Custom ESEE Scales Form The-Knife-Connection

[Mistwalker]

I decided to upgrade my ESEE-4 with some new scales from The-Knife-Connection.



The DT ESEE-4S as it started out.

Dale is a class act, nt only does it come with new stand-offs and screws but two hex keys are also provided.

The scales are contoured so the rear stand-off is shorter than the other two.

The extra length and contours make the ESEE-4 feel like a whole knew knife. I really like the way it seats in the hand now.

I feel like I have better control of the knife when whittling.

I also like how the addition of the little bird's beak allows for a rearward grip in using snap cuts, we have some pretty vicious brier vines here.

To me these scales turned a good knife into a great knife. Even though they are just a little bit thicker the knife still works well with the factory sheath, and works really well in the custom sheath I ordered from Godspeed Tactical also. I think the colors really go well with the new sheath also.

 

[TheGame]

If more people were aware of these I bet a lot of people who dismissed these due to the handle would change their mind. Plus, they look pretty good, too.

 

[upnorth]

There sure seems to be a lot of folks disliking the factory handle size. I'm fine with it, but it's nice to see an option out there.

 

[cop911]

Did the same thing a couple of months back, the stock grips were just too small for my meathooks. As stated, made a good knife a great knife. Like the sheath too.

 

[Mistwalker]

If more people were aware of these I bet a lot of people who dismissed these due to the handle would change their mind. Plus, they look pretty good, too.

It definitely gives those who feel the handle is too short another option, and I really love how they look.

There sure seems to be a lot of folks disliking the factory handle size. I'm fine with it, but it's nice to see an option out there.

Well...it wasn't that I found it too small to use, but I did find it a bit short for some of the techniques I like to use. The new scales solve that problem and look great doing it.

Did the same thing a couple of months back, the stock grips were just too small for my meathooks. As stated, made a good knife a great knife. Like the sheath too.

I didn't realize just how much it was going to improve the knife's feel till I got them in hand. It's like a whole different knife now.

I love the sheath, Eli does some really nice work. I have a similar sheath coming for my Izula next week.

 

[maleaco]

If more people were aware of these I bet a lot of people who dismissed these due to the handle would change their mind. Plus, they look pretty good, too

Hey TheGame, where in NW ohhio are you specifically?

 

[PayetteRucker]

F&F are fantastic on the TKC scales. I like the color combo alot as well. Nicely done.

 

[thelastbestplace]

Great photos!

I have TKC scales on my ESEE 3 and Izula. I agree with everything said here. They are definitely worth it IMO.

They did seem heavier than the original grips (my friend google tells me G10 is heavier, plus the grips themselves are bigger). Not real heavy but a noticeable difference. That's what I remember as I don't have the knives with me.

The ESEE 4 is one of my favorites and having more choices is a real bonus! I am thinking going blue/black TKC scales on my next ESEE knife. Not sure yet if the blue/black scales will look better on a green knife or a black one. (Leaning towards green blade) Decisions, decisions......

 

[Mannlicher]

If more people were aware of these I bet a lot of people who dismissed these due to the handle would change their mind. Plus, they look pretty good, too.

other than the fact that upgrading the handle to make the ESEE 4 a user, adds another $50to the price of the knife
ESEE should have long ago, offered a 'small' and a 'large' handle option.

I spent the money, and upgraded mine. I already had $100 tied up in it, and all it ever did was sit in the dang safe. Even with the new handle, I don't think it is half the 'woods' knife that others of mine are.
Here is the 4 alongside my 3.

 

[trailbum]

Thanks great review.

 

[Mistwalker]

F&F are fantastic on the TKC scales. I like the color combo alot as well. Nicely done.

Yep, Dale did a really good job on designing these. Thanks, I love the color combo myself.

Great photos!

I have TKC scales on my ESEE 3 and Izula. I agree with everything said here. They are definitely worth it IMO.

They did seem heavier than the original grips (my friend google tells me G10 is heavier, plus the grips themselves are bigger). Not real heavy but a noticeable difference. That's what I remember as I don't have the knives with me.

The ESEE 4 is one of my favorites and having more choices is a real bonus! I am thinking going blue/black TKC scales on my next ESEE knife. Not sure yet if the blue/black scales will look better on a green knife or a black one. (Leaning towards green blade) Decisions, decisions......

I doubt I'll do my 3, half the time I carry it discretion is a factor involved so extending the handle of it isn't in the plans. I did order a set of the blue and black for the Izula and then ordered a black Izula. The Izula is for a kit for my wife, she has been wanting a blue Izula since she saw the DT one I had for a couple of years.

other than the fact that upgrading the handle to make the ESEE 4 a user, adds another $50to the price of the knife
ESEE should have long ago, offered a 'small' and a 'large' handle option.

I spent the money, and upgraded mine. I already had $100 tied up in it, and all it ever did was sit in the dang safe. Even with the new handle, I don't think it is half the 'woods' knife that others of mine are.
Here is the 4 alongside my 3.

I loved the blade of the 4 right off the bat. I love The flat ground 4.5" blade with the distal taper, and I love the arc of the spine, it all works perfect for my style of knife use in the bush and works well for my wrist. I never had any real complaints about the handle but saw these scales as an improvement and went for it. I was right I feel them as a major improvement in use. In whittling and carving, and in boring divots and notching. It doesn't have the aesthetics as some of my customs, though that may change once I strip and brown the blade, but I think functionally it holds its own quite well with them in the field. But as I said it already had my favorite blade geometry and spine curvature working in its favor to begin with, so to me the chance to add such an improvement for $50.00 was no big deal. It still comes in a good bit under some of my other knives.

Thanks great review.

Thanks trailbum, glad you enjoyed it.

 

[daniel4572]

Awesome
Thanks for the info.

 

[6shooter]

I love the TKC scales on my -3. Having handled one with the stock scales, I absolutely hated it, but when Dale started offering these as blade and scale kits I took a chance on them. They turned the 3 from a knife I couldn't stand into one of my favorites. I could also get an orange scale/black blade combo without getting a rat pack knife.


Nice pics, those scales match up really well with the DT blade:thumbup:

 

[thebrain]

I have been thinking about these ,I added some liners to my ESEE3 and it did the trick .I don`t think the handles are too small they are just a bit narrow for me.

 

[GODSPEED TACTICAL]

MW,

Great pics but I'm especially digging this one with the whole setup:

Of course I'm a little partial to my own sheath design Really glad you like it and it's great seeing the whole setup.....it's like the 4 just got a 6 upgrade but nicer.

Thanks for sharing,

Eli

 

[Mistwalker]

I love the TKC scales on my -3. Having handled one with the stock scales, I absolutely hated it, but when Dale started offering these as blade and scale kits I took a chance on them. They turned the 3 from a knife I couldn't stand into one of my favorites. I could also get an orange scale/black blade combo without getting a rat pack knife.


Nice pics, those scales match up really well with the DT blade:thumbup:

I have an older Ontario RAT-3 that I have been wondering if the 3 scales would fit. I'm ok with my RC-3MIL the way it is for my uses, but the handle on the Ontario is really short. Thanks, I think it goes well together too.

MW,

Great pics but I'm especially digging this one with the whole setup:

Of course I'm a little partial to my own sheath design Really glad you like it and it's great seeing the whole setup.....it's like the 4 just got a 6 upgrade but nicer.

Thanks for sharing,

Eli

Thanks Eli, I'm really digging the sheath! It rode on my belt most of the day today while I was out doing some recon for an article I am working. It was a pretty cool area so there will be some pics from that hike up later on. I am working on a review of the sheath now, and man I can't wait to get the ones for the Izulas!

 

[Mistwalker]

Just got the new Izula and scales and the new sheath for the wife. I really dig these new scales and the sheath is really sweet. The wife loves it

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Lovin' the blue! Not nearly enough knives out there in blue if you ask me. Really glad to see how well the scales have been doing for Dale--genius idea on his part! I'd probably have a set of the Izula scales if it weren't for the way they seal up the pommel ring. I like putting my pinky through it (yes I have small hands) so it's a no-go for me, but they're the answer a lot of folks were looking for!

 

[foxx]

I like those TKC scales on my ESEE4. They add length, girth, and the contours make it a better knife. They still end up a bit sharp on the edges, but I guess they have to be to work with existing sheaths. Here's mine next to a Bark River Bravo 1, they end up having about the same length handle. The BR B-1 has a more rounded handle, but both work.

 

[Mistwalker]

Lovin' the blue! Not nearly enough knives out there in blue if you ask me. Really glad to see how well the scales have been doing for Dale--genius idea on his part! I'd probably have a set of the Izula scales if it weren't for the way they seal up the pommel ring. I like putting my pinky through it (yes I have small hands) so it's a no-go for me, but they're the answer a lot of folks were looking for!

In a way I guess I'm lucky more companies don't make blue products or she would want more gear. We had Bryan Breeden make her a knife with blue G10 scales a few years ago and it's still her favorite knife to carry. I may have to get Eli to make a sheath for it. I've been trying to get Rob at Exotac to make a blue nanostriker for years, I really wish he'd make a small run of blue nano XLs, I'd buy a few of them.

The Izula scales feel really good to me, I'm seeing a green one with mil spec camo for a neck knife in the near future.