Hey everyone, new to the forums and planning a survival camping trip this summer. Will have tents, but well only use those until the makeshift shelter is put up. I was looking into knives, and did quite alot of reasearch lately, and im stuck between 2 ESEEs. the HEST and the RC-4.. which do you guys like better? versatility? Both knives will be abused. Hard. Not willing to spend over 90, and i have a site that has both in the 80's. the site was actually mentioned by a member on a thread i read a while ago.. Dont exactly need batoning, we DO havee axes.. Anyway, Anything to be said about both knives is helpful, and opinions on which is better. Thanks in advance.
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H.E.S.T. vs. RC-4?
- Thread starter Boxterr
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- Sep 5, 2010
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The prybar pommel is a nice feature of the HEST. The 4 is longer, and stronger without the bottle opener, wire break notch, and skeleton tang.
I gave my HEST to my Brother and kept the 4.
On a few occasions, the prybar did jab my side while riding on my belt. It may depend on the size of your love handles, or how you attach it to yourself.
I gave my HEST to my Brother and kept the 4.
On a few occasions, the prybar did jab my side while riding on my belt. It may depend on the size of your love handles, or how you attach it to yourself.
Last edited:
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- Jan 26, 2011
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I have 2 Esee 4's. I have not owned a HEST, but I heard from a couple of folks here on BF that the prybar gets annoying when carried coz it dug into them or something like that. If you plan on carrying the HEST in a pack then that issue is moot. I really like the Esee 4 and would prolly say that it is my favorite Esee out of all of them that I own- I own them all except the Junglass, and that one is on my list...hope this helps....
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both will serve you well, and are virtually unbreakable,
the HEST has some added functionality, but it's a shorter knife, blade, than the ESEE 4, and the handle grip is longer on the HEST
4 has a finger choil, HEST doesn't, and for the woods probably the longer blade of the 4 would be better suited
of course, the HEST is very capable in the woods to, search a little on older threads and you will find it used hard in wild scenarios
it al comes down to personal preferences really,
Go with what you like, you can't go wrong with either
the HEST has some added functionality, but it's a shorter knife, blade, than the ESEE 4, and the handle grip is longer on the HEST
4 has a finger choil, HEST doesn't, and for the woods probably the longer blade of the 4 would be better suited
of course, the HEST is very capable in the woods to, search a little on older threads and you will find it used hard in wild scenarios
it al comes down to personal preferences really,
Go with what you like, you can't go wrong with either
Last edited:
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- Jan 2, 2009
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- 720
I own both but prefer the 4 as it fits my larges hands.
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- Aug 2, 2010
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I'd get the 4 over the HEST any day.
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- Feb 7, 2007
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the 4 might be one of the best general outdoors, survival knife out there, and is the most preferred among ESEE fans and not only.
the HEST is a great cool knife also, but is not for everyone, and is a whole different design and purpose, so you can't really compare the two...
the HEST is a great cool knife also, but is not for everyone, and is a whole different design and purpose, so you can't really compare the two...
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2010
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- 756
Personally I like the 6 better but i baton with mine.
I have carried my HEST, and never had it dig into me or anything I sat on or near. I never could figure out what those people were complaining about.
Never had a hest but the esee 4 is awesome,to me it is one of best designs, not too heavy ,not too light, great tough steel,can use for light to moderate batoning easy to sharpen and one of the things that I did was buy a leather sheath from Knives Ship Free website it really completes the knife which also has a place on the sheath for a ferro-rod which they also sell.hopes this helps!!