some questions...

G

guntram

Joined
Oct 4, 2010
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jgon's post (here), along with everyone's rave reviews of the 4, has brought up some questions for me.

i have an izula and have been planning on purchasing the 5 and a junglas as well. i figure that would be a pretty good combination for just about anything. i likely wouldn't carry all three around all the time, but they seem to complement each other.

the izula has become an edc blade (since i can't seem to put it down) and it fits that role well. i typically just carry it in one of my pockets. i actually find it very comfortable and i'm not really sure why people hate on the handle length. i find it very controllable and comfortable to cut with so far.

i wanted the 5 originally because i planned on taking it overseas with me. i like the fact that it has enough heft to really put it through just about anything and be able to trust it. in this 'mid-sized' knife, i was really looking for something that could do urban survival, combat, and bushcraft chores exceptionally well. i understand that there may be some trade-offs in having a thicker blade over the thinner blade of the 4, but i figured that the izula would help me out with any kind of detail the 5 couldn't handle. it seems that the 5 has been described as a knife that is more versatile and can handle anything with some practice.

the junglas is simply for the cool factor. :) really, it seems like a great large blade that i know i can trust. i mean, sure i can buy a cheap machete or something like that, but when i break it because it's cheap, i have to buy another. the junglas will probably never break (as long as i'm not doing something dumb like throwing it ;)) and if it does, i know i can replace it. i'm not gonna lie, i never intend on abusing any of my blades, but it sure makes me want to use them knowing that they are backed by the best warrantee in the business. i love that about these knives because they are meant to be used, encouraged to be used, and backed up well enough for us to not be afraid to use them. :)

anyway, i guess what i'm wondering is whether the 4 could do everything the 5 can do and whether the 5 could do everything the 4 could do. i know that an izula, 5, and junglas would make a good collection of very capable blades, but so would be the izula, 4, and junglas. what do you guys think? i know the 5 can handle a lot of tasks based on the passaround thread and the 4 gets rave reviews from everyone that handles one. i'm still leaning toward the 5, but i'd like to hear from experienced users what the trade-offs are between the two.





btw, i know you will all say to just get both, but i apparently don't have the disposable income that some of you seem to enjoy. maybe someday i'll get whatever i don't get now, but in the short term i need a good, dependable blade that can handle just about anything.

thanks for reading and for your input.
 
4 is a better slicer due to the geometry of the knife and the factory grind.
5 is thicker and feels VERY substantial in-hand. It can pry, smash, and hack quite well.

Some people re-profile their 5, but I like the saber grind, personally. Its not a great slicer, but if kept sharp will certainly do the job.

Overall, the 4 is a extremely well-rounded knife, and the 5 is a SERE tool.

Frankly, knife design is about overlapping circles ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venn_diagram) and most decent knives will do most chores acceptably. Odd or artistic designs or poor quality construction will, of course, impact performance, but a decent fixed blade will usually suffice.
 
by "overseas" do you mean deployment? if you are in the military and looking for something to wear on your gear i would suggest the 4 or even the 3, in my opinion i wouldn't want my 5 strapped to my belt or chest when i have a lot of other equipment to also carry. i'm not one to count ounces but there is a big enough weight difference for me to make my decision.

i don't have a 4 but from what i've read i think it can handle most bushcraft tasks as well as the 5, minus chopping through the occasional downed aircraft or helicopter.
 
From reading your post you seem to be heavily leaning towards the ESEE5 .
The ESEE5 is a heavy Duty tool , but seeing you have the izula for finer task the ESEE5 should slip right into your combo a fill any need beyond the Izula.
I think I'd go with the ESEE lite machete over the Junglas 1st and as time and funds allow then the Junglas,you'll be surprised at the cutting ,chopping power of the lite machete....
 
You have an Izula -- that will handle all the fine cutting chores a 4 would that the 5 does not excell at -- the 5 can still do them, it just has a longer learning curve.
the Izzy & 5 have less overlap than the izzy & 4, and there are things the 5 can do that the 4 can't, so you're not really losing anything there.

it's what you want, you have good reasons for feeling the way you do, go for it and enjoy!
 
The 4 is my favorite blade. It does everything. It dosent slice as well as the 3, and it dosen't baton as easy as the 5, but - it will do them all.. If you plan to carry the izula with your new purchase, i say go with your gut and get the 5..
 
I was pretty much going to say what has already been said here. I wanted a 5 but I started with the 4, then bought and Izzy. Now I am back where I began and about to buy a 5. Go figure. I would guess that if you had to choose two, then the Izzy and a 5 would be the best combo. Like 1066vik said, less overlap.
 
If you want the 5 i would buy (and did buy) the 5 without second guessing yourself...

i think that the 5 is great with the Izula and believe that you would be more than happy with those 2.
 
What gringo said! You could probably destroy a tank with the 5. In all seriousness, I have the izzy, 5 combo, they are perfect together. Usually I end up carry the 5 more than the izzy.
 
I'd say that if you break a Junglas, or a lite machete, you're doing something wrong. There is a proper technique to everything, and all knives have limits.
Knowing the proper technique, and having some common sense will keep you from breaking knives.
With proper skills you can get by with a 4 and a lite machete. As Jeff has pointed out, these knives are far more expensive than what is used in 3rd world jungles.
I have a 4 and a 5, and they are both great knives, you can make either work for you.
Decide based on $$ and need. Environment, your level of need, and skills, type of materials you will need to cut, chop, baton etc.. will be deciding factors.
 
hahaha... i know that would not break a junglas. :) i was just kidding about that, but i was serious about the great warranty giving me peace of mind and encouraging me to actually use any esee blade i end up with.

as far as what i'd use the junglas for, i'm still pretty new to all of this, but i imagine i'd use it for chopping and batoning wood that the 5 would be less capable of handling. who knows, i may never need to carry the two together. most of all, i want one because they are cool.

i really have a hard time believing that less than on pound would feel like a huge difference in gear when you are carrying so much. i never understand when people say that. when you have all that weight, what's a pound? i'd say it's worth it for such a capable tool.

thank you all for your input. it's hard to know what would be best sometimes, but it seems that i was on the right track.
 
jc12 said:
The 4 is my favorite blade. It does everything. It dosent slice as well as the 3, and it dosen't baton as easy as the 5, but - it will do them all.. If you plan to carry the izula with your new purchase, i say go with your gut and get the 5..
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I agree with this ( I love the 4) and all those that say the Izula and the 5 are a great combo. The 5 is a tank, well balanced but big and thick. Good luck with your purchase.
 
5 is nice, especially with an izula coming off the bench. Let me just say that my orange/od 4 is still my favoritye knife ever. I can't beleive the stuff I put it through without it so much as flinching. Never in my life have I had a tool excel so well at so much. If i had to have one knife only, ever, for everything I would take my 4 and smile
 
guntram said:
I really have a hard time believing that less than on pound would feel like a huge difference in gear when you are carrying so much. i never understand when people say that. when you have all that weight, what's a pound? i'd say it's worth it for such a capable tool..
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if you are going to be carrying the 5 in a ruck or pack, 8-9oz will not make a huge difference. however, if you are planning on mounting it to your web gear, molle rack, body armor, or anything on your person you will notice its weight and bulk vs a 4 or 3. if you plan on wearing it on your belt with the optional molle back sheath you can probably get away with it, depending on what kind of movement you will be doing.

again, when you say taking it overseas for urban survival, combat, and bushcraft chores i don't get the image of you walking through the forest on a hiking and camping trip like many others who are recommending the 5 may be thinking. without more specifics on what exactly you are doing with the knife and how you plan to carry it, its hard to give better advice.
 
You seem like you want the 5, I am waiting for mine to arrive.

The izula will handle small chores, so you should want either a 4 or 5. I haven't handled a 5, a junglas or a lite machete. The machete gets great reviews from Jeff, though, the man himself.

I am kind of biased against the Junglas because it reminds me too much of the huge Busse blades that guys buy and don't use. I think the Junglas would be a way better buy than any of those big blades so go with that if you want a huge crocodile dundee knife.

I'm basing the 5 review comparing it to my BK2. I LOVE the feeling of it in my hand.....a pry bar is a good analogy. You will love the 5 if you buy it if it is anything like the way I like my BK2.

Read the reviews but go with your gut......it seems like you know what you want. If I'd make a change maybe get a Lite Machete if you are in a money crunch.
 
JBarbaresi said:
if you are going to be carrying the 5 in a ruck or pack, 8-9oz will not make a huge difference. however, if you are planning on mounting it to your web gear, molle rack, body armor, or anything on your person you will notice its weight and bulk vs a 4 or 3. if you plan on wearing it on your belt with the optional molle back sheath you can probably get away with it, depending on what kind of movement you will be doing.

again, when you say taking it overseas for urban survival, combat, and bushcraft chores i don't get the image of you walking through the forest on a hiking and camping trip like many others who are recommending the 5 may be thinking. without more specifics on what exactly you are doing with the knife and how you plan to carry it, its hard to give better advice.
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fair enough... i can see the 5 having considerable size and bulk over the 4 on a vest. yes, i am hoping for a blade that will serve me equally well in the sandbox and in the woods back home. the 5 is no doubt made for combat operations, which i may never be exposed to, but you never know. i want to be ready for anything. i just want it to serve me just as well when i take my kids hiking and camping or if i somehow get lost in the woods and need to survive.

thanks again for all the replies. i think the izula and 5 will likely serve me well. and hey, if i learn bushcraft with a 5, i won't know the difference anyway. ;)
 
guntram said:
fair enough... i can see the 5 having considerable size and bulk over the 4 on a vest. yes, i am hoping for a blade that will serve me equally well in the sandbox and in the woods back home. the 5 is no doubt made for combat operations, which i may never be exposed to, but you never know. i want to be ready for anything. i just want it to serve me just as well when i take my kids hiking and camping or if i somehow get lost in the woods and need to survive.

thanks again for all the replies. i think the izula and 5 will likely serve me well. and hey, if i learn bushcraft with a 5, i won't know the difference anyway. ;)
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ok, here's why i was so adamant in my position. i just got a 5 and there is no way i would be strapping it to my torso in any way shape or form for combat ops, unless in a ruck or assault pack. its just too bulky, especially for entering through doorways, airborne/air assault/FRIES, or any other type of scenario when bulky equipment is a no-go. the 4 would be much more suited for that, or in my case i went with a 3mil which has an even thinner profile. if you are not in a "direct-action" MOS/rate, this may not be a big deal for you (i am just speaking from previous experience because I am no longer working in this capacity).

for hiking and in the woods the 5 will be absolutely awesome, i got mine as a SHTF knife that will be able to do everything i need in a survival type situation. as an "in the woods back home" knife, the 5 is your choice.

so, since you can only have one knife right now... if you are going to be conus for a while and have some camping/hiking trips planned with the kids i would go with the 5. if you are getting ready to deploy shortly and want a knife that is more practical for use overseas go with the 4 or 3 (and then buy the entire ESEE line up when you get back and have a bunch of cash to spare :D)
 
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