Recommendation? ESEE knife for field/camp purpose

ESEE6(RAT7), ESEE CM6, ESEE 5

  • Total voters
    32
R

ronie1988

Joined
May 25, 2014
Messages
168
Hi folks, I would like to buy 1 out of 3 ESEE knives, I have narrowed down to ESEE6 (or Ontario RAT 7), ESEE CM6 and ESEE 5. Would like your help about these knives and their performance out in field.
 
I'm not familiar with the CM6; but I think most people will find the ESEE 6 more useful than the ESEE 5.
 
esee's are a tad on the thick side for crafting IMO. I sold all my big esee's and just use my Mora's primarily or a my bark rivers. Save your money and get a Mora just my 2 cents.
 
Depending on your length requirements you might want to consider the ESEE-3 or one of the Bushlore knives.
 
I would avoid the ESEE 5 because like the BK-2; it's a sharpened pry bar. Choose which ever other one you like. I only own a ESEE 4. Smaller tends to be better for general using, but some people like a big knife for chopping because they use a knife that way and are willing to sacrifice some dexterity (if you want to call it that) for ultimate flexibility in use (in the one woods knife option).
 
I have owned and used both the ESEE 6 and RAT 7, and the ESEE 5. The ESEE 5 is way overkill for most tasks in the outdoors. I have no experience with the CM6, but the ESEE 6 is a solid performer. It is slightly shorter than the RAT 7, and the blade is just under 3/16" thick with a full flat grind, so pretty light and controllable due to the finger choil. The big difference is the price, you can save a lot by opting for the RAT 7, but many people prefer the ESEE warranty if they have a problem with the knife. You also get a better sheath with the ESEE. you may also want to look at the ESEE 6 HM.
 
Ditch esee and get a bk 16 or bk 7 or bk 9.... I find esee knives v uncomfortable in the hand beckers where created by a chef who knew what he was doing......

Plez don't kill me but I also think esee are over priced

and you get a better steel with beckers
 
Last edited:
ronie1988 said:
Hi folks, I would like to buy 1 out of 3 ESEE knives, I have narrowed down to ESEE6 (or Ontario RAT 7), ESEE CM6 and ESEE 5. Would like your help about these knives and their performance out in field.
Click to expand...
It would help a lot if you told us what you actually plan on doing with this knife.

In your poll I would not put the esee 6 and rat 7 in the same response as they are not on the same level. The esee has better fit/finish, better heat treat, better warranty, and most importantly a better sheath.

As for people recommending Becker, they are fine knives indeed but the handles are a bit of personal preference. I found the non-tweener handles unacceptable. Also the sheaths are inferior in my experience. To upgrade the handle and sheath on a Becker often makes them more expensive than an esee counter part.

Op, watch the exchange. You can often find good deals on esees and beckers.

Last, as others have said, ditch the 5 unless you are planning on cutting your way out of a downed aircraft.
 
craytab said:
It would help a lot if you told us what you actually plan on doing with this knife.

As for people recommending Becker, they are fine knives indeed but the handles are a bit of personal preference. I found the non-tweener handles unacceptable. Also the sheaths are inferior in my experience. To upgrade the handle and sheath on a Becker often makes them more expensive than an esee counter part.
Click to expand...
It certainly would help what you intend to do with the knife or in other words "what you typically might do with a camp knife".

I found the comment on the Becker handles interesting. I like the Beckers. But other than for chopping or batoning type uses, I find the factory handles on the non-tweeners (BK-2, BK-7, BK-9 etc.) large for my hands. But if you have large hands, I think they are very well designed and immensely practical for a woods knife. No hot spots for me. Slippery when wet... no big thing for me. The ESEE handles are certainly more traditional and of course are micarta which a lot of people prefer. The Becker factory sheaths work, but many do not like nylon type material. Warranty.... about the same in practice.
 
The Beckers are great knives as some mentioned ... and some points made about the handles ... many of the Becker models are too large handle wise for many but the "tweeners" are great ... and many of the Beckers are going to be thicker blade stock like the Esee 5.

Out of what you listed I without question would as I said above go with the Esee 6 but the Esee 6HM version with much improved handles.

But their are alot of other options ... depending on what your price range is and exactly what you plan on using the knife for ... ?
 
I have used my ESEE 4 extensively in the woods, including on multi-week backpacking excursions as my only blade. It worked admirably, and I find the handle very comfortable in extended use. That would be my choice.
 
As I mentioned in another thread, just got my TKC extended g10 scales for my RAT 3, learned that there are compact or extended scales for the ESEE 4 as well. Wonder if these scales for the 3 or ESEE 4 would give you a little more food for thought for your choice of tool.
 
jstn said:
I have used my ESEE 4 extensively in the woods, including on multi-week backpacking excursions as my only blade. It worked admirably, and I find the handle very comfortable in extended use. That would be my choice.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking too. My favorite and most carried for camping.

If you don't want a over built pry bar stay away from the 5.
 
I've owned / tested the ESEE 3, 4, 5, and 6.

I'd take the 3 or 4 over the 5 or 6. The 5 is just a pig of a knife.
 
Out of the choices you gave, the ESEE 6 is a great knife and good performer for your camp duties
 
I'll agree with the above two, the Esee 3 is a fine fixed blade. I could get by with the 3 and a junglas and nothing else ever. That wouldn't be fun though :D. That said the 6 is a great all around knife that I would not be without in my collection.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top