Looking For A Heavy Duty Fixed Blade, Any Suggestions's?

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Outdoorsman7749

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Nov 23, 2014
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Hi, I Was Wanting To Know Everyone's Thought's On The Esee 4 Fixed Blade Knife. My Question's:

1. Is The Sheath Heavy Duty

2. Would You Trust Your Life With This Knife

3. If I Could Only Have 1 Knife For Survival/Heavy Use Outdoor's Would This Be The Right One?

Basically I'm Needing A Heavy Duty Fixed Blade. Any Recommendation's & Suggestions's Are Greatly Appreciated. Thank You!

~Outdoorsman7749~
 
I believe the ESEE is certainly trustworthy. If I was going to use a knife for survival, etc. I would pick a larger knife. I like the looks of the ESEE 5. I wonder if the extra length of a Becker BK7 would be useful. In the 5 inch range I've wondered if the lighter ESEE Laser Strike would be easier to use.
 
The ESEE is a very tough knife, and I would trust my life to it. The sheath is thick Kydex and can be outfitted with a MOLLE back and an accessory pouch if desired. Personally, I'd choose the ESEE 6 as my "one survival knife". I've owned and used both and the ESEE 6 larger and I feel it can do a wider range of tasks than the 4. Either would serve your purpose, it really comes down to which size you want.
 
bdmicarta said:
I believe the ESEE is certainly trustworthy. If I was going to use a knife for survival, etc. I would pick a larger knife. I like the looks of the ESEE 5. I wonder if the extra length of a Becker BK7 would be useful. In the 5 inch range I've wondered if the lighter ESEE Laser Strike would be easier to use.
Click to expand...

Agree.

The Becker BK16 compares favorably to the ESEE 4.

For survival, consider the ESEE 6, the Becker BK7, or better yet, the BK9.

I'm sure some of the Survive! owners will chime in as well with some good options from that brand.

There is also the ESEE 5 and Becker BK2, though those are thick heavy 5" 'tanks'. Maybe too heavy.
 
To answer your question... yes, the ESEE 4 is a great blade. Only "bad" things I've ever heard about it is that it may be a touch thick for its length, and has a smallish handle. If you're considering the ESEE 4, I think you should also take a look at the Becker BK16. Its a touch thinner (5/32" vs 3/16"), and has a longer handle. The Becker BK10 is the next closest thing (3/16" thick, 5.25"in blade).

And the BK7 is a good knife no doubt, but personally I'd be going slightly smaller with a ESEE 6 or Becker BK12, or larger like the BK9.

Personally, I use a Mora and a BK9 (and a folding saw), with those, I feel comfortable going anywhere. If I was getting one knife to live on my belt that I could trust to do anything, it would be a BK16 (with a SAK farmer in the sheath, so its kind of cheating :P).
 
ESEE 6 would probably be a better choice. It can chop as well as perform more delicate tasks. ESEE Knives are definitely reliable as well, and they are also fairly easy to sharpen.
 
The kydex sheath will be good to go.
ESEE is a good brand. Treks and hikes you'll be just fine.

I have one and like it. It's not a knife to end all knifes. Technically there are better but you'll pay an arm and a leg. You get a good knife for the money when you buy an ESSE.

What will you be using it for? Camping, hunting, hiking, treks, SHTF/bug out bag?
 
The handle on the Esse 4 is a tad short for me. I would go with the Esse 6 or one of the larger Beckers (BK 10, BK 9 or BK 7).
 
Outdoorsman7749 said:
Hi, I Was Wanting To Know Everyone's Thought's On The Esee 4 Fixed Blade Knife. My Question's:

1. Is The Sheath Heavy Duty
Yes

2. Would You Trust Your Life With This Knife
Yes

3. If I Could Only Have 1 Knife For Survival/Heavy Use Outdoor's Would This Be The Right One?
No

Basically I'm Needing A Heavy Duty Fixed Blade. Any Recommendation's & Suggestions's Are Greatly Appreciated. Thank You!

~Outdoorsman7749~
Click to expand...

My answers are above. I have the ESEE 4 and while it could be used for what you have listed if I was to only have 1 knife it would be the ESEE 6 or a Doug Ritter RSK 2. The 4's handle is just a bit short for it to be really comfortable and for a "1 knife only" scenario, I would want blade just a little longer.
 
I would (again) choose the GSO series knives made by Survive Knives. I've had a GSO 4.1 and a GSO 3.5, and I would definitely pick Cpm--3V blade steel.
 
So much depends upon the mission profile.

In a true "survival' situation - you may not be moving, or be able to move. A large heavy chopper would be fine, provided you do not have to carry it.

If you want a knife that can chop and perhaps pry but is portable over distance and terrain, now you start getting into compromises and design. A knife that is a sharpened pry bar that can chop may not be the best for more delicate work. I do not believe that there exists a knife that truly does it all. For this reason, I prefer the two or three knife approach: a heavy chopper, a smaller knife - perhaps a folder and a delicate SAK type of deal.

Assuming your thread directed itself tot he first category, choices abound and are mostly dictated by price/budget, brand loyalty and materials ( prefer carbon steels in field fixed blades). Arguments, disagreements can surely follow as with discussions about Chevy versus Ford (get the Ram), blondes versus redheads versus brunettes and which bourbon (ah, Tennessee whiskey) is best.

Busse and Becker are good choices unless you are looking for a slight compromise is design whereby you want a sharp cutting knife as well as a rugged chopper, in which case I am partial to the Chris Reeve's fixed blades, the "Project" series of A2 and the newer SS models. There are many, many choices. A modesty priced 1095 fixed blade with a decent heat treat can serve you very well; but then again, a Saturn car or 2WD Ranger could serve most of our transportation needs but we don't all drive them. That's what makes this enjoyable.

Happy Hunting!
 
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Blackjack Campanion, 1/4" 1095, plastic/nylon sheath, just about indestructible. Takes an incredible edge, and you could dismantle a Buick with it and sledge hammer. Or a contemporary Becker Campanion, a bit lighter (3/16") but still darn near indestructible.
 
if there was only 1 knife i would pick a becker bk2 that is one massive piece of steel
 
Esee 6


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I've been using mine to split firewood.
 
I really like my ESEE-4 (actually the older RC-4). It seems like a very good value to me. Great sheath, really nice micarta scales, unlimited warranty. Their 1095 seems to be a sensible choice and hardened for the right balance of toughness and edge holding. I understand that for some people's hands, the handle might feel blocky or too small, but it's been great for me. Never felt like I needed more blade for camping/bumming around the woods. I might get a 6 too some day, but I haven't really felt the need. Most of my chopping duties are met with an ax, folding saw, or cheap machete. If I did get a dedicated chopper, I think I'd want it to be 9" minimum.
 
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