esee 3 or 4 or ontario rat3 or something else for camp/bushcraft use.

100's of miles translates to very light weight knives. I think the above poster has the right direction on this. You will be using the knife for fairly light duty stuff, like opening food packets, so there is no need for full tang fixed blades, along with their weight. At least that is how I see it.
 
Fuori said:
I bought most of the ESEE line before trying the BK16 and can't say enough good things about it. The sheath can be easily fixed if you don't like it and the handle isn't slippery. I love it.
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I have sold my ESEE's because, in general, I didn't like the handles, nor a choil, although the ESEE-3 is a great all around knife. I bought a BK-16 and love it. It is a great value for what you get. I also have the Bravo-1, and a Gunny, and they are bullet proof woods knives as others have said, but a lot more money than the Beckers. For pure value, I'd get a Becker.

Oh, and a Fallknivien F1 lives in my flight bag, so I also would recommend that as an all around woods knife. I really like the VG-10. Confused yet? :)
 
Peter Hartwig said:
100's of miles translates to very light weight knives. I think the above poster has the right direction on this. You will be using the knife for fairly light duty stuff, like opening food packets, so there is no need for full tang fixed blades, along with their weight. At least that is how I see it.
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That would be true but i need to build a fire every night and also id like to have a fixed blade as a defensive option against wildlife (ie bears) and humans. Many people have gine missing on these parts of the trail and as far as i know its not legal to carry a handgun on most of the trail or possibly all. Im not sure.
 
Ohh and update i ordered an esee 4, but now i may be ordering a TOPS lite trekker. Looks like a great lightweight knife, good sheath and a bonus fire steel carrier.
 
Lockup1109 said:
Ohh and update i ordered an esee 4, but now i may be ordering a TOPS lite trekker. Looks like a great lightweight knife, good sheath and a bonus fire steel carrier.
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The ESEE-4 is a great knife. You may want to look at the TKC G-10 scales.
 
The Esee 4 is my favourite, holds great in hand because the extra thickness compared to the 3, great kydex sheath.

Esee4_12.JPG
 
I love my Esees and just ordered an uncoated 4, but the knife I end up taking most of the time if I'm going into the woods is my homely old Condor Kephart. Its a great woods or trail knife, and does a lot of things well in the woods. Its 1/8" thick 1075 carbon steel, 4 1/2" blade, 9" overall. It has a hard wood handle, full flat grind spear point, and is very light weight. Mine gets sharpened on a Wicked Edge, and slices like a scalpel. At around thirty dollars, its a great value, the thick leather sheath alone is worth almost the price of the knife. I've been using mine for over a year now, and it has batoned small wood into kindling, made tent pegs, shavings and feather sticks, prepped food, and Ive used it as a spatula and as an eating utensil. Its not a handsome knife, but it might suit your needs at a great price point and therefore may be worth taking a look at.
 
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Congratulations on your new Esee. Enjoy you trip
and if you fight any bears hopefully your partner will post photo's :)
 
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