Esee 3: Why did I wait so long!

craytab

craytab

Joined
Jan 26, 2012
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A question to keep in mind while reading this: are there knives that you have put off buying, then finally did, and wondered why you waited so long?

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I am fan of Esee Knives. I have the Izula, 5, 6, & Junglas. I had a 4 but sold it because I found it too thick for its length. I am on my second 5. I sold my first one because what the heck was I ever going to do with that big old thing. My current 5 I found used for a good price and made it a project knife.

This brings me to the 3. After filling all my needs in larger fixed blades I started to get into smaller fixed blades. I went really small with the Izula. A bit bigger with the Bradford Guardian3 and BRKT Necker 2. I guess I always knew I would get a 3 but kept putting it off for other purchases. Well, one came up for a good price on the exchange.

It is great looking and comes with a great sheath. I dyed the handles green.
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A Family Photo:
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I haven't used it much yet. We are just getting out of Winter here in the NorthEast. It has done a little Kitchen work:
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It was easily able to quarter Kalamatas and finely slice Jalapenos and onion. It felt good in hand while doing it. It came very sharp and was very easy to touch-up. Once the coating starts to go I plan on taking it off and replacing it with a nice patina. I can't wait to put it to hard use over the spring and summer!

If you are on the fence about this one, just do it!

So, are there knives that you have put off buying, then finally did, and wondered why once you went for it?
 
I'm glad you like the 3 bud! I have been on the fence on that one for a long time. I just keep thinking the handle will be too small. Does it feel small to you?
As for the question, I've done that with plenty of knives. The two major ones I can think of are the Al Mar Sere 2K and the Swamp Rat Ratmandu. I considered both for years but never bit. Once I did, I thought "damn, I waited too long to give this one a shot!"
The main reason I kept putting off the Sere was that it just looked "funny" to me. It looked sort of dorky. It reminded me of a little Peter Pan knife. It looked like the blade shape was just plain and boring, and the handle looked too big for what appeared to be a tiny blade. Pictures are misleading. In person, it is a beast. It has flawless ergonomics, exceptional build quality, and that blade is functionally excellent. It looks great in person. It has turned out to be one of my favorite folders of all time. I got mine in a trade with a member here (Runswithscissors), who lives in Alaska. It was lnib in my opinion. I've had it a long time now, and loved every minute of it.
The reason I waited so long on the Ratmandu was that I had a lot of knives already in the same size range. I thought I was pretty much covered, so why bother? Plus, they are not what I would consider "cheap". As soon as I got it I sold off 3 knives in the same size range. I just didn't need them anymore because I'd found "the one".
 
I'm loving my ESEE 4. Like with you and the three, I had put off buying it for a while because I had so many others on my to-buy list,and just because I was hesitant to get into carbon steel knives. I was under the impression that they would immediately start rusting before my eyes:rolleyes:

Turns out they don't, especially not here in SoCal. I've never oiled the esee and yet there hasn't been a single spot of rust on the exposed edge since I got it.

This blade is TOUGH. I've beaten the crap out of it on many occasions and never had an issue. Yet at the same time it takes, and even HOLDS a great edge. It can go through tons of wood work without loosing that shaving edge. The guys over at esee know that they're doing when it comes to 1095:thumbup:
 
AntDog said:
I'm glad you like the 3 bud! I have been on the fence on that one for a long time. I just keep thinking the handle will be too small. Does it feel small to you?
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It doesn't feel too small to me but my hands are on the small size. I wear medium gloves. Supposedly the TKC scales greatly improve the 3 for folks who need more handle.
 
When I decided to get a fixed blade I was torn between ESEE 5 and the Ratmandu. Decided on the Swamp Rat Ratmandu and haven't looked back. Maybe someday I will try ESEE, but I have since become a Busse guy too.

 
kjd2121 said:
When I decided to get a fixed blade I was torn between ESEE 5 and the Ratmandu. Decided on the Swamp Rat Ratmandu and haven't looked back. Maybe someday I will try ESEE, but I have since become a Busse guy too.

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The 5 and the Ratmandu seem very different to me. I think you went with the right choice. The only reason I have a 5 is for the novelty of it. I have much better options to actually use. My TGLB will see plenty of use this season along side of the 3!
 
I love my Esee 3! I of course replaced the scales as the flat sided scales it comes with are just unfunctional and kind of uncomforatable
 
The 3 is on my eventual list. I recently go an izula and carry it constantly. It's a great etc blade. I don't even notice it. It's bumped my bk14 out of the rotation. I also only recently got my first spyderco. Can't believe I put that off for so long. I always thought they were kind of gimmicky. I plan on having many more in the future!
 
I totally agree that the Esee 3 is an awesome knife.... but isn't the whole Esee lineup just great? :D

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I think the 3 is their best knife. It is a lot of knife in a small package.
 
Still on the fence about the three, got the 4 in desert tan instead because at the time I liked that size, but somehow the handle on my 4 seemed a little awkward, not bad, but one day I will snag a three. Keeps calling back to me that it would be a great all around knife.
 
The thinner blade stock on the 3 makes it a much better slicer...

I replaced mine which was lost in a fire just recently and whilst I have several much fancier knives I still really enjoy using my 3.

Cheers,

Ben
 
The Esee3 is on my list… this is making me think I should bite sooner rather than later!

For me, I waited a long time on picking up a traditional blade, as I was put off by the multitude of patterns available and the concept of mystery "surgical steel." I finally picked up a Case medium stockman in CV, and I can't believe I didn't pick one up sooner! Certainly has joined my EDC rotation as a less aggressive looking blade. Super functional too!
 
Had a 3 for a few years and used it but good! Great knife! Sold it and I miss it!! I originally had a 4 but I found the knife unbalanced compared to the 3.
The only one I have left out of my Esee family is the Junglas which is a beast of woods blade and that's a keeper!

 
I just recently picked up the esee laser strike.
Wish I had done so a long time ago. The spear point design IMHO is the perfect blade shape for field use. Everything on it is right. The blade length, thickness, and that deep finger choil.
This is my 7th esee. Gotta love em!!
 
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