Fixed 4" blade knife suggestion

A

augostos

Joined
Sep 15, 2011
Messages
378
Hello!

I was considering getting a new one; can't decide which knife from following:

ESEE-4
ESEE-3
Becker BK-17
Entrek Companion/Havalina
BHK Brumby
BHK Maverick Scout
BRKT Gunny

I'm looking for all-around fixed blade, with nice handle, 3.5-4" blade, and not too heavy overall package.

Would be nice to read about your experiences with these knives.
 
Out of the ones in your list. I vote BK17.

59F4224B-D683-4FA2-9878-606AD79DFEFB-12914-000011642021D5B8_zpsfcb1cc04.jpg
 
I just got a Brumby and it strikes me as a fine knife. Haven't used it much yet, but I like the ergos, size and weight. The BHK knife this month looks awesome and the price is amazing.

Out of your list I've also had the esee 3 and 4 and gunny...I would go with the Brumby over them...mostly related to handle ergos vs the esee's.
 
rpn said:
Out of your list I've also had the esee 3 and 4 and gunny...I would go with the Brumby over them...mostly related to handle ergos vs the esee's.
Click to expand...

ditto. i owned those esee and becker knives and their handle ergos made me sell them. the only becker that's comfortable in various grips are the full-sized ones (bk-2, bk-10, bk-7, etc). i haven't tried the the-knife-connection's upgraded handles for the esee but the contouring looks to be an improvement over the flat slabs of the original.
 
Blind Horse Knives is a manufacturer that I haven't paid much attention to. The Grumby looks very appealing to me in terms of a practical using knife. The 3-4" blade length is the most practical for me and the size I generally reach for when I am heading to the woods.

I have an ESEE 4. It's a good knife, but I much prefer a leather sheath. I really don't want to spend another $50 > $100 for a sheath. So, for me ESEE is out.

I recently bought a Kabar Becker BK-16 and really love this knife. It is just big enough to be practical with the 4" blade but not heavy and unyieldy to carry. The sheath is canvas (with kydex liner) is okay. The BK-17 is essentially the same knife with a different point. Great knife. If you are thinking dollar cost value, it would be hard not to choose the BK-17. But the handles certainly aren't as nice as Bark River or Blind Horse.

The Bark River Gunny is also a good choice. I like A1 steel. I have been eyeing up the BR Trailmate for just the kind of knife you are looking for. There are a lot to choose from with the Woodland Special being right up there. If you choose Bark River, I suspect you will be satisfied with the choice. Between the Blind Horse and Bark River, I'd say the choice depends on your preference for steel (O1 or A2), and the grind (flat vs convex).

Flat is easier to sharpen. Since I don't own a Blind Horse knife, I personally would choose the Grumby (or both which is what I usually end up doing).

Don't have much to say about the other knives on the list.
 
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Those suggestions are all fine knives, but my personal choice would be the SurviveKnives.com in either 3V or M390. There are plenty of YouTube videos to watch on this particular knife.
 
Go check out ml knives, he has a wait now I believe, also check out GL drew knives here, he sells them here. it Chris knives will really work with you too. He sells here too.
 
Of the ones you suggest, ESEE-4 with TKC handles and kydex sheath. I use mine for all sorts of camp/bushcraft/'survival' types chores as well as dinner prep and it's not let me down yet.

ESEE-4_TKC.jpg
 
I love my ESEE 3, but I don't have any experience with the other knives to make a comparison.

The ESEE 3 has a bit of a "thinner" handle than I'm accustomed too, it's about half an inch or more. I actually like it a lot but a lot of people don't like it at all. I really like the 3, it's extremely capable, tough, and a fully flat ground 1/8" blade. It slices like a little demon, and you can put it through all sorts of hard use without worrying about it. Comes with linen/canvas micarta or G10 scales, plus a really nice sheath setup especially if you get the 3 MIL.

I use mine mostly for bushcrafting/camping type of stuff. I've batoned a lot of wood for a fire with it, simply because I don't have an axe--but really I tend to let my saw on my Leatherman handle that, I just wnated to see how well it does with that and it's very capable. The blade is also very flexible and tough so I doubt very much you'll snap it going through any rough wood or something like that. Even if you did, even if you just decided to use it like it wasn't supposed to be used and it broke, ESEE's warranty will cover you for anything.
 
I have the an Esse3 and a -4, as well as the Survive 4 in CPM 3v and the -4.1 in M390. My choice would be the 4.1, no question - superior handle ergonomics, excellent steel, better (I think) sheath.
 
+1 on the Survive Knife GSO4.1

I have both the EESE-4 and the GSO4.1, and love the ergonomics on the 4.1 and the handle is longer than EESE4 for better handling(I have med size hand, but find my pinky almost at the very end of EESE4 just by holding it)
 
DPx Gear HEFT 4 Assault with a 4" long 0.19" thick German Lohmann Niolox 1.4153.03 stainless, high-performance blade steel cryo-hardened to 61 HRC. The HEFT 4 Assault features a hollow G10 handle and an innovative bottle opener/pry bar and lanyard hole all in a well thought out CORDURA sheath.
 
I'll add a couple more to your list in this size that I own and enjoy carrying. The MercWorx Golgotha and ZT 0121. The ZT is out of production and may take some searching to find. It's also a little on the heavy side,but tough as nails and the weight inspires confidence for hard use. The Golgotha is a great blade with one of the best shaped handles (chili style) I have ever held. Both mine are in S30V which is kind of getting dated as new steels get hot,but still an excellent steel. Both a little on the expensive side,or not,depending on your point of view on knife prices. The ESEE 3 was a little small for me with an uncomfortable grip. I like all the Becker tweeners and have used some BHK knives belonging to friends and find them comfortable and well made as well.
 
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