Esee-3 or izula 2 or...?

mlanghornes

mlanghornes

Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
798
Alright, another guy needs a blade recommendation. I'm looking for a smallish, fixed blade, easy to carry, general purpose/survival knife. I need it, first and foremost, to be easy and comfortable to carry in a variety of ways, namely on belt, iwb, and in a mercharness, and maybe others. This is going to be a knife for hiking or general traveling/adventuring, and i want it to be able to be carried discretely so I don't alarm anyone. I don't need a very large knife, cause if I need to process wood for a fire or shelter, I'll pack an axe or saw, and since I regularly carry a case peanut, I've had a lot of practice making a small knife do big-knife chores, and I feel comfortable I could do this with a small yet strong fixed blade in an emergency.

Let me get to the point. I know the izula 2 would meet these requirements, but I'm wondering if the extra inch or so of blade on the esee3 comes with a carry comfort penalty. I'm open to other brands as well, but I don't want to pay more than the 3 costs; I don't mind paying for quality, but I think I'd have to go up the price scale quite a bit to beat esee quality, and I don't really want to do that. It also would need to be comfortable to carry, and have a sheath that allows multiple carry options. Thanks in advance.

Oh, and what happened to the esee forum? Is it still down?
 
The ESEE 3 would suit your needs better than perfect. It's literally the most comfortable fixed blade I've ever carried, very sleek and light weight. I used to carry it on my hiking trips and sometimes even forgot it was there.

Sadly, due to money issues I had to part with it. :(
 
If you are going to EDC it, get the Izula but if you are not, get the 3. Both have multiple carry options and are discreet enough to carry without the sheeple getting scared. The Izula is probalby to small to be a primary blade, but if you are extremely concerned with other people noticing it, go with that.

I would personally go with the 3 and even better the 4.

the new ESEE forum is over at jungletraining.com
 
I have, have carried, and love both the Izula and the 3. You really couldn't go wrong either way.
 
if a small inexpensive versatile beefy fixed blade you are looking for than this is your answer...... Tops C.A.T. 200 Its easily findable for around 70. i carry mine clipped to my pants on the right side, about sligtly past 12 o'clock. I run my belt over it and that takes care of any printing issues and makes it easy to conceal. The factory bevel aint great (44 degree inclusive flat ground) so i reground mine to about seventeen degrees each side and convexed it slightly. good ht on the 1095. i use it for all sorts of general purpose bushcraft\survival tasks. I carried it as well as my izzy 2 in the woods and found myself reaching for the cat every time. Don't get me wrong, i like my izzy but its completely outshone by cat when it comes to the woods. even with the thinner bevel (both are convexed) it holds an edge longer than the izzy. only complaint, is the super agressive jimping, but that can be fixed easily.
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AArgh, still cant post pics right
I have pics if this pique's your interest and can forward them if you want em.
 
I don't own an Izula II, but I really love the Izula and the 3, but if I had to EDC one, it would for sure e the Izula. Although the 3 is a great blade, too.
 
I've had them both, gave away my izula but really want to pick up another for the EDC factor. The 3 does fit in the front pockets of most of the jeans I've tried it with, without the handle even showing, just takes up the whole pocket and is a much more capable blade all around. But the izula is one heck of a good edc.
 
bitter1 said:
What is the difference in the Izula and the Izula 2?
Click to expand...

the 2 has a longer handle. Also the handle scales are designed a bit different too. Blade section is the same though, as is the sheath.
 
I've been carrying the ESEE 3 for about two months now, both at work and outside the home. What EricV said is right, it fits most jeans pockets without printing much if even. Also if you wear belts, you can use the paracord and the clincher it comes with to make it into a very flat side carry option. The weight has yet to bother me in either carrying position and it is super slip for its size. I've also done some batoning with it and despite the thinner stock held up admirably, I was impressed. It looks cooler too :)
 
I own the 3 and the Izzy II, and I rotate both for EDC. I don't think you can go wrong with choosing either. I find both discrete and easy to carry, but then I prefer small fixed blades to folders.
 
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