has anyone here managed to break an ESEE 5?

Robtheman1983

Robtheman1983

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Oct 7, 2010
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Last night I used my ESEE 5 to completely destroy a small wood crate for fire wood and that got me wondering just what it takes to break a ESEE 5? anyone here actually done it? Jeff or Mike have any come back for warranty that were completely broken?
 
Hmm... sounds tough to do.

I managed to munge up a section of the edge a bit through rigorous batonning (knotty wood), but worked it out with a stone afterwards. Not even close to damaging the knife, though.

It's been documented busting through car windows, carving up all sorts of stuff, etc.
Dunno - I don't think Knifetests ever did an RC5/ESEE5 - may be interested to see what it turns up. He did do an RC4 and it got "4 blades," which is very very good. It performed well aside from "weight test" which is not terribly reflective of anything you would do with your knife in the real world, but it serves as the "capstone" test which usually destroys the knife being tested (if it makes it that far).
 
I don't think anyone has destroyed a ESEE5 or a BK2. Even Noss leaves them alone. At a full quarter inch thick, and only 5" in length, its gonna take power tools or electricity to damage one.

I only add the BK2 cause I'm a Beckerhead and the dimension are nearly identical.

Moose
 
I snapped my BK2 in half, it took me a month. I used it everyday and was really tough on it. Then one day standing over a stump I dropped it point first, to go into the wood and it just snapped. Just got my replacement this week.
 
what no one wants to jam it into a tree tie a tow rope around it and see if it can pull down a tree or something haha? Marsden what part snapped? and is the steel Becker uses different than ESEE? I have never had a Becker so forgive my ignorance. I'd really like to see Mike or Jeff comment here I am sure they managed to destroy a 5 before selling it to people.
 
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marsden said:
I snapped my BK2 in half, it took me a month. I used it everyday and was really tough on it. Then one day standing over a stump I dropped it point first, to go into the wood and it just snapped. Just got my replacement this week.
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Did you happen to take any photos (broken knife and this crazy stump :eek:)? I would love to see that ! My BK2 is a beast and I couldn't imagine it breaking in any way/shape/form other than what Moose had mentioned.
 
marsden said:
I snapped my BK2 in half, it took me a month. I used it everyday and was really tough on it. Then one day standing over a stump I dropped it point first, to go into the wood and it just snapped. Just got my replacement this week.
Click to expand...

my guess it wasnt a normal stump it was probably that tree that they grow bradley tank armor on :D
 
marsden said:
I snapped my BK2 in half, it took me a month. I used it everyday and was really tough on it. Then one day standing over a stump I dropped it point first, to go into the wood and it just snapped. Just got my replacement this week.
Click to expand...

Something smells fishy on that one........
 
Robtheman1983 said:
what no one wants to jam it into a tree tie a tow rope around it and see if it can pull down a tree or something haha? Marsden what part snapped? and is the steel Becker uses different than ESEE? I have never had a Becker so forgive my ignorance. I'd really like to see Mike or Jeff comment here I am sure they managed to destroy a 5 before selling it to people.
Click to expand...

The Becker uses 1095 Cro Van. They both have such a thick sabre grind. The RC5 grind only starts 1/2 way down the height. That is so thick!
He must have broken the tip on his Becker, I could not imagine either knife snapping in half even from heavy use. Although, I treat mine like knives not prybars. I would if I had to, but not just to see a breaking point. That's just me.
 
No 5s have been broken yet. Had one that the tip was taken off from some heavy prying bu no catastrophic failures yet.

As a side note, we have been tracking warranty replacements for a while now. The number 1 reason for breakage on Izulas is people using them to baton with.
 
R.A.T. said:
No 5s have been broken yet. Had one that the tip was taken off from some heavy prying bu no catastrophic failures yet.

As a side note, we have been tracking warranty replacements for a while now. The number 1 reason for breakage on Izulas is people using them to baton with.
Click to expand...

Jeff I understand that you make you knives to be used. That being said certain knives are designed with certain jobs in mind. Correct me if I am wrong but I would assume that the Izula was not intended to be a blade used to baton. Obviously it can be used for that and depending on the wood would do fine. I understand that sometimes you have to use a knife for something than it is intended to be used for, ie survival situations or emergencies. But if you intend to daily baton wood or need a pry bar then buy a blade or a crow bar to do so.
OK I'm off my soap box.
 
I agree Killstew, but the warranty is what it is. I just wished people would use a knfie the correct way instead of beating the shit out of them without thinking. I have batoned folders before but it was "last-ditch" type of stuff. It almost ALWAYS ruins the solid lockup of a folder to baton with one. Same applies to the Izula. If you baton with it long enough you will break it.
 
even if you follow the rules of batoning, like more tap it than hit it hard, keep the handle slightly above the blade, only baton wood with diameter half or a third than the cutting edge lenght, and so on, you could still break the Izula or HEST in the long run ?
is it all the hitting that will create little cracks in time that one day break the blade, or is it the one bad blow that landed in the wrong position on the wrong part/type of wood ?
im just asking for an opinion
 
R.A.T. said:
I agree Killstew, but the warranty is what it is.
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You sir, are a class act. Who else in their right or left mind (Sorry) would do this? Tis' the reason I have (and will) continute to buy these products.

Note: NOT because of this particular instance, but simply because of the honor behind the product.
 
I use my knives to cut things. Why are people so keen to see how far they go before they break?
 
Somehow it would be easier to put a saddle on a mermaid than break a 5.

And I really do agree with Jeff. Use the right tool and use it with some brains. I wish more ppl would reflect on working smarter not harder
 
Some tools have obvious uses, yet screwdrivers get used as chisels, prybars, hammers, etc.
Knives are so handy that sometimes they just get used beyond their design. Some of us need a learning curve I suppose. I have broke knife tips before, thinner kitchen knives. I was suprised when it happened, and have not tried to pry with the tip of a knife since.

A guy broke his expandable baton by hitting a tree trunk. He was suprised by this, thinking that the baton is designed for "battle" I guess. Being light and hollow ,they are made to hit people, not large solid objects. Look what happens to a car that hits a tree!
 
I can't believe that anyone would actually send a broken Izula in for warranty because they abused it.

The warranty is what it is, but as a consumer you also have a responsibility to the manufacturer, and if you do something incredibly stupid on purpose, you really should just cut your losses and pay for a new knife :thumbdn: :grumpy:
 
marsden said:
I snapped my BK2 in half, it took me a month. I used it everyday and was really tough on it. Then one day standing over a stump I dropped it point first, to go into the wood and it just snapped. Just got my replacement this week.
Click to expand...

Pics or it didn't happen. I call Toooj on Monday and see if any broken in half BK2's came in recently. Hell, I'll ask him if for info on all the broken BK2's he's seen.

Moose
 
Now I laid some pretty hefty blows to an Izula as part of a review, and started a fire with the flint strip that comes with the Izula kit. The Izula held up... but I would not typicaly subject the Izula to this abuse. Just good to know in a pinch, the Izula can hold its own.
 
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