Esee 4, LionSteel T5 or Demko Freereign?

I have both ESEE 4hm and lionsteel T5. I don't use either much so my experience is very limited. The lionsteel has better and more ego handle. From what I researched, I'll pick niolox over 1095. All in all I feel t5 is the better one between the two.

I use my ESEE 3 and 6 more. Maybe that is part of the reason that I don't put ESEE 4 high on my list.

Warranty is largely a moot point. For the intended use I highly doubt anyone can break either knife.
 
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Not sure if you are considering other makers - I’ve got a thing for Carbon steel fixed blades in 4-6 inch blade range. Depending on your uses for a knife .. you’ve got a lot of options. If you look around you may find a custom ( David Mary David Mary , Crag the Brewer Crag the Brewer ). AEB-L steel is tougher than most of us could need, easy to sharpen and pretty much rust free - quite a few makers here use that steel or a variant of it.

Picture above clockwise from top left

Mora Garberg
TJ Schwarz LT5
Esee 4
Becker BK16
PBK Crazy Horse

All of those make great edc / camp knives
 
I really like micarta. If I go for the Esee 4, which of the three handles do people prefer? I chose the HM because I can get micarta, a rounder handle (some complain about the stock flat ones) AND a kydex sheath. The G10 ones definitely look good though. Again, asking because I haven’t been able to check out any of these 3 knives, or these handle options on the Esee in person. No Esee dealer near me that I can find.
 
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I’ve had a few of the HM models - great ( especially if you don’t care for choils ). I kind of preferred the old flat scales, until Esee released the 3D scales for models 3 through 6 - total game changer. I’ll post a few close ups of the 3D Vs Regular scales.

Watch the exchange here - great deals pop up on Esee knives often

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The 3D scales are a major improvement imo - they come as a standard option now. The 3D G10 are a little slick for my preference - micarta is perfect.
 
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luethge said:
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I’ve had a few of the HM models - great ( especially if you don’t care for choils ). I kind of preferred the old flat scales, until Esee released the 3D scales for models 3 through 6 - total game changer. I’ll post a few close ups of the 3D Vs Regular scales.

Watch the exchange here - great deals pop up on Esee knives often


The 3D scales are a major improvement imo - they come as a standard option now. The 3D G10 are a little slick for my preference - micarta is perfect.
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Thank you for taking the time to post all these pics. You just made me aware of an option that I didn’t know existed. I’ve been looking at the Esee 4 since last year. Had the 3d G10 (black and blue) one on my Christmas list. I had only seen these new handles here over the last few weeks and thought they were customs! I did not know that Esee now had a 3d Micarta version! I thought these were aftermarket. These look very nice!

I loved the look of the Black and Blue G10 3d but bought some G10 scales for my Izula and agree they are a bit slick, compared to the micarta ones I bought after that. So, now I have two micarta options. Do you prefer these new 3D micarta over the HM? And, what do you think of the sheath compared to the HM Kydex?
 
I really like the HM models I had - sold them chasing something I sold 😂. I’ve always gone back to the regular 4 and 6, they work. The HM models seemed a little narrow to me, broomstick like in some ways, indexing or edge alignment wasn’t a problem. I didn’t find the HM fit my hands very well.. it’s a preference thing. I know quite a few members who use knives far more than me, bushcraft / camp / utility etc - most prefer the 4HM or 3HM to the standard models.

Something worth checking out is the EKA RTG1 - made by Rowen. It’s a steal of a deal for the price right now - without scales it’s about $60 with kydex, with micarta scales and kydex it’s under $100

Pics on the way
 
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Top pic 6 3D G10, EKA paracord , 4 standard G10

As far as sheaths go - Esee Kydex is great. The HM kydex has been excellent in my experience. I don’t mind the molded plastic sheaths either - they don’t dull a blade and last forever. The pic above has a variety of sheaths from standard Esee to aftermarket kydex. The knife connection has ready to go kydex for Esee in both handle types, as does azwelke azwelke ( excellent kydex ). You’ve got a ton of options with Esee
 
luethge said:
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Top pic 6 3D G10, EKA paracord , 4 standard G10

As far as sheaths go - Esee Kydex is great. The HM kydex has been excellent in my experience. I don’t mind the molded plastic sheaths either - they don’t dull a blade and last forever. The pic above has a variety of sheaths from standard Esee to aftermarket kydex. The knife connection has ready to go kydex for Esee in both handle types, as does azwelke azwelke ( excellent kydex ). You’ve got a ton of options with Esee
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Great pics, and I can’t thank you enough for all the info!
 
If you want an Esee style knife at an HRC higher than 56, Architect sells similar patterns in 3v, s35vn, and Magnacut. Also has an unconditional lifetime warranty, also made in the US (by White River).

If price really isn't a concern, and you want the most for your money, get a carothers BFK. They're pretty easy to find currently (or a slightly harder to find used FK2 if 5.5" is too long for your purposes)
 
HCC3 said:
I really like micarta. If I go for the Esee 4, which of the three handles do people prefer? I chose the HM because I can get micarta, a rounder handle (some complain about the stock flat ones) AND a kydex sheath. The G10 ones definitely look good though. Again, asking because I haven’t been able to check out any of these 3 knives, or these handle options on the Esee in person. No Esee dealer near me that I can find.
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For what it’s worth, ACE Hardware usually has an ESEE or two in their knife cases.
 
HCC3 said:
I really like micarta. If I go for the Esee 4, which of the three handles do people prefer? I chose the HM because I can get micarta, a rounder handle (some complain about the stock flat ones) AND a kydex sheath. The G10 ones definitely look good though. Again, asking because I haven’t been able to check out any of these 3 knives, or these handle options on the Esee in person. No Esee dealer near me that I can find.
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I strongly prefer the original, basic, flat handles.
 
luethge said:
View attachment 2694815View attachment 2694816View attachment 2694817

Top pic 6 3D G10, EKA paracord , 4 standard G10

As far as sheaths go - Esee Kydex is great. The HM kydex has been excellent in my experience. I don’t mind the molded plastic sheaths either - they don’t dull a blade and last forever. The pic above has a variety of sheaths from standard Esee to aftermarket kydex. The knife connection has ready to go kydex for Esee in both handle types, as does azwelke azwelke ( excellent kydex ). You’ve got a ton of options with Esee
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The farthest to the right in last pic sheath , looks to have its own little backpack (or two ) ?

I'm a bit curious about what you carry on your knife sheath . Spare magazines ?
 
David Mary said:
Ratmandu is nice. Could stand a regrind and to lose a few ounces for my druthers....
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Absolutely. If it was full flat ground and drilled out under the scales to balance it would be 1000X better, but as it stands it’s my pick for a 5” blade do-it-all mid size camp knife.

I actually don’t even have a RMD anymore but my favorite (M6 - other knife in the pic I posted) would be an exercise in futility for the guy so I recommended the RMD.
 
DocJD said:
The farthest to the right in last pic sheath , looks to have its own little backpack (or two ) ?

I'm a bit curious about what you carry on your knife sheath . Spare magazines ?
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Yeah, I really dig those. For me, it will be fire starting items when I get a couple of those.
 
AntDog said:
as it stands it’s my pick for a 5” blade do-it-all mid size camp knife.
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The Ratmandu was the first knife that I ever held in my hand and thought "this is comfortable in literally every possible grip". I got mine in 2015. Right here:

CR33

Thread 'BUSSE, SWAMP, SCRAPYARD for sale'

Prices include priority mail shipping with signature confirmation - Payment: Paypal friends or add 3%. May be interested in trades at this time / Guns / Knives etc. Serious inquiries only.


1. Basic 6 LE - Brand new / never used. #36 - $370

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2. BWM - Custom Shop - Brand New/never used - Satin with Dester Ironwood and Grex / Mosaic pins - $900

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3. Scrap Yard 311 - Red - Brand New / Never used. $95

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4. SCABS LE w/ kydex sheath - Knife is brand...

Too bad I moved it along before I learned how to regrind......
 
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