Esee 5

shortwinger said:
I think one of the things that confuses people about knives, is the descritpion. Its like the label on food, we just brush by it.

ESEE-5 - The New Standard For Aircraft Survival, Escape and Evasion
(Designed By Air Force SERE Instructors) SERE = Survival Evasion Resistance Escape

The knife was designed so that a pilot that just crashed can literally cut his way out of his gear, chop his way out of his cockpit, fashion tools and shelter for survival, kill an emeny, kill food, crack skulls and whatever else is required in that hostile environment, Oh yeah, one last thing, there can't be any ut-oh moments so it "must" be overbuilt. You can't say time-out and go to the PX and get another one. It has to last no matter what. In that situation no one cares if the carrots are sliced like Emeril, its about living or dying.

But then the interesting thing happens, people see the knife and want it because its tough! Then when they get it they say its too heavy or it doesn't do food prep well. Then the knife kind-of gets bad reviews and is ultimately compared with knives that fit the category you originally needed, in this case a camp knife. No surprise, the camp knife is lighter, easier to carry, it slices and dices like a chefs knife [comparitively speaking] and it makes the ESEE-5 or BK-2 look bad.

In the end we want to have fun with our knives and just about everyone that signs up for a knife forum understands that sometimes we just want something cool, even if it isn't practical. Thats what the ESEE-5 is to most, its just cool to own one. Its so cool that if you read the posts prior to mine and wish to "hear" they say; the knife is too heavy to carry, too thick, too big for me to use like a regular knife, the handle is not comfortable and I NEVER REALLY USE IT. But, its one of my favorite knives and I love it....

Interestingly on the ESEE site, the ESEE-4 is simply described as a bigger ESEE-3 (people bought that tactical knife and wanted a bigger blade for wilderness use)
"This is the longer, thicker "wilderness" model of the popular ESEE-3 tactical knife. With its 3/16" thickness, full flat grind, rounded pommel, Micarta handles and light weight, it can serve as a primary backpacking and wilderness survival knife, or fitted to your modular system for duty carry in a tactical environment."

The ESEE-6 has no description at all under its name or anywhere on it's page but it does have some pics of jungle use at the bottom of the page. I take it we should infer that it is a woods/jungle blade. http://www.eseeknives.com/rc-6.htm

Good luck on your search. Like many of the other suggestions I would get an ESEE-6, BK-7, Recon Scout, Trailmaster, Buck 119, Falkniven A1, F1, S1, Junglas or similar model.
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Great post!!! :thumbup:

And hell yeah the ESEE-5 is my favorite knife, and I carry it no matter how "heavy" it is to other folks (it isn't to me).
 
Personally and just for me the 6 batons better than the 5. Its certainly stout enough to pry ammo crates apart as I have done that with mine. You really won't be disappointed in either one of them.

have fun
cricket
 
I had the same problem choosing between a -5 and -6. In the end I went with the -6 for the weight. I like it so much I just ordered a -3 and a -4 to go with it!

ESEE2.png
ESEEFire3.png
 
I love my 5, and I carry it in the woods regularly, but I always pair it with a smaller blade for the finer work. I like to go with a Bark River Mini Northstar or Woodland Special, they both pair well with the 5, and they weigh next to nothing.

The 5 is an absolute beast of a knife, it'll chop, baton, pound and pry through anything you're likely to encounter, ever. It's the knife I'd grab on my way out the door in an emergency, and it rides in my car every day. It's the knife I know I can count on through anything, and it's the knife I've used harder than all my other knives combined.
 
NJWHN95 said:
Okay now I'm back to thinking I want the ESEE 5 because it might not be an ideal chopper and slicer, but it would do those jobs if need be. I'm all about durability. I like a knife to do it's job well, but I'll make do with just about anything if I have to. So if it's a little shorter than the 6 so be it. I like the thickness, and the weight isn't a big deal to me.
So if you didn't have an ax you could use the ESEE 5 to chop small logs (and baton them). The 5 have more uses than the 6, but it dosen't do certain jobs as well (like it can't chop and slice as well, but it could be used to pry something open if it had to). Is this sounding about right or am I still mistaken?
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I had exactly the same line of reasoning befor I pulled the trigger on the 5! So, I don't think you are mistaken :D
 
If anything, I feel like the 6 would work for more different tasks, and do a bit better at them, Theres only a few tasks that I see the 5 beating the 6 at, and I don't often find myself needing to do those things.
That said, heft and clunkiness aside, its not like you can't do what you need with the 5, and it does look good. I'm sure either would serve you well.
 
Where would be the best place to order the ESEE 5 from? Obviously I would like it at the best price I can get, but I'm not sure which places will get me a good deal, and which places will just take my money and I will never hear from them again. Also I'm a bit confused on the sheath, is there more than one option or is it sold separate? And thank you all for the great feedback!
 
knives ship free, new grahm, the knife connection are all excellent folks to deal with. the sheath is kydex and comes with a belt clip. I highly recommend the molle back and pouch for it. makes a huge difference in how it carrys on a belt.

take it easy
cricket
 
I eventually bought both because of the sheer torture of having one and not the other. Bought the six, then the five, and it turns out that I love them both for their own inherent strengths. Now the Kicker: I love the Esee 4s the best, and now have two of those-with the custom handles from Dale at the Knife Connection( better than great service from Dale's store). They are easily my favorite fixed blade knives. I know Im pathetic......Please plan on getting both the 5 and 6 sometime: you wont regret it.
 
Remember, you can always sell a GOOD knife if you don't like it. You make take a little hit, but it's not like a total loss.

As others have said, it's about personel preference. Have to try 'em.

But make no mistake the ESEE 5 is a beast. Like the BK 2. Not much they can't do, but others will do specific things better.

Depends on if you want "1 knife" for everything or you pair it up.

Good luck and stay safe out there.
 
I just got my 5 today! Yep it's a beast.
But I love it. How bout you?
Oh and I ordered form the knife connection also.
Fast shipping! Thanks Dale!
 
So I defintly was the Esee 5, or at least something like it. I heard about a knife (it was a Scrap Yard Knife Co. Mil-Regulator) and they said it was even thicker! Like .33 or something. I looked for it online and none to be found. Anyone know of a knife thats even tougher than the Esee 5 without going completly custom?
 
NJWHN95 said:
Where would be the best place to order the ESEE 5 from? Obviously I would like it at the best price I can get, but I'm not sure which places will get me a good deal, and which places will just take my money and I will never hear from them again. Also I'm a bit confused on the sheath, is there more than one option or is it sold separate? And thank you all for the great feedback!
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The best place (with the best price) will be direct from ESEE using your military (.mil) or police email address. All items and variants are in stock, and they'll even engrave your badge number on the scales for $2. I'm not LEO, so I had them engrave my ham radio call sign.
 
NJWHN95 said:
So I defintly was the Esee 5, or at least something like it. I heard about a knife (it was a Scrap Yard Knife Co. Mil-Regulator) and they said it was even thicker! Like .33 or something. I looked for it online and none to be found. Anyone know of a knife thats even tougher than the Esee 5 without going completly custom?
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If thicker is tougher in your book, you want a knife from Jeremy Horton. Some of his approach .5"
 
NJWHN95 said:
So I defintly was the Esee 5, or at least something like it. I heard about a knife (it was a Scrap Yard Knife Co. Mil-Regulator) and they said it was even thicker! Like .33 or something. I looked for it online and none to be found. Anyone know of a knife thats even tougher than the Esee 5 without going completly custom?
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IMO, if you need tougher than a ESEE 5, it's probably time to reconsider what tools you are bringing.
 
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jimnolimit said:
IMO, if you need tougher than a ESEE 5, it's probably time to reconsider what tools you are bringing.
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It's not that I really need something that tough, let's just be honest I could probably do with mora. I don't really NEED a knife at all, I guess I could find someway to survive. I just like to know the knife can take ANYTHING I can throw at it, even if the odds I will have to do that are slim to none.
 
NJWHN95 said:
It's not that I really need something that tough, let's just be honest I could probably do with mora. I don't really NEED a knife at all, I guess I could find someway to survive. I just like to know the knife can take ANYTHING I can throw at it, even if the odds I will have to do that are slim to none.
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every knife can be broken, some are just harder to break than others. the ESEE 5 is a tank and it can handle alot. do some searching, try to find someone who broke a ESEE 5.
 
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