For EDC/Camping this summer?

S

SlackStatic

Joined
Nov 17, 2009
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What do you guys think, between the RC-3 and the izula. I love the izulas size, and have heard nothing but amazing things about it, but the skeleton handle bothers me a bit from a strength standpoint.

Anyone care to help push me one way or the other. Im a smaller guy, 5'8 145lbs so the RC-5 is out for edc this summer :grumpy:

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
I wouldn't worry about the izula being weak, its plenty strong. If being discreet about carrying a knife isn't an issue, I'd probably go for the 3 though, being a little bigger, I find it more comfortable with extended use.
 
No HEST love? It's in the size range and I like the handle much better. The blade is thicker than the RC3 but that does not affect cutting performance much-its massive belly makes it a spectacular slicer. It's been raining here constantly for the past few months, spring has been pretty miserable-we had a small window over memorial day weekend and I went for a backpacking trip. Took a LONG time to get a good fire going, all the wood and the ground was wet from rain. So after a few failed attempts having solid flames extinguish completely due to the water, I sawed a dead 2 inch beech limb into 10 inch sections and proceeded to use the HEST to baton quarter inch, half inch and inch thick sticks from the sections to produce useable dry buildup material for the kindling. It worked like a charm, perfect blade size for detail work, full comfortable handle and a perfectly reasonable price.
 
the izula is a strong knife, of the roughly 10000 made 2 have failed, and they were abused. i own both of the knives you are thinking about, and honestly either one would be great.
 
I tend to lean towards the 3 if it was my "One" Blade .

The 3 has great size vs. task ratio.. I love the 1/8" thickness great for finer bushcraft work and the full flat grind works great.
nothing against the Izula..I love my many Izzy's but if it was just one fixed blade for a Summer it be the 3 w/o a doubt.... I keep the ESEE3MIL in my truck RAT pouch b/c it is the one I chosen over the many RC/ESEE blades I own.
 
For camping I'd use the 3 - but I always also have an Izula as a backup knife.
The Izula is my EDC anyways - it is so, cause I know that it will hold up to camping use, as I did take it for that purpose when I had no 3.

I repeat myself but I have to say it again: the Izula was just a cool looking knife to me, I bought it simply for the design - and now I'm never without one.
Small, simple, reliable ...

Did I already say I love that little knife?
 
I'd go with the ESEE 3. It can fit in your front pocket if you're not in a very knife friendly area, or on your belt if you're on the trail or at camp and still not be cumbersome.
 
PayetteRucker said:
No HEST love? It's in the size range and I like the handle much better. The blade is thicker than the RC3 but that does not affect cutting performance much-its massive belly makes it a spectacular slicer. It's been raining here constantly for the past few months, spring has been pretty miserable-we had a small window over memorial day weekend and I went for a backpacking trip. Took a LONG time to get a good fire going, all the wood and the ground was wet from rain. So after a few failed attempts having solid flames extinguish completely due to the water, I sawed a dead 2 inch beech limb into 10 inch sections and proceeded to use the HEST to baton quarter inch, half inch and inch thick sticks from the sections to produce useable dry buildup material for the kindling. It worked like a charm, perfect blade size for detail work, full comfortable handle and a perfectly reasonable price.
Click to expand...

Haven't put mine to THAT kind of use, but I can say that it carries VERY well, and VERY discreet. And fits my hand like a glove.

I'll admit, I REALLY didn't want to like the HEST. I thought it was gimmicky. Heck, it may BE gimmicky. But it is a REALLY good knife, and I find myself grabbing it when I want a fixed blade for discreet carry that I know will be a good user. Yeah, it is a little thicker than the ESEE-3, which I don't really think is necessary since it has the pry-butt. But, I don't care. It's a good knife.
 
Yup, one of those knives on paper that may not appear to be the ideal performer but in function, it really is.
 
If you're bound and determined that you can only have one just now, I'd go with the 3, even though the Izula is an absolute workhorse and will probably do just about anything you ask of it. Here is a thread by Silent1, who uploaded video of batoning and making fuzz-sticks with an Izula.

Tough little knife. I absolutely love mine. Gonna end up getting one for every member of the family.
 
I'd take the 3, assuming you don't have a HEST. I can't imagine going somewhere without my HEST anymore.
 
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