photo comparison of BK14 and ESEE 3-mil

slapper

slapper

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Sep 2, 2010
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While I have been waiting for tweener pics, I was able to trade for this ESEE3-mil. I decided to post some comparison pics.
I'll start with a blade to blade comparison.
esee3vsBK14001.jpg

Next is a handle to handle.(wasn't sure what to line up)
esee3vsBK14002.jpg

followed by a thickness comparison.(Becker is thicker)
esee3vsBK14003.jpg

BK14 in hand.it's long enough for my hand(cadet large in a golf glove)
esee3vsBK14004.jpg

ESEE 3=-mil in hand. It is long enough to use the glass breaker.
esee3vsBK14005.jpg

I hope this helps someone.
 
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Thanks! I was hoping somebody would do this!! Love my Izzula II and Esee 3... but for the money, I think I'll give the BK14 a try. Won't be as worried about losing it, either..
 
I was looking for a blade that is slighty less than 4" that would be the size in between my BK14 and BK2. Just going by the specs I thought it would fit the bill perfectly. IMO they are effectively the same usable size. The esee3 doesn't seem to be able to handle any larger task than the 14. They are both great blades, and here are some of my thoughts on them. the 14's balance point is towards the tip, while the esee is balanced towards the handle. the esee seems sharper while the BK14 seems more utilitarian(based on the grinds). I have yet to need to break glass in my lifetime, although a glass breaker is still a cool feature. The esee's handles are slim and great for low profile belt carry, while the bk14 is a pocket knife replacement for me.

in summation the bk14 is bare-bones utility at its finest. Its cheap, it's effective, and it performs tasks of larger knives.
 
Thanks for posting this I was also wanting to do a similar comparison.... yes while they are both very similar in size etc, the 3 excels for edc with the glass breaker..

I like both..

nice review...!!
 
If you choke up on the 3 with the choil and have both blades in hand side by side, the blade of the 14 will actually extend further than the 3.
 
Nope, I had a BK14 before and I sold it because the handle was way too small. I have been looking at getting a small mountable (via MOLLE) vest option and I was looking at something the size of the ESEE 3 because I have that too (it is actually my wife's). I gave some thought to the BK11 because the handle looked a little beefier, which would fill the hand better. Then, I am looking at the BK16/17 and also considered that even though it is a bit larger than what I wanted.

So how is the handle on the BK11? Anyone know in comparison to the BK14?
 
Don't have a BK11 but I've read that it's easier to get a 4 finger grip on a 14 than on an 11.
I'm about to test that out somewhere in the course of 2013 :D
Good luck on your knife hunt though!
 
Well, that was a timely resurrection of an old thread. Thanks, guys. For the last week, I've been debating the purchase of an Esee-3. I've been wanting a blade around 3" to 3 1/2", with a handle longer and more hand-filling than the 14's for an EDC fixed blade. Sadly, BK&T doesn't have a blade in that size window. The Tweeners are about an inch too long and the 14 just a bit too short for my purposes, but the Esee-3 looks like it might be just the thing. I don't really care for the Esee-3's choil, but I can probably learn to live with it.
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
Don't have a BK11 but I've read that it's easier to get a 4 finger grip on a 14 than on an 11.
I'm about to test that out somewhere in the course of 2013 :D
Good luck on your knife hunt though!
Click to expand...

A good set of scales can really change how the 11 handles in the hand. I've got some Tommythewho scales on mine that go all the way to the end of the handle and transform the 11 into a dandy little blade for EDC. Very comfortable in the hand and not expensive at all. They also work perfectly with the factory and aftermarket kydex sheaths.

DSCN0233.jpg
 
Love my RC3!! I Carry that one everyday! Along with a few other beckers!!!! :D :thumbup:
 
wasatchdan said:
A good set of scales can really change how the 11 handles in the hand. I've got some Tommythewho scales on mine that go all the way to the end of the handle and transform the 11 into a dandy little blade for EDC. Very comfortable in the hand and not expensive at all. They also work perfectly with the factory and aftermarket kydex sheaths.

DSCN0233.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice blade! Is it just the lighting or did you add serrations to your 11? More pics?
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
Nice blade! Is it just the lighting or did you add serrations to your 11? More pics?
Click to expand...

Nope, factory serrated. It was a special run for Amazon, I think. Came with factory micarta and a tan sheath w/ TDI clip.

Here it is new and then after modding. Stripped, Cliched, new scales, and squared up the spine for firesteel striking.

DSCN0300.JPG


DSCN0220.jpg


The serrations are nice while I'm at work since I cut a lot of rope, twine, and poly banding, and the serrations work better on those items than a plain edge will; they don't dull as fast. For outdoor use, though, I'd go with the normal plain edge.
 
The ESEE 14 is a great bare-bones neck knife, but the ESEE 3 really is a great EDC / Woods knife. I don't think the two can be compared head-to-head in terms of function, because the full grip makes the ESEE3 more viable for longer term usage. I originally got the BK14 to fit the niche of a short fixed blade that I could use for campfire prep, edc, and small / medium game cleaning. I found that I really didn't like it for game cleaning that much or camp / hiking work. The 3 fit those jobs better for my uses. However, the 14 is a better EDC for my and comes in quite handy on a daily basis.
 
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