ESEE-3 or HEST?

Scott3670

Scott3670

Joined
Sep 13, 2008
Messages
281
I very new to Blade Forums and am a newbie on knives. I have a ZT0350 as my EDC and am looking for a fixed blade to complement it. I am trying to decide between the ESEE-3 and the HEST. I don't do much camping or wilderness stuff but I still want a good knife just in case, but one that I can still carry around town.

So, any thoughts between these two knives? Thanks in advance for educating me.

-Scott
 
I carry a HEST everyday.
Stout little blade with lots of belly. Very capable. The prybar is very useful. I have not had any problems with the prybar while carrying it, as some have had concerns about.

I cannot speak to the 3, but I doubt you would be disappointed with the HEST.
 
I own both. I feel that the RC3's grips are shaped like a bar of prison soap and just as slippery-otherwise it would be a solid knife. I like the blade shape and thickness, it's a very efficient slicer. I think you'll find the HEST a much more satisfying knife overall. The blade is very thick and durable, and with its large belly it still makes for a very proficient slicer. Its handle is the most comfortable you'll find in a blade its size-very full and secure. Allaround it is of exceptional quality and perfect design.
 
OK, thanks for the input. I'm ordering the HEST tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be too long before it arrives.
 
Welcome!

Another vote for the HEST. It's a very practical & capable EDC knife. Try it... You'll like it!
 
HEST

3 and 3mil are great knives, but for that size, you can't get much more functionality than the HEST.
 
PayetteRucker said:
I own both. I feel that the RC3's grips are shaped like a bar of prison soap and just as slippery-otherwise it would be a solid knife. I like the blade shape and thickness, it's a very efficient slicer. I think you'll find the HEST a much more satisfying knife overall. The blade is very thick and durable, and with its large belly it still makes for a very proficient slicer. Its handle is the most comfortable you'll find in a blade its size-very full and secure. Allaround it is of exceptional quality and perfect design.
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I would beg to differ ,I like the ESEE3 scales and never been in prison/jail , I cant argue with him either :D
the HEST and ESEE3MIL /DT ESEE3/Junglas/ESEE5/Izula handle have the same scales,Canvas micarta.:thumbup:
 
texastonydobbs said:
I would beg to differ ,I like the ESEE3 scales and never been in prison/jail , I cant argue with him either :D
the HEST and ESEE3MIL /DT ESEE3/Junglas/ESEE5/Izula handle have the same scales,Canvas micarta.:thumbup:
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+1

I do not own a HEST, but I find the grip on my 3s to be most excellent. The 3 is at the tippy top of my favorite knives list, and I have many knives. :thumbup:
 
I have both, and love both for different reasons...to me they are each a half of the perfect edc knife, and I would love to see an offspring of the two :) I like the blade length and serrations of the 3-MIL and I like the handle shape and thick blade of the HEST...being forced to choose between the two without any specifics as to what I would be facing or why I was choosing I think I'd take the HEST. I could add a small section of serrations if needs be, and remove the pry bar if it ever caused a problem. There is just no way I could make the 3-MIL blade any thicker....
 
I own both, and I prefer the RC-3/ESEE-3 for the size of the scales, but the HEST is a stouter blade. I think the HEST would serve you best, since we aren't talking woods blade. Hell even an Izula with scales would work fine. I have used the prybar function on the HEST and it is surprisingly useful.

I personally do not find any of the grips on the ESEE blades slippery at all. I find them to be quite grippy and comfortable.

Since the 3 and the HEST are about the same price point, I would have to say the HEST because it is more of an Urban carry then a bush carry blade. Be careful of your local knife laws, and carry options.
 
I have both carry both love them both,but for what Scott3670 wants I also say start with the HEST! if he's like most of us here he'll buy plenty more and be torn between them all!
 
Since you favor ZTs,which are really stout,you would'nt go wrong with a HEST.They are really strong and would compliment the ZT.
 
I have the 3-mil & really dig it. I have not carried the HEST. I plan to get one. A question for the guys that carry the HEST do you notice any hangups with drawing the knife? Does the pry-bar or bottle opener get hung on shirts or other clothing?
 
killstew said:
I have the 3-mil & really dig it. I have not carried the HEST. I plan to get one. A question for the guys that carry the HEST do you notice any hangups with drawing the knife? Does the pry-bar or bottle opener get hung on shirts or other clothing?
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Never had a problem with it on one single occasion. I have missed the sheath putting it back in my pocket and poked a hole in the bottom of the pocket on my jeans but some 550 chord guts fixed that- I drew up a pocket clip drop sheath design for pocket carry last night that would fix the problem for sure. If I have some extra time and feel motivated this week I'll try my hand at working some double shoulder...
 
killstew said:
I have the 3-mil & really dig it. I have not carried the HEST. I plan to get one. A question for the guys that carry the HEST do you notice any hangups with drawing the knife? Does the pry-bar or bottle opener get hung on shirts or other clothing?
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When I carry the HEST on me I have it in a reverse draw right side, never had any issues at all with the pry bar or the bottle opener. Only issue I've ever had with the pry bar was when I was wearing it as a neck knife and my youngest caught me off guard laying on the couch with my eyes closed and jump on my chest landing @$$ first...that was a little painful.
 
eloreno said:
I do not own a HEST, but I find the grip on my 3s to be most excellent.
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The ESEE-3 handle is a slim, comfortable, working grip for utility or bushcraft - but as far as being secure when slippery, wet, or drawn under other adverse conditions, it just won't do.

I like the blade shape and design of the ESEE-3, but if you want a knife with a grip almost as ergonomic and solid as the ZT300/350, then the HEST is your best bet.
 
I don't have the ESEE 3 but most people seem to love it. I don't have it so I can't comment on it. I like my H.E.S.T for a variety of reasons. It has a great grip, the pry bar is very useful, I like keeping stuff in the handle, as RYP has shown us with some help from people on the forum, it can be used in a vaiety of ways most people never think of suck as a pick ax, the lashing options are great, I like to bottle opener, it is a stout blade and it is just a plain good. knife.
 
Thanks to everyone who gave me great advice. Earlier this morning I placed an order for the HEST knife, and got one hell of a deal. Now the waiting begins.
 
When you get it, as far as the sheath goes... push with the thump, don't try to hold the sheath by gripping the blade side edge of the kydex and pulling-you'll cut through all your tendon tissue in your fingers :)
 
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