BK2 versus ESEE 5

james terrio said:
Becker every time.

The blade designs are good in both cases. They will cut! :D

The much-touted "special" HT that Rowen supposedly gives ESEE blades is, quite frankly, baloney sausage. It's perfectly fine, but it's nothing special. And you can quote me on that until I'm proven wrong!

Despite all the marketing and internet jibber-jabber, I've never seen a single honest side-by-side review that could tell any difference at all between an ESEE and a Ka-Bar or Becker for toughness, edge-holding or anything else. Don't believe the hype.

FACT: 1095 is good, simple steel that only gets so hard, no matter how you quench it. It's just a matter of how far you temper it back then... and ESEE and Becker/Ka-Bar blades are tempered about the same. So don't believe the hype.

Personally, I don't care for ESEE handles. They're too blocky and edgy for my comfort, and especially considering the higher price, they just seem half-vast and unfinished.
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I agree 100 percent on everything you mentioned.
 
Just an observation or two...... If I was not in the knife business I would be buying ESSE blades...... I must say however that the heat treat at Ka-Bar is most excellent........ In any real life side by side I suspect t they would be damn close but my money would be on the Ka-Bar...

Rowen's fit and finish is superb and that is one of the main reasons you get to pay more..... I like my handle ergs a lot more and the nylon scales do me just fine.....Aesthetically I have always loved Micarta but it is more likely, unless polished to raise hot spots during prolonged use....... I have not seen any dimunition in quality since the Tooj left the building and I pay attention to that....... I would like examples if you have them..... If there are problems I will make sure they are addressed........ I tend to think that knives are like guns and how they fit YOU is the most important criteria......

E
 
Ethan Becker said:
Just an observation or two...... If I was not in the knife business I would be buying ESSE blades...... I must say however that the heat treat at Ka-Bar is most excellent........ In any real life side by side I suspect t they would be damn close but my money would be on the Ka-Bar...

Rowen's fit and finish is superb and that is one of the main reasons you get to pay more..... I like my handle ergs a lot more and the nylon scales do me just fine.....Aesthetically I have always loved Micarta but it is more likely, unless polished to raise hot spots during prolonged use....... I have not seen any dimunition in quality since the Tooj left the building and I pay attention to that....... I would like examples if you have them..... If there are problems I will make sure they are addressed........ I tend to think that knives are like guns and how they fit YOU is the most important criteria......

E
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Thanks for verifying Ethan :). Its good to hear from someone that knows that Toojs' departure hasn't affected the quality control, as that was a pretty real concern.

I feel the same way about ESEE, but I'm glad that I found your knives since they do seem to fit my hands very well. I always say to find the blade/handle profile that you like best/fits you best, and then go from there. Blades from either company should do just fine :thumbup:.
 
Ethan Becker said:
Just an observation or two...... If I was not in the knife business I would be buying ESSE blades...... I must say however that the heat treat at Ka-Bar is most excellent........ In any real life side by side I suspect t they would be damn close but my money would be on the Ka-Bar...

Rowen's fit and finish is superb and that is one of the main reasons you get to pay more..... I like my handle ergs a lot more and the nylon scales do me just fine.....Aesthetically I have always loved Micarta but it is more likely, unless polished to raise hot spots during prolonged use....... I have not seen any dimunition in quality since the Tooj left the building and I pay attention to that....... I would like examples if you have them..... If there are problems I will make sure they are addressed........ I tend to think that knives are like guns and how they fit YOU is the most important criteria......

E
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Ethan,

You're definitely a better authority on this subject than I am. After seeing all of the responses to my posts, I get the feeling I'm nit picking. Also, I just got on Ka-bar's site and they list an HRC range, such as 56-58. I'm going to give myself a small pat on the back for being able to tell the difference between what was probably a 56 HRC BK11 and a 58 HRC BK11.

I really don't have any measurable data other than my opinion so it's probably time for me to keep my mouth shut and realize that these knives are most likely within Ka-bar's specs and that I have the awesome power to notice small differences in HRC. For what it's worth, I own more Beckers than ESEEs and that's not going to change. I've never broken a Becker because I think your design is very strong and I just love the damn handle too much. We EDC Beckers (although I have been EDCing my ESEE 3 lately), use them in the kitchen, have kids saving up for their own 11's while they use mom's in the meantime, and keep them in our bug out bags, which reminds me I need one more. Looking at the 9, 7, or MK2 for that purpose.

Thanks for designing an awesome line.

Survivormind
 
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I like both Esee and Beckers. I have and use both.

Since I bought a MkII made by Rowen, I have no real need for an Esee 6 that I had lusted for a while.

The Laser Strike is a very unique knife though, I think I need one of those
 
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