weekend, I'll have the opportunity to purchase a new one. I can't explain why I like it or want one; I just do.

But the thing is, I already own a Becker BK2 Campanion, which seems like it's a very similar knife. They have a very similar blade shape and overall shape and size, even the same quarter-inch blade thickness.

So what I'm wondering is what are the practical differences between these two knives? Now I know this is the Becker forum and I fully expect to hear the Becker love. But I don't want fan opinions, I want practical information. Don't just tell me the BK2 is better, tell me WHY it's better. Tell me WHY I should stick with the BK2 and not bother with the ESEE 5.
 
ESEE 5 has a lower grind (less slicey, better wedge), glass breaker pommel instead of a flatter "hammer" pommel, a non skeletonized tang, a more verbosely explicit warranty and comes with micarta handle scales.

The Becker has (IMO) a more comfortable handle shape (and profile), a more useful blade grind for those of us not escaping downed aircraft (the higher grind), and a pommel that doesn't hurt when it digs into your side when you bend over with the knife on your belt. IIRC its also a bit lighter, although again, saying its "more slicey" or "lighter" than something else is a bit funny, as its neither super slicey, nor lightweight on its own. Just more so than the ESEE 5.

IMO, the ESEE 5 while a great knife, I think there is a reason its not Jeffs favorite model he produces. And if I were you, I'd say you have the "giant hunk of steel converted into a knife" category covered with the BK2. If I were hankering for an ESEE, I'd be looking at the 6, or the laserstrike. They're the more usable woods knives IMO.
 
Warranty and Heat Treat Quality goes for Esee.

Kabar's Quality has gone down since Paul "Tooj" Tsujimoto left.
 
knife chop said:
Warranty and Heat Treat Quality goes for Esee.

Kabar's Quality has gone down since Paul "Tooj" Tsujimoto left.
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Curious why you say that. Source/reason?

(about the quality, not about tooj leaving, that's pretty well known)

I haven't purchased a kabar since he left, but, then again I haven't purchased a knife in quite a while. But I'd be interested to find out if this is true. You'd think that the processes and controls that Paul set in place (ISO 9000/9001 stuff, six sigma, etc) would stay in place, and it seems strange that that would suddenly stop when he left.

And the ESEE warranty does look better. I will say though that I've never seen a broken Becker that wasn't covered under warranty, so the "Better" ESEE warranty personally doesn't mean much to me (since I won't be intentionally breaking things, which is something the ESEE warranty covers, but the Becker does not), whatever that's worth.
 
My nephew showed up here with a Esee 5 a few weeks ago, I liked it. Because of price I settled for the BK2. Examining both side by side the BK2 has a much more friendly grip than the Esee. Shape is pretty much the same as is weight. The Esee sheath is really nice, much nicer, more practical and handier than the BK22. The Esee sells for exactly twice what the BK22 sells for at Amazon. I think both are fairly equal (not withstanding the sheath) and the Esee is not twice as good as the BK. I could not tear up either one.

Now that I have a BK2 I have no interest in an Esee 5
 
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The BK handles fit my hand much better.

I've been wanting an ESEE 6 for sometime but just can't get past the handles.
 
TravisH said:
The BK handles fit my hand much better.

I've been wanting an ESEE 6 for sometime but just can't get past the handles.
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If you already like Becker handle ergos, and want something like the ESEE 6, check out the BK12 :).
 
In the slicey prybar category I think the BK2 wins hands-down for ergonomics and value. For MY hands the Becker knives are a perfect, comfortable fit, with the BK2 being the best due to its thicker tang. The ESEE 5 would honestly be the last one of the lineup I'd buy, while the ESEE 6 would probably be the first. While the BK2 and ESEE 5 are undeniably strong, so are the other BK and ESEE models, and all of them come with both a great warranty and the capabilities to probably never need a warranty. In short as cool as they are, I think they're probably a little too much of a good thing. The ESEE6 on the other hand weighs less, slices better, reaches farther, and looks sexier. If I didn't already have a lifetime supply of BKs I could easily make the ESEE 6 my do-all, jack of all trades, master of none blade...............especially with some better aftermarket scales. But the only reason I'd ever want an ESEE 5 was to round out an ESEE collection, like I've done with the BK lineup.
 
I'm one that doesn't necessarily rely on logic when deciding to purchase a knife. I wants what I wants.
I've got an Esee 5...I've never used it. Then again, I've got Beckers that I've never used; so that doesn't really mean anything.
 
All things considered, the bottom line is......

Value. While ESEE stuff is fantastic (I dearly love the 6), there is nothing the 5 can do better than the BK2 that justifies the difference in cost.
 
I think Beckers have a better handle design, a better blade grind and profile, and a more subdued look to them. I think ESEE knives have a more aggressive look to them (more text on the blade, more militaristic design w/ glass breaker, etc. ), a grind that looks a bit less useful than the Becker, and a handle that isn't as comfortable to use long-term. The only argument is for a better warranty, of which I say while ESEE has a better warranty in writing I think both companies stand behind their knives to the point that one shouldn't worry about either company's warranty.

All that aside, since the ESEE is pricier than the Becker and shows no improvement over it, I would 100% choose the BK2 over the ESEE-5.
 
They're both sharpened prybars. Tough as nails.
But....
One has a more comfortable handle than the other and costs less too. :D

Practical difference between the two knives? None that I know of.
 
Jonny1280 said:
They're both sharpened prybars. Tough as nails.
But....
One has a more comfortable handle than the other and costs less too. :D

Practical difference between the two knives? None that I know of.
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Sounds pretty practical to me! ;)

I haven't needed a sharpened prybar so don't own either, but I've handled both and much prefer the Becker scales.
 
ALLHSS said:
I wouldn't be so sure of ESEE's warranty being unconditional.
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I would.

For my pick between the two- I wouldn't. I like 'em both a lot and they won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I think they're both much improved with aftermarket scales, and I think the 5's sheath is a pretty huge improvement over the 2's.
 
tradewater said:
All things considered, the bottom line is......

Value. While ESEE stuff is fantastic (I dearly love the 6), there is nothing the 5 can do better than the BK2 that justifies the difference in cost.
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Agreed. And I do have a place in my shriveled raisin for the 2. But for me the bottom line is\are the handle cut outs. I'm going with an E5 instead. We don't have to love every model in a line, but we can still appreciate the models that suit our use parameters.
 
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