Just couldn't resist temptation any longer....

[Dexwithers]

So I am a huge Becker fan. Love every one of my Becker knives (18 and still growing).... But, I'm afraid I've given into the temptation and decided to try something new.

My Bk12 is one of my favorite knives and I was always impressed with the quality of Rowen's manufacturing.
So needless to say, I've wanted to try out some ESEE knives for quite a while now.
But I have resisted cause I'm a Becker knife kinda guy!! Ya know what I mean...?

Well, I couldn't sleep the other night, It was really late, and I got on the computer. Well in my delirious state of mind..... I began filling up my shopping cart. Been here many times before. I was just window shopping? Do it all the time just to dream a little. You ever done that before? Don't judge me! ha ha. I can't tell ya how many times I've filled up my cart with ESEE's. Never ordered tho because I can't justify getting one because my Beckers can do it all plus some at a better price point.

Anyway, I decide to get the ESEE4 and then couldn't decide between the Izula and the Candiru? For some reason I've got a thing for little knives lately? Used to be the bigger the better but now I like the mid-sized to smaller knives for most tasks. Probably since I started carrying a BK11 (I can get so much done with that knife) everyday for the last year.

And then when the dust all settles....... This is what I end up with.....

A whole ton of ESEE's.......

What was I even doing on the internet that late anyway??


So here is the first one. An Izula and I got the micarta grips.

This knife feels really good. Kinda reminds me of another Knife I have.......Oh yea this one!

So that's the two of them side-by-side.
Simular but at the same time, totally different.

How many of you have both and which one do you prefer?


Next is this little guy....

Little bitty thing, but I think I will really like it for small tasks. (and I do mean small)
Feels surprisingly good in the hand.
I will have to do a comparison between my remora and my candiru soon.

.....and next to the Izula

Next up is this thing. The ESEE 4.

Like the feel of it. Choil is really nice. She is super sharp as well!

Direct Competition.....

Next to my beloved BK16 (IMO King of the mid-sized knives).
I think the esee 4 feels great in hand and I imagine that I will enjoy using it but with that said, after holding both in the hand, I think Ethan Hit the nail on the head with his handle design on the Tweeners!!

Thanks Ethan!!! Your the bomb!

I can guarantee, without a doubt that the Bk16 feels better in hand than the ESEE. Both feel really good, But the Becker feels better.
I have micarta on both and that also makes a difference.
I feel as if I can grab the back of the BK16 and do some light chopping and if I did the same to the ESEE, that it would go flying out of my hand. It will have to have a lanyard for sure.
Only time will tell and I will have to get out and use them both side by side to really get a better idea of the differences between them. But first impressions are everything sometimes. I absolutely like the roundness and the feel of the palm-swells of Ethan's knife handle over the flatness and thinness of the ESEE.

I do think I will get a lot of use of the ESEE 4 and do really like the blade, but If I could only have one..... I'd pick the Becker fo-sho!!

Luckily I can have both!

So here is all the ESEE's I got.

And yes..... I did get that little arrow head.
Why? because it was like 3:00am and seemed like the right thing to do at the time!
But really I think its a cool concept and something to keep in your pack or kit just in case.


So how many of you have Becker and ESEE knives? and Which models do you prefer?

And how many of you have one or the other and have thought about getting both?


I guess It's kinda like your with a hot brunette, and you see a hot blond walk by and are like "Man I wish I had one of those". haha

I'm still partial to my Becker's, but It's nice to try something new I guess.......


Enjoy!!

 

[B.Mauser]

Nice new steel.

I have never owned an ESEE, I still need a few more Beckers before I'm buying anything else. But when I do its going to be the candiru first, I really like the looks of that. Want one of the arrowheards too. :thumbup:

 

[Dexwithers]

Nice new steel.

I have never owned an ESEE, I still need a few more Beckers before I'm buying anything else. But when I do its going to be the candiru first, I really like the looks of that. Want one of the arrowheards too. :thumbup:

Thanks!

And yea the candiru feels awesome. Maybe a little expensive for such a small knife but it is a great design and top quality craftsmanship and seems like it can accomplish a multitude of tasks for its small stature.

 

[The Warrior]

ESEE's are sweet blades, congrats. I have the 3, son got it for me. The 3 has the same grips as the 4, just a shorter blade. My 3 handles are more comfortable for me than the tweener handles were, simply because it's a straight handle, and with the choil, I can choke up more. Next to my 14:

 

[agile_1]

And yes..... I did get that little arrow head.
Why? because it was like 3:00am and seemed like the right thing to do at the time!
But really I think its a cool concept and something to keep in your pack or kit just in case.

I have been tempted by it as well.

Very nice score. My fixed blade collection is limited to one Kershaw Skyline, one SOG Force and one Cold Steel Bushman. But you can bet I will be expanding soon.

I can resist anything except temptation
Oscar Wilde

 

[Dexwithers]

ESEE's are sweet blades, congrats. I have the 3, son got it for me. The 3 has the same grips as the 4, just a shorter blade. My 3 handles are more comfortable for me than the tweener handles were, simply because it's a straight handle, and with the choil, I can choke up more. Next to my 14:

Thanks Man... I almost got the 3 instead of the 4. And yea the choil is nice, can choke up very close to blade. That 3 looks good next to the 14 and very similar in size as well?
Nice scales by the way on the 14.

I have been tempted by it as well.

Very nice score. My fixed blade collection is limited to one Kershaw Skyline, one SOG Force and one Cold Steel Bushman. But you can bet I will be expanding soon.

I can resist anything except temptation
Oscar Wilde

It sure is a tempting little thing.

I say go for it... it can only lead to more knife purchases. ha ha
I don't think anyone can have two many knives!

Nice collection. Now get you a couple of Becker's in there and your set!

 

[Psyop]

Ive got a few

 

[HardTripper]

My only ESEE is the izula 2, its the only one besides the junglas that doesn't have a choil. I wish they would take the izula pattern and make a 6 inch bladed camp/survival hybrid. Great steel and great fit and finish on rowen stuff.

 

[VolundoftheForge]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but what would be the reasons to go ESEE over Becker or vice versa? I love the designs and the apparent comfort of the Beckers, but I also find myself loving all the readily-available aftermarket goodies for ESEE, not to mention that with their warranty I know I can abuse my blade and know if it breaks they'll fix it. This problem is really giving me a hard time.

 

[Psyop]

I have never heard of Ka-Bar not warranting a blade. So really the warranty is the same except on paper. Becker is a better value IMHO and has better ergos again thats my opinion. However Im a knife nut so I need them all

 

[Ethan_Hardy]

Nice! good choice! I have a 4 myself. Thinking about a Junglas or a Buck Hoodlum, cant decide though......

 

[Skystorm]

You know what sucks about Esee? They are just like Beckers, You let one in the house and they run straight to your checkbook and invite all their friends over to stay.

 

[VolundoftheForge]

I have never heard of Ka-Bar not warranting a blade. So really the warranty is the same except on paper. Becker is a better value IMHO and has better ergos again thats my opinion. However Im a knife nut so I need them all

This is probably true. Also, is it true that the GRN sheaths for the smaller Beckers ruin the edges? I saw a video where it looked to be quite horrific on the edge, and though this isn't something to turn me from the smaller beckers, I may want to find a sheath source ASAP.

 

[Febeleh]

My only ESEE is the izula 2, its the only one besides the junglas that doesn't have a choil. I wish they would take the izula pattern and make a 6 inch bladed camp/survival hybrid. Great steel and great fit and finish on rowen stuff.

Like this?

 

[Febeleh]

This is probably true. Also, is it true that the GRN sheaths for the smaller Beckers ruin the edges? I saw a video where it looked to be quite horrific on the edge, and though this isn't something to turn me from the smaller beckers, I may want to find a sheath source ASAP.

Very true about the sheath dulling. From personal experience, I would recommend getting some Azwelke Kydex. He has great stuff at competing prices.

 

[Febeleh]

You know what sucks about Esee? They are just like Beckers, You let one in the house and they run straight to your checkbook and invite all their friends over to stay.

Dang man, that's a sweet collection. How do you like your three? Was seriously considering one for a while, but could never feel one in real life, so couldn't make a full decision. Does it seem sturdy?

 

[trailbum]

I have the BK14 and the izula and I like the izula more.
The esee 6 is my favorite knife in that size.
Dollar for dollar I almost always buy Becker over Esee.

 

[wasatchdan]

I bought an Esee-3 a couple of months ago. It fits in the perfect size envelope for an EDC blade, and sadly there are no Beckers in the 3 1/2" blade/4" handle category. The flat scales are great for carrying around town, but are too narrow for extended use, at least for my hand. My hand cramps up if I try to do too much bushcrafting with it. But since I bought it for carrying more than using, it not too big a problem.

I hated the choil at first, but I think it's growing on me. Esee should do some runs of their knives without the choil. I'd bet they'd sell them all.

Overall, I'm thrilled with the Esee-3. There are only three other Esee designs that I want--the Izula 2, the Junglas, and that new choil-less collaboration knife(the name escapes me). Thank goodness for that. A man could spend a lot of cash getting the whole Esee collection.

 

[Skystorm]

The 3 is a great blade, Of all of them I prefer the Laser Strike the most.

Dang man, that's a sweet collection. How do you like your three? Was seriously considering one for a while, but could never feel one in real life, so couldn't make a full decision. Does it seem sturdy?

 

[The Warrior]

I prefer the Laser Strike the most.

Have had that one on my radar for a bit, but am afraid it'll be too small for my hand.