I got a Yuma! Review/Shootout with the ESEE 4 EDIT now with BK16 too!

mountainmist

mountainmist

Joined
Jun 12, 2013
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Hey folks!

I got my Yuma from Worldwood today, and as soon as I got it I went out with my camera and did a review, hope you enjoy!

The ESEE 4 had a thin, nice, convex, liners, and a stripped blade.

I Compared Handle Comfort, Chopping, Batoning, Feathersticking/bites in wood, sheath, and edge retention.

Handle comfort: (Sorry, no pics) The Yuma is awesome! a little thin at the back, but other than that, great handle. The ESEE 4 has a fine handle as well, however, I do have liners on it though. If you need an answer, I prefer the Yuma.

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Chopping:

For all the on-wood tests I used Poplar, which is very soft.

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About 3" in diameter:
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First up, Yuma:
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And done, at 54 whacks:
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ESEE 4, first 10:
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And done, at 84:
10421329_1506429782922316_5173333308338123627_n.jpg


Chopping thoughts:

I thought the Yuma would do well, and be comfortable. It chopped excellently, however, the "crow beak" on the end of the handle was a little uncomfortable. I was hitting as hard as I could though.

The ESEE feels like you're hand is falling off the end, so I can't hit as hard as I could.

Batoning:

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Both did fine, really nothing to report. Neither is "better," if I was doing this a lot, I would choose the ESE, Batoning is vary hard on knives, simple as that, and the ESEE is cheaper, and just as tough.

Carving/Feathersticking:

I used mostly dry Poplar, doing the best of my ability's with each.

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First up, Yuma:

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ESEE:

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ESEE on the left, Yuma on the right:

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Thoughts:

The Yuma did Excellent! Thicker edge, to help the curl. The ESEE had a very thin edge, which didn't really want to curl, but it takes deeper slices out of Poplar. The ESEE's Feather's were not really to do the knife, rather, my edge.

Sheath:

Both have very, very nice sheaths. The ESEE has Kydex, the Yuma has Leather. Neither has a better sheath. It just depends on which you prefer. These two sheaths are the best I own. The Yuma's sheath (IMO) represents more quality, and craftsmanship, so I tend to prefer the Yuma sheath. Nothing against the ESEE.

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Edge retention:

I hit both edge's on a rock while I was chopping! :eek: The ESEE hit lighter, and I couldn't tell, but the Yuma hit hard, and left the edge "burnt" But it still cut paper, it just felt dull, not chipped, or rolled. after 20 swipes with a strop with course compound it was good as new, I couldn't tell I had hurt it.

Thanks so much for this awesome knife, Todd! I'm sure she'll see some more use!
 
Last edited:
Thanks everybody! It was fun

TheSnakeman said:
Isn't she pretty
Kinda regret selling that blade but I plan on getting a tradewater
Click to expand...

Yeah, hearing Trade say that if he was going to take a knife for "survival" it would be The TW kinda got me interested.
 
You've got a Yuma for sure, now don't get a Yuma bite.

I had an ESEE 4, good blade. Both are very capable, both are backed by a pretty damned good warranty.
 
I heard that the Hunt warranty includes the replacement personally being delivered by Murph in a tutu. Thats how confident Todd is in his knives.....because he would never want to humiliate. murph like that:D
 
OutdoorsFamilyMan4 said:
I heard that the Hunt warranty includes the replacement personally being delivered by Murph in a tutu. Thats how confident Todd is in his knives.....because he would never want to humiliate. murph like that:D
Click to expand...

Wrong, he would want to humiliate Murph like that. The warranty replacement would actually include a photo album starring the replacement knife and myself.
 
Thanks, guys!

I wonder if I should have included my BK16, I just thought it wasn't really comparable to these two. i.e, G-10 VS zytel, 3/16 VS 5/32, sheaths. I donno, Maybe I'll do it again. Humph.
 
I got my Yuma because I considered it to be similar to the 16 but way better. I loved my 16. It was my favorite blade til the Yuma came along. I ended up selling the 16 because I never picked it up anymore and I needed the money. I'd Like to hear your thoughts on the two of them. (and more pics too:D)

Heres 2 pics comparing the 16 and Yuma

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Fine! It might be awhile, I'm going to scout camp right after the 4th. Thanks for your thoughts!
 
Alright Familyman, here you go!

I have a BK16 with a stripped blade, and I convex grind.

Very similar knives, the Yuma is a bit more pointy, which I like. It is also heavier than the 16.
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First up, chopping:
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The Yuma took 55 good whacks:
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BK16 took 59:
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The Yuma has more weight behind it, but it doesn't want to bite as deep as the BK16. Thicker edge. The BK16 felt lie it was flying out of my hand, not as bad as the E4, but I could feel it. The Yuma locks into place easily.

I'm going to have to call it a draw on chopping. If I had to pick, it would be the Yuma, I expect to get better after some experience.

Cross-grain batoning:

The Yuma took ten whacks with a good baton:
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The BK16 took 5:
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The BK16 is an awesome knife for this, being thinner. I'd like to try on of the thinner Yumas for this one day.

Batoning:
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Meh, both knives can handle it. The Yuma is tougher, but if my 16 can't go through it, I probably won't beat the Yuma through it either.

Feathersticks/carving:

I used the same wood as Yesterday.

First up, Yuma:
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BK16:
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The Yuma dominated! I really like this edge on this thing. The 16 has the same issue as the E4, the edge is too thin, but look at this!

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I'm going to carve a sharp point on either end with both knives, and count the strokes using a fist-grip.

The Yuma took 15 swipes:
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The 16 took 10:
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The edge on the 16 is thinner, and convex, not to mention the blade is thinner.

Sheath:

The 16 sheath works fine but nothing to write home about. The Yuma sheath on the other hand is AWESOME! I love this thing, I'm proud to show of just the sheath, a real work of art.

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Edge retention:

I don't really have the experience to tell how good the Yuma with hold an edge, but I have a feeling it with hold real good, it's thicker. :D

Enjoy!
 
You would be well served by any of the three knives in a tough spot. Good review kid. :thumbup:
 
I found similar results with my Tradewater when compared to the 16. The TW edge was just amazing and a joy to cut/shave and scrape with. I love them both.
 
Thanks for the review kid. Glad you like the knife.
 
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