ESEE 3 strength

B

Birdkiller

Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Messages
466
How strong is the ESEE 3 blade? I've finally got an excuse to get and edc fixed blade and trying to decide between the 3 and HEST.

I would like the ability to baton and carry IWB.

Thanks,
BK
 
Strong enough to baton.

Its tough, but at 1/8 inch, it is no prybar.

Of course, we knew that already, right? Its a knife.;)
 
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I have batoned mine and it held up fine just don`t try to pry the wood apart too hard .
 
Batoning is almost overrated with any sub -4 inch knife. But the deciding factors with the -3 and the HEST are thickness and the prybar on the HEST. People that actually own the knife can chime in on if the prybar effects carry with the HEST. But otherwise it is mostly personal preference, and you can always save up and buy the one you don't get later!
 
I've got both. I carry one or the other most times. The prybar isn't a concern for me, actually aids in blind drawing. Really can't go wrong with either. The three will baton a touch better, and the hest has the cool storage in the handle. I like both and it's absolutly random which I'll grab on any given day
 
I love my 3 and have put it through hell. I have used it for light prying, things like taking bark off a tree and digging through a stump, with no problems at all. I am not advocating you to go pry a crate apart with one but it can do a lot of different tasks. I do not have a HEST, its on the list, so I cannot speak to that but I do love my 3, it is a great overall knife. It is big enough to baton, I use it to break down bigger pieces into kindling, but small enough for good control while doing some carving and such. Plus the 3 is a great size for EDC, small and light but big enough for some serious work.

But then again you can't go wrong with any ESEE so buy what makes you happy, they will all get the job done.
 
The 3 feels nice and sturdy, the thinner stock has never felt like a liability to me. For the majority of tasks that I use a knife for, its only going to work in your favor. I'd love to see more 1/8" thick knives from ESEE
 
The ESEE3 is strong enough for everything except prying with great force. I've broke one this way, but thats not the topic - Ive learned my lesson.

In normal use and even in batoning you will not kill a RAT. If you plan to pry maybe the ESEE5 is the better choice or you should stick to this:
Pry-Bar-242101-.jpg


Regards
Michael
 
strong enough to f**k you up and start a fire
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The ESEE-3 is the best slicer of the line up. I routinely use mine for batoning to make my bowdrill kits. As stated earlier, batoning is limited by blade length not thickness. I just batoned the hell out of my ESEE light machete through birch (pretty hard) and its 0.066" thick!

I have to see that the ESEE-3 sees a tonne more use than my 4 because of its cutting ability and because I often pair it with another chopper or mid-size knife.
 
Because of the OA length and cause I like thick knives I'm going with the HEST. If I hate it I'll sell it, or see if I can trade it. I want to be able to drop it in my pocket and with out the scales that'll be very possible.

Thanks,
BK
 
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