ESEE-3 vs ESEE-4

I have both, and of the two, the ESEE 3 seems to be the better blade for my use. The handles are the same size, (much too small) and there is little difference in blade size. I don't use these blades for chopping, batoning or similar tasks.
 
1066vik said:
yup - what mystic said.
if you already have the knife, just order the aftermarket G10 for that knife. (I have a 4 and the aftermarket scales fit it just fine and fill my hand better than the originals)
If you didn't already have a 4, I was suggesting to buy a 4 and the aftermarket scales, rather than bare blade, scales, and a separate sheath.
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Thanks Mystic and 1066. I have an RC-4 in Desert Tan. I like the knife, don't like the handle. I know its the same handle size as the 3, but for some reason, the size doesn't bother me on the 3, and I use that knife. I have hesitated to use the 4, an contemplated selling it as I am not a big choil fan, plus the handle feels wrong to me. I have other knives that fill this role (a couple of Bravo-1's), but I may bite the bullet get the TKC scales and see if that transforms the knife.
 
Pilot1 said:
Thanks Mystic and 1066. I have an RC-4 in Desert Tan. I like the knife, don't like the handle. I know its the same handle size as the 3, but for some reason, the size doesn't bother me on the 3, and I use that knife. I have hesitated to use the 4, an contemplated selling it as I am not a big choil fan, plus the handle feels wrong to me. I have other knives that fill this role (a couple of Bravo-1's), but I may bite the bullet get the TKC scales and see if that transforms the knife.
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I have the same experience. I have kinda big hands and the handle end in the palm of my hand. With an Izula for e.g I can cut like heck, the RC-3 pretty darn good too but the #4 is unwieldy unless you have a bigger handle or smaller hands.

It's about leverage and how far from your fist the working part of the blade is. The RC-4 blade is out there from the hand a bit and only has a tiny portion of handle in the hand to support it. :)
 
Thanks for all the input guys, keep it coming.. I ended up getting the ESEE-3 in the black blade with all the bells and whistles (molle locks, molle back for the sheath, etc).. What I want to do is get the original orange G-10 handles for it or similar aftermarket ones like was suggested previously..

I think I'll be getting the 4 or the 6 down the road as well.. Maybe the 5 and the Junglas too.. Probably all of em at some point to be honest, but I'll keep an eye out for deals on some used ones..

Oh, also bought a Mora Topq as it was on sale and only 17 bucks with free shipping.. Not really my style, but seems like a pretty solid knife and cheap enough to justify as a second knife to throw in a bag and forget about..
 
You mean this one? You're going to love it and the Junglas is like a flipping chainsaw! I lit a smoke and took a few hits and laid it down then cut up all of this crap in the corner of the yard when it hit the filter! :D

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cziv said:
You mean this one? You're going to love it and the Junglas is like a flipping chainsaw! I lit a smoke and took a few hits and laid it down then cut up all of this crap in the corner of the yard when it hit the filter! :D

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Very nice.. I'd bet that Junglas made quick work of all the wood there..

I didn't get the 3MIL either, just the standard one.. The money I saved get the regular ESEE-3 allowed me to get that Mora and some other goodies too.. :D
 
Very nice shockjockey.. kind of makes it look more like an izula on steroids.. lol I wonder if that voids the warranty??
 
that particular rat3 is a ontario version. on a regular esee3 no it wouldn't void the warranty.

take it easy
cricket
 
even if it did...i doubt i could ever break it seeing what i use it for (paired with a hatchet or saw) i cant baton with her (never could) so shes been relegated to a life of slicing :D
 
It looks like you took the finish off too.. Hows the upkeep on the 1095?? Whatd you use to oil it?? I was thinking of just using vegetable oil since I may be using this for some food prep too..
 
veggie oil should be fine...i dont oil her at all and she barely even gets brown, i just wipe her down every time before putting her away.
 
I actually really like that my knives all have some character to them.. I love seeing all the scratches from actually using them..
 
The ESEE-4 would be the perfect choice if it had the thickness of the ESEE-3. The 4 is indeed thick for it's size.
 
J_Curd said:
The ESEE-4 would be the perfect choice if it had the thickness of the ESEE-3. The 4 is indeed thick for it's size.
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I noticed that.. Its one of the reasons why I ended up going for the 3.. Wanted something fairly light to be carrying around camp all day
 
Hard to believe but if you stack the 3 on top of the 4 - the handle size is a perfect size match. The 4 handle is a bit thicker because of the thick blade.

I hope Jeff lengthens the handle in the future for the #4 maybe 3/8" longer would do a helluva job and not require small hands or aftermarket handles to really grip it and rip it - it would be perfect knife.

I use the 3 if I'm shaving a stick for kindling. The #4 makes my hand & wrist tired because of compensating for the short handle to blade ratio. It's all about the physics. :)

Washed up and re-profiled to 38* inclusive. Amazing what some Comet and a soft plastic bristle brush will do on the micarta and the blade scuffs! :thumbup:

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Anyone tried to take the green liners off the scales on the 4 yet? The 3 actually fits my hand perfect, but I prefer a smaller grip ratio than most.
 
i wish Jeff would design a combo of the 4 and 5...i love the 5s shape, but always wish it was a bit more carry friendly, and i think a scaled down version with a 4inch blade would be perfect. keep everything else, the bowdrill socket, the pointed lanyard hole, maybe even the thickness :D
 
Revolverrodger said:
I just purchased an OD/orange ESEE-4 from TKC.
I think it's goinf to be a good hiking/camp knife
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I think you're right.
I have a 3 and a 4 (same configuration as yours), and I use the 4 all the time.
Love that knife.
While the 3, not so much.
It's still a great little knife, but it's, well, little.
When I get down under 4" I am usually using a folder that I always have on me and handy at that point.

pete
 
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