ESEE 3, 4, or 5 vs. BK2 (LMF is out I guess) for backpacking

Hmmm... well you guys are giving me lots to think about. I'm realizing I always take my Leatherman with me, so I've got the smaller blade covered, and while the BK2 is heavier, we're only talking about half a about -- not exactly negligible, but not backbreaking by a longshot. I dunno, right now I'm leaning toward the Becker (and looks like the start of a whole new addiction!). Would it be a mistake to remove the coating and bring it back to bare metal?
 
Oh, and as for the LMF, I should qualify that. Wasn't there some issue with the steel? Either way, yeah, camping isn't what it's for -- don't need that skullcrusher thing to break plexglass (or heads), don't need the serrations, don't need the v-cutter, and am worried about the grips getting beat up as I've seen when folks use them for batoning on youtube.

One other thing -- is the BK2 difficult to sharpen? What do you all use?
 
nope - go ahead and strip it if you want -- there are several threads about how other folks have done this.
another blade you may want to consider is the Kabar Navy Mk 1.
5" blade, kraton or leather washer handle, pretty decent sheath, good edge geometry, and under $60.

for sharpening, i freehand with a dual grit folding diamond stone, although the sharpmaker is pretty popular with a lot of folks.
 
remove the scales before stripping, even if you're not removing the coating under them -- makes it easier to tape off the parts you want to keep the coating on.
 
I don't strip my knives, I just use them until the coating comes off, but I don't think you leave the handle on while stripping it. Unless only soaking the blade part, but even then I don't see many people leaving the scales on to do it.
 
Should have went with the Esee 6, its a damn good all around camp knife.

I Love my beckers and my BK2, but then there is the Esee 6, it to me is the perfect backpacking knife.

I lean a little more towards Esee myself, but I do love my becker blades.........

If I had to pick between the BK2 or the Esee 5, I would take the Esee 5
 
I don't like the ESEE 3 and 4 handles, the way they are shaped makes them slippery. The ESEE 5 and BK2 are great. That little dip at the base of the blade is way too small to be used comfortably as a choil-I have no clue why it's there. It's easy enough to do detailed tasks, the point is very pronounced, strong and pointy so it makes carving and slicing open fish a cinch. I spent the 3 or 4 hours with a softstone to reprofile my 5, now the edge is functionally thin.
 
Have everything offered from ESEE as well as Becker. I actually prefer the Beckers. The Bk2 is a beast. I would look at the Doug Ritter RSK II made by Rowen for a single, all around knife or the BK7 as it is still my favorite Becker. Either will get the job done. You could always grab a BK7 or BK2 because they are both relatively inexpensive. You can't go wrong with the Beckers in my opinion. I prefer there grip shape over the ESEE offerings. Can't wait for the smaller Becker "tweeners" coming out in a few months. I will also be posting several Beckers tomorrow on my own personal "black friday sale" so you might keeps your eyes open for that;)
 
I prefer the esee 6 or bk7 for a all around backpacking knife, the extra length of blade lets you do more chopping. Paired with a small blade like the izula or becker necker you have a good set up. I love the esee3 and don't care much for the 4 its either too short for what I want to do or a bit thick for smaller chores. I have one I've just never used it the esee3 always does the jobs for that size blade better for me. The esee5 and bk2 also don't get alot of use for me, I like both and they both are great knives, just a bit thick for their length. The molle backs and pouchs that you can get for the esee sheaths, or any kydex sheath you make or buy are more than worth the price. They really are terrific for carrying the knives and any extra items you like.

The esee firekits no longer use the misch metal steels but still work very well. I love the handle and being able to store tinder as well as a fall back compass. I highly recommend them. You can always replace the firesteel part to and retain your handle.


take it easy
cricket
 
If "chopper" is really part of your criteria then the ESEE5 and BK2 are the only two knives in your list that can meet that description. Both of those are great but I'd personally go with the BK2. Micarta is better looking to be sure but I like the way grivory functions and feels much better. The steel is about the same in both as is the heat treat. The warranty is functionally the same. IMO, the sheath is the only thing consistently better on the ESEE knives. Having said that, the BK2 sheath is my favorite of all of the Becker knives I own.

Is the somewhat better sheath worth nearly twice the cost? Not to me. IMO, the Becker is the better value.

As to those that say the BK2 (or ESEE5) is too thick and heavy - pish posh. Try one - they are very nimble. Here - have a look at this...
It whittles tiny spoons and forks and things...
IMG_0002_20110305.jpg


It chops seasoned oak for no good reason...
20110212_ac_17.jpg


It cleans fish...
20110531_img_0237.jpg


It batons...
20110325_IMG_0104.jpg


It poses majestically...
20101215_ac_06e.jpg


It survives nuclear blasts...
behold_bk2.jpg


What's not to love?


---

Beckerhead #42
 
I havehad them all, and this is just my opinion. The esee 3 is a good slicer, but to small for most wood processing. The 4 is an ok middle ground, but the grip is kinda small. The 5 is to thick. I like the esee 6 the best, its thinner which makes it cut well, longer which helps for batoning, but you can choke up for detail work. The esee 6 is my vote, and piggy back an izula up front for fine tasks if you feel the need. The only ones I kep was an izula and the RC6.
 
GingivitisKahn said:
If "chopper" is really part of your criteria then the ESEE5 and BK2 are the only two knives in your list that can meet that description. Both of those are great but I'd personally go with the BK2. Micarta is better looking to be sure but I like the way grivory functions and feels much better. The steel is about the same in both as is the heat treat. The warranty is functionally the same. IMO, the sheath is the only thing consistently better on the ESEE knives. Having said that, the BK2 sheath is my favorite of all of the Becker knives I own.

Is the somewhat better sheath worth nearly twice the cost? Not to me. IMO, the Becker is the better value.

As to those that say the BK2 (or ESEE5) is too thick and heavy - pish posh. Try one - they are very nimble. Here - have a look at this...
It whittles tiny spoons and forks and things...
IMG_0002_20110305.jpg


It chops seasoned oak for no good reason...
20110212_ac_17.jpg


It cleans fish...
20110531_img_0237.jpg


It batons...
20110325_IMG_0104.jpg


It poses majestically...
20101215_ac_06e.jpg


It survives nuclear blasts...
behold_bk2.jpg


What's not to love?


---

Beckerhead #42
Click to expand...

I like a man that walks the walk. Great pics and you have proved the versatility of that knife, in your hands.
 
Hawk45 said:
The BK2 and ESEE R5 are too thick and heavy.
The ESEE R3 is a tad small and borderline thin for all around tasks.
The ESEE R4 is perfect weight/lenght/thickness for just about everything.

Not sure if the Ritter BK is thinner than the BK2 version, but could be too long/heavy still. Or it may be perfect.
Click to expand...

The Ritter BK is basically a 6" version of the BK7. May well be perfect. I am a big ESEE guy (got 7 of 'em) but I am digging Becker too. However, with the BK7, which is very light and handy for such a big knife, it is hard to justify the cost of the Ritter BL collaboration...but I am sure it is awesome.

My vote, from those listed by the OP...ESEE 4.
 
Lonewolf01 said:
I don't really understand how you can say that the Rowen heat treat is better than KA-BAR's, I have an ESEE-3 and a BK-2 and as far as I can tell they both are great.

Handle comfort? that's personal preference really, but IMO the Becker handle is FAR more comfortable than the ESEE.

Not trying to start an argument, just saying my opinion.

Back on-topic, I would say that the ESEE-4 would fit most of your criteria quite well, light enough for backpacking but still thick enough (3/16th) for battoning and still a good slicer.
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clich said:
i agree there isnt any REAL documentation showing one is better than the other. They both are very very well heated.
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Regarding HT differences, I have no numbers to back it up, have just across a lot more broken or chipped Beckers than ESEE.. *shrug* This could entirely be the result of more Beckers than ESEE out there (perhaps due to lower price and strong reputation?), or even simply more in the hands of fellows prone to breaking things - but I have no numbers to back that up either. In my personal experience, I've been more impressed by the edge-holding of ESEE than Becker, but that is only based on a couple of knives, and I also preferred the micarta scales of the ESEE to the plastic Beckers ... but upgrade the scales and *shrug* As was said, to each their own. I personally consider ESEE a step up from Becker (though perhaps not enough to completely justify the price gap), just as I consider Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard a step (or three, though you may disagree) up from ESEE (though i feel that the rat prices merit inclusion of at least a basic kydex or leather sheath). All just my opinion, please do not take it as anything more than that.

To The OP, good luck with modifying your knife choice!
 
Maddogg774 said:
Let me throw a wrench in this...what makes ESEE better than RAT or 1095crovan?
Click to expand...

Not sure I, for one, am saying ESEE is better than Becker. I think ESEE is better in the smaller knife arena...Izula, 3, 4 just for the fact that they have so many offerings in that size range. Becker excels at big knives. Like I said, I am really digging my newest, the BK7. One has to face up to a couple of Becker facts though...Sheaths are pretty bad really and G-10 and Micarta are way better than "Grivory" for gripping. One would also have to face an ESEE fact that their handles, while great material, lack that pommel shape that Becker is so famous for...and which makes up a long way for the Grivory.

Steel? Dead heat between ESEE and Becker as far as I can tell. Out of box sharpness? Ditto. Great blade geometry? Dead heat again.

The only RAT I have (I assume here we are talking Ontario and not the pre-ESEE Jeff Randall Rat...which is same as ESEE) is the RAT1 folder.

ESEE and Becker are two peas in a slightly differently configured pod. Too close to call. Neither is better than the other now that I have a Becker to compare. They are just different. Both are outstanding. Both offer near-custom quality, care in manufacture, and utility at a volume manufacture's price.
 
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Maddogg774 said:
Let me throw a wrench in this...what makes ESEE better than RAT or 1095crovan?
Click to expand...

HoosierQ said:
Not sure I, for one, am saying ESEE is better than Becker. I think ESEE is better in the smaller knife arena...Izula, 3, 4 just for the fact that they have so many offerings in that size range. Becker excels at big knives. Like I said, I am really digging my newest, the BK7. One has to face up to a couple of Becker facts though...Sheaths are pretty bad really and G-10 and Micarta are way better than "Grivory" for gripping. One would also have to face an ESEE fact that their handles, while great material, lack that pommel shape that Becker is so famous for...and which makes up a long way for the Grivory.

Steel? Dead heat between ESEE and Becker as far as I can tell. Out of box sharpness? Ditto. Great blade geometry? Dead heat again.

The only RAT I have (I assume here we are talking Ontario and not the pre-ESEE Jeff Randall Rat...which is same as ESEE) is the RAT1 folder.

ESEE and Becker are two peas is a slightly differently configured pod. Too close to call. Neither is better than the other now that I have a Becker to compare. They are just different. Both are outstanding. Both offer near-custom quality, care in manufacture, and utility at a volume manufacture's price.
Click to expand...

+1 on this.
Ontario RAT knives
Swamp Rat Knife Works
RAT Cutlery/ESEE (same company, name changes because of the confusion with Ontario & Swamp Rat)

all make good knives.
Ontario is the "big production" company with associated QC slip-ups in the mix -- and they have had some batches of knives with bad heat treats go out. They do not have a bad product, but the fit and finish is not in the same league at ESEE or SRKW.

ESEE 1095 and Kabar/Becker 1095CV have heat treats that let them perform very similarly.
If the Becker "dogbone" handle fits you well, it will be one of the most comfortable knives for long term use out there.
If it doesn't, then ESEE may fit you better.
 
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