ESEE 3 or 4

Sharpski

Sharpski

Joined
Jun 10, 2012
Messages
784
Hey guys want some feedback for a fixed blade purchase in the near future..I like the blade shape, ergos, ect of the ESEE knives the question is ESEE 3 or 4. It's mainly for camping or backyard bushcraft I have folders for the rest. I have a bravo 1 but I it has a convex edge, which I love, but I also want to add a flat ground to my bushcraft arsenal. I have a camp axe so most splitting and chopping is done with that! I could probably get by with the 3 but it might be a bit small, its hard to tell from photos online. I dont have any quality knife shops in my local area. I am looking for guys with experience with all three or at least the two.

Thanks!!
 
there is not a lot of difference between the two. The handles are pretty much the same size, the blade is slightly longer on the 4, and a skosh thicker than the 3. I probably take one of my RC3's more often than a 4 when I go camping. It is more compact, and does all of the same tasks as a 4 can do.
Both of them have smallish handles. The handle upgrades help.
NewHandleonESEE4.jpg
 
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Oh man nice side by side! That helps, yea I like the tote-a-bility of the 3 and it's good to hear you are rarely wishing you had an extra inch when using it. Thanks for the insight!!
 
Manlicher
They have handle upgrades for the 3 also?

Btw do you find the 6's handle small?
 
The 3 is also quite a bit thinner so it will slice better, while still being thick enough to take a beating.

Here's a pic of them with a bravo 1

DSC_1617.jpg


I do use the 4 a lot more tho. The added length helps.

DSC_1730.jpg
 
bobbystoney said:
The 4 feels a lot better in the hand. TKC scales on the 4 make it even better.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree. I think it's the thicker blade that fills the hand better.
I've been meaning to give the TKC scales a try. I've heard nothing but good things.
 
I use my 3 much more than my 4. I like the thickness of the 4 better, but the 3 seems to feel more balanced and easier to use in my hand. If your other big chores like splitting wood are already handled then i would say get the 3.

They really are very similar in size, but i'll notice the weight difference on my waist after carrying it all day.
 
MEJ said:
Manlicher
They have handle upgrades for the 3 also?

Btw do you find the 6's handle small?
Click to expand...


In the picture I showed, the handles on the RC 3 are what came on the ESSE 4. The ESSE 4 is wearing replacement handles. The handle on the ESSE 5 and ESSE 6 are more in proportion to their blade length, and are much more comfortable to work with.
I can't think of a time, in my over 50 years in the field, where I found it necessary to hack through wood with a small knife. I always felt that there were better suited tools, either an ax or a 'choppa' for that. I have never found myself with just one knife in a time of need, although I have camped, hiked and bummed around the woods for most of my life.
 
eloreno said:
I tend to agree. I think it's the thicker blade that fills the hand better.
I've been meaning to give the TKC scales a try. I've heard nothing but good things.
Click to expand...

If you've been thinking about them, i can't recommend them enough. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
 
I never own a fixed blade and just got the 4 mostly for camping and to learn some bushcraft I like it. IMHO a think the 4 is what you need when doing camping stuff food prep goes to my PM2.
 
I have the ESEE 4 (nice knife--thanks again, Sig_Op!) The 3 looks good but I won't buy one since I have a 4 and an Izula 2... otherwise, I'd be all over it. Seems like a good compromise if you can't decide between that size range, though.
 
I have two 3s and I have thought a lot about getting a 4 but it has been years and still have yet to need the extra inch or the thicker blade. I have used the 3 to split seasoned ash without a problem so don`t think the thinner blade is weak, also the slicing ability of the 3 is awesome. However I think I might get some aftermarket scales or add some liners.
 
Yea I love the size of the bravo 1 and handle has perfect ergo for me. Hmmm now the 4 is calling me a little more.. I tend to rather be wishing it was smaller than wishing I had a bigger blade generally. But then I have a axe and the bravo 1 so maybe the 3 is better paired with that line up. Ohhh boy right back where I started...the insight is definitely helpful and at least when I decide I will be informed!
 
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