Small Fixed Blade: CRKT Stubby Razel or ESEE Izula II

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Will_Power

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Aug 22, 2011
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Looking to pick up a small EDC, and had more or less settled on the Izula II until I came across the Stubby Razel from CRKT (designed by the Graham bothers).

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And now, well, I'm stuck.

I'm fully aware that most people are going to recommend the Izula II, but if you'd indulge me, can you all give me some specific reasons why? As I see it for the Izula, ESEE's legendary warranty is pretty attractive, as well as my ignorance about the 9Cr18MoV steel of the Razel and the complexity of keeping the blade sharp on the Razel.

With that said, I like the exposed tang of the Razel and its design seems like it would be really helpful for a general purpose utility knife. Being nearly a full inch shorter seems handy, as well (6.75 vs 5.88). The chisel end doesn't bother me, as I have no designs for utilizing a knife as a pointy, stabby tool of self defense. I'm just interested in practical, utility purposes.

I know the Izula II has a sterling reputation, but can anyone speak to the DRKT production version of the Graham brothers' Razel?
 
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9Cr18 will be somewhere between AUS-8 and 440C in terms of edge retention. Not the best in the world but certainly competitive with the 1095 of the Izula and tough in it's own right.

Warranty is a toss-up - CRKT has exceptional warranty service, as does Esee. In fact I'd rate CRKT's service right up with Kershaw as one of the best in the industry.

Really comes down to comfort and blade shape. I prefer blades with belly in them, but it may not bother you at all. If you think you'll get more usage out of the chisel tip I think you'll be plenty happy with the Razel.
 
First the spine of the Izula II is visable as well . The handle is simply scales on either side . If the smaller size is important to you , the Izula measures 6 1/4" rather than the 6 3/4" of the Izula II . and you can get scales for the Izula handles too .


HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
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I would go with the original Izula and add the scales. The Razel would be useful if you do a lot of prying and scraping, but you should have a pry bar and a scraper if you do that stuff anyway. The Izula is a damn good knife, with a bulletproof warranty, literallly...if you shoot the knife, they'll replace it.
 
First off: I have no experience with the Izula.
I used to have the CRKT Stubby Razel. Liked it so much that I got the real thing from Graham Knives. Hammering the exposed tang and using the knife like a chisel is the best thing since sliced bread. The in-pocket sheath is a great idea. And the knife is stout - about a quarter inch thick. You don't have to worry about it failing on you. Also, the Razel looks more like a tool than a knife, so you're less likely to get those "looks" from non-knife people if you're using it in public. Basically, the Razel has become my EDC - I use it around the house and take it camping with me. A Very capable blade design.
 
Mike-The-Knife said:
First the spine of the Izula II is visable as well . The handle is simply scales on either side . If the smaller size is important to you , the Izula measures 6 1/4" rather than the 6 3/4" of the Izula II . and you get scales for the Izula handles too .
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357fan said:
I would go with the original Izula and add the scales. The Razel would be useful if you do a lot of prying and scraping, but you should have a pry bar and a scraper if you do that stuff anyway. The Izula is a damn good knife, with a bulletproof warranty, literallly...if you shoot the knife, they'll replace it.
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I've handled the original Izula and its handle is just too short for my hand. I'm not comfortable with my grip, which is why I'm considering the Izula II.

like em sharp said:
9Cr18 will be somewhere between AUS-8 and 440C in terms of edge retention. Not the best in the world but certainly competitive with the 1095 of the Izula and tough in it's own right.

Warranty is a toss-up - CRKT has exceptional warranty service, as does Esee. In fact I'd rate CRKT's service right up with Kershaw as one of the best in the industry.

Really comes down to comfort and blade shape. I prefer blades with belly in them, but it may not bother you at all. If you think you'll get more usage out of the chisel tip I think you'll be plenty happy with the Razel.
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Thanks for the really helpful and insightful reply.

Am I missing some obvious nuance to the curved belly of the blade?
 
As has been said, it kind of depends on what you're doing with your knife. As the self-appointed CRKT advocate, I'm going to put in a vote for the Razel, but I also prefer "knuckle dragger knives". The Izzy is a durable knife, no doubt, but you're going to have to work that much harder to break the Razel.

Sharpening is easy, although if your skills are like mine (marginal), you would do better with a benchstone. Actually, with the Razel, sharpening on a benchstone would be easier than a conventional drop point since you have two flat bevels that meet, rather than having to preserve the proper bevel angle while sharpening the belly.
 
I'll tell you this: I love my CRKT Folding Razel (4030) and I highly recommend it. I'm not a big fan of CRKT but the two knives I own from them have never given me problems when they were my EDC. The Folding Razel is now my EDC, taking the EDC spot from a CS American Lawman. FWIW, the Razel's lack of a "traditional" point has not hindered its usefulness since buying it. I've done everything with it that I've done with the American Lawman. So either way, fixed or folding, I highly recommend a Razel.

PS, forgot to mention that I've owned an Izula but sold it because it was too small for my hands. The f/b HEST fits me a lot better than the Izula, but for EDC I use the Folding Razel.
 
I have a CRKT Stubby as well as a Graham Bros custom and it is a DAMN good replica. The only disappointment was
the poor fit of the pocket Kydex sheath but it's definately worth the money.
 
Izula II for sure. You won't find a better similarly sized knife anywhere else.
 
I never had the CRKT, but I would guess and say the Izula 2 has a better blade shape for general use.
 
Will_Power said:
Am I missing some obvious nuance to the curved belly of the blade?
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Curved blades will push slice better without tip wear. If you're using this for general, around the house grunt work it probably won't matter much to you and the chisel tip may have more utility. I don't think you can go wrong with either.
 
I own both and really like both. I think for general utility I would pick the Razel. Only downside is the crummy kydex that comes with the Razel.
Now if I was heading to the woods, Izula would be my choice. Ease of maintaining would have to go to the Esee also.
 
red1965 said:
I own both and really like both. I think for general utility I would pick the Razel. Only downside is the crummy kydex that comes with the Razel.
Now if I was heading to the woods, Izula would be my choice. Ease of maintaining would have to go to the Esee also.
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I'm back with WP's Ignorant Question Hour!

What makes you say that, specifically? I don't have much of any real bushcraft experience, but it's something that's on my to-do list for the upcoming year, so I could use the education. What makes the traditional blade shape better suited to woods work than the straight razor and chizel set up? While this will be mostly an around the town, at home sort of knife, I do fully intend on taking it out into the hills as well (in addition to my Silky saw). What am I missing here?

Thanks.
 
Actually, my Stubby Razel is my go-to woods bummin' knife. The chisel tip is great for notching wood and such. You can hold it like an ice-pick and "Stab cut" small branches and twigs off of branches, and it's the ultimate push cutter. The only thing it isn't good for is really fine whittling (I usually use the blade on my Leatherman Juice for that).
 
Just my preference I guess. If I am going to be away from the luxury of my sharpening equipment, I want a knife that keeps and holds a good edge, but is also easy to maintain in the field. The Esee has both of these characteristics. The Razel not so much. Your mileage may vary.
 
Just a bit of an update / addendum.

Ended up going with the Razel, after all. A forum member here made me an offer and after sorting through things, I took him up on it. So thanks again, Richard, if you happen to read this.

Been pretty pleased with it so far. The sheath isn't the greatest in the world, but it fits well enough in my pockets to not tinker with for now. Down the road, I may look into a custom kydex or leather replacement with a spot for a firesteel (which the back of the blade - especially the thumb ridges - lights up with ease).

Only had a chance to take it out into the woods and that was very briefly. Looking forward to putting her through the paces.
 
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