Sell me on the H.E.S.T. - I don't get it.

geek

geek

Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Messages
278
I spend a lot of money on knives. I have RC-4, RC-5, Rat 3 and tons of other brands. I really think the Rowen fit & finish is superior to the ole Ontario models.
But I really just don't get the appeal of the H.E.S.T.

Can some of you H.E.S.T. people out there explain why you like it so much?
I guess I am trying to understand why I would get one over the RC-3 at about the same cost.

Is it just the appeal of Robert Pelton's endorsement? Or do you really find it a great knife?

I got to handle one at the last RAT Woodland Ops last month but I still didn't get it, I did not however get to use it just held it for a bit.
 
the design's growing on me. at first i didn't want the hest, but lately i've been thinking about getting one. can't wait to see the HEFT... i'll need that one...
 
The blade shape gives you lots of cutting edge for such a short length.

Thick as hell. Well, same thickness as the Junglas. That little knife is sturdy.

Generous, roomy grip. I got the big hands, and there is plenty of room there for me.

Prybar pommel is really handy for lots of stuff other than being a prybar. I draw it by the pommel, grip it low to do light chopping. It makes it feel even more secure in the hand.

Your choice of using it skelotonized or with scales ( and, of course, the hollowed out scales. Have you seen how much some folk can pack in that thing?)

Well thought out lash points.

A working wire break notch.

And really, that is just the beginning. The knife is just really well designed. Good weight, good feel in the hand. After you hold it and use it a few times, you gain lots of confidence in it as a trustworthy tool.

I bought mine to use as a pack knife, but like it so much, and find it so handy, that it has become an EDC.
 
The HEST is really a multi-tool. It has a great blade that is thicker than the 3, which gives you a little more leeway in what you do with it. It has a bottle opener, that alone is a must have for me! The wire breaker notch is also a nice to have that can be used with the bottle opener to lash the knife to a pole to make a spear, and then the pry bar is there to use instead of your knife blade for tasks that a blade isn't suited for.

The handles are designed to hold a small amoutn of gear, like a small PSK, fishing kit or money. I like the overall utility of the HEST. I consider it my "If I had only one tool, tool" It is small enough to carry on you with out to much bulk, yet strong enough to handle any situation that you will face. That is what RYP designed it for, a go everywhere survival tool, and it works for that very well.

Having said all that, I wouldn't reccomend it to anyone who doesn't think they would need or use it. If a simple well built blade that will last forever is all you are looking for then the ESEE 3 or an Izula will serve you very well (I have both and love them), but If you want a heavier knife that has some added tools to it, the HEST fits that bill.
 
If you held it and still don't get it then don't get one.If that helps.As far as picking the
HEST over the ESEE3 I won't do it!!! It's like picking one testicle over the other,you need them both.That's were I'm at with that.yes I am of no help.
 
Yea if you held it and didn't get it, grab a 3 man.

I edc both. The hest is a bit smaller, and the prybar has some advNtages.
 
Yea if you held it and didn't get it, grab a 3 man.

I edc both. The hest is a bit smaller, and the prybar has some advNtages.
 
I don't really understand the HEST appeal either. I'm still a ESEE believer; I just don't see that knife filling any void in my list of "must haves." Hopefully I don't get booted from the Pack for admitting that in public.
 
I edc both ESEE3 and HEST and in some applications I find the HEST easier to carry.
but most of the time I edc them at the same time with Izula in right front pocket.
it's just what you want to edc when you edc that's all.
 
geek said:
I spend a lot of money on knives. I have RC-4, RC-5, Rat 3 and tons of other brands. I really think the Rowen fit & finish is superior to the ole Ontario models.
But I really just don't get the appeal of the H.E.S.T.

Can some of you H.E.S.T. people out there explain why you like it so much?
I guess I am trying to understand why I would get one over the RC-3 at about the same cost.

Is it just the appeal of Robert Pelton's endorsement? Or do you really find it a great knife?

I got to handle one at the last RAT Woodland Ops last month but I still didn't get it, I did not however get to use it just held it for a bit.
Click to expand...

Mainly I like that it has a thicker blade that the 3, but I also like the length and feel of the handle, and I've used the pry bar a few times back during the winter. I like a lot of things about the 3MIL too though...hard to say which I like better, it would take a minute if I actually had to choose between them.
 
BOTTLE OPENER.....I dont drink Bud, Miller or Coors!

On a more practical note I like the handle to blade length ratio. Gives me extra leverage!!!!
TC
 
mistwalker said:
Mainly I like that it has a thicker blade that the 3, but I also like the length and feel of the handle, and I've used the pry bar a few times back during the winter. I like a lot of things about the 3MIL too though...hard to say which I like better, it would take a minute if I actually had to choose between them.
Click to expand...

With the prybar, what's the point of having a thicker blade? I never really understood that.
 
"I did not however get to use it, just held it for a bit."

There is a "your wienie" joke in there somewhere

If you don't get it, you don't need it. Kinda like a dog whistle. There are plenty of things on this earth I don't need to own or even like. But such is the joy of a highly specialized design.

"With the prybar, what's the point of having a thicker blade?"

huh? A prybar utilizes the concept of leverage and you can sharpen it to a point or keep it as its standard screwdriver edge or some have even ground it off (not recommended due to potential loss of temper). The prybar also gives a great "pull", (just as the "bottle opener" gives great "push" and thumb control) and in reverse grip a beautiful thumb pressure point. I could go on but the multitude of uses of each square inch of the DPx H•E•S•T. A thick blade is exactly that a cutting or stabbing tool, not a prybar (which will destroy the tip).

I suppose my sense is that the DPx H•E•S•T gives you options other knives don't. No one has ever dictated how each owner uses the features on their HEST but the concept is not made better or worse by comparing the DPx H•E•S•T other excellent knives.

Kinda like saying "I don't need a screwdriver because I have a hammer which pounds in screws just fine".:)) The DPx H•E•S•T is a singularly rugged legal carry EDC for use in hostile environments. Yes you can sharpen a comb next time you go to Somalia but the DPx H•E•S•T is the culmination of years of "I wish a had a knife that...." thinking on my part. Plenty of people here and around the world share that view. And some don't :)
 
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I was in the same boat as you are. I have the 3, 4 and Izula and didn't need another in the same general size. Someone offered to sell me their HEST for 60.00. I didn't want it, but bought it to resell for a little profit. I will now be keeping it. Once you use it you will find that it is a very useful and well designed tool. I wouldn't tell you to sell your 3 or 4 and use a HEST exclusively, but if you get a chance to use one then it will probably grow on you quickly.
 
geek said:
I spend a lot of money on knives. I have RC-4, RC-5, Rat 3 and tons of other brands. I really think the Rowen fit & finish is superior to the ole Ontario models.
But I really just don't get the appeal of the H.E.S.T.

Can some of you H.E.S.T. people out there explain why you like it so much?
I guess I am trying to understand why I would get one over the RC-3 at about the same cost.

Is it just the appeal of Robert Pelton's endorsement? Or do you really find it a great knife?

I got to handle one at the last RAT Woodland Ops last month but I still didn't get it, I did not however get to use it just held it for a bit.
Click to expand...

I find it the most ergonomic 3 inch knife I've ever held. The thumb ramp, handle, everything, is very secure, very ergonomic, fits my hand perfectly. The belly that the blade has is HUGE, which makes it very effective for slicing and skinning despite its 3/16 thickness. It has a nice strong point for woodworking, and it's overall profile is small enough to fit in a pants pocket without protruding for everyday carry. It crosses many niches- EDC knife, neck/boot knife, belt knife, companion knife, PSK, all in one high quality package. The fail ergo of the RC3 doesn't compare.
 
RYP said:
"With the prybar, what's the point of having a thicker blade?"

huh? A prybar utilizes the concept of leverage and you can sharpen it to a point or keep it as its standard screwdriver edge or some have even ground it off (not recommended due to potential loss of temper). The prybar also gives a great "pull", (just as the "bottle opener" gives great "push" and thumb control) and in reverse grip a beautiful thumb pressure point. I could go on but the multitude of uses of each square inch of the DPx H•E•S•T. A thick blade is exactly that a cutting or stabbing tool, not a prybar (which will destroy the tip).
Click to expand...

That's exactly my point. What I meant was, with the prybar built on the handle there's no reason to pry with the blade, so what does the extra thickness add.

I can't say I've ever stabbed someone with a knife, so I don't know if bone is likely to chip a blade of lesser thickness than the HEST's 3/16". Given what I've put my Izula through, though, I have trouble believing it adds anything but weight, which is why I asked for clarification as to why it's as thick as it is.
 
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