ESSE 6 necessary if I already have the 4?

L

Longbowsafari

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Mar 13, 2021
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The ESSE -4 has been my “go to” knife for hunting and camping since way back. In fact, I have the RC-4. I also have the Izula. I tend to carry a folding saw or BK-9, depending on how deep in I go. For some reason, I want the ESSE-6. I am looking for some practical reasons how I might want both the 4 and the 6 or that the 6 should replace the 4, that works in my own head better than “I want it because I want it!” I already have way too many knives….You get the idea but thank you so much for your help! 😁
 
I have Esee4s and other blades - some the same length and some longer.

A military survival instructor involved in design of the Esee5 made the comment that it was felt that a longer blade was needed. I am not military. Over the last 50 years of collecting knives I determined, for myself only, that a survival or military blade should be between 5 and 6 inches long. There are many choices in that range of blade length. It doesn't mean that for YOU that an overall blade length of 6.5 inches is wrong. Esee is a fine brand and I appreciate that you can buy the knife separate from the sheath. That factor of being able to select a sheath that is appropriate for you usage may be the deciding factor to go with the Esee6. I agree that for an all around hunting and survival knife you want a longer blade than on the Esee4.
 
I have owned both. The 6, with it’s wider blade, is a better cutter than the narrow (compared to the 6) wedgelike 4. I also liked the handle on the 6 better.

On the other hand, the 6 is big to carry around, and the increased length didn’t give me anything. It wasn’t a good chopper and the wider, narrower blade made it get stuck when batonning wood that was to wide for the 4. So it landed somewhere in the middle.

My favorite Esee is actually the 3 and a saw or axe.

I knew all of this when I only had the 3 and 4, but still got the 6 just because I wanted it. That is the only reason you need!
 
Longbowsafari said:
The ESSE -4 has been my “go to” knife for hunting and camping since way back. In fact, I have the RC-4. I also have the Izula. I tend to carry a folding saw or BK-9, depending on how deep in I go. For some reason, I want the ESSE-6. I am looking for some practical reasons how I might want both the 4 and the 6 or that the 6 should replace the 4, that works in my own head better than “I want it because I want it!” I already have way too many knives….You get the idea but thank you so much for your help! 😁
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As David Mary suggested, no reason is necessary if you want it and have the means to acquire it.

Given that, if you're feeding a twig stove, the ESEE 6 is a fine tool for processing fuel that is suitable for splitting into quarters for that purpose. It's long enough to split anything you'd want to use, whereas the ESEE 4 might be a little short for that. Your BK-9 will do the same, but it's a bigger package to carry and handle.
 
knarfeng said:
It is never necessary to have a practical reason for buying a knife. If it were, we'd all have far fewer knives then we do.
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Quoted for truth...................... Longbow I can't help you. I try to be "practical" but I still like my sugar fix now and then. With all the axes and hatchets I have, my 4 should be more than adequate. But I liked the 6 when I got it. I've been naive/lazy/stupid (take your pick) enough a few times to get myself into some close scrapes outdoors, so I tend to err on the side of larger/robust when in isolated areas. I'd recommend taking a good hatchet or medium axe along with whatever you chose. I haven't played with my ESEE stuff for a few years, as I got deep into metal detecting. But I'm going to some northern lakes for a week, so this thread was incentive to dig through the steel for some potential take alongs. I sometimes say to hell with it and just grab some big leg slapper like a Condor Undertaker........Oh ya, the 4 really finds its zone with larger after market scales.
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Thank you everyone! I ended up ordering the 6 with the black blade and the micarta handle. Of course, with this tyranny of choice we have today, I spent WAY too much time deciding on which one!! 😄I have G-10 in folders and love it and others with micarta but do tend to believe the possible myth that micarta has a better grip when wet. Anyway, should be here tomorrow. I will head out for hunting now with an Izula, 6, often my folding saw, and probably my Benchmade Vector 496 which not many people like but I love! Thanks again!!

ESEE-6 Fixed Blade Knife, 3D Contoured Handle​

 
Longbowsafari said:
Thank you everyone! I ended up ordering the 6 with the black blade and the micarta handle. Of course, with this tyranny of choice we have today, I spent WAY too much time deciding on which one!! 😄I have G-10 in folders and love it and others with micarta but do tend to believe the possible myth that micarta has a better grip when wet. Anyway, should be here tomorrow. I will head out for hunting now with an Izula, 6, often my folding saw, and probably my Benchmade Vector 496 which not many people like but I love! Thanks again!!

ESEE-6 Fixed Blade Knife, 3D Contoured Handle​

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Good choice. You can never have too many knives 😁.
 
A 6" blade does everything a 4" can do in my experience. That doesn't mean there will never be a time it isn't true, but when outdoors I carry a sharp quality 6" blade, and a small sharp folder. The folder gets used for more delicate tasks, while the larger get used for everything else.
 
Way to go, sounds like you are ready. I was thinking since you had the BK 9, you had the bigger knife already, unless it is just too heavy, pack carry more like it. I got the extended handles for my RAT 3 which made it feel like a different knife, so I wonder how the extended handles would make the 4 feel? Let us know how the 6 does for you.
 
cbach8tw said:
Way to go, sounds like you are ready. I was thinking since you had the BK 9, you had the bigger knife already, unless it is just too heavy, pack carry more like it. I got the extended handles for my RAT 3 which made it feel like a different knife, so I wonder how the extended handles would make the 4 feel? Let us know how the 6 does for you.
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Yeah, the BK-9 has served me well over the years but it is in my truck with my other emergency gear now. I definitely think the 6 is the better knife even if only for it's versatility. The 6 will go with me now on hunts along with the Izula. I also carry the Benchmade Bugout whatever I carry as well. I have the 535 I think it is. It is like carrying air it is so light so I just always have it with me. A way of making fire, a knife, a flashlight, and a compass are always with me! 😊
 
The question should be Is the ESSE 4 necessary if I have the 6? The answer would be no, its that good...IMO:D
 
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