RC-3 MIL Initial Impressions

[333rm]

Great pics and review Mistwalker! The ESEE 3 MIL is one of my favorite all time knives, a close second to the ESEE 5. It really is VERY versitle and can do anything you need it to no matter it's size. If I was in a survival situation and had only an ESEE 3 MIL in terms of blades, I'd be good to go. Keep the reviews coming.

 

[kgd]

Thought you'd like the 3

On some levels yes...on some levels no. It will be my usual edc now because I like the serrations and the extra blade length of the 3 MIL, and I love the sheath system! However I do like the steel thickness of the HEST better. I'm pretty sure the HEST could handle rougher use a lot better. Now...if the 3 MIL was even done in 5/32 like the Izula plus having the serrations? I'd definitely choose the 3 MIL no questions asked. As it is now if I had to choose just one? Honestly...I'm not sure yet. I still have more to do with the 3 MIL before I will know.

Give it some time Mist. The good thing is you can just use that 3 like you would any other hard knife. It just takes dirt time working it hard until you get confident with it. A 3" x 1/8" thick blade is by no means thin. I've pried tinder fungus (which can be stuck in them birch trees pretty good) and fatwood with the 3 without problem. Heck, I've got a 5" x 0.095" thick blade (Koyote) that sees lots of hell. It don't need to be thick to be robust!

 

[rc3mil]

How is sheath retention on the ESEE-3Mil? I have the Ontario RAT-3 and the sheath is darn stiff and nearly impossible to unsheath from a belt. Is it easy to do one handed with your thumb?

Thanks

Its pretty good. It gets a little loose over time. Mine is nowhere near as tight as it was when it came from the factory but that is expected. I can shake it hard upside down and the blade wont fall out. It unsheathes easily.

 

[berandom]

thanks rc3mil

 

[Cash427]

Typical MW post.........making me hungry!


Excellent pics as always! I dig the 3, good blade and size. I like bigger blades but theres something about a stout shorter blade that is just cool to me! Thanks for posting, Mist...

 

[jfmitch]

Thanks - I was enjoying my dinner of a Subway Chicken & Bacon Ranch sandwich; now I'm craving pork loin...

Oh, and the knife looked good too.

 

[ScottyD]

Those sure are some good pictures. The food pictures made me hungry too!

 

[Mistwalker]

That is a great knife I'm glad you finally got it and love it as much as you do. My RC3 gets more belt time then any of my other ones, except my Izula I wear that one around town a lot. You really need to get out and play with it in the woods, I love how you can barely tell its on the belt but it works like a ox. Also as you showed it is great in the kitchen too. They really did make one hellova knife here. Although I am with you I like to something like this in 5/32, but I do love the wicked slicing ability of the 1/8.

Yeah, it is a great knife. I'm glad I finally got one too. I do forget it's even on my belt. This thing does slice reeeeaally well!

Great knife pics, the food pics were just plain uncalled for. It's 7:30 am and I now want a dinner meal. Thanks a lot!

Thanks man, glad you liked the knife pics.

Hey...I can't help it I like to cook...you all know I like knives...it's just a natural combination when I get a new knife

The MIL is one of my Top Favorite Blades of all time.....Great post

Thanks Tony, glad you liked the post, I'll be glad when it stops raining...I have a couple of new small bow drill concepts I want to try.

It's my new edc belt/pocket fixed blade.

Nice review and meal! Another knife to add to the list. Thanks brother!

Thanks Rocky, glad you enjoyed it.

Now I feel better, I thought I was probably the last one here to get one lol.

I think you'll like the knife.

Kickass review! Great photos too

I can't wait to finally get my hands on one tomorrow

Thanks man, glad you liked it. The knife is definitely worth the wait!

The pictures of your dinner are making me SO hungry. I need to go have lunch.

Great review. The 3 MIL is on my short list of wants.
Oh and THANKS for making us all HUNGRY!

Thanks man!

Oh...and you're welcome

Dude, you committed a serious offense there. . .


. . .YOU CUT UP YOUR MUSHROOMS!!!


AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Hey...they absorb more flavor that way when I saute them!

The knife pics were awesome, the food was uncalled for...now Im hungry as heck...be careful cooking with your 3 ;P got slippery and cut my finger Hahahaha. Have I mentioned I've done this twice? my pinkys got this little slight stab/slice. lol.

Thanks man, sorry I went and made you hungry

I think I'll be ok, I've been playing with knives most of my life, and worked in professional kitchens a few times...but I'll be careful as usual

How is sheath retention on the ESEE-3Mil? I have the Ontario RAT-3 and the sheath is darn stiff and nearly impossible to unsheath from a belt. Is it easy to do one handed with your thumb?

Thanks

The sheath has great retention but yes it is designed very well, easy to quietly draw the knife using the thumb.

The 3mil has become one of my all time favorites and is my current EDC. Great review and pics:thumbup:

I've only had it a few days...all but one of which it has been raining, but I have had it on me everyday and it has already made my short list of all time favs.

 

[Mistwalker]

Great pics and review Mistwalker! The ESEE 3 MIL is one of my favorite all time knives, a close second to the ESEE 5. It really is VERY versitle and can do anything you need it to no matter it's size. If I was in a survival situation and had only an ESEE 3 MIL in terms of blades, I'd be good to go. Keep the reviews coming.

Thanks man, I do love this knife! I haven't had a chance to try the 5 yet, and as much as I'm liking their flat grind I can't make up my mind if I want the 5 or the 6

Thought you'd like the 3



Give it some time Mist. The good thing is you can just use that 3 like you would any other hard knife. It just takes dirt time working it hard until you get confident with it. A 3" x 1/8" thick blade is by no means thin. I've pried tinder fungus (which can be stuck in them birch trees pretty good) and fatwood with the 3 without problem. Heck, I've got a 5" x 0.095" thick blade (Koyote) that sees lots of hell. It don't need to be thick to be robust!

Yeah, I know you did that to me on purpose didn't you

I know, I keep hearing that. I see that it is stouter than I expected.

Don't worry, lol, I'll be happy to give it some time...it hasn't left my side in three days now

Typical MW post.........making me hungry!


Excellent pics as always! I dig the 3, good blade and size. I like bigger blades but theres something about a stout shorter blade that is just cool to me! Thanks for posting, Mist...

Thanks man! Yeah...I have historically been much more into larger blades...and still like them...but they are impractical for edc here where I live now. I spend way to much time in an urbanized environment now, and this one is a great edc for all my usual haunts in town and in the woods. I'll just keep a bigger one handy if I head into deeper woods.

Thanks - I was enjoying my dinner of a Subway Chicken & Bacon Ranch sandwich; now I'm craving pork loin...

Oh, and the knife looked good too.

Thanks man.

I like subway...I like their chipotle steak and cheese best!

Those sure are some good pictures. The food pictures made me hungry too!

Thanks Scotty, glad you enjoyed the pics!

 

[styx]

Well it looks like the RC-3 MIL really exceeds all of my expectations. Maybe i should scratch off the regular and put the MIL version on my wish list. With that glass breaker tip it could come in handy. Besides you never know when you need to crack a nut.
My only suggestion is to put down the recipe too next time.

 

[Mistwalker]

Well it looks like the RC-3 MIL really exceeds all of my expectations. Maybe i should scratch off the regular and put the MIL version on my wish list. With that glass breaker tip it could come in handy. Besides you never know when you need to crack a nut.
My only suggestion is to put down the recipe too next time.

The RC-3MIL is a great knife! I love it, and I knew looking at it that it was the version of the 3 I'd like best.

Well...I can give you ingredients...but not so much the measurements. I cook by sight and season to taste...It's never exactly the same as the time before.

 

[styx]

And I thought that I was the only one who cooks like that

 

[Battlesword]

Hey my Izula and 4 get a workout in the kitchen all the time.Tonight my Izula sliced and peeled Carambola and the 4 did the trimming on the steak I cooked the family for dinner.ESEE/Rats make great kitchen knives,I just wish they made a Gaucho/chefs style ,it'd live in my kitchen, and be going bush all the time.
And I second that call for the recipe.

 

[goodeyesniper]

nice review, the MIL is my only RC.

If using just the boot/belt clip to wear the sheath, I've found I like setting it up for Left hand, or IWB, carry. Then put it so the sheath is between my pants and my belt, clipped to the belt. Seems a bit more secure that way, and I like how it feels more.

But I don't carry it much, in California a fixed blade has to be openly carried, technically an overzealous LEO could get ya for your shirt covering up most of the knife, so I leave it at home unless hiking/camping.

 

[GRIM 62]

Good review mist!Besides the 6,the 3 is my favorite,hands down.You really should give the 6 a try,I think you would love it!

 

[Mistwalker]

Hey my Izula and 4 get a workout in the kitchen all the time.Tonight my Izula sliced and peeled Carambola and the 4 did the trimming on the steak I cooked the family for dinner.ESEE/Rats make great kitchen knives,I just wish they made a Gaucho/chefs style ,it'd live in my kitchen, and be going bush all the time.
And I second that call for the recipe.

They do very well in the kitchen

Ok, recipe later...no time right now.

nice review, the MIL is my only RC.

If using just the boot/belt clip to wear the sheath, I've found I like setting it up for Left hand, or IWB, carry. Then put it so the sheath is between my pants and my belt, clipped to the belt. Seems a bit more secure that way, and I like how it feels more.

But I don't carry it much, in California a fixed blade has to be openly carried, technically an overzealous LEO could get ya for your shirt covering up most of the knife, so I leave it at home unless hiking/camping.

Thanks man, yeah I just set mine up that way today for more secure carry.

Good review mist!Besides the 6,the 3 is my favorite,hands down.You really should give the 6 a try,I think you would love it!

Oh, I'm definitely going to be giving the 6 a try...just needed to tend to other issues first.

.