ESEE Folders (Zancudo and Avispa) - Thoughts?

SharpieB

SharpieB

Joined
Oct 31, 2017
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i am a big fan of ESEE fixed blades but have never seen an ESEE folder and know nothing about them.

ESEE fixed blades are expensive and made in the US, but the ESEE folders are inexpensive and likely made overseas.

Any thoughts or experience with these knives?

Thanks!
 
I've had both and they are typical Chinese made junk. I'm a big fan of their USA made stuff though. I currently own a 3, Junglas, Candiru and even carry the Izula wallet (not US made I don't think).
 
crocogator106 said:
I've had both and they are typical Chinese made junk. I'm a big fan of their USA made stuff though. I currently own a 3, Junglas, Candiru and even carry the Izula wallet (not US made I don't think).
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Cool. Thx.

I love my ESEE 4 and 6 and just noticed these folders. They seemed too cheap to me high quality.
 
SharpieB said:
Cool. Thx.

I love my ESEE 4 and 6 and just noticed these folders. They seemed too cheap to me high quality.
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Yea I'm not sure why they got into the Chinese made knives crap. My guess is the try and satisfy fans wanting a folder from them until the rumored Izula folder comes out. ESEE has teamed up with Expat and released some decent blades manufactured in El Salvador (maybe Condor).
 
SharpieB said:
i am a big fan of ESEE fixed blades but have never seen an ESEE folder and know nothing about them.

ESEE fixed blades are expensive and made in the US, but the ESEE folders are inexpensive and likely made overseas.

Any thoughts or experience with these knives?

Thanks!
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Esee is coming out with a new folder too. The Esee Medellin.
ESEE_Medellin_Folder_nhut-c6.jpg
 
And crocogator106 is wrong on them being Chinese made junk. They are made in Taiwan, and not a bad knife for the money.

I use to own a ESEE Zancudo until I gave it a friend's son. I found the Zancudo comfortable in my hand (Size L/XL gloves), the AUS-8 held a good edge, and overall a decent knife for the money. My only complaint was that opening the knife 1-handed was difficult due to a very stiff detent. I was also not fond of the feel of the polymer scales compared to something like FRN - but that had no effect on use and was purely subjective.
 
I am entitled to my own opinion I think! The OP asked for opinions and I gave mine. You have a different opinion and thats great but I'm not wrong I just have a different opinion. Its so sad these days that if someone has a difference of opinion than the other person is "wrong". Technically they are made in Taiwan but since Taiwan is a province of China and governed by China I just consider is another part of China.
 
They are fine budget edc options. I believe they are made in the same facility that makes the Rat 1/2 and others for Ontario.
 
crocogator106 said:
I am entitled to my own opinion I think! The OP asked for opinions and I gave mine. You have a different opinion and thats great but I'm not wrong I just have a different opinion. Its so sad these days that if someone has a difference of opinion than the other person is "wrong". Technically they are made in Taiwan but since Taiwan is a province of China and governed by China I just consider is another part of China.
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Taiwan is only considered a province of China by China because they don’t recognize the Taiwanese government.

Taiwan is actually its own country with its own government. They do not recognize China’s claim to their country. China has no rule over taiwan. After the communist revoultion in China the nationalist government fled to taiwan where they remain in exile.

Taiwan is only a part of China in China’s mind, much like South Korea is a part of North Korea in N. Korea’s mind.
 
The Avispa is actually a pretty decent knife. Has a solid feel to it and a good blade geometry (makes a great cardboard slicer). My biggest complaint with the Avispa is the clip. When attached for tip up carry it interferes a little with the lockbar. Otherwise, not bad at all for the price, especially the D2 version.
 
I think the D2 version of the zancudo is a pretty decent knife for the money. I usually take it with me when I travel somewhere because I wouldn't care too much if it was lost or stolen, and the sub 3" blade makes it legal in many places.
 
I bought a Zancudo a few years back just to see what the ESEE folders were like. I actually didn't find it to be that bad of a knife. Decent ergos, nice blade shape, nice flat grind, and honestly the best edge retention of any AUS-8 that I personally have tried. Although, my experience with AUS-8 is limited as I prefer something that holds an edge longer. On the down side however, it did have a very stiff lock bar, and the plastic on the presentation left me a little underwhelmed. Overall, it does it's job, and for the $41.99CDN I paid for it at the time, I really can't complain. It now sits in a bag on my 4-wheeler next to a Mora Companion as a back up folder.
 
As JBC pointed out above the Ontario Rat folders 1 and 2 also from Taiwan and most likely from the same factory are both highly praised as one of the best folders in their price range by members on this forum.
I can’t see there being any difference regarding the Esee folders...it’s sometimes tough to except a knife costing less will preform just as well to more expensive knives.
 
Boggs said:
As JBC pointed out above the Ontario Rat folders 1 and 2 also from Taiwan and most likely from the same factory are both highly praised as one of the best folders in their price range by members on this forum.
I can’t see there being any difference regarding the Esee folders...it’s sometimes tough to except a knife costing less will preform just as well to more expensive knives.
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Very nicely put! I think I must have stepped on some toes with my blunt opinion. My wife says I'm "Brutally" honest....sometimes that's a bad thing I guess-lol. I guess its all in what you want, expect or need your knife to do. Both of the knives in question fell far from my expectations and needs.
 
Taiwan doesn’t scare me at all. My favourite and best built knife out of the 50+ I own is a Gayle Bradley 2 in M4 and my Taiwanese Cold Steels are also great knives. They can be better than US knives.

Good point on the Rat folders. Around the same price as the ESEEs and tried and true. I have a Rat 1 in a retailer’s cart and I just haven’t pulled the trigger. Time to pick one up.:thumbsup:
 
Avispa is the worst idea for pocket clip placement in knife design history. Otherwise it is a lovely knife.
 
crocogator106 said:
Very nicely put! I think I must have stepped on some toes with my blunt opinion. My wife says I'm "Brutally" honest....sometimes that's a bad thing I guess-lol. I guess its all in what you want, expect or need your knife to do. Both of the knives in question fell far from my expectations and needs.
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Not at all. If you don’t like a knife because you owned one and didn’t like the quality, ergonomics or performance, your opinion is valid IMO. Not like you are posting in a manufacturer’s paid forum just to say their knives suck.;)
 
SharpieB said:
Taiwan doesn’t scare me at all. My favourite and best built knife out of the 50+ I own is a Gayle Bradley 2 in M4 and my Taiwanese Cold Steels are also great knives. They can be better than US knives.

Good point on the Rat folders. Around the same price as the ESEEs and tried and true. I have a Rat 1 in a retailer’s cart and I just haven’t pulled the trigger. Time to pick one up.:thumbsup:
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I agree, not everything made in Taiwan (or China for that matter) is junk.
 
As others have said, the esee folders are made in Taiwan, in the same location/factory as the Ontario Rat 1/2.

For what its worth, the Ontario Rat 1/2 folders are often considered a great value. So most things you read about those in terms of construction quality/steel/etc, should roughly apply to the esee folders.

I've never handled an esee folder. But I bought two Rat 2's for people for christmas, and their quality was good, no complaints. I'd expect similar from the esee folders.
 
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