Some Thoughts On the Upcoming ESEE-3/F

[chavez556]

I am sure that is the case. I have been using one of Jeff's personal HEST production folders that he lended me for testing, and I love it. The one I bought had some problems, so I sent it to DPx for repair or replacement. I assume that the construction of Jeff's Lionsteel-made ESEE-3 prototype folders is similar. This HEST is one heck of a rugged pocket knife. It is most likely tougher than I will ever need a folder to be, in all honesty. The only linerlock I ever broke was a cheap S&W Cuttin' Horse. So I am wondering who really needs a folder any tougher than the original Model 1 folder. What do folks do with folders that requires the strength of a titanium framelock?

How about some batoning with the Rat 1 my Utilitac 2,and my tenacious did it I'm sure the Rat1 would have no problem http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/images/attach/jpg.gif 1

 

[Horn Dog]

I would not baton with a Model 1. I only did a little light batonning with the the HEST folder in a review, just to satisfy the "hard use" crowd, but as a rule, I don't think beating on folders is a good idea. The exception woud be the Cold Steel Rajah. It is actually designed as a chopper and can take such abuse. I use folding knives to cut things.

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

also browsing the forum i've seen photo's of an Izula folder. that would be my go to folder if it got made.

I've seen and tried many folders over the years that I thought 'looked cool' and was going to be an awesome knife to have, just to find it didn't feel right in hand, pocket, wasn't as ergonomic in use etc and had to ditch them..

so if/when the esee 3 is made I highly doubt it will be my 'go-to' knife, I'm pretty picky when it comes to folders.. but time will tell

Deal Killers for me personally:

high riding pocket clip
wide knives that rub my hand wrong while reaching for something
hard to deploy thumb studs, and or shoddy placement
crappy clips that tear up clothes (yes there are good ones that don't)
knives over 4oz

 

[nc527]

I would not baton with a Model 1. I only did a little light batonning with the the HEST folder in a review, just to satisfy the "hard use" crowd, but as a rule, I don't think beating on folders is a good idea. The exception woud be the Cold Steel Rajah. It is actually designed as a chopper and can take such abuse. I use folding knives to cut things.

I battonned my zt 301. I think it was ok.

 

[equest]

The thing I mostly dislike about my Rat 1 folder is the thumb studs. They don't feel very secure when I flip open the knife fast, I always worry my thumb might slip in the most unfitting situation, so I'm very careful with it. I'd prefer an opening hole or bigger, rough textured studs, maybe made of plastic or G10.

I very much like the blade shape and grind, and how the handle sits in my palm, though. It's a good knife with minor flaws like clip position and crappy blade steel. I'd love to see an updated version of that model.

Deal Killers for me personally:

high riding pocket clip
wide knives that rub my hand wrong while reaching for something
hard to deploy thumb studs, and or shoddy placement
crappy clips that tear up clothes (yes there are good ones that don't)
knives over 4oz

The Buck Vantage Pro weighs 4,3 oz, but you could skeletonize the liners if you wanted to. It might well be your grail folding knife, it is mine. I would be very interested in what is your favorite folder at present?

 

[Horn Dog]

I battonned my zt 301. I think it was ok.

Yes, I imagine the big ZT could handle that. Of couse, it's like carrying a brick in your pocket.

 

[Horn Dog]

The thing I mostly dislike about my Rat 1 folder is the thumb studs. They don't feel very secure when I flip open the knife fast, I always worry my thumb might slip in the most unfitting situation, so I'm very careful with it. I'd prefer an opening hole or bigger, rough textured studs, maybe made of plastic or G10.

I very much like the blade shape and grind, and how the handle sits in my palm, though. It's a good knife with minor flaws like clip position and crappy blade steel. I'd love to see an updated version of that model.



The Buck Vantage Pro weighs 4,3 oz, but you could skeletonize the liners if you wanted to. It might well be your grail folding knife, it is mine. I would be very interested in what is your favorite folder at present?

I did not mention it, but the thumb stud on the Model 1 felt awkward to me, too. But the handle ergonomics were just right. I also prefer an opening hole to thumb studs.

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

The Buck Vantage Pro weighs 4,3 oz, but you could skeletonize the liners if you wanted to. It might well be your grail folding knife, it is mine. I would be very interested in what is your favorite folder at present?

anything slightly over 4oz is ok.. funny you bring up the Vantage I've been looking into that for a while now, they even have a blackened s30v version out, super sweet..

my favorite folder is Spyderco Delica.. and of course sage 1, with a little exception to the wide factor.. oh and all time 2.2 oz finger assist, hands down the Kershaw Skyline the most underated knife of all time IMO just wished it didn't ride so high.......

I'm not into thumb studs at all personally, I'll take finger assisted opening knife any day.. or of course a spyderco

 

[Lost Cosmonaut]

After breaking the clip on my HEST/F after only a week of carry, I can only hope that ESEE is smart enough to not go with a bayonet pocket clip like the HEST/F and some SOG knives use. I've broken the one on my HEST/F, and I've broken one on a SOG (Vulcan). Not only are they weak, but they also have very little grip on my pocket. I'd rather have something that doesn't break when you look at it wrong and isn't threatening to slide out of your pocket at any moment over deep carry which is the only thing a bayonet clip is good at.

 

[Horn Dog]

After breaking the clip on my HEST/F after only a week of carry, I can only hope that ESEE is smart enough to not go with a bayonet pocket clip like the HEST/F and some SOG knives use. I've broken the one on my HEST/F, and I've broken one on a SOG (Vulcan). Not only are they weak, but they also have very little grip on my pocket. I'd rather have something that doesn't break when you look at it wrong and isn't threatening to slide out of your pocket at any moment over deep carry which is the only thing a bayonet clip is good at.

I broke my HEST/F clip, too. I removed it and was trying to bend it so it would grip tighter and it just snapped. Not much flex in that clip. Now the HEST is really deep carry. I think it has more to do with the steel than the method of attachment. It isn't a big deal to me anyway.

 

[Lost Cosmonaut]

I broke my HEST/F clip, too. I removed it and was trying to bend it so it would grip tighter and it just snapped. Not much flex in that clip. Now the HEST is really deep carry. I think it has more to do with the steel than the method of attachment. It isn't a big deal to me anyway.

It would be much better to do a regular surface mount clip with an offset if you want deeper carry. I've never had a problem with surface mount clips.

The good news is the DPx guys are sending me a new clip and said they are improving it to not be "skeletonized" so it will be tougher. Still doesn't solve the grip problems that style of clip always seems to have.

Either way, I'm extremely excited for a ESEE-3/F.

 

[ichibansf]

I agree with ya guys, the hest/f clip is not grippy enough. Might look into aftermarket options for a better clip. Other than that I love the knife. ESEE is a smart company so I'm sure they'll do something highly functional and ugly, which is a-okay in my book! No need to advertise what's in my pocket (referring to the HEST/f clip lettering).

 

[Lost Cosmonaut]

OH and I will be extremely disappointed if the 3/F doesn't have ESEE's trademark powdercoat. I think that was one of my biggest disappointments on the HEST/F.

 

[vollertron]

i'll buy that esee folder for sure. i have yet to use a frame lock however and it was by far be my most expensive knife yet.