I know these questions get asked allot but.

C

cordystoy

Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Messages
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I have my first esee/rat a 3 with a izula on the way but they both seem a little small. The 3 is already on the vest and it fits nicely. I'm thinking of getting a 4 but I'm concerned it's so close to the 3 I'll be disappointed I didn't get a 6. But I'm afraid the 6 will be to big and I won't carry it much, and I already have a Swamp rat m-6 thats very close to the same size except thicker(more of a chopper). It's just a pain ordering without actually seeing them except pictures. Thanks for any input.
 
Yeah, getting hands on is pretty important before dropping a big ben on a blade... It really depends on the niche you need them for, what other blades you have that fill the same role and how the blades fit your hand. I have a HEST, RC3 and RC5 and the only one I don't think is perfect is the RC3-I find the handle insecure and uncomfortable. There are plenty of other quality companies out there too, you don't need to own the entire line. Whatever floats your boat.
 
To me there is a pretty good difference in the feel of a 3 and 4. I have both. The blade length is not THAT different, but TO ME, the feel is.

But yeah, you are right... its tough to judge from pics.
 
I own a 3 and have held a 4 - to me there is absolutely no difference in the handles size and feel. They are the exact same knife - one with a slightly longer blade. The difference, in my opinion, is negligible.

If you want a better, more comfortable and secure handle in a bigger package get the 5 or 6. If you want a better handle but want to stay in the ESEE-3 range, get a HEST.
 
Several of our fine vendors we have here are good enough to offer a customer-friendly return policy. My dad and I were buying our first RATs at the same time, a 3 and a 4. Once he got his hands on the 4, he really liked it as an overall woods blade, so he returned it to KSF for store credit and got a 4 instead. Now, you’ll have to cover shipping, but it’s just a few bucks if you REALLY decide you don’t like the knife. As for me, I really like my 4 and I put it to different uses than the 3.

The 4 is thicker and the blade is just long enough that it performs well for small batoning and other misc. heavier jobs that I might not want to use my 3 for. With that said, if you like larger knives at all (I never used to be a fan of knives over 5”) the 6 might be a better option or if you’re wanting a chopper, I’d go Junglas.

Handle is the same on the 3 and 4, the 4 is just a little more knife. I like the 4 because it can do a lot of tasks but isn't too much knife to carry on your belt.

Hope that helps.
 
Blade length does not equate to cutting edge length, and overall length does not dictate balance or in-hand feel.

It depends on what you want in the knife - what may be perfect to one can be uncomfortable to another.
 
I have a 3, have handled a 4, and prefer the 4.
It just feels better in my hand. (YMMV)
That said - I REALLY like my TAK -- an Ontario made Randall & Perrin design with the blade of the -4 and the handle of the -6.
since you already have the Swamp Rat, you don't really need the -6 unless you just like having a spare blade in that size.
 
The ESEE 6 is a bigass blade that feels small in the hand. I'm very happy with mine. Small enough to wear on belt just about anyplace, and large enough to handle just about anything in the woods. It batons well, but isn't much of a chopper. I'm very happy with it. It's a knife you can just use, and not think about using it.
 
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