Is it the 3 or the 4 that's the essential ESEE?

The ESEE-3 is my go-to knife among all my knives. I own a 4 and a 6 but greatly prefer the ESEE-3 to either of them. You should get your hands on a 3 if you can. :thumbup:
 
grey menace said:
If you spend any serious time in the woods go with the 4.
Click to expand...

People always seem to say that, and while yeah, it does make sense, blades thicker and therefore more sturdy. I've taken my 3 with me into the woods all the time, in fast these days its my only fixed blade. Having done some very hard work with it, I can't see telling someone to pass up the slicing abilities of the 3 in favor of the toughness of the 4, when I can't seem to break my 3 :D Darn thing just won't take a hint.:eek:
 
If you already have an Izula, get a 5 or 6 (or Junglas, if you require more of a chopper).

If you can only get one ESEE knife, get the 3.

There is very little difference between the 3 and 4 (even the difference in blade length isn't that dramatic), however, so either would serve you well.

Most people find that as they learn more, and become more comfortable in the outdoors, that the size of knife they need becomes considerably shorter.
 
While the 3 is my favorite slicing and dicing, skinning and grinning knife, the 4 is the more jack of all trades by a slim margin IMO. Either one can hack the same tasks when you get down to it however. You know you'll wind up with both so the real question is which to get first.
 
I bought a 4 and won a 3 and in using them both I have to say that in the choice between the 2 I'd have to say.............yes:p
 
Are the handles of the 3 and the 4 the same length?
 
The 4 was the first ESEE that I picked as per everyone's advice but after I got a 3, I've pretty much never used the 4 again. Actually, I'm not even sure what drawer it's in any more...
 
You stated you already have the ESEE 5 and the Junglas so you have chopping and battoning down. Why not get the 3 since it slices better than the 4, will do fine work better and is still plenty tough.
 
I like the 4 the best of all of them. Somehow, every time I pull out the 3, I end up putting it back in drawer and dropping the 4 in my pocket. Winter jacket pocket, though. The 3 would fit better in the pocket of a pair of trousers, so my habit may change when summer gets here.

pete
 
I picked the ESEE 3-MIL because it's relatively small and compact, yet beefy enough to be useful in the woods. I also got a 5 because I wanted something really stout. I skipped the 4, but I also hear that it's hugely popular.

SP
 
TrailWolf said:
Yes.

The scales are interchangeable as well.
Click to expand...

There are a number of 3 vs. 4 threads here. The biggest difference most people seem to find is that the two handles are identical, but feel very different because the 4 is so much thicker than the 3.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
How did you set up the sheath for belt carry? Does it come with all the equipment needed for belt carry? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I bought mine without the molle back and carried it for a while with paracord for belt loops. I now have the factory sheath paired up with a boot clip for sweats and iwb carry and use a sheath made by shotgunner11 with a tek-lok for belt carry.
 
I'd rather have the 4 in the woods, but I find carrying the 3MIL I have in a mix of environments easier. I have two HESTs and love how stout they are but find myself carrying the 3MIL more and more because of the longer blade...even though often wishing it were just a bit thicker.
 
Loonatic said:
Started mine with the Izula and i got to this point too, I think we all do :D

Which one is the most versatile and so on :confused:

One of my friend got the RC-3, so i had the chance to play with it a bit. I have a mini-commander that is similar in size so I am dropping the hammer on a RC-4.

Hope you'll enjoy the RC-4 :)

Cheers
Click to expand...

I guess that would be me :cool:

I will share my story/opinion/experience.....

I debated for at least 1 month between the the 3 and the 4. In the end, I went for the 3 which I must point out is a great knife (like many if not all ESEE I guess). My final decision point was the size factor especially the blade thickness. I really didn't want to go big.....

After using it on a couple of outdoors adventures, I am now seriously considering the 4 again as an add on to my currently small but growing blade assortment. The reason being that although I appreciate the smaller sized RC-3, I am now faced with the fact the RC-4 will make a better all around for situations where I would only carry one blade and where I am now realizing the RC-3 can fall short of the task. I call it the one blade to rule them ALL phenomena!!!

One last thing, in exchanging earlier today with the retailer I had done my purchase from, he indicated that the RC-4 has lately (last 2 months or so) surpassed the RC-3 in sales volumes. Seem like the original top spot the RC-3 had in his shop has now being taken over by the RC-4.

I hope that this provides more insight to you based on my humble experience :D
 
First one for me was the 4. It was my favorite for quite some time. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top