ESEE-4 Video Review (w/comparisons to Fallkniven F1)

C

CraigR

Joined
Dec 23, 2003
Messages
42
I wanted to try out a flat grind blade in the 4" length and the ESEE-4 came highly recommended, so I picked one up. In this video I take the knife out snow-shoeing and compare it against the Fallkniven F1 in a variety of tasks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk-4MpN2Co8

Overall, the knife is very high quality. Fit and finish is excellent and the sheath is also very versatile and well made. The carbon steel blade did show some rust after use (as expected), but the edge retention is excellent and the coating is very tough. The knife appears to be very tough as well.
 
Would it make a decent camping knife where i cant sharpen it for a week? i used a sogzilla(dont laugh) last year and noticed it went a little dull just from sharpening sticks and stuff for a week. thanks
 
I'm not sure how it would do after a week of use without sharpening. I tend to sharpen my knives when they start to get a little dull. If I wait too long then it's a major chore getting them back up to service.

I will often carry a little sharpening stone like the Fallkniven DC3 in my kit. It's a ceramic/diamond honing stone and can put an edge back on a knife quickly.
 
Hmm, okay. i realy like it. maby ill get a cheapish sharpening rod and see if it works. just need the spare money for the knife now :)
 
Nice review and comparison craigr. My preference between the 2 is, without question, the F1. Mine has served me well for nearly 2 years now. I absolutely hate the choil on the ESEE 4 and will never understand why ESEE, or any manufacturer for that matter, would use them on a 4" blade. For my uses, choils on blades this size are more of hindrance than useful or beneficial in any way.
 
I have both knives also. I thought that the rubber (i know its not exactly rubber) grip on the F1 was a cheap thing. The more I used both, the more I love my F1 more and more. I have zero to complain about the quality of my ESEE 4, nor its toughness. Its a great blade. I dont care for the choil. Its a bit of a pain at cooking with 1095 steel. It rusts a bit easy here in Florida for me.
Now my F1, well... its gone fishing, camping, the kitchen and well just no issue. I have a VG10 and a 3G. The 3G is definitely more of a pain in the #$% to sharpen back up. For toughness and ease of cafe I would choose VG10 IMHO.
 
Good review Craig. I also checked out your Hilleberg review. Thats a nice tent, but abit out of my price range.
 
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