ESEE blades can be bushcrafty!

kgd

kgd

Joined
Feb 28, 2007
Messages
9,786
Although I have been rotating through my knives quite a bit this winter, my ESEE knives have gotten plenty of play in the outdoors. I've been doing a lot of bow drill practice and carving where handle ergonomics and decent steel play a critical role. The RC-3 and RC-6 combo have proven to be a favorite and lived up to all expectations in an exemplary fashion.

Often times I carry my RC-6 in my pack (Max. Falcon II) and RC-3 on belt, but when base camping or dayhiking I sometimes revert to a baldric carry bottleholder kit.

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I really enjoy the RC-3 ergos for carving out a bow drill kit. Its fine cutting edge is just great for detailed work needed to shape the spindle and make the notch. It batons the hearth like a champ!

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I can't say the same about a coglans folding saw. Back to the SAK!

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More coming...
 
For a winter sweater, my RC-6 sported a fat ranger band on top of its micarta handle. The band holds tight to the handle and just keeps that cold tang from contact with my bare hands. Now that it is warm again, I've removed the ranger band, but I did think it was a nice winter touch. Plus that ranger band has a million other uses while out there - from securing things to firestarter. I was using the knife for batoning and prying. The ranger band held very tight and there was never an issue of slippage.

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I did spend a day using my izula to make a bow drill kit. I can say that I was able to do the job, but not without a lot of regrets. This little necker is great for what its meant to do and awesome at EDC chores, but sustained carving wood is not its forte. Despite the wrap, I managed a couple of blisters on this day. Still, I got a coal in the end :D

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That might sound a bit negative but it wasn't meant to be overly so. If I have a choice of a knife, it will be my RC-3 or RC-4, but there are circumstances for carry options where the Izula is just about the only thing that can be brought along.

The RC-6 has a more or less permanent place in my pack now. I just love it for the nasty jobs, from prying fatwood to tinder fungus or splitting up wood via batoning for the camp fire and kitchen duty. It is a perfect camp knife.

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The RC-4 didn't get quite as much play out this year. I think its because I'm just so smitten with the functionality of the complimentary RC-3/RC-6 pair. With those two blades and my SAK Rucksak, I feel like I can pretty much tackle any job in my parts of the woods.

Now with that lite machete coming in, I'm thinking the RC-4/machete pair will be another dynamic duo!
 
Nice bro. What did you put around your RC6's handle? Does it make it allot more grippy?
 
rc3mil said:
Nice bro. What did you put around your RC6's handle? Does it make it allot more grippy?
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Old inner tube from my bicycle. It is very grippy, but its main role was to provide some insulation and keep the metal tang off my skin in winter.
 
My 3 and 4 are really my primary bushcraft knives. Much of the winter I have been playing with my Mora's but for anything heavy duty I have been using my Rats.

My RC3 just feels soo good in my hand for bushcraft work. Great blade length and I like the thinner steel.
 
Great thread and pics!

I've been using one of the Gerber folding saws for years. It's been great. Might try one of those as an alternative.
 
Great pics. RC3 is really good in the woods. Thinking about getting a 6, if I find a pot of gold
 
I agree, the four is a great blade that gets sat out due to other pairings. I'm also thinking it may fit great into a four/lite or four/junglas pairing
 
I like your set-up, nice work on the bushcraft too. The Coghlans gear has failed on me a few times as well, won't buy it anymore. The Trailblazer grizzsaws work really well-so does the Gerber:thumbup:
 
My ESEE 3 MIL makes for a GREAT bushcraft knife! I liked the Ranger band on the handle for some added grip in cold weather. Thanks for the pics!
 
Do you think full length micarta scales would solve the problem with the Izula?
 
Shotgun said:
Do you think full length micarta scales would solve the problem with the Izula?
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The problem I've had with prolonged Izula use isnt the short handle so much as the combo of the relatively thick blade and short blade length. It's a great knife, but an RC3 is much better suited to prolonged carving.
 
I have the same saw, they're a joke, one would be better off using a stick and some 550 chord to make a handle for a dull sawzall blade... I don't know why anyone says RC knives aren't good bushcrafters... because they aren't rustically finished? BS.
 
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