Help ESEE 4 or 5

M

mikecat7

Joined
May 27, 2010
Messages
2
Hey everyone, im new to blade forums but have been collecting and using "good" :p knives for quite a while. I have fallen in love with the rat line. They are simply amazing knives. Now i have a original ontario rat 3 d2 which i love. the d2 steel on a small prep knife like this was a great choice but i need something larger and stronger. I want to stay away from 6 1/2 -7 inch blades. im asking for help because i live near toronto canada and wen i get my knives i order lack of esee carriers :thumbdn: and they are mine like em or not so ill take all the input i can. My uses are camping, hiking, shooting range, fishing, outdoor rock climbing, trail riding.

THANKS!!
 
Personally, i would choose 4. Its just the right size and down right awesome knife, more then capable for what you need it for.
 
I'd go with the -4, unless you spend a lot of time in the back country and there's a chance you may be in a small plane crash, at which point the -5 is pretty much a "can't kill it" tank of a knife.
The -4 has the same handle shape as the -3, but it's a bit thicker, feels a bit more substantial.
 
For a woods knife, 4 by far. SHTF knife you might be prying doors open with, then a 5.
 
1066vik said:
I'd go with the -4, unless you spend a lot of time in the back country and there's a chance you may be in a small plane crash, at which point the -5 is pretty much a "can't kill it" tank of a knife.
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Agree 100%
 
Zozo*HC* said:
Only the 4, if you want to cut things:)
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:jerkit: the RC5 is a splendid cutter. The edge on my 5 is just as sharp as the edge on my 3. It may not be the most efficient when processing alot of media but it most certainly gets the job done. I like the full grip of the RC5 alot better than the small rounded grip that's supposed to be secure and comfortable for extensive cutting work.... Pair the RC5 with a 15 dollar Buck Paklite Skinner and you have yourself an awesome slicing/beating combo.
 
HUGE!! AND I MEAN HUGE DIFFERENCE!! I would go with a 4 over a 5 99% of situations but that 1% when the jaws of life break and you have to rescue an old lady from the smoldering wreckage of a '75 Cadillac or if you get locked inside the bank vault and need to hack your way out the 5 is your knife. For me the 4 is just more appealing. The weight, feel in hand, ease of carry and concealment, maneuverability. I just think its a more probable knife to have on you in a time when you really need it. Not to mention its a bit less expensive.
 
For both practicality and price differences, I'd definitely suggest the RC4. It's most similar to the RAT-3 you've already got, if that gives you a rough idea of what to expect. The RC5 will still probably put a huge smile on your face, but unless you pair it with an RC3 or Izula, you'll probably feel like you've painted yourself into a corner. For a short chopper, wood splitting, pry bar, jaws-of-life type blade, the RC5 is hard to beat. But those qualities don't lend themselves to the "normal" cutting and slicing chores you'll encounter much more frequently.
 
I really don't get why soo many people think the 5 is not capable of almost anything the 4 is. Yes it is thicker and heavier. But with the grind on it i can get it just as sharp as the 4 and do anything with it i can with the 4. Also i find the 5 to feel more comfortable in my hand. If i had to choose only one knife i would more times then not choose the 5 over the 4. I can do anything with the 5 just as well as I can with the 4 in general.
 
KenM K said:
I really don't get why soo many people think the 5 is not capable of almost anything the 4 is. Yes it is thicker and heavier. But with the grind on it i can get it just as sharp as the 4 and do anything with it i can with the 4. Also i find the 5 to feel more comfortable in my hand. If i had to choose only one knife i would more times then not choose the 5 over the 4. I can do anything with the 5 just as well as I can with the 4 in general.
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I feel the same. I really think it's impossible to get a grasp on the two entirely different designs/mindsets behind these knives, and would suggest you do what it takes to compare them side by side in person. Otherwise, there's always the exchange...
 
Thanks for all the great input. I plan on having my 3 with me so i dont no if i want to spend another 140 on a a knife so similar, i think i may go with the 5. The only thing drawing me back is that i use my knives alot and im wondering due to the flat gring of the 4 to the sabre on the 5, sharpen after sharpen do you guys think both would last as long? or the 4 benefit from the flat grind?

Mike
 
I just got my 3 (love it), and I'm wondering if the 4 is just too close, that I should jump to the 5 for my third one (ordered Izula today).
 
I have a 4, a 3 an Izula and a 6. If you have a 3 already I would go bigger than the 4, they are very similar and while the 4 is a great blade, and one of my favorites, I would say go with the 6 or maybe even a Junglas. The longer blades will complement the smaller 3 nicely. You would have all your bases covered with a 3/6, or 3/Junglas combo.

The 5 is a tank but still might be too close to the 3 to make it worth the price.
 
just got a 6 and like the 5 and probably will get one,but i've decided on the 4 for my next one.i think i will end up with most of em before i'm through.i'm really impressed with the 6
 
I spend a lot of time in deep woods hunting. I bring the 4, Izula, and a Leatherman Xti. I dropped my Becker 9 as too heavy and not necessary. Any of the other larger Esses I'd leave in base camp and no, the 5 is not as easy to dress an animal with.
 
The 4 is a great all-around knife, and while very similar to the 3, they do have fundamental differences that make them function differently. since you already have a 3 and a skinner, the 4 is likely all the blade you will ever need.
 
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