ESEE 3 vs. BUCK 113 ranger skinner..?

[WEB2]

Just wondering if anyone has both of these and compare for general all around use.
Any thoughts?

 

[dogstar]

I don't own either, but they are fixed blades with simple blade geometry. Either will do fine for general use. It's more your preference: stainless vs carbon, hollow grind vs. flat grind, traditional vs. tactical appearance.

 

[The cow]

I have the ESEE 3. It was my primary utility blade for a good while now its a backup blade in my bag. I've done some whittling with it, pretty decent at that, probably the most notable thing that I've done with it is pry tusks out of boars and the tip held up just fine...save the coating which is very durable to begin with.
The sheath is nothing special. Injected molded, a little rattle but there are plenty of aftermarket sheaths you can get (and scales)
Grip is nice, no real hot spots, though personal preference, I would like it to be a little thicker and rounded.

1095 is really easy to sharpen and rowan probably has the best heat treat for it.

Probably the best thing about ESEE is their awesome warranty. You break it, they replace it. Something I wish more companies would do (or at least simplify) They even have a display of the stupid stuff people have done to it. If anything, its probably why they have such the devoted following that they do. Getting into "high end" knives can be a scary thing when all you're used to is $14 moras.
http://eseeknives.com/warranty.htm

 

[daizee]

that's a pretty Buck, bit I think it suffers from the same short-handledness as the E3. Though I'd have no hesitation about modifying the E3 to unite the handle and the choil, neatly solving that problem.

 

[deskil]

I own a Rat 3 (very similar to the ESEE 3) and a Buck 113. For all around use, I'd pick the Rat. It's a very tough and sturdy tool. For jobs that require attention to detail and slicing ability, I choose the Buck.
Get both.

 

[mec003]

Can't knock a $14 Mora. I don't own either of these knives, but my dad is a buck man. Every knife I can remember him using has always been a buck.

 

[Karambit777]

I don't own either, but they are fixed blades with simple blade geometry. Either will do fine for general use. It's more your preference: stainless vs carbon, hollow grind vs. flat grind, traditional vs. tactical appearance.

^^ Exactly what he said ^^ I have an ESEE 3, and own 8 or 9 Bucks. Both these knives sport my two favorite Value blade steels. 420HC and 1095 matched with both companies heat treats are optimal IMO.

 

[Karambit777]

Can't knock a $14 Mora

Funny how this ALWAYS pops up lol. Not that I disagree . I would rather be caught stuck out with my ESEE 3 than my mora tho. But that's just me :thumbup:

 

[TravisH]

Luv my 113 but I wouldn't use it for bushcraft. It's good at game processing and as a "gentleman's" fixed EDC.

 

[WEB2]

Thanks for the replies

 

[Samon]

Not had the esee but I did have the 113. Really nice little knife. Very squared in the handle but that gives a really solid feeling grip. I didn't skin anything with it, but I'd have to say it would do that job well but not bushcraft stuff so well, atleast compared to the esee.

 

[zakjak221]

I prefer the Esee 3 because of handles...Buck 113 handles are too small for my hands. (Too narrow & short)
& Esee 3's reputation is excellent...many Esee owners will say that the they're 3 is not replaceable.