Recommended Size

Lenny

Lenny

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 15, 1998
Messages
2,486
I'd like to get one of the ESEE's for general camp chores, food prep, kindling making, and maybe some light batoning now and then.
Which length would be the best given these uses?
Would the 4" be enough for both types of tasks?
Or should I go up to the 5"?
Thanks all,
Lenny
 
I think the 5 would be over kill for these tasks.
The 4 would do it all easily and beg you for some more work!!!!

The 4 processed all the wood for this fire, shaved a feather stick, shaved fatwood and batoned through one of the quartered sections.
DSC01253-1.jpg
 
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4 sounds about right for light wood processing (not that it can't take heavy processing, it's just that its shorter blade length leaves something to be desired for bigger batoning tasks), and more finesse work. If you want something in the 5 area, you may want to wait on the new LS to come out. Blade length advantage without the 1/4" of steel and Sabre Grind to contend with. I'll be the first to throw out the idea of just getting the 4 now, and getting the LS later. :)
 
Lenny,

The ESEE-4 is made of win. It is just great for... everything you just mentioned. IMHO if the 4 isn't enough knife you should be reaching for an axe or a machete. It is my favorite knife. A quick anecdote... we had a water line freeze and burst here at the Church. While we were pulling down wet ceiling tiles and insulation the elder who was up there asked me if I had a medium sized knife. The momentary shock was amusing when I handed him the 4 (Insulation is no match by the way.)

God bless,
Adam
 
Flexxx said:
I have to recommend the 6 again, it does everything well......
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I'd also agree with this too, if you're willing to pack the additional blade length, it's so well-balanced and just fits your hand like a glove, that while it has the capabilities of a larger knife, it can be coaxed into finer tasks without you even really noticing.

Who are we kidding, just get a Junglas.:p
 
Yeah, I'm with the others on the 4. I got mine mid-last year for about the same tasks that you mention and so far it did pretty damn well ;) The 1095 HC steel holds an edge very well even after some medium baton-abuse and with the rather small size compared to a 5, 6 or even Junglas it does pretty good at finer tasks like food preperation (killing a hog is NOT meant to be food prep in this case :D)

If you want to have the blade as some easy-to-see-when-dropped tool, I suggest the one with the orange G10 handles, otherwise go for the color you digg the most. When you are working in rather humid environment, dont forget to have some lubricant around like WD40 or Ballistol, especially if you prep food with it go for Ballistol, to pretend it from getting some rust. Had to learn that myself in Norway: ended up in some light rust on the edge but this baton'ed off very easily ;)
 
jumpmonkey said:
Lenny,

The ESEE-4 is made of win. It is just great for... everything you just mentioned. IMHO if the 4 isn't enough knife you should be reaching for an axe or a machete. It is my favorite knife. A quick anecdote... we had a water line freeze and burst here at the Church. While we were pulling down wet ceiling tiles and insulation the elder who was up there asked me if I had a medium sized knife. The momentary shock was amusing when I handed him the 4 (Insulation is no match by the way.)
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Hilarious! I love it.

I also love my newly purchased 4(with dale's scales - desert tan blade with brown/black). Had to have it after buying the 3. I probably started out small so I would think I still needed the larger sizes. I have a BK2 and am wondering if I even need a 5 or 6. I'm so glad I found this place. :D
 
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i have a 5 and it provides you with a comforting sense of "i can dismantle anything i want to", but if i was in your position (and didn't already have a Junglas as my camp blade), i'd go with a 6. i'm just not a fan of little knives, but then again, 1000 happy 4 owners can't all be wrong. they actually have me curious. i'd like to play around with one to see what all the fuss is about.

i know it's not really what you asked, but - a Junglas and an Izula combined basically covers everything. hard combo to beat.
 
The 4 is perfect - it will make your fire, prepare your food, and packs easily with you on the day hike the following day.

You can easily process larger pieces of firewood with the 4 by knocking the corners off the wood, rather than going right through the middle.
 
santacruz said:
Hilarious! I love it.

I also love my newly purchased 4(with dale's scales - desert tan blade with brown/black). Had to have it after buying the 3. I probably started out small so I would think I still needed the larger sizes. I have a BK2 and am wondering if I even need a 5 or 6. I'm so glad I found this place. :D
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If you're happy with the BK2, you don't "need" an esee 5 - "want" is a different matter. :)
 
This doesn't sound like a 4 vs. 5 decision... more like a 4 vs 6 if anything.

For the purposes outlined by the OP, 4 is a great fit for the tasks! it's just big enough, and small enough at the same time. with the 5, you're getting a 1/4" thick blade (too heavy and not so good for finesse), and also a sabre grind (again, too thick, too quick... imagine holding an axe like a knife).

If you want a knife for camping chores and food prep, the 4 is great! if you want overall versatility, the 6 gives you 2 more inches to baton on when you need to split some firewood... but still has a good full flat grind for chores (but maybe too long/big for simple, small chores). The 4 also carries nicer :)
 
lmcq784 said:
This doesn't sound like a 4 vs. 5 decision... more like a 4 vs 6 if anything.

For the purposes outlined by the OP, 4 is a great fit for the tasks! it's just big enough, and small enough at the same time. with the 5, you're getting a 1/4" thick blade (too heavy and not so good for finesse), and also a sabre grind (again, too thick, too quick... imagine holding an axe like a knife).

If you want a knife for camping chores and food prep, the 4 is great! if you want overall versatility, the 6 gives you 2 more inches to baton on when you need to split some firewood... but still has a good full flat grind for chores (but maybe too long/big for simple, small chores). The 4 also carries nicer :)
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+1 on that. He nailed it, including the 4 vs. 6.
 
I pair an ESEE-3 with a GB mini hatchet for backpacking, and that team can handle anything I throw at them!

The ESEE-4 is an outstanding knife as well, though.
 
one thing to remember is a big knife can do small taskes, but a small knife can not do large taskes. that said go with what ever knife you feel works best for you. all the recomedition in the world can not make you like a knife that just does not work for you.
 
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