I love my new ESEE 6, but....

J

jonnyt16

Joined
Jul 17, 2007
Messages
1,281
...Will it replace my Fallkniven A1 as my all-time favorite survival knife? Probably not. Actually its not fair to say that since I haven't really used her yet. And I gotta say, the ESEE 6 does look and feel very promising. Not sure what took me so long to get one but I'm finally on board. The sheath setup is awesome as well....I must always have at least a multi-tool and a firestarter with my survival blades and the pouch is plenty big enough for both.

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I really like 6-inch blades for all-around usage. Thus, my other two main camp/survival knives are the Fallkniven A1 and a SwampRat RMD (Prototype version). I'll be up front right now and tell you that I really don't care for the RMD. The "black paper" handle scales are so slick I had to wrap them up in camo tape. I have yet to find a grip that inspires more confidence than the Fallkniven's. Also, the RMD has the shortest actual cutting edge of all three knives. On the ESEE 6, I replaced the micarta handles with some aftermarket G-10 scales that feel a ton better than the stock ones. Its a shame though because I much prefer micarta over G-10, but the ESEE's were just a little too flat and blocky. Here's all three together...

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And with their sheaths...

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I love the wide blade of the ESEE 6! Very handsome. And while not as thick as the Fallkniven A1, it should handle everything I'll do with it. The RMD has the thinnest of the three. I'm also glad the spine of the ESEE is squared off like the Fallkniven's. The RMD's spine, however, is rounded ("melted" as SwampRat calls it) making it completely useless to strike a firesteel with.

Only dirt time will tell if the ESEE can knock off the Fallkniven for my #1 spot. It won't be easy though because the Fallkniven has proven to me tougher than all hell and the edge retention of its VG-10 is phenominal. I just think the Fallkniven is one of the most well-thought knives out there. From its stout, thick blade to its ultra grippy handle, to its flat useable pommel and superb materials, the Swedes definetely knew what they were doing. But, I believe the ESEE 6 could possibly give it a run for its money. I can't wait to find out! A few more photos before I leave...

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The handle on the ESEE looks significantly bigger than the Fallkniven
Is it a photo illusion or reality?
 
It probably wont, youre right. It hasnt for me. I have the S1 and the 6 and the six doesn't stack up to the S1. Re-profiling definitely helped the 6 but the convex of the Falknies beats the VAST majority of conventional factory profiles. Still a great knife for the price though! The six definitely won't be leaving my collection any time soon.
 
neeman said:
The handle on the ESEE looks significantly bigger than the Fallkniven
Is it a photo illusion or reality?
Click to expand...
Not an illusion, the handle on the ESEE (scales purchased from The-Knife-Connection) is definitely bigger than the A1. In fact, one of the few criticisms I've heard about the A1 is that its handle is a bit too small. I have not found that to be the case with me though. However, I suppose if you do have exceptionally large and meaty hands it could feel a little small. I wouldn't trade the grippyness of the Fallkniven's handle for anything though. Dry or wet, gloves or no gloves, the kraton grip of the A1 just sticks to your hand. I'm surprised more manufacturers don't utilize this material. I've heard the Resiprene C handles that Scrap Yard uses on their knives are super grippy as well but I don't have any experience with it.
 
Alright, I just couldn't wait until my next excursion in the woods to play with this thing so after work today I went out my backyard to see if I could get the ESEE 6 a little dirty. Found a nice stick that I thought would make a good figure four deadfall trap and also give me an idea on the ergonomics and handling of the knife. As usual, I will keep a multi-tool in the pouch on the sheath but instead of a firesteel like my other two setups, I threw in a box of stormproof matches just for a change. After turning the one stick in to three and starting the notches for the trap with my Victorinox Spirit, the ESEE 6 was ready to get her cherry popped.

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The ESEE 6 performed very well. It's edge easily carved up the hard, fresh wood. When I was tweaking with the notches trying to get them just right, the knife did feel a little ungainly because of its wide (tall) blade and its overall size, even when using the choil. But hey, I bought this thing for SURVIVAL, not for whittling away cute little balls in cages, ha! After the trap was completed I checked the edge for sharpness and while it was still very sharp, I can already kinda tell I will have to throw a new edge on this a lot more often than my Fallkniven. Today wasn't a totally clear indication of how much I will like or dislike the ESEE 6, only some good 'ol fashioned woods time will determine that. One thing I noticed though....I really like just holding this thing! It really is an awesome knife to have in your hand if that makes any sense. Overall I enjoyed the entire time I had working with the ESEE today and I think she'll be a keeper.

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Thicker...in certain spots. They are contoured to form a much more ergonomical shape than the stock ones. I wanted to keep the stock ones on because I love micarta but the aftermarket grips are just so much more comfortable.
 
jonnyt16 said:
Not an illusion, the handle on the ESEE (scales purchased from The-Knife-Connection) is definitely bigger than the A1. In fact, one of the few criticisms I've heard about the A1 is that its handle is a bit too small. I have not found that to be the case with me though. However, I suppose if you do have exceptionally large and meaty hands it could feel a little small. I wouldn't trade the grippyness of the Fallkniven's handle for anything though. Dry or wet, gloves or no gloves, the kraton grip of the A1 just sticks to your hand. I'm surprised more manufacturers don't utilize this material. I've heard the Resiprene C handles that Scrap Yard uses on their knives are super grippy as well but I don't have any experience with it.
Click to expand...

Remember, everything is a trade off. Kraton, while sticky is also prone to getting torn up and coming loose against the tang. I agree that the handle is very grippy but put it on your belt and drop and roll a few times. You will spend the next hour pulling stuff out of your handle. Leave it on the dash in the summer or split out the butt while using the exposed tang to break something and the honeymoon will be over :)
 
I have a recently acquired 6, too. I can't wait to get out and use it! I also have a Candiru on the way. :-)

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I like but rarely touch my E6. It's the Izula's that I seem to find in hand more often.
 
Revolverrodger said:
I would also try the GSO 6
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You know, I've noticed the Survive knives getting a lot of attention here in recent times but for some reason I never really looked in to them until your post. I gotta say, their GSO series looks very attractive. Especially the 6 and 7/7. I really like the blade shape and micarta handles. Great steel too. But how available are they? I searched for those two models and it seemed like everyone was out of stock or had very limited options.

The other blade I was actually looking real hard at before I decided on the ESSE was the Blackjack Tacops-6. I was very close to buying that one over the ESEE. Anyway, its unlikely that I'll purchase another knife for camp/survival duties in the near future as I already have three, unless I decide to get rid of the SwampRat which is my least favorite of the three.
 
I'm thinking of getting the Fallkniven A1. Does it have a hard 90 degree spine to throw sparks with a firesteel ?
 
I don't have any of the knives you are comparing but have lusted after all of them at one point or another. I don't think a guy could go wrong with any of them. I find you thoughts interesting as I think I would put them in the reverse order that you have. Based only on what I read & have experienced with other knives.
 
I have a ESEE 6 and had a F1 at one point but sold it. The Falkniven handle was too small and was uncomfortable. With the different scale options available for ESEE that's gonna be my pic.
 
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