Mental meanderings of Ivan Campos Esse

Joined
Dec 19, 2000
Messages
586
I traded with Ivan a couple years back to gain possession of my Ivan Campos Esse. For review starters, I will say he is a great guy to deal with. He was quite helpful when I was trying to ship stuff to him "down south" his way. He is still being extremely helpful in, honestly, reorienting me with this knife and it's specs, as I seem to have forgotten many of them.

I was quite excited to receive my new Esse. I had been given options on the finishing of it, such as handle materials and colors. Black over ivory/cream was my choice.

When I pulled the knife out of the box and opened the zippered blade pouch that it comes in, it was everything I thought it would be. It has a chisel edge and reverse tanto styled blade, and was just what I wanted. Only one problem with receiving a knife of this caliber...I know it's to be used, but I cannot bring myself to de-mint it. It's definately the nicest knife in my collection.

Since I have this great reluctance to steal this knifes virginity, I do not know how it cuts. I know that it catches my thumbnail at a respectably low angle. That's all I've ever done with it.

The only downside I have with this knife is that, for my personal hands, the handle isn't the most comfortable I have. Where the cord finishes at the end is where my pinky rests, so I feel this small lump under it. I don't know/think this would really effect too much, but this is also the only complaint I have at all with this knife. In contrast, I have a Vespa from Ivan, and it's handle is quite comfortable for me to hold. So, it's subjective.

This is the second Campos knife I own and both are very well finished and well put together. I think they are very nice knives. Would recommend his work, definately.

For specs, I've already given that it's chisel-edged and rev-tanto blade style. The steel is S30V. Knife is a bit over 9". Aside from having the zippered pouch, the knife comes with an IWB kydex sheath.

Below are some links to pics:

http://www.celtek.org/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=11

http://www.celtek.org/gallery/details.php?image_id=54

http://www.celtek.org/gallery/details.php?image_id=55
 
My Campos American Standard Tanto rests next to the bed... D3 steel, takes an edge that puts a straight razor to shame. Lord help any intruder...
 
The Campos Vespa I own, also with D3 (K-100) steel can shave, too, but I really, really suck at sharpening knives with chisel edges. So it takes me the better part of a leap year to do it properly! Very sharp feeling knives.
 
Back
Top