ESEE 4 or BHK Patriot Scout or CPK DEK1?

sharp_edge

sharp_edge

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I'm looking to buy a small-medium sized fixed blade for general use for camping, hiking, and such. I believe these three knives fall into this category. I don't want to go any larger/longer/heavier (I do have an ESEE 6). I know their prices differ quite a bit and that's fine with me. I was pretty much set on ESEE 4HM but then got an email from DLT that they have some new Battle Horse Patriot Scout Knives incoming - I had zero knowledge of this brand but the knife looks good to me, and the profile similar to ESEE 4HM am I right? CPK DEK1 looks the best to me but I don't know how easy it is to get one. Anyway, I'd like to know what I can get from one that cannot from another. All opinions are welcome thanks.
 
The CPK DEK 1 is the single best knife I've ever owned out of likely over a thousand knives. I could get by with it being the only knife I own, easily. They are well worth the price if you can find one. Carothers Performance Knives has a section here on Bladeforums with a Buy/Sell/Trade thread. If you post on there you are looking for one, somebody may offer one up. That's how I bought mine; it took just a few days.
 
I think the better guards on the BHK and CPK make those knives slightly more versatile.

The BHK can be had with a scandi grind, which can make for better wood carving but can also mean a thinner/more fragile edge.

The CPK has a more modern and perhaps less friendly look to it than the others.

I recon all of them perform pretty great.
 
jstn said:
The CPK DEK 1 is the single best knife I've ever owned out of likely over a thousand knives. I could get by with it being the only knife I own, easily. They are well worth the price if you can find one. Carothers Performance Knives has a section here on Bladeforums with a Buy/Sell/Trade thread. If you post on there you are looking for one, somebody may offer one up. That's how I bought mine; it took just a few days.
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Thanks. I heard there is this weekly sales on CPK website going on. How does it work? Is it just like the buying frenzy of some most sought Spyderco sprint runs?
 
Pretty much; but it happens here - sometimes in their maker's forum, sometimes in the maker's Exchange. When the model is newest, the small number offered (often just 10) makes it almost impossible for people with normal connection speeds.

There's a stuck thread in the CPK forum called The Next Sale - Nathan updates the first post with current information so it is easy to find.
 
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sharp_edge said:
Thanks. I heard there is this weekly sales on CPK website going on. How does it work? Is it just like the buying frenzy of some most sought Spyderco sprint runs?
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It seems they have been selling a lot of Utility Fighters and Kepharts lately. I haven't seen many DEKs. I don't think the Utility fighter is a bad option, though. Very similar profile to the DEK with a few added inches of blade. Seems like an very capable knife.
 
sharp_edge said:
I'm looking to buy a small-medium sized fixed blade for general use for camping, hiking, and such. I believe these three knives fall into this category. I don't want to go any larger/longer/heavier (I do have an ESEE 6). I know their prices differ quite a bit and that's fine with me. I was pretty much set on ESEE 4HM but then got an email from DLT that they have some new Battle Horse Patriot Scout Knives incoming - I had zero knowledge of this brand but the knife looks good to me, and the profile similar to ESEE 4HM am I right? CPK DEK1 looks the best to me but I don't know how easy it is to get one. Anyway, I'd like to know what I can get from one that cannot from another. All opinions are welcome thanks.
Click to expand...

I love my Carothers DEK1. But if you want a knife for camping and stuff you might want to get the Carothers FK (Field Knife). Here's a photo of my DEK1, Sophia.

CPK Pix-7a.jpg
 
jstn said:
It seems they have been selling a lot of Utility Fighters and Kepharts lately. I haven't seen many DEKs. I don't think the Utility fighter is a bad option, though. Very similar profile to the DEK with a few added inches of blade. Seems like an very capable knife.
Click to expand...

Yep, the UF2 has a 6" blade and the DEK1 has a 4.5" blade. I think the FK has a 5" blade but I'm not sure.
 
1. CPK by a landslide but they can be tough to find. They sell out in seconds it seems. They can be found in the For Sale section there tho on occasion.
2. ESEE. I love my ESEE 4 (not the HM version tho). Great warranty and in stock most places, so no wait.
3. BHK.

PS. If you have a big hand like I do, TheKnifeConnection has an ESEE knife builder where you can get extended G10 handles. This wouldn't be the HM model tho. This is where I got mine. Something to look into maybe if you go the ESEE 4 route.
 
Thank you everyone. I might need to get the ESEE 4 first and just wait for the right moment and luck to get a DEK1.
 
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