Need Input - 4, 5, or 6?

willworship

willworship

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Jul 19, 2009
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I have some money to spend, and I want to get an ESEE/Rat. I have been leaning toward the RC-5. I have also considered the 4 and the 6. I already have a Fallkniven F1 and a Becker BK2 (which I think are in the same ballpark as the 4 and the 5, respectively, but correct me if I am wrong). Which should I get as my first ESEE/Rat?

I would appreciate your advice before my purchase, especially from those who may own or have experience with the other knives I've mentioned, so they have had the chance to compare firsthand.

Thanks!

Bill
 
since you have the 4 and 5 covered already I would say 6 since it is the only real option left of the choices you have. If it were me though since you have the middle covered I would go small like the izula or 3, or large like the junglas or lite machete. Thats just my opinion though. Hope this helps.
 
The 4's size, thickness and shape make it a spectacular performer on paper, and many consider it the best RAT knife, but I can't get into the handle. The RC5 is massive and that turns alot of people off-I love the general utility of it, the full secure grip and the sense of trust it instills, that it will not fail, will always perform, will save your life. The RC-6 is a good practical larger knife for beating on but still holds a slicing edge, while providing a comfy grip. They all are lightyears ahead of the rest of the industry when it comes to quality for the money, it really just depends on personal preference. Get your hands on them to compare before you buy.
 
If you can't get your hands on them first to determine what feels good for you, I'd look into either the 4 or 6. I got the Izula and RC-4, and kind of wished I had the 6. But it seems like the ESEE-4 is the most popular model on these boards.
 
for what it is worth get ESEE6(great all around) and a Izula with slabs.Izula fits well in pocket when preaching.
 
Since you already have knives in the 4 an 5 covered, I'd go either larger or smaller. You could do towards a ESEE 3 or Izula for a EDC or small field knife. Then you could go the other way and get a Junglas or Lite Machete for some serious outdoors work. I think the 5 and 6 fall too close to what you have already and would really get more out of expanding in a different direction.
 
333rm said:
Since you already have knives in the 4 an 5 covered, I'd go either larger or smaller. You could do towards a ESEE 3 or Izula for a EDC or small field knife. Then you could go the other way and get a Junglas or Lite Machete for some serious outdoors work. I think the 5 and 6 fall too close to what you have already and would really get more out of expanding in a different direction.
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i agree. since your budget is around $150, i recommend either an izula with scales & lite machete for ~$130 or a junglas for ~$170.

i have a bk2 & rc-5. aside from the esee warranty there's nothing you'll gain from having both. also, i prefer the junglas hands down over the bk2 & rc-5. it'll perform just as well on any task except maybe prying a car door open.
 
I'm seriously considering the RC-4. I'm a Beckerhead at heart, but I've been researching the ESEE line quite a bit. I'm sold fellas. Now if I could just convince my "financial advisor" (read: wife), that a new knife is absolutely necessary... ;)
 
MikeyJ said:
I'm seriously considering the RC-4. I'm a Beckerhead at heart, but I've been researching the ESEE line quite a bit. I'm sold fellas. Now if I could just convince my "financial advisor" (read: wife), that a new knife is absolutely necessary... ;)
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I never,ever consult the Missus when deciding to purchase steel. It may interfere with the purchasing process. My best advice is to decide on the knife,look for a reasonable price , then purchase it. You will feel better about it, trust me ;) Make sure it's an Esee product. If you're better half is not a blade afficiondo,consulting her before purchase may compromise the integrity of the buying process, affect personal relations,and promote household discord.:thumbdn:;) Stealth is required. Sneak it in the cover of night.:D

I too,had to decide among the 4,5,& 6. Owning a BK-2 solved the Esee 5 question for me. I ended up getting 3 Esee 4's , and a 6. My next will be a 3 for EDC. Between the 4 and 5 , I also recommend the 4. You can still get a 5 later if you feel you need it , but the 4 is a great starting point for new Esee owners, IMO.
YMMV. Good luck on your choices.
 
I went with the 4. I have blades that already fit the role of the 4 but you can never have too many good all around/general use knives. I've noticed some people complain about the handle being a bit short for them but it is fine for me I have no negative things to say about the 4. I'd eventually like to have a 5 because I love the idea of a blade designed to see you through survival and probably will pick up all of them eventually but have no regrets about the 4.
 
MikeyJ said:
I'm seriously considering the RC-4. I'm a Beckerhead at heart, but I've been researching the ESEE line quite a bit. I'm sold fellas. Now if I could just convince my "financial advisor" (read: wife), that a new knife is absolutely necessary... ;)
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buy her a pink izula. problem solved :D it's a gateway knife. plan b: educate her about the warranty. plan c: open a swiss bank account. what she doesn't know can't hurt her :eek:
 
exidor said:
for what it is worth get ESEE6(great all around) and a Izula with slabs.Izula fits well in pocket when preaching.
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I agree on both counts:D

If I were you I'd get a 6 or a junglas.
 
GOTTA GO WITH THE 6! I love mine, goes everywhere with me. Can't think of a single thing that it hasnt done flawlessly the whole time i've owned it! The only other thing I would get would be something bigger. Do I need it? NO! Do I want something bigger? ALWAYS!
 
As mentioned, the 5 is a large, heavy knife with a thicker blade. I still want one down the road I'm pretty sure.

The 4 was my first and is a great general purpose knife. The 6 having the same blade thickness with cut just as well as the 4, but we're talking two different animals here. The 6 has a much larger handle and is larger than what I would want to carry on my belt. The 4 is a great belt companion and is easy to put on and forget about until you need it. A real work horse for it's size and weight.

In all these threads I ponder an answer when I am really almost certain you're going to buy one and like it so much that you buy another. They're just great knives.
 
The '6 has amazing balance. I love mine.

The '4 doesn't. Mine sits in the safe as a backup chore knife.

The '5 is kind of like a hatchet with a smaller handle. I will be buying one eventually.
 
If you've already covered the "larger" sizes, why not go for the IZULA as Exidor recommended? The one I have is a great all-around performer that holds a razor edge.

I cord-wrapped the handle on mine, but +1 on the micarta scales
 
JV3 said:
buy her a pink izula. problem solved :D it's a gateway knife. plan b: educate her about the warranty. plan c: open a swiss bank account. what she doesn't know can't hurt her :eek:
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:thumbup: for the pink Izula. She just may go for that!!
 
I have to say that whichever one of them you get you really should add an Izula to the order. It is an amazing all around knife for everything. Now out of your choices I would tend to advise against the 5 being as it is a real beast of a knife, and for me wouldnt get any belt time. I would suggest the 4 as I own this knife and it is a great belt knife, but I tend to like my 3 better as it is lighter and thinner so it slices and carves better, IMO. Now in your situation I would really have to suggest the 6. It seems like it would fit the niche you are missing the best. Whatever you get will not be your last ESEE and you will be very happy.
 
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