ESEE blades can be bushcrafty!

[kgd]

Do you think full length micarta scales would solve the problem with the Izula?

Yes, I think that would improve the grip and comfort greatly.

great pics, thanks for sharing
excuse me, how are those two wrapped sticks used in the bow drill fire making ?

I think that is his base board/platform

In that pic I was trying the two stick method where you drill into the depression between the two bound sticks instead of carving a notch. The method is more challenging but has the advantage of not having your coal ash fall to the ground which is useful under wet and snowy conditions.

 

[Mistwalker]

ARRRRRRRGH It's a conspiracy!! The knife gods have seen fit to torment me for my decision and they are using you and Texas Tony to do so! I chose the HEST over the ESEE-3 because of the thicker steel and I wanted a stouter knife...then I chose the Izula over the ESEE-3 because of the thicker steel and I wanted a stouter knife...then I chose the RC-4s over the 3 mil because of the thicker steel and blah blah blah. Then I decided in my infinite (yeah right) wisdom that I wanted to wear one of them as a necker. Fine, I tried the Izula...it's great! nice and light, no discomfort, hell I forget it's there right? But then i realize...if I'm down to one knife I'd really like to have a little larger blade and a bit larger handle. So all is good I have the HEST. So I rig it up and wear it for the day. It's a little bit heavier than what I really want but that's really no big deal, I'm not a little fella so I'll adapt for the better capability. The I walk around town for a while and notice in my reflection in the store front windows that with the longer handle it "prints" in my shirt a little more than I want but that's ok...I know what I'm looking for etc., I'll adapt and overcome blah blah blah. Then I get home...sitting on the couch lost in thought...while I'm not looking I get the @$$ of a forty pound four yr old to the chest which tries to drive the point of the pry bar through my upper abdomen just under under my rib cage causing some fairly intense pain. At this point I'm thinking this just may be a big deal. So...will somebody who owns both please just put me out of my misery and tell me that the ESEE 3 mil (if I'm gonna do it I want serrations) is much heavier that the HEST so I can just save myself some self torture (and money) and just remove part of the pry bar of the HEST that wounded me...getting some revenge at the same time


Seriously Ken awesome pictures! I wish you weren't taking part in the knife gods plan to rub this in my face but awesome and inspiring pictures none the less!

 

[Dizwolf]

So...will somebody who owns both please just put me out of my misery and tell me that the ESEE 3 mil (if I'm gonna do it I want serrations) is much heavier that the HEST so I can just save myself some self torture (and money) and just remove part of the pry bar of the HEST that wounded me...getting some revenge at the same time

I'd call it about the same..but if poking issues concern you, forget the mil and get a mod pommel rc3. it's gonna print like a mofo though. But, if you're looking for a great EDC.... the 3 in pocket or IWB is awesome.

 

[Mistwalker]

I'd call it about the same..but if poking issues concern you, forget the mil and get a mod pommel rc3. it's gonna print like a mofo though. But, if you're looking for a great EDC.... the 3 in pocket or IWB is awesome.

Well...if the weight is the same then the shorter handle will help and I'll have a custom sheath made fir it, and I can always relocate if the print through a button up shirt becomes an issue... so...the torture continues. Thanks for the info man.

 

[velo0826]

Speaking of the ESEE's as a bushcraft blade has anyone ever tried to put an ESEE-4 into one of the bushcraft sheaths from KSF?

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Bushcraft-Sheaths

 

[jnanson]

Keep the hest and remove the "pry bar". I don't see how it is much of a plus to have it and it is easy to remove it. I mean really it isn't a pry bar it's more of a gimick I think.

 

[perchjerk]

Keep the hest and remove the "pry bar". I don't see how it is much of a plus to have it and it is easy to remove it. I mean really it isn't a pry bar it's more of a gimick I think.

I dont believe it is a gimick at all. RYP has posted on here on several occasions to explain the hest and has said that each aspect of the knife was precisely planned.

 

[Mistwalker]

Keep the hest and remove the "pry bar". I don't see how it is much of a plus to have it and it is easy to remove it. I mean really it isn't a pry bar it's more of a gimick I think.

I dont believe it is a gimick at all. RYP has posted on here on several occasions to explain the hest and has said that each aspect of the knife was precisely planned.

Oh, I know it's not a gimmick, it is a usable feature...I know because I've used it more than once personally. In mulling over this last night and looking over the site comparing the two knives before I went to sleep, I realized I was on the right track to start with and I am sticking with the HEST. Not sure what my next move is... I may give the pry bar a slight reduction and round-over the tip to limit how much it could penetrate in a worse case, or I may just make a kydex "back" for the sheath that offers protection. Either way...it's still the one I want over the 3...was just aggravated from being poked, and I've been under a lot of pressure lately. Once I relaxed and thought about it a bit it's all good...I just chalked it up as a learning experience

.

 

[imaginefj]

My 6 will now be my primary BC blade. Actually it will be my go to blade period besides whatever folder I'm carrying at the time. I've got a couple very nice blades for hunting. Some cheap commercial knives I use to process game. But for everything else...the 6 is going to do it. Heck, I've sold off most everything I used to have. Life it too short to collect.

 

[Stormstaff]

pssst, mistwalker...../whispers "You NEED an ESEE-3. You won't be happy until you have them all."

 

[Mistwalker]

pssst, mistwalker...../whispers "You NEED an ESEE-3. You won't be happy until you have them all."

I know, I know....I really like the looks of the 3mil. But I think I'm still going to get a 5 or 6 first though

 

[kgd]

Mistwalker, you will do fine with your RC-4. I think the RC-3 is a better slicer because of its thinness but that is only one attribute to it and as you know there are many attributes that you consider in a blade. The weight difference between the RC-3 and 4 isn't that large and the handle is identical, albeit the RC-4 is a touch wider. I still do bring my RC-4 as a dedicated solo knife often and like I said in my post, I think it will pair beautifully with my ESEE machete coming in the mail.

A few mods on my RC-4 was the removal of coating and convexing. The convex edge really improves its slicing capabilities and kitchen usage (at least that is how it feels to me). Still not quite as good as the RC-3 in slicing tomatoes, but also not that far behind either!

 

[carspidey]

Nice pics...
I am really thinking of complementing my RC6 with an RC3...

 

[shelbysguns]

A few mods on my RC-4 was the removal of coating and convexing. The convex edge really improves its slicing capabilities and kitchen usage (at least that is how it feels to me). Still not quite as good as the RC-3 in slicing tomatoes, but also not that far behind either!

Details on that convex/strip job? I'm considering doing it to my 4. :thumbup: