few ?'s for HEST owners

C

camper870

Joined
Jan 25, 2010
Messages
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Im thinking of getting a hest but need some user knowledge first

1. does a tek-lok fit the sheath and how tight is the friction retention of the knife?

2.what are the black spacers made out of ? the ones that hold the 2 threaded shafts for the handle screws. and has anyone had the handle or handle screws come loose,is there any play in the micarta slabs under stress?is everything a tight fit?
I would have like to have a solid handle tang, but I could see the use of a hollow handle if there isnt a down side.
Primary use will be a urban survival tool and will sit in my backpack or in my BOB with my rc-5, but would like to a have the option of belt carry.

I apologize if this info is already posted elsewhere,I have found some info but not enough to make a confident buy.

any and all info will help and a be apreciated,THANKS.
 
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I'm trying to dig out my tek-lok myself to try to fit it on the sheath. I hate the Molle attachments unless I'm putting them on Molle straps. I CANNOT get the belt clip to fit, regardless of how many times I read Mike's instructions. And using the paracord to make a belt loop is just too loose for me to be happy with. I like stuff really locked in.

I think that is the only weak point of this knife, IMO. I absolutely LOVE all the ESEE knives and I've got the HEST, a couple of Izula's, RC-6, RC-4 and SEVEN of the RC-3's. Not mention the older RAT-7. So, understand I'm a huge fan. But if I can't get my tek-lok to fit there snuggly, I'm gonna drill new holes in the sheath. If that doesn't work, I'll have Raven Industries make me a new kydex sheath for it. I'm just not happy with the belt carry on this sheath.

Although I haven't put the HEST through life and death chopping, I have had absolutely no movement of the scales or of the screws coming loose.

I think you will find you will like the hollowed handle.
 
I don't use Tek-loks, for the way I carry mine I used the cord and cord lock.

I have cut, gouged, chopped, and batonned with mine and have so far experienced no looseness in the scales at all.
 
My Tek-lok doesn't fit. I am looking for a IWB clip like someone posted here the other day...
 
I carry mine on a large Tek-Lok. Perfect fit, easy to shift orientation -- I tried it horizontal and vertical, no problems.

The sheath is a tight fit. I need to push it with my thumb to keep from jerking the knife out.

The handle slabs are a positive fit, no wiggling. I haven't removed them so I don't know what's inside.
 
camper870 said:
I would have like to have a solid handle tang, but I could see the use of a hollow handle if there isnt a down side.
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A tang that is skeletonized by cutting out the middle like that is going to have almost all of the strength of a solid tang. Bark River skeletonizes most of their tangs the same way for balance purposes, and I don't recall ever hearing of a breakage due to that. I wouldn't worry about it.
 
thanks for all the replies , what are those two spacers in the handle made out of ? Im still wondering if I should get the rc-3MIL instead but I dont know how much abuse .125 thick blade could take, already have a izula and rc4 ,I think the rc4's handle has a great feel and I know the 3 and the 4 share the same handle aside from the material in the MIL. Its hard to make my mind up this has to be the last order for awhile.....
 
If the RC-4 fits your hand really well than go with the RC-3, I doubt the abuse you plan will take a toll on the RC-3, remember the blade although "thin" has a great feedback, at worst (I don't mean intentional) the RAT warranty will take care of it.

The HEST is a completely different blade, yeah its thick as hell but remember that the one who designed it, RYP, isn't much of a sweetheart with his blades, well at least he wants his blades to be able the pry hell open so its a TANK for its size. Plus the HEST has a pry bar for a tail and if you put it in your backpack than watch out that thing is pretty pointy.

The Tang of the HEST have no fear you won't break it.

Personally I love the HEST but I won't carry it in a backpack, in my front pocket yes, in my jacket pockets no, then again this is due to the pry bar. I use and carry mine a lot, but its in the pocket or alone in a hard shell compartment.

I also love the RC4 but I can't get myself to buy an RC3 because I already have a HEST and an Izula and I don't find the need for such a blade as I can easily carry my RC4 in my front jeans pocket, my jacket pockets and in my flight bag. By the way if you plan on doing food prep go with the RC-3 the thinner blade is a big advantage, slice tomatoes with the HEST and you will see that the thick blade in combination with the high saber grind makes it pretty awkward.

The handles on the HEST if i remember well is spaced by 2 pieces of black micarta around the screws, I've opened and closed mine a lot to clean out the handles and the blade and I have never had them unscrew, I never had any play on them and they are plain great. As for myself I don't hide anything in them as I think that needing a tool to access another tool is just plain awkward and operationally pretty hard to go by, though I isn't useless by all means.

Whatever your choice know that the RAT Cutlery product or should i say ESEE KNIVES (sounds like easy knives IMO) are plain and simple, very well finished, wonderfully manufactured and the customer service behind them is surely the best.

Remember that if you plan on using your HEST to open beers, stack goods, pry crates, break wire fences, use it as a blade at the end of a stick for hunting wild boars, then you might want think that you will eventually ruin your only blade in a survival situation if you only carry this one. You might be better off planning of having the right tools for the right job and keeping the HEST's non-knives abilities as a ultimate backup, thereby maybe filling out a redundancy case in your survival setup.

Cheers mate and keep us current on your choice

(Remember its simply my opinion and my way to use things, its okay to have different arguments as long as you can stand by them :))
 
Thank you kta2402 and all the others i never thought of micarta bein the spacer material makes sense though.I also think that there is a proper tool for everyjob but if i tought this way all the time i would have a 80 pound BOB.:D The HEST would be more for peace of mind for the most part,I was afraid of the pry bar bein too pointy and poking through whatever material. I could see the RC3 being better for everyday chores and food prep,I like the glass breaker aswell. I guess it comes down to what exactly my needs are whatever it is, im sure Ill be happy with it. I love "RAT" or ESEE knives and I know they will take care of anything possible.HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHmmmmmmmmmmm now back to trying to make up my mind..
Thanks again to everybody in the rat community.
 
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well I have not decided RC-3 or HEST,so many good things about both. so I thought what about both,I was going to get a second RC5 but the first one I got has not seen that much use, so I would not mind getting both the RC-3 and the HEST. any thoughts ?
 
hehe that seems a rather good option I think you can live with only one RC-5. Why not see with your seller if you can return one in case your really want only one, but I seriously doubt it :).

Enjoy them, use them
 
Just purchased the HEST myself. I was between the RC-3 and the HEST for some time, but the heft of the blade and the balance won me over. Used it yesterday to prep dinner, while the blade is a bit thick compared to my Izula the angle does allow for easily chopping / slicing. Haven't had an opportunity to bring it out camping yet, but based on the spine thickness it will hold up to whatever you throw at it. good luck on your decision.
 
Well, you can't go wrong with getting both. My personal preference between the 2 is the RC-3. I think the RC-3 has the better blade handling. The HEST is just slightly less comfortable but has all the extra features. Try to figure out if you'll use the HEST features. If not, I'd go with the 3. I like both of them but for different apps. The RC-3 is one of my EDC, IWB with the supplied belt clip. The HEST can't do that for me because of the prybar. It's more of a pack knife for me. If I can get a sheath that I'm happy with on my belt, I'll carry it there.

But again, just buy both :)
 
ESEE3 is 1/8" stock.
HEST & ESEE4 is 3/16"
I doubt you're going to break an ESEE3
considering the resale value on them, buying both and selling or gifting out the one you decide not to carry is not a bad plan.
I know - selling one sounds like sacrilege, doesn't it -- but it's a great way to pass on the addiction. I've got a buddy who was looking at an Ontario Ranger in the 5-6" range until I let him handle my spare RC3... :D (down side to this is I no longer have a spare RC3... :( )
 
camped with the hest once so far. did some batoning etc the handle stayed tight. tho others have found their stock sheath to be tight, mine rattles and ifn ya shake it hard enuf upside down it will fall out. had it a cupla months now and really not happy with the sheath retention thus have a custom on order...thats my experience. but the sheath is the least of the knife. the knife rocks!
 
sadiejane said:
camped with the hest once so far. did some batoning etc the handle stayed tight. tho others have found their stock sheath to be tight, mine rattles and ifn ya shake it hard enuf upside down it will fall out. had it a cupla months now and really not happy with the sheath retention thus have a custom on order...thats my experience. but the sheath is the least of the knife. the knife rocks!
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I think I would contact Mike or Jeff, they will make it right with the sheath! No reason to waste your money on an aftermarket! Unless you want to.
 
sadiejane said:
camped with the hest once so far. did some batoning etc the handle stayed tight. tho others have found their stock sheath to be tight, mine rattles and ifn ya shake it hard enuf upside down it will fall out. had it a cupla months now and really not happy with the sheath retention thus have a custom on order...thats my experience. but the sheath is the least of the knife. the knife rocks!
Click to expand...

Did you try the one screw (the short one) in one of the top holes? If I screw that retaining screw down tight, it takes 2 mules to pull that thing out. My sheath came with that small screw in one of the bottom holes. Not sure why, it only retains if it's in one of the top holes. My problem isn't with the retention, it's finding a good clip for the belt carry.
 
Im sorry to hear about your sheath issues sadiejane.I would contact ESEE as stated above,or if you dont like the stock sheath go aftermarket as you said. Well Im convinced, Im going to get a RC-3 and the HEST maybe a tek-lok aswell.Im sure quality will be top notch as my other Rats. Im not going to sell either I cant imagine something that would make me want to do so. Well
THANKS for all the help:thumbup:, I knew this forum was going to be and is great!!!!

now the waiting game.....................................................................
 
I re tightened a kydex sheath once by letting it on a heather for a few minutes and then pressed it with the knife in it, work wonderfully and I think that can be done with the Hest sheath also, mine as worn on a little play from the uses over time but its normal.
 
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