My first ESEE

C

cutter17

Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
6,873
On Monday I placed an order for my first ESEE knife. I wanted something small, under 5.0" so if I chose to edc it, it wouldn't be so large as to be uncomfortable. For that reason I got an ESEE-4 ( I actually wanted something between 4"-5" ). The particular model is a 4P-CP. I thought all the knives from ESEE were drop points with the full flat grind from the top of the blade to the edge. The one I order has a swedge from the point back for about half the blade length, and I think it is sharpened. Will this weaken the tip? I suppose it will make the tip have a well defined point, and if the swedge is sharpened I could always flatten the edge if I didn't like it. I'll mainly use this for walks/hikes, so it may not make any difference. But I have heard nothing but good reports about ESEE and thought I would give them a try. Didn't they have a forum here?
 
Yes it will weaken the tip. But whether that is a worthy tradeoff depends on your intended uses.

And yes, they did have a forum here. Funny, I didn't notice it was missing until just now.
 
I went to the ESEE website, but I didn't see any mention of a swedged blade. Is this something they are no longer making? The more I ponder the swedge, the more I believe I will like it. Why was the swedge done in the first place? I know, questions, questions, and more questions. But I just want to know!
 
Chopping and breaks through bones. The top edge is duller and thicker like an axe to keep from chipping. Not to mention wicked in self defense....

I wish the site was more detailed in variants...
 
Thanks for the replies CapitalizedLiving, and turk.919. See you are from Raleigh N.C. turk. I'm in the western part of the state.
 
I went through the same thought process when choosing the ESEE 4. Really solid knife with very good fit/finish. I wish the choil was a hair larger. Sheath is fantastic.
 
esee calls it a "clip point" rather than a sharpened swedge. if you go to the site you'll see the "clip point" section with all the variations available in that format. i read on this forum form a few differnt psots about it........ it was done cause of law enforcement/military request? in the 3 mil version anyways. i can't verify that though?

i own a bunch of esee's, including a 3 mil in the sharpened backside or "clip point knives" as esee calls it and i find it to be tough enough. of course it's limited to certain tasks due to the sharpened back edge, so batoning is out, but it's still quite strong and the lifetime no questions asked guarantee.....so use it right and it will never break, and if it does it's covered for life.

enjoy your new knife.
 
ddml said:
I wish the choil was a hair larger.
Click to expand...

I know exactly how you feel, I cut my fat finger on the blade if I'm using it hard... I own both versions (Green/Black) one with the CP and one without. I much prefer the one without unless I am hunting. (Not often) I actually EDC mine for heavy work/defense if the need ever arises. My 5 and 6 beat all though. :D
 
ddml said:
I went through the same thought process when choosing the ESEE 4. Really solid knife with very good fit/finish. I wish the choil was a hair larger. Sheath is fantastic.
Click to expand...

Same impressions here, love it.
IMG_4379.jpg
 
Great knives!

If you go back to their website and look for the discussions tab you can find their forum.

I have a ESEE 3, 4 and Izula and love them all.
 
My first Izula 2 should arrive tomorrow. I am a little concerned that it will kick my folders out of my pocket.
 
My 4 arrived. Though not a fixed blade guy, I am really impressed with this knife! All the things said here are true, including needing a bit larger choil since I have already cut my finger!:eek::) Guess the blood really makes it mine now. Out of the bag this knife slices newsprint without a snag, really thin, thin slices of it just pile up. Top swedge will also cut newsprint, but not like the bottom edge, and I'll leave it be.........for the moment.

I set the kydex sheath up for horizontal carry, just to see how it will ride. I'll carry it when I go out in a bit. I will say that this is about as small a knife as I think I could grip comfortably as I do have a touch of arthritis in my hands.

Noticed it is made by ROWEN as stamped on the back side tang. Seems I read that Rowen quit producing the ESEE knives, but evidently is back to it. Also seems I read thet Rowen does an excellent job of ht the 1095?
 
I remember my first ESEE *tear* it was a beautiful 4 and i had saved for months. it was prehaps my best purchase.
 
My first ESEE was the ESEE-4 too. Fantastic knife that's led to many more ESEE knives both big and little.
 
Congrats, esee makes a great knife. The 3 mil was designed for mil/ law enforcement with the clip point, more of a self defense design. Now the 4,6 are also avail with clip point. The six with cp is wicked!
 
cutter17 said:
My 4 arrived. Though not a fixed blade guy, I am really impressed with this knife! All the things said here are true, including needing a bit larger choil since I have already cut my finger!:eek::) Guess the blood really makes it mine now. Out of the bag this knife slices newsprint without a snag, really thin, thin slices of it just pile up. Top swedge will also cut newsprint, but not like the bottom edge, and I'll leave it be.........for the moment.

I set the kydex sheath up for horizontal carry, just to see how it will ride. I'll carry it when I go out in a bit. I will say

that this is about as small a knife as I think I could grip comfortably as I do have a touch of arthritis in my hands.










Noticed it is made by ROWEN as stamped on the back side tang. Seems I read that Rowen quit producing the ESEE knives, but evidently is back to it. Also seems I read thet Rowen does an excellent job of ht the 1095?
Click to expand...

you can get larger aftermarket handles that are longer for the 3 and 4
 
Thanks for the info Sar5. I played with this knife a little bit today and decided that the choil as is would not work well with my big finger. Every time I placed my finger in it it felt like it was about to cut. So I enlarged my choil. I not only made it a little bit longer and deeper, I also angled it back towards the blade edge making it flat up to the top of the edge. Now if my finger pushes against it, it will not cut me. This promises to be quite the handy little knife! I can't wait until I retire in 3 years, then I can carry a fixed blade without feeling strange.
 
cutter17 said:
My 4 arrived. Though not a fixed blade guy, I am really impressed with this knife! All the things said here are true, including needing a bit larger choil since I have already cut my finger!:eek::) Guess the blood really makes it mine now. Out of the bag this knife slices newsprint without a snag, really thin, thin slices of it just pile up. Top swedge will also cut newsprint, but not like the bottom edge, and I'll leave it be.........for the moment.

I set the kydex sheath up for horizontal carry, just to see how it will ride. I'll carry it when I go out in a bit. I will say that this is about as small a knife as I think I could grip comfortably as I do have a touch of arthritis in my hands.

Noticed it is made by ROWEN as stamped on the back side tang. Seems I read that Rowen quit producing the ESEE knives, but evidently is back to it. Also seems I read thet Rowen does an excellent job of ht the 1095?
Click to expand...

May I ask where you read this? I've never heard that, and I visit their forum every day. Rowen stopped with TOPS, I believe, but not ESEE. And yes, the heat treat is excellent.
 
I couldn't tell you. It was something I read in passing and for some reason it found a little niche in my conscious mind. It very well could have been TOPS I read about.
 
I know Rowen builds bada** knives, Ontario quit making RAT because the quality was not what Jeff Randall and the guys wanted their name to be on. I didn't think Rowen ever stopped.. ? I may have to do the choil mod if I can build up the Kahunas, especially with how sharp it is now..
 
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