Tops or Esee?

R

Rednut

Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
4
Hi guys long time reader first time poster :D

Just like to say you guys have an awesome forum!

But I need some help. Being the indecisive person I am, I can't decide on a small all round use/camp knife. I was looking at the TOPS Mil-spie 3, the Izula(1 or 2) or the HEST. I need something to perform small camp tasks with a little splitting capability. Like I know im not going to be able to split a 6inch log with any of these but its good to know I can split if I really need to. Dont worry, Im going to purchase something bigger like a Esee 5/6 or a CS Recon Scout in the future for bigger stuff(I'm sure i'll be making another thread will appear in the not too distant future). The method of carry isnt a big issue as long as it's easily accessable, weight isn't an issue either.

Here are links to all the knives.
Mil-spie
http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=282

Izula(I'm sure 99.99% of you have this knife haha)
http://www.eseeknives.com/neck_knife.htm

HEST
http://milspecmonkey.com/weapons-page/blades/350-esee-dpx-hest-knife

I read that ESEE is no longer making the HEST's? Is the Esee warranty still applicable to the Esee HEST's?

Also, are there some blades you guys would reccomend? Im open to anything!

Thanks in advance
Red.
 
I have all, except the hest. My vote would be the Izula II. It's been my EDC since I've had it. I've always loved the Izula, but the extra 1/2 inch and micarta make it much more usable for me. The mil spie 3 and 5 are favorites of mine from Tops, but I'm often underwhelmed by the value of the blades (which have great, usually perfect fit and finish). With ESEE I'm always impressed with the quality to price ratio.
 
ESEE all the way. They focus on what works. I think the original ESEE Hest will be covered by ESEE warranty.

Tops is not focused. They must have 100 different designs, many of which seem to be fantasy inspired. There are also some that are quite usable.

Go with the more focused company, ESEE.
 
I'd go ESEE 3 for camp chores. Its an all around great knife that cam perform most of the tasks you will do, especially if you want "splitting" capability, although I don't really know what you mean by that.
 
Pilot1 said:
I'd go ESEE 3 for camp chores. Its an all around great knife that cam perform most of the tasks you will do, especially if you want "splitting" capability, although I don't really know what you mean by that.
Click to expand...

Ability to split branches, small bits of wood, but id have to be desperate to do that...
 
The Izula can split small stuff. I'd say up to 1 1/2 inches. The ESSE 3 is a great blade as well for general chores and small spliting. I prefer the Izula I & II because I can use them day to day, not just in the woods/camping.
 
I would go with anything that is a bit bigger than what you have in your links. I have a BK-2 but even though at ~five inch blade at about a pound I wished I would have gotten something a little longer. I saw a youtube flick about what is the best all around knife and the guy said there is none. A knife that will split a six or more inch log will not slice tomatoes to well.

Well the Becker is the only one I have owned "in that catagory" but I have a very small tops Ferret. Only thing that is good for is maybe fuz sticks. Bought it as a nice little neck knife. My only complaint is that they use the same steel for every knife. 1095 is a good steel but for longer blades made for choppin I think something a little more springy would be better. 5160 maybe.

EDIT: Out of Tops or Esee as you asked just from reading and looking my vote goes to ESEE.
 
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Hey Cajun, I intend on getting a larger blade in the future. At the moment Im not really doing anything too hardcore when I go camping so its not needed just yet. Just need something that will do small tasks.
 
ESEE-3 or Izula with micarta scales (I or II) hands down. For your uses, the ESEE-3 might be a better choice.

ESEE makes great working knives at a good price with an unbeatable warentee to back them up.
 
I have the Izula, Izula II, ESEE 3 mil and Hest.

Of the three ESEE choices you mentioned, I would probably lean toward the Izula II.

Before you decide though, follow the advice of several in this thread and look at the ESEE 3 because I think in the end you will be much happier with it.

There is a thread in the ESEE forum that explains how they will deal with the warranty on Hest returns that you should check. It explains it much better than I can and I don't want to steer you wrong.
 
I have both and both are rock solid knives. But I will be sticking to ESEE from now own...
 
I just picked up the Ontario Knife Falcon and it is a great little knife. About the same size as the rat 3 but with a back bone 1/4 blade thickness and the $60.00 dollar shipped make it a great camping knife.
 
Go with ESEE definately. I own 5 of them and will never part with any of them. ESEE stands totally behind every knife they sell, no matter what.
 
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