Help me decide on a blade!

M

msommers

Joined
Mar 5, 2012
Messages
4
I've posted this on another blade forum, apologises if you're seeing this for a second time but more feedback is never a bad thing! I think I've narrowed down some knives and wanted your input. Hopefully this will be a nice consolidated list for those in a similar boat for quick viewing of stats, photos and feedback. I didn't want a blade shorter than 4" or longer than 5.5" with preferably a micarta handle and kydex sheath but those can be changed out. Looking for strictly a backcountry/survival style fixed knife. One thing of note: I have only handled the ESEE 4 and 5 personally and that was basically a one time deal as the store is actually in a different city 3 hours away. No one carries ESEE or TOPS locally unfortunately.

1) Esee 4
- Great size and weight, has a molle back which I prefer. Great warranty

ESEE4PMBDT.JPG

Specs:

O.A Length: 9.0"
Cutting Edge length: 4.06"
O.A. Blade Length: 4.5"
Maximum thickness: 3/16"
Blade Width: 1.25"
Weight: 7.4 ounces (knife only)
1095 Steel - 57 Rc.
Serial Number On Pommel
Ambidextrous Kydex sheath


2) Esee 5
- Seems the most robust, great sheath, little heavy but a little longer than the 4 would make wood splittig easier

ESEE5SOD.JPG

Specs:

O.A Length: 10.88"
Blade Length: 5.25"
Maximum thickness: .25"
Weight: 16 ounces (Knife Only)
Finish: Textured Black Powder Coat
Handles: Canvas Micarta w/ Bow Drill Divot
Blade Width: 1.56"
1095 Steel - 57 Rc.
Sabre Grind
Glass Breaker Pommel
Serial Number On Pommel
Standard Equipment: Kyxdex Sheath w/ Belt Clip


3) Esee Laser Strike
- Seems the best of the two. Little longer than the 4 but lighter than the 5. The overall blade design is slightly different though. If someone could point out what this is called (I believe the 4 and 5 are drop point?) that'd be great. And potentially touch on the +/- of each.

esee-laser-strike-knife-large.jpg

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5"
Overall Length: 10"
Blade Thickness: 3/16"
Steel: 1095
Hanlde: Canvas Micarta

4) TOPS Black Rhino Micarta
Not a lot of information out there regarding this blade. The overall length and thickness suggests it is on the level of the ESEE 5. However, can someone comment on the unconventional blade design and why it was shaped as it is. The pyrbar on the butt of the pummel seems like an awefully handy tool.


TPBRM101.jpg

Blade Length: 5.0"
O/A Length: 10 3/4"
Lower Cutting Edge: 5.0"
Thickness: 1/4"
Blade Color: Black Traction Coating
Steel: 1095 High CarbonAlloy RC58-60 with Prybar Back
Handle Material: Black Linen Micarta®
Sheath: Kydex
DESIGNED BY: JASON BREEDON
Weight: 15.0oz
Weight w/ Sheath: 18.7oz
Mfg.Handcrafted in the USA


5) TOPS Mountain Lion
Not a lot of feedback on this one either unfortunately. The only the I don't particularily like from the stats alone is that it comes with a nylon sheath but that's changeable. Concerned mainly with the blade characteristics and uses.

5275920220_63bbde1a78.jpg

O/A Length: 10 3/4"
Blade Length: 5 1/2"
Thickness: 1/4"
Steel: 1095 High Carb.
Handle: Green/Black G-10
Color: Black Traction Coating
Sheath: Nylon
 
had the esee 4 and used it for camping chores and breaking down some wood, which it did fine- didn't make a shelter or anything like that...liked it a lot- especially the feel of the linen micarta handle...
 
I would recommend the Ontario R-Tak 1. Its an ESEE 4 sized blade with ESEE 6 size handles. Its cheap, under $70, very comfortable to use for long periods of time. The only issue is the stock sheath SUCKS. POS belt nylon sheath with cheap retention strap and plastic insert. With the money you save on buying this, you can get an awesome custom sheath made.
 
Do yourself a favor & check out the Becker line from Ka-Bar. Great value, great knives, great warranty, great price. Get a custom made sheath for it & it's still cheaper than many. The BK2 is 1/4" thick is a beast. If you wait a month, the BK15, 16, 17 are coming out. The BK16 & 17 would be to your liking i'm sure. I have handled them & they are awesome. I will be buying one of each as soon as they come out on April 1st---no, not a joke.
 
I would also say not to get the TOPS simple because of the clip point. It does get in the way of batoning, as in, it damages your baton more so than if you were not to have a clip point.

x2 on checking out the Becker BK2. It's called the CAMPanion for a reason.
 
I have an ESEE-4 and really like it. But I also have an Ontario Ranger RD-4 that I like a little better. The Ontario is made from 1/4" thick 5160 steel, is a clip point blade, has a length of 4.5" (blade), micarta handles, but a rather crappy sheath, though kydex is available for it. Check them out as they may "speak" to you, then again that ESEE-4 may be all the speaking!
 
Thanks for the feedback guys! I'll definitely check out the Becker line. I wasn't sold on their handle but the price is quite a bit less and the 2nd-gen BK2 comes with a much nicer sheath.

To be honest, I was kind of expecting a lot of guys to say the Laser Strike haha.
 
My choices would be the ESEE-4 or the Laser Strike. They easily carry, light and have a full edge top (not ground down or clip point) which makes it easier for Battoning. The ESEE-4 is my go-to knife for hiking and general use.

My RC-4 in Cocobolo wood
4916599194_83c75026b4_z.jpg



The picture of the TOPS Mountain Lion is one that I took and I had that Mountain Lion for a while before I decided it was too heavy, had a ground upper edge and no lanyard hole (personal preference). I loved the overall look of the knife and the recurve blade but I found that I wasn't grabbing it as often as my ESEE-4 or ESEE-6

5275920220_63bbde1a78.jpg


My RC-6 (ESEE-6) in Hawaiian Koa wood
5055697744_ce1ca00391_z.jpg



msommers said:
Thanks for the feedback guys! I'll definitely check out the Becker line. I wasn't sold on their handle but the price is quite a bit less and the 2nd-gen BK2 comes with a much nicer sheath.

To be honest, I was kind of expecting a lot of guys to say the Laser Strike haha.
Click to expand...

IMHO I wasn't a fan of the Becker handles, they felt cheap, but I guess they could be replaced. The blades were very nice and the price point was also very attractive but in the end I went back to ESEE
 
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Interesting. Given the different point types on the 4 and the LS, which would you opt for and why?
 
msommers said:
To be honest, I was kind of expecting a lot of guys to say the Laser Strike haha.
Click to expand...

Why the "haha"?

The ground swedge on that Mountain Lion eat a baton, and the recurve edge can be difficult to sharpen in the field.

The Black Rhino? That one's just silly. Who needs a prybar in the backcountry? (Though it does appear to come with an awseome spec ops survival whistle.)

Get one of the ESEEs. :thumbup:
 
The reason for the "haha" was that I was expecting people to point out the LS simply because it was new and exciting!

About the LS and the other ESEEs, when would a spear point be advantageous to a drop point? The only reason I can think of is thrusting but I'm a knife newbie :o
 
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