Someone PLEASE help me decide.

CrimsonTideShooter

CrimsonTideShooter

Joined
Oct 23, 2010
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I want to buy either an esee 5 or 6. I just can't decide which one. I'm leaning toward the 6 since it's cheaper, I'll be able to buy 2. But I have a few questions.


Which one has the thicker spine? And does anyone have any shots of the 5 and 6 spine to spine?

Which one weighs more? Can I sharpen them on the sharpmaker since they are so big?


Also I want to hear some input from you guys. Do I need the 5 or the 6?
 
The 5 is thicker, 0.25 vs 0.188 inch.
It's also the heavier at a full pound, 16 oz, vs 11.8.

All the specs are on the ESEE website. :)
 
the specs you are looking for are all on the esee site.

as far as which is best for you, that comes down to what you are using it for. it seems a lot of people prefer the 6 for wilderness use (not that the 5 isn't perfectly capable). i'm choosing the 5 because i'm taking it to the desert with me and i'm looking for something to use it in a tactical environment for an urban survival/combat tool. plus, i'm quite certain based on reviews that the 5 will be everything i need from a mid-sized knife. when i add the izula and junglas to the mix, i'll be pretty much set.

figure out what exactly you are looking for and do some research. checking the specs on the website would be a good starting point, but there is loads of info and videos on these knives online.
 
Joben said:
The 5 is thicker, 0.25 vs 0.188 inch.
It's also the heavier at a full pound, 16 oz, vs 11.8.

All the specs are on the ESEE website. :)
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you beat me! i guess that's what i get for trying to post from my iphone. :p
 
I think it really depends what you want/need it for.

I don't have the 5 yet, but I imagine that being an amazing urban survival knife, should it ever come to that. with the thick blade you could pry open just about anything. The glass breaker pummel, bow drill divot and good length, I think it's a hell of a survival knife.

That said, I love my 6. I've beat on it pretty good and it's done everything I've asked with a smile.

just get both, you know you want to...
 
Both really great knives. Having owned and used both for a while , I've developed more preference for the 6 for two reasons only. Lighter weight , and better slicing ability ( Imo,) The difference between the two in daily use is pretty marginal though. They both perform well in the bush ( or city) , and I wouldn't be upset being stuck with one or the other. Logical solution is of course to get both. :thumbup:

I have used a Sharpmaker on both and can restore a dull edge on either knife with no problems. My personal preference is to use a benchstone for the majority of my sharpening. In the bush I use a Fallkniven DC4 for all my Esee's.
 
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I bought the 5, rather than the 6. I don't aspire to own one of each model (at least not yet). The 5 is shorter than the 6, but thicker. I got the 5 to replace my Gerber LMF II, to fill the role of a full-blown survival tool that will take pretty much anything I can dish out to it.

SP
 
If you are going to need a knife and pry-bar in one, will be kicking down doors with 20lbs of other gear strapped to you, and in the worst possible places and situations ever, get the 5.
If you want the perfect in-between knife that can do most anything you would need, and you can trust implicitly, get the 6.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
I want to buy either an esee 5 or 6. I just can't decide which one. I'm leaning toward the 6 since it's cheaper, I'll be able to buy 2. But I have a few questions.


Which one has the thicker spine? And does anyone have any shots of the 5 and 6 spine to spine?

Which one weighs more? Can I sharpen them on the sharpmaker since they are so big?


Also I want to hear some input from you guys. Do I need the 5 or the 6?
Click to expand...


Being fairly new to the world of forums, & being "very" new to the ESEE knife line (my first last week, a Junglas), I have to agree with most of the opinions on getting what is best for you. Weigh the features & benefits of each, which will fit your list of uses, and financially what you can afford. Best thing would be to try & find a dealer who has these models for you to see in person. I, along with others on here I am sure, have boxes, drawers, bags, etc. of "stuff" I got without first doing my homework on it. My next 2 ESEE knives are coming next week, as I am sure you will too in the future.
 
Bare Rib said:
If you are going to need a knife and pry-bar in one, will be kicking down doors with 20lbs of other gear strapped to you, and in the worst possible places and situations ever, get the 5.
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well said. that's exactly why i want the 5. plus, i know it will do great in other situations as well. i don't mind a little extra weight for a real workhorse.
 
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Only you know which one is correct for you, but can't go wrong with either. They're both great and can fulfill similar roles for the most part, but I prefer the 5. I have a 5, one of my hunting pals has the 6. I haven't been able to use them side by side extensively, but the slightly heftier 5 feels and balances slightly better to me in hand. Not enough to make a huge difference, but enough to notice. No doubt I'll wind up with all of them someday anyway. So will you, the real question is which do you want to get first?
 
spraay said:
I bought the 5, rather than the 6. I don't aspire to own one of each model (at least not yet). The 5 is shorter than the 6, but thicker. I got the 5 to replace my Gerber LMF II, to fill the role of a full-blown survival tool that will take pretty much anything I can dish out to it.

SP
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I was in the exact same boat.
Since, I have also introduced an Izula and HEST to the family and ready to make room for a Junglas.

I love my 5 - it's not for the feint of heart, though - it's thick and heavy. It's also able to rip apart a car, if need be.

The 6 is a fine knife - better slicer, lighter, too. I got my 5 to be a SHTF knife, and it suits it perfectly.

When it all goes down, there will only be a cockroach holding a 5 (with a HEST on his belt) eating a twinkie.
 
I don't have the 5, but I absolutely love my ESEE 6. It takes all the abuse I can give it. It's lightweight and I've found it to be extremely comfortable while doing chopping, cutting, etc.
 
I had to ponder this one for a while myself.

Initially, I bought the 6, I felt it would be the most well rounded of the two. For me it wasn't. Great knife though.

Not long after that I bought the 5. To me, this is the true multi-tasker of the ESEE line. All the ESEE's are very tough, the 5 is especially tough though even amongst the ESEE's, but it was overbuilt on purpose.

There are knives in the line up that are going to do a better job at certain things than the 5 will, but as I said, the 5 for me is the Jack of All Trades. The 5 is easily my favorite knife.

The sabre grind for it is perfect. Still allows it to be a great cutter without sacrificing too much of the strength.

It's 1/4 inch thick, but feels perfect in my hand. Doesn't feel especially heavier to me when compared to the 6 either.

The 6 is a good knife. I do like it. But when I need a "big" knife, I'll probably always opt for the 5.

Honestly, get both if you can. You probably will get them all eventually anyway.

In terms of sharpening, I've used a Sharpmaker on both of them. It's worked very very well for me and the stones are plenty long enough to accommodate either blade length.

I'll try to get a side by side spine shot up for you later tonight. Pics though don't do either knife justice. You might think they'll feel and perform one way, but until you actually get one in your hand you're not going to know for sure.
 
I like the ESEE line I have a 3 and the HEST and have the Hest folder on order. I had the 5 and it was just too much for me. I ended up selling it and getting a Fehrman Last Chance. The 5 is a brute and if that is what you are looking for it is the right knife but beyond tactical use it just didn't fit for me. I will try the 6 next.
 
Bare Rib said:
If you are going to need a knife and pry-bar in one, will be kicking down doors with 20lbs of other gear strapped to you, and in the worst possible places and situations ever, get the 5.
If you want the perfect in-between knife that can do most anything you would need, and you can trust implicitly, get the 6.
Click to expand...

Whaat he^^^^^said, i love the 6 its a great knife, tough enough for me and i aint easy on anything......:D
 
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