recomend a fixed blade EDC for someone with lousy sharpening skills?

[gtwnys]

I've been searching for a fixed blade knife to replace my junky steel BDK EDC.

I like the shape and size of the ESEE-3 but before I purchase one I want to be sure there isn't something better in the price range.

Here is the main criteria for me... I hope for a knife that could withstand all those abuses they put on them on Forged In Fire. But I would never baton a steel rod or a whiskey barrel steel rim. I do wish for a blade that strong though.
I want a sharp edge that will still be sharp a year from now. I have no intention of hitting anything steel or hard with it. It will be used for everyday tasks like opening packages, bags, envelopes, cutting rope, small game and even the occasional whitetail field dressing. In other words an EDC knife.

I don't need a knife to slice paper or shave my arm. I don't shave my arms. I want a knife that will do my needed tasks and not get dull. As I said, I suck at sharpening knives.
I do like the idea of free sharpening some companies offer and would be leaning towards those companies. But quality metal with a long lasting edge is what I am longing for.

So, anybody? $150 is my ballpark budget. ESEE-3 is a size reference.

 

[marcinek]

Welcome. Knives don't stay sharp forever. Or even a year.

Get the ESEE and a Sharpmaker. I can use one, so its idiot proof.

And, steels that stay sharp a long time are usually hard, but not tough. They are not formulated for abuse. Softer steels that need to be sharpened more often (but are easier to sharpen) are.

You can't get everything in one steel.

 

[gtwnys]

I've been searching for a fixed blade knife to replace my junky steel BDK EDC.

I like the shape and size of the ESEE-3 but before I purchase one I want to be sure there isn't something better in the price range.

Here is the main criteria for me... I hope for a knife that could withstand all those abuses they put on them on Forged In Fire. But I would never baton a steel rod or a whiskey barrel steel rim. I do wish for a blade that strong though.
I want a sharp edge that will still be sharp a year from now. I have no intention of hitting anything steel or hard with it. It will be used for everyday tasks like opening packages, bags, envelopes, cutting rope, small game and even the occasional whitetail field dressing. In other words an EDC knife.

I don't need a knife to slice paper or shave my arm. I don't shave my arms. I want a knife that will do my needed tasks and not get dull. As I said, I suck at sharpening knives.
I do like the idea of free sharpening some companies offer and would be leaning towards those companies. But quality metal with a long lasting edge is what I am longing for.

So, anybody? $150 is my ballpark budget. ESEE-3 is a size reference.

Edit:
I should also say that I would never baton with it unless an emergency. Say my buggy gets stuck or breaks down out in the woods and I need to start a fire while waiting to be rescued (I no longer can walk more than a few yards at a time). If batoning was necessary in this situation then I would. But it would have to be an emergency. So it's unlikely I would ever be that hard on it. I just hate that me current knife only lasts for a few package openings b4 losing my crappy edge.

 

[McFeeli]

Skipping over the steel/usage requirements, check out the Knifemaker's market here on the forum. For $150 you won't be getting some fancy 12" Damascus Bowie or anything, but there's a ton of knives over there in your price/size range. Any questions you have about how well it'd hold up could be answered definitively by the maker, thus giving you more knowledge into your potential purchase. Win-win!

 

[marcinek]

I just hate that me current knife only lasts for a few package openings b4 losing my crappy edge.

Crappy knives are crappy. You CAN baton with a quality knife (SHOULD is another debate) and it doesnt have to be expensive to do it. Though you can baton with a crappy knife too.

Get a decent knife like that ESEE. Even without a "super steel" it will hold an edge remarkably longer than the junker you got now.

 

[marcinek]

Say my buggy gets stuck or breaks down out in the woods and I need to start a fire while waiting to be rescued (I no longer can walk more than a few yards at a time). If batoning was necessary in this situation then I would.

Honestly? That seems like poor planning. If that was something I worried about, I wouldn't take the buggy into the woods without an axe, hatchet, or folding saw stowed in it. Plus a couple Bics and a communication system.

 

[Bucketz21]

just get passable with a cheap guided system. fixed blades are usually a softer steel and a bigger blade, both make sharpening easier IMO. you do not want to field dress a deer a year from now with any blade you've been EDC'ing a year. that sounds like some masochist shit to me. Then you can base your decision on criteria the makers likely had in mind and this community can easily recommend based off of. criteria of 'i don't want to maintain it' isn't something i'm comfortable advising on. maybe some others understand the mindset. ESEE's are nice tools if you go that route

 

[gtwnys]

Honestly? That seems like poor planning. If that was something I worried about, I wouldn't take the buggy into the woods without an axe, hatchet, or folding saw stowed in it. Plus a couple Bics and a communication system.

Thanks, got all that. Still need to ad a sleeping bag but do have wool blanket hatchet small pickaxe for higheneding., first aid etc etc etc. Even neon glow-tubes. Firstarters too, of several methods. But I still want a knife that will hold up "just in case" I have to baton. Maybe the side by side catches fire and all my preparation come down to the knife on my side. One can never be fully prepared.

But thanks for the advice..and to all so far!

Also, one of the knives I was looking at is the BenchMade Altitude. With S90v steel edge retention it looked nice. Nice sounding metal, but might be too small...for the cost versus use/preference anyways. If I thought I could drill a hole up the tang I could maybe build some nice scales to thicken it a smidge. But I just can't seem to move it up that list above the ESEE. So I am still leaning towards the ESEE-3. Just wanting to be sure it isn't a mistake by those here who know more than me.

 

[gtwnys]

Welcome. Knives don't stay sharp forever. Or even a year.

Get the ESEE and a Sharpmaker. I can use one, so its idiot proof.

And, steels that stay sharp a long time are usually hard, but not tough. They are not formulated for abuse. Softer steels that need to be sharpened more often (but are easier to sharpen) are.

You can't get everything in one steel.

Thanks for taking time to reply. And also for not slamming me for metal inexperience or typos or some such.

 

[Kbrasmodeler]

You can't go wrong with an ESEE. They are tough, well made knives. They will hold an edge just about as well as any carbon steel knife. That said, you would do well to spend some time over in the Maintenance and Tinkering sub forum. You might be surprised at the wealth of knowledge you can find, and your sharpening skills will most likely improve dramatically. Let us know what you get, and pics are always welcome!

 

[marcinek]

Thanks for taking time to reply. And also for not slamming me for metal inexperience or typos or some such.

Me, of all people, would never do that!

Get the ESEE. You will be surprised at how long the edge lasts and how easy to sharpen it will be. It will magically turn you into a good sharpener.

And throw a folding saw on that buggy.

 

[Shotgun]

Esee’s are very soft and will dull fast. I had an izula dull within short order carving green soft maple. They’re good knives, just not for edge holding.

Tough and holds an edge forever is a tall order and one I don’t think you’ll manage. Try breaking it up into two categories. One tool for knife use and a second for whatever rough use you think you’ll encounter. Or, learn to sharpen. Sorry but I don’t think you’re going to have your cake and eat it too.

If you want an edge to last without sharpening, look at the spyderco h1 knives but ONLY the serrated ones. They’re said to stay sharp for a long time. I can’t say how their fixed blades will stand up to abuse. Good luck.

 

[Lapedog]

I've been searching for a fixed blade knife to replace my junky steel BDK EDC.

I like the shape and size of the ESEE-3 but before I purchase one I want to be sure there isn't something better in the price range.

Here is the main criteria for me... I hope for a knife that could withstand all those abuses they put on them on Forged In Fire. But I would never baton a steel rod or a whiskey barrel steel rim. I do wish for a blade that strong though.
I want a sharp edge that will still be sharp a year from now. I have no intention of hitting anything steel or hard with it. It will be used for everyday tasks like opening packages, bags, envelopes, cutting rope, small game and even the occasional whitetail field dressing. In other words an EDC knife.

I don't need a knife to slice paper or shave my arm. I don't shave my arms. I want a knife that will do my needed tasks and not get dull. As I said, I suck at sharpening knives.
I do like the idea of free sharpening some companies offer and would be leaning towards those companies. But quality metal with a long lasting edge is what I am longing for.

So, anybody? $150 is my ballpark budget. ESEE-3 is a size reference.

I highly highly recommend you get a chisel ground fixed blade knife. These are much easier to learn to sharpen on.

 

[gtwnys]

I've been searching for a fixed blade knife to replace my junky steel BDK EDC.

I like the shape and size of the ESEE-3 but before I purchase one I want to be sure there isn't something better in the price range.

Here is the main criteria for me... I hope for a knife that could withstand all those abuses they put on them on Forged In Fire. But I would never baton a steel rod or a whiskey barrel steel rim. I do wish for a blade that strong though.
I want a sharp edge that will still be sharp a year from now. I have no intention of hitting anything steel or hard with it. It will be used for everyday tasks like opening packages, bags, envelopes, cutting rope, small game and even the occasional whitetail field dressing. In other words an EDC knife.

I don't need a knife to slice paper or shave my arm. I don't shave my arms. I want a knife that will do my needed tasks and not get dull. As I said, I suck at sharpening knives.
I do like the idea of free sharpening some companies offer and would be leaning towards those companies. But quality metal with a long lasting edge is what I am longing for.

So, anybody? $150 is my ballpark budget. ESEE-3 is a size reference.

 

[gtwnys]

Update:
I bought an ESEE 3. But one of the customized versions;

ES3HMK-BRK model 3 Traditional Handle

• ASIN: B07C61HNSW

Good reviews and comes with a Kydex sheath which I preferred. I just hope it works well for me as there is no finger grip (or Choil?) I'm used to having.

 

[19-3ben]

Also, one of the knives I was looking at is the BenchMade Altitude. With S90v steel edge retention it looked nice. Nice sounding metal, but might be too small...

You have lousy sharpening skills and the knife you’re looking at ha S90v?!?!?

Good luck.

 

[19-3ben]

Update:
I bought an ESEE 3. But one of the customized versions;

ES3HMK-BRK model 3 Traditional Handle

• ASIN: B07C61HNSW

Good reviews and comes with a Kydex sheath which I preferred. I just hope it works well for me as there is no finger grip (or Choil?) I'm used to having.

I had one once. It’s a fantastic knife.

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

Coming at your problem from a different angle.
You could buy a low cost but decent quality knife along with a course & fine stone and use it to practice your sharpening skills.

Some candidates would be Old Timer, Buck, Schrade, Rough Rider, Enzo, Boker, CRKT, Mora....

Just a thought

 

[DocJD]

Welcome ! I would make my top knife related priority to NOT be " someone with lousy sharpening skills " rather than try to buy a knife that needs none !

Even ceramic blades will dull eventually against hard surfaces like dinner plates , and are not much good for a field knife because they are too brittle .

The super steels with the greatest edge retention are also going to be the most difficult to sharpen .

The duller and more beat up you let the edge become , the harder it is to sharpen - for any knife ! Frequent , light sharpening , actually is quick and the easiest method . It's even fun to do and your knives will always be either working sharp or VERY sharp . You will be proud , people will envy you !

You will be far happier and satisfied with owning and using any knife , when you feel confident in your ability to easily sharpen to an acceptable "working edge" or beyond .

It's really not that hard to learn . And there are lots of great , not too expensive , diamond sharpeners available that will handle even the hardest steel .

 

[Dangerously]

A knife you don’t have to sharpen is a car that doesn’t need to be gassed up or recharged.

It’s not a thing.

I suggest learning enough sharpening to get by. Good luck.