Needing serious advice

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Dec 12, 2010
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So here's my dilemma and I'm looking for PROFESSIONAL advice, not (pardon me here) just personal preferences/bias attitudes type stuff.. I mean REAL WORLD application advice please. SO, thanks in advance. I have a Junglas for all my heavy wood work/batoning etc. so this would be my companion knife and the question is getting the ESEE 4 in 1095 OR stainless 440C that's coming out. I DON"T WANT TO GET INTO A STAINLESS/NON STAINLESS DEBATE really, just looking for your best shot. A few facts that might help in giving me advice. I live in the Northwest, VERY dry summers and although the other 3 seasons can be very wet precipitation wise, the over all air humidity is still VERY low. I take super care of my stuff, never neglect anything. It probably won't actually get tons of use, just the way it is with me. Which ever 4 I get will primarily be used for the usual 4" knife stuff, food prep, maybe some skinning, smaller wood shaving/carving (no batoning) the usual survival things you would use this smaller blade for. SHOULD I GET THE 1095 OR THE STAINLESS? I don't have a clue. Maybe this thread will help others decide too that can't figure this one out.:confused:
 
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With The ESEE heat treat you will have a solid knife either way. I live in arizona and even with the low humidity you can have 1095 rust. However with the coating and a small amount of car you should have zero issues. I can say that edge retention and ease of sharpening on the 1095 is great. The stainless version is not out so i cannot speak for it as far as edge and sharpening. My advice? Buy the 1095, use it and if you have issues or dont like it sell it on the exchange and go stainless.
 
If you care for the blade 1095 will be fine. I've garnered some rust on a couple of my blades over the years. Every single time it was due to one thing... NEGLECT. Treat your knife good, and it'll treat you good.

God bless,
Adam
 
I also think either would be fine.

just pick what one you find most appealing......
 
Don't overthink the issue.
Either one will do the job.
Since the esse 4 stainless is not out all you will get is opinions.
 
I'd generally vote for the 1095, based on my personal experience. With Rowen's HT, I think that steel becomes ideal for the intended purpose. However, the finish on the SS ESEE 4 prototype looks fantastic. :thumbup::thumbup: I really think that such a thick and sturdy blade, made by Rowen, will be far more than enough for all the needs you will throw upon it. I am actually very excited for that SS 4 model.
 
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Hey man, I live in humidity hell and use my 4 camping ALL the time, go mountain biking in the rain etc. Little rust happens every now and then but as soon as I baton a little wood its gone. Then I apply some oil and its all good...... I love the 1095 because its so easy to sharpen, and keeps a great edge..

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I don't know if I'm professional enough but I do use my knives quite a bit and I think you'd be fine with the 1095.
 
"So here's my dilemma and I'm looking for PROFESSIONAL advice, not (pardon me here) just personal preferences/bias attitudes type stuff.. I mean REAL WORLD application advice please. "

Don't marry her. The looks will fade and the money will run out. Just enjoy the time you have with her while you are young, then grow old and crabby alone with your knives in a remote mountain retreat watching "Second Hand Lions" over and over and laughing your ass off. That's my two cents.:) Mike
 
since the stainless won't be available for 4-5 months, get the 1095 version now.
if it doesn't meet your expectations, you can always sell it on the exchange.
your Junglas is made of the same 1095 as the 4 (and izzy) and if you're not having performance issues with it, why would you with the smaller one?
 
All good sound advice, THANKS MUCH. Looks like I'll be grabbing a 4 in 1095, can't wait! It's always good to hear others opinions, really helps clear out the cobwebs and put things in the right perspective when figuring something out!
 
"So here's my dilemma and I'm looking for PROFESSIONAL advice, not (pardon me here) just personal preferences/bias attitudes type stuff.. I mean REAL WORLD application advice please. "

Don't marry her. The looks will fade and the money will run out. Just enjoy the time you have with her while you are young, then grow old and crabby alone with your knives in a remote mountain retreat watching "Second Hand Lions" over and over and laughing your ass off. That's my two cents.:) Mike

Thanks, Mike. I'd have rather spit that coffee on the desk than drink it anyway!
 
I live in Oregon and use carbon steel almost exclusively. None of which have a coated blade. The knives I have that are stainless are folders. However, I don't do multi day trips in the rain. More of a fair weather hiker so I can't offer any advice on really wet conditions. My advice is to force a patina or let it form naturally. Also, not a bad idea to carry a small 1/2 oz bottle of mineral oil and some fine steel wool if you do get a little spotting. Steel wool has multi uses too like starting fires.
 
when i'm not in FL (hot and humid), i'm in S.E. Asia (hot and humid). i've used both stainless steel (154cm mainly) and high carbon steel. as long as you plan on leaving the coating on the blade, i don't see how 1095 could be a problem. the coating (as you probably know from your Junglas) is superb. the only portion that is exposed is the cutting edge and the laser engraving. my edge discolors, from time to time, then i sharpen it and it's clean again.

in all honesty, for a less than extreme use knife, it boils down to which look you prefer.
 
"So here's my dilemma and I'm looking for PROFESSIONAL advice, not (pardon me here) just personal preferences/bias attitudes type stuff.. I mean REAL WORLD application advice please. "

Don't marry her. The looks will fade and the money will run out. Just enjoy the time you have with her while you are young, then grow old and crabby alone with your knives in a remote mountain retreat watching "Second Hand Lions" over and over and laughing your ass off. That's my two cents.:) Mike

+1 - Truly well put. Definitely the opinion of a professional.
 
Whenever I can't deside on something, I just get both. You can never have too many esee4's. Woudnt you agree?
 
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