Rc3 or 4?

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I have decided to get a ESEE knife while in the states this summer, and have decided on either the 3 or 4 (as well as an izula down the line) for a general propose knife to be a step smaller than my KaBar (easier to cary, smaller, hander for smaller cutting chores etc), and decided on ESEE because i have wanted one for a while. SO, my questions are, how do these two balance comparatively? Can you choke up on these blades by putting your finger in the cutout above the grip? Is there a model with a black blade and a tan-green grip? where is the best place online to purchase such a knife? Am i missing something here?

Thanks for the help

Paul
 
There are threes that have said color combo, it's the esee-3-mil.

If you're looking for a step down to pair with a kabar, I'd go with the three. The four is great, but the 3/kabar is a more handy pairing that kabar/4
 
This knife is not to be paired with the KaBar, it will be most likely paired with a izula and a rc-5 or 6 in the future. What i meant by a step down was better suited to carving and detail stuff than the Kabar.

Edit: Which of the two is a better stand alone knife?
 
I was looking at the 3-mil but i currently have a izula and a esee-5. I would probably go with the 3 or even look at the hest. Ive held both and kinda like the hest more. And its in that same price range.
 
They have the same handle both of them. Only difference is the blade size difference. If its going to be paired with the Izula, then get the RC-4.

As a standalone knife theyre both good.
 
think you'll love either...but as said...if color is important...the 3-mil will give ya what you asked for.

if you are for sure gonna get the Izula down the road...the 4 offers enough of a size difference to matter.

fine detail carving is do-able with both...the wide flat blades offer a good grip when choking up...no matter the hand position.

I'd tell ya to have fun on your search/handling/buying/using the knife you buy..but that's a given! :)
 
I'd go with the 3MIL for a step down from your KBar. It's thinner than the 4 and slightly shorter which makes it perfect to carry on you. It excels at carving and slicing, being a little thinner, and you have the glass breaking pommel on the end.
 
For a general woods knife it'd say the 4, but i am biased. The 3 is too thin for my liking, but it has a reputation of being a awesome slicer.
 
The ESEE-4 is my woods knife.

It is tough as nails but has no problem with finer tasks. :thumbup:

(The Izula however, is never far behind) :D
 
to me, the 4 feels better in hand because of the extra blade thickness.
the 3 slices vegetable slightly better because of the thinner blade.
both will whittle, make feather sticks, gut a fish or bunny, etc...
either one will pair well with a 6 -- but so would an izula, especially if you got the scales for it, too.
I know, not helping.
I started with a 3, got the 6 in a first gen rat pack kit, then went looking for a plain edge 4.
 
I use the 4 for my deep woods/hunting knife. I also carry the Izula. I also carry the Leatherman XTi. Oh! And my Benchmade Mini-barrage!
 
Ok, so as this will be a woods knife, Im thinking a 4 with a glassbreaker (as it will be living in the car), and be paired with multi tool, a izula, znd a 6 (down the road). Then once i have am izula, a 4, and a 6 i will need a jugulas (spelling?)... then a 5 would be cool, then a 3 wold be nice... Oh, tan sure looks nice, maybe i need a set of those... :p
 
the 3mil and the 5 are the only ones that come with a sharpened glass breaker.
 
1066vik said:
the 3mil and the 5 are the only ones that come with a sharpened glass breaker.
Click to expand...

Yep, the ESEE site has good pics of all the blades. The standard 3 has a pointed pommel, the 3 with the "modified pommel" is rounded, and the 3MIL has a sharpened pommel.

The 4 only comes with a rounded pommel.

The 3MIL is the only one in the 3/4 lineup that has the black blade with the canvas micarta scales.

3 lineup

ESEE-3.jpg


3MIL

esee-3-mil.jpg


4 lineup

ESEE-4.jpg


Both are great knives. For the woods, I prefer the 4. It is a great overall blade and can do the work of a smaller knife and still do larger jobs like batoning mid-size wood, etc. You can't go wrong either way.
 
Does any one have a side by side pic of the RC-3 and the RC-4 ?
I'm still undecided on the one to get !
Thanks
 
Here you go

The whole family (before Junglas and Lite Machete arrived)

6,5,4 & 3
 
Last edited:
Thanks alot Monsieur and Eloreno...
I think I'll buy both the RC-3 and RC-4.
They are quite similar but they both look like perfect blades to me.
 
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