Esee 3 in s35vn in 2020

While we offer the exact same warranty on S35V as the rest of our line, we do not suggest the ESEE-3 S35V as a hard-use outdoor knife. These knives are hardened at the optimal 59-60 Rc. Its ability to take abuse is not even close to our ESEE-3 1095 models. The only reason we produced this model is due to the request of our customer base – not because it’s something the ESEE crew would carry or trust their life to. In our opinion, what you gain with such a premium steel in edge-holding and stain resistance does not justify the extra cost. Not to mention its inability to take the abuse that our regular knives are capable of.
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Well, they can’t be accused of overselling or misleading marketing. «Yes, we made it, but in our opinion you should buy the cheaper model we sell instead». If anything, that kind of honesty make me like them even more.
 
They posted a video of one they broke by batoning in seasoned wood.

I am looking forward to a 4 with the new scales. :thumbsup:
 
I’ve tried the stainless “super” steels for work/outdoors and keep getting chips. I’m sticking with 1095 or something like.
I really like 35 as an after work edc though.
 
Just arrived...unfortunately still in prison with my wife until I stop smoking :oops:

Clarification: My wife isn't in prison

Esee3s35vn.jpeg
 
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The ESEE guys have put up a couple videos, including busting one of the S35vn 3s to show what its limits are. At the end of the day, they make tools for jobs. Not on my wishlist at the moment, but not due to any fault of the knife.
 
Not much of a fan of the handle looks - the old micarta looked better imo.

Those worrying about chips may want to to test it out - not all steels are made equally and honestly more important than the steel itself that nobody seems to talk a whole lot about is the heat treat of the steel. You can have the same exact steel on a knife from 2 companies and if one company do a trash heat treat and the other do a great one...then you are going to see a HUGE difference between the two even though they are the "same" steel.

This is why the company you buy your knives from are super important! Just my 2 cents for what its worth!
 
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I just received a 4 in 1095 with the 3d scales and think they do feel a lot better. They did a good job making the g10 grippy and the dark earth coating is well done also.
 
superpog said:
The thing is S35VN toughness doesn't seem to be lower than 1095 according to Larrin's data.
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Yes, at the same hardness. But their 1095 is 56hrc while S35VN is 60. This isn't applicable to all steels, simple or high alloy, but 1095 gains a bit of toughness with a lower hardness, nothing to write home about but enough to not snap under the load of a particularly difficult baton, while S35VN does. I'm talking abuse here, as ESEE themselves showed it can happen. This is based on Larrin's graphs also. But I still prefer S35VN over 1095 any day.
 
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Doesn't matter if it's 1095 or s35vn, if you break an Esee fixed blade, you were abusing it.
 
No distributors in Canada yet, but I'm waiting patiently. I own and have owned the Izula, ESEE-3, 4, 6 and Lite Machete. Only the 4 has moved on as I have a lot of custom bushcrafters in that size that I liked more. The 3 sat on my life-jacket as a canoe knife for many years. That three was ordered from this forum in W&SS when ESEE was just beginning and is an original Rat-Pack model, #118. Our canoe trips are usually 2 week backcountry events in remote wilderness 100-300 km north of Lake Superior, in the thick of the Canadian Boreal forest. The lifejacket knife is a backup, used in the boat and for some chores in camp as a compliment to the standard bushcraft blade kept tucked in one of the canoe barrels during paddling.

I did get tired of having to polish rust off the edge and logo on the 1095 ESEE-3 after each trip though. Last year I replaced it with a Spyderco Enough, but in the end that blade didn't live up to its name sake. It just wasn't enough for my needs. So, I'm looking forward to an S35VN version of the ESEE-3 to restore its rightful place on my lifejacket. Its a great overall length, not too much real estate on the vest but enough knife to get 85% of jobs done. Not sure how the contoured scales will sit on the jacket but I figure if I don't like them I'll swap them with the flat orange g10's from my 1095 version.

There are a few other knives in this size (and much cheaper) that I have contemplated. Real Steel has a 3.75" 440C blade called the Observer for well under half the price with a kydex sheath that I have contemplated. Another slightly longer blade by the same company called the Point Man is also available in Sandvick Stainless. Kizer has a 3.5" S35VN blade for what seems about the same price but on-linere viewers have implicated a not very tight kydex sheath not recommended for inverted carry which is how I carry it on my PFD. In the end, I can't quite get on board to trusting an unknown company for an outdoor fixed blade. I have nothing against quality Chinese companies, but for fixed blades I really feel like I have to trust the company and have experience with their merchandise before choosing them. ESEE has that trust earned through personal experience and use of their blades. The stainless option of an ESEE-3 seems like a perfect option as it is a knife I carried for many years and is known to fit the bill. Warrenty doesn't matter much to me. If a knife brakes when I'm 200 km from civilization, it doesn't matter if one day the company will replace it. But then again, that is what the back up O1 bushcrafter is for.

Another notable mention and hard decision is the Spyderco Waterway designed specifically as a kayak knife. Its LC200N is virtually rust free (espescially in a freshwater scenarios). I'm sold on this knife but have some worries about its size. At 4.5" blade and nearly 10" with the sheath that will take up a lot of room on the lifejacket and I fear it will get in the way of paddling.

Oh yeah, my canoe partner and wife, will be riding that little enough blade. Hmmmm, will 2.5" be enough for her? Only time will tell :)
 
I think S35VN is the best option ESEE could have gone with.

ESEE 3 is a 3.875 inches blade, you're not gonna do a lot of crazy batoning through thick and dense wood. You'll likely be using it for cutting things, processing game, carving,... you know, knife stuffs. And S35VN is tough enough, have enough edge retention, sharpens easily enough,... a very good all around steel. And for the price, it's hard to beat
 
PMQ said:
I think S35VN is the best option ESEE could have gone with.

ESEE 3 is a 3.875 inches blade, you're not gonna do a lot of crazy batoning through thick and dense wood. You'll likely be using it for cutting things, processing game, carving,... you know, knife stuffs. And S35VN is tough enough, have enough edge retention, sharpens easily enough,... a very good all around steel. And for the price, it's hard to beat
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I agree that s35vn is a great option. I love the stuff.

That said, you know that if something is the best there is always a better option :p

3v would have been nearly ideal imo ;)
 
craytab said:
I agree that s35vn is a great option. I love the stuff.

That said, you know that if something is the best there is always a better option :p

3v would have been nearly ideal imo ;)
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They were going for a stainless steel, which 3V is not.

We have the non-stainless 1095 Izula and Esee 4, we have the stainless 440C Izula and Esee 4.

So it's more reasonable to make a stainless Esee 3.

I would prefer M390 and 20CV because the price jump should not be so dramatic, maybe $15-20 but you'll get better edge retention. Toughness is not my consideration at the Esee 3 length and thickness, but that's just my opinion. And also, I really appreciate stainless steel because it rains like crazy where I live. :(:(
 
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PMQ said:
They were going for a stainless steel, which 3V is not.

We have the non-stainless 1095 Izula and Esee 4, we have the stainless 440C Izula and Esee 4.

So it's more reasonable to make a stainless Esee 3.

I would prefer M390 and 20CV because the price jump should not be so dramatic, maybe $15-20 but you'll get better edge retention. Toughness is not my consideration at the Esee 3 length and thickness, but that's just my opinion. And also, I really appreciate stainless steel because it rains like crazy where I live. :(:(
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Ah. You have fallen for my trap!

Optimized 3v has been more stainless for me than some true stainless steels. It blows 1095 out of the water in nearly every way! Edge retention is nearly s35vn run at 60hrc. You can get nearly stainless, with high end toughness, and nearly the edge retention as s35vn.

But I digress.....

It's all just fantasy talk. s35vn is a great choice. I'll be fighting the urge to pick one of these up. I already have 2 in 1095. I love the platform. I don't "need" another knife though.
 
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I keep my 1095 3 at around 12 deg pr side, with a 15 deg or side micro. This is enough for light carving/whittling, fire building, skewers etc. I’ve had some rolling on frozen, dry spruce, bjt nothing serious and never chips.

what kind of edge angle do you think the s35vn could be keot at for those tasks?
 
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