ESEE v. BECKER

foxx said:
Bark River Bravo 1, Bravo 2, STS-5, STS-8.
The Bravo 1 is like a choiless ESEE4, but 1/4" thick, and convexed. Fatter and longer handle than the ESEE4.
The STS series is worth looking at, 154cm, removable scales, semi-kydex sheaths.
TOPS has lots of tacticool designs, some thicker than others.
Winkler Knives II are very serious, look at the Hawks while you are there, impressive.
Have fun looking around.
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That STS line from Bark River is NICE! Unfortunately, the price reflects this fact, along with the entire Bark River offerings. Definitely worth looking at, but priced a little out of my reach.

WOW! Those Winkler knives are beautiful (in a VERY rugged sort of way!) $350-500 is (unfortunately) unmanageable at this time. :(

Thanks for the list of exceptional knives to look at.
 
Well, I found a knife that I just couldn't pass up. For only $20, I went ahead and ordered a Cold Steel GI Tanto.

csstoreonline_2149_8638918


It comes with a sheath that I should easily be able to rig up to a MOLLE panel:

csstoreonline_2147_4044915


G.I. Tanto
Specifications:
Overall: 12"
Thick: 4mm
Weight: 10.6 oz.
Steel: 1055 Carbon
Blade: 7"
Sheath: Secure-Ex®

For $20 I don't even care if I play with it and decide to continue with my purchase of the ESEE or Becker (or maybe one of those Scrapyard knives!) You can't have enough knives stashed around the house and vehicle!

I don't consider my purchase choice over, I just think I was slowed down a bit (at least until I get the knife in and play with it). This is the first time I have ever ordered a knife without ever having handled it. I expect to be sorely disappointed with its handling qualities.

Speaking of handling a knife, I have in fact handled a Becker. I was not thrilled with the sheath, nor the grivory scales. However, I was indeed impressed with the knife, albeit it was no beauty queen apart from its utility. It was a workhorse, and was to be admired as such. For these reasons, I would get the micarta scales for the Becker, and would need to look into a decent friction-lock sheath.

Let me say one more time -- I do NOT expect this GI Tanto to meet my needs. However, if it CAN meet my needs, then so much the better. If the grip scales feel like the grivory, I will either have to learn to live with it or find some way to get new scales made for this knife (it has removable scales at least!)
 
I think Entrek knives are worth chekcing out, the merc or ranger would be excellent for what you want a thick knife with a back edge, in afghanistan i carried a microtehc crosshair but its a bit out of your range, i decided my life was worth it just saying...


btw you cna find an entrek for about half the price at any major online retailer the prices on the website are way of the mark for the street price.

http://www.ennis-entrekusa.com/


http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=


If your set on the ESEE or Becker id def go with the partial back edge of the ESEE and coupled with the Much better sheath i think its kind of a no brainer
 
Just to let you know, most of the knives shown on the Scrapyard site are no longer in production, and only sometimes are offered at knife shows and such. The prices on the secondary market are higher.

I would still recommend them, and Swamp Rat (especially the RatManDu). To get the best prices, you just need to get them while they're in production, so it's worth checking their forums every so often for new knife announcements.
 
I have them both and like them both. you cant go wrong either way. I like my becker a little better, it just fits my hand better. So i'm selling my ESEE-6 if you are interested it is over in the for sale section. it has the molle back and accessory pouch for $150 if you are interested. go check it out and let me know :)
 
cramsey3006 said:
Do you think that you really need a 7" blade? Just curious. I'm a huge Kabar fan so the Becker would get the nod from me. Lots of makers can do custom kydex for it. I love everything about the ESEE except how they feel in hand. For some reason, they just don't feel "right" to me.

Personally, I think that I'd go short and stout in my choice.... The Becker BK2. 5" of blade is enough length if forced to use it as a weapon and being 1/4" thick saber grind, you'd have tons of lateral strength for prying, etc. If you shop around, I think you can get the BK2, micarta scales, and a custom kydex sheath for around the same price as the ESEE, or close to it.
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This is what I was thinking. The ESEE 5 is Waaaaay over-built and plenty strong. I've never served warrants, but I know plenty of folks who have and a 7" blade seems like a little too much to me, but meh, what do I know.


Sounds like you got a good deal in that Cold Steel though - hope it serves you well.
 
I had almost the entire ESEE line but sold them all. I will never sell my BK2 or BK9. Becker knives are awesome and are a great value.

The Swamprat Ratmandu is available now for $140. I would greatly recommend this knife over any ESEE. Steel is stronger and holds a better edge. Scrapyard Regulator can also be found for around the same price.
 
Quarter Tank said:
bring this to the Becker forum and we'll show you why Becker will beat them all
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Not trying to pick an argument but why can't you show him here? Do you have some sort of comparison test thread there? I'll have to visit later. :)

I don't know why an ESEE RC-3MIL or an RC-4 wouldn't be an excellent choice and the RC-4 has a nice kydex sheath too.
 
cziv said:
I don't know why an ESEE RC-3MIL or an RC-4 wouldn't be an excellent choice and the RC-4 has a nice kydex sheath too.
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See, I actually think an ESEE-3MIL would be a great choice. I love mine. :thumbup:
 
esee 5 or the bk2 would be a great choice either way. both knives would make a good entry tool. i have the esee 5 and it is my favorite knife! my buddy has a bk2 and it is his favorite knife. i find myself wanting to quit my job and become a woods bum just so i can hang out with my esee 5 more often!
 
>>> Not trying to pick an argument but why can't you show him here? Do you have some sort of comparison test thread there? I'll have to visit later.

Home court advantage.
 
I'd recommend the 4 as well. Go direct to Esee as they will hook you up since you're the fuzz.
 
Originally Posted by Quarter Tank View Post
bring this to the Becker forum and we'll show you why Becker will beat them all
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Becker will have to include a better sheath and finish their blades in something more durable before that will happen.
 
A few of you have been suggesting a smaller knife. I understand. However, I handled the ESEE 4, and found it to be too short in the hand. It did not fill my big paws, so it was uncomfortable to manipulate. In addition, I want a large handle as it increases the speed of deployment (especially when the sheath covers up part of the handle.) The ESEE 5 handle was perfect, but the ESEE 6 is cheaper than the 5, and not quite as heavy (being thinner.)

I looked at the BK2, and like it. A 5.25" blade seems perfect. Can the micarta grips for the BK-7 fit the BK2? They look to have the same handle specs.
 
jwise said:
I looked at the BK2, and like it. A 5.25" blade seems perfect. Can the micarta grips for the BK-7 fit the BK2? They look to have the same handle specs.
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The micarta grips will fit all of their knives, except for the neck knives of course.
 
if you already convinced yourself to get the esee why did you start this thread?? :D

I have both esee/becker knives, I chose the 7 over the 6 simply because It was longer and got it cheaper, I like the grivory and didn't expect to change it, the sheath is functional so I didn't care, besides I don't expect to take it to the prom..
 
TheLastDaze said:
if you already convinced yourself to get the esee why did you start this thread?? :D
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I had not already convinced myself. In fact, I still don't have my mind made up. I don't want to make a decision based on the sheath that comes with it, if I can find a quality sheath easily/inexpensively. I would want a kydex friction-lock sheath that can easily be mounted to a MOLLE carrier.

Do you know where I can find one or have one made? How much?
 
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