I'm needing a new ESEE knife...

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ParacordMan1220

Joined
Feb 5, 2012
Messages
98
I have a thirst for a new blade that is yet to be quenched.

So I've looked at a couple of ESEE's knives, and I like the looks of the the ESEE 3, 4, and the Laser strike.
Is there any thing special about the ESEE 5 that would put it above my other choices?
The Laser strike's blade looks quite a bit different than the others, but does it work better?
I don't want a knife to big OR to small. It will be used mainly for buscrafting.

So...which one should I purchase?
 
Well, i assume you know that the 5 is 1/4" thick. Many seem to have issues with thick blades. I do not. For bushcraft, an ESSE 6/4 combo would be hard to beat.

For other combos, if you are even interested: BK9/16, BK10/16, BK7/16. For smaller combos: BK16/14, BK16/11, Esse 4/isula. :D
 
Matthew the Laser Strike is a bit odd, especially in person. Here is a pic showing it with a 16:

je4emyte.jpg

(pic belongs to koolaidnd on ESEE forums)

Here is a pic of some others in the ESEE lineup next to a 16:

DSC01110.jpg

(pic belongs to blt2drg)
 
Go with the 3. It seems to fall nicely in between the small necker category and the medium-large beaters.

just my 2 cents.
 
Thanks Derek for posting a comparison picture! You said that the Laser Strike is odd in person. Wear was the balance point of the knife? Do you think that the Bow and Drill socket indention makes the handles feel weird? What is your honest opinion of the Laser Strike?
 
I adore my junglas and my 3 is just amazing for light compact edc blade. The only esee i will probably never get is the 5 as it is just too bulky for me. Get any, you wont go wrong.
 
ParacordMan1220 said:
Thanks Derek for posting a comparison picture! You said that the Laser Strike is odd in person. Wear was the balance point of the knife? Do you think that the Bow and Drill socket indention makes the handles feel weird? What is your honest opinion of the Laser Strike?
Click to expand...

Well, it's made by Rowen, so it's going to be top notch quality-wise, and their warranty is second to none. However, in my personal opinion, I have yet to find an ESEE knife that is comfortable in hand. This is entirely personal preference mind you, but none of their handles have ever fit my hands well. I do have smaller than average hands, and from what I have seen this is generally an issue for others with smaller hands, but not necessarily always true.

The idea of a socket in your handle for a bow drill is rather odd to me, because I put a pouch and kit on my knife sheath, and it isn't going to be easy to balance and use as the bearing block, not to mention it probably won't be that easy to take on and off the belt. I wouldn't use the knife unsheathed for that either because that would be pretty unsafe. Again, personal opinion here, but I feel the Laser Strike is kind of weird in the hand, and while it is made very well, and would definitely do the job, I think there are other options out there that fit me better personally.

If it was me and it had to be an ESEE, it would be an ESEE 4 (because it is the closest to a BK16) or an ESEE 6 if I needed something bigger. Junglas if it had to be huge. Good luck, and let me know which way you end up going. Maybe check out Tops Knives if you are looking for something different, they have all kinds of styles in all kinds of sizes.
 
I am in agreement with Derek. BK16 or ESEE 4 is what I recommend. I own and like both.
 
Bearing in mind that EVERY knife is a better for some things than others... I have the 3, 4, 5, and 6 and love them all (by the way, I have medium sized hands and like the grip). I rate them as follows:

6 - Excellent bushcraft and general purpose, but too big for discrete carry (this is the one I'd want IF I could only have one which, thank goodness, is not the case). I actually like the choil on this knife for choking up for finer work with the larger blade.

5 - WAY too heavy for general use, but I like the lack of a choil, and it's GREAT for cracking coconuts (as mentioned, I too have no use for the drill socket).

4 - Great little, general-purpose knife. Chops okay, conceals well, and is perfect for hikes. Alas, I only wish it didn't have that choil...

3 - Great little knife for deep, every day carry but not a chopper. I also wish it had no choil.

If ESEE ever comes out with choil-less versions of their 3s and 4s, I'm going to have to rebuild a large portion of my collection--assuming they do it right (their choils are actually PERFECT... for choils).
 
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Dont go with the 4.... Its my least favorite..

get the 3... and the 6 ...then your set for anything.. ;)
 
Yeah, I'd go with the 3 or 4, so you can carry it every day. but maybe you would prefer a larger belt knife. I'm still buying replaceable blades at the moment, but once I start making more, ESEEs will be in my sights , it's all relevant I suppose
 
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I find the 5 to be too thick for general use.

I like the 3 and 4 a lot. The 4 is 3/16" and very sturdy yet still cuts well. The 3 is 1/8" and is still plenty stout.
 
Reasoned1 said:
If ESEE ever comes out with choil-less versions of their 3s and 4s, I'm going to have to rebuild a large portion of my collection--assuming they do it right (their choils are actually PERFECT... for choils).
Click to expand...

I'm right there with ya. A choiless 3 would be awesome. I would even be interested in a choiless 3 in 440C.
 
There are different philosophies for knives in the wild of course. I have the 3 and that's what I recommend. I would prefer the 4 for its length, but they made it thicker than the three and I don't want or need that. I could definitely "survive" in the wild with only the small, thin 3. Others feel the need to go Paul Bunyan on every tree in sight, and you might want something with a bit more length and heft for that. Preferably an axe.
 
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