Which ESEE next?

N

NHbeau

Joined
Jun 21, 2010
Messages
19
Recently purchased an Izula as my new EDC. Can't tell you how much I love the knife, just hands down is an amazing blade and has made every folder I have save my SAK obsolete For Me.

I am now looking to replace my 20+ year old mora style knife for my camping adventures. I've been "poor man's camping" since I was twelve and am shocked how much it looks like this newly labeled "bushcraft" adventuring. Well times change and I think it's finally time to replace my old carbon steel knife with something new and exciting. Here is my dilemma. I'm not really a knife collector, as in I will be buying one likely for the next 10-20 years. I need something more heavy duty than my Izula, but not something so large it becomes cumbersome. Basically I am torn between the RC-5 and RC-6.

I handled a Ka-Bar/Becker BK-2 recently and thought that was a pretty good sized knife, am I correct in thinking the RC-5 is around that size/weight? What are the pro's and con's of the RC-5 vs. the RC-6? My budget limit would be really stretched at the $150 mark, so please keep that in mind and I'd love to keep it under $100.

Below is roughly what I have been using for literally since I was 10 years old. It's not pretty, and the blade is pretty well half as thin these days from many sharpenings.
40.jpg


Thanks in advance for any help.
 
hi, i would recommend the 6 it was my first esee knife and is still my favorite. it just does everything well, from batoning through wood to preparing food, to skinning game. just an all around good camping knife. if you add the molle back and pouch, put the firesteel from the izula kit and a ah1 arrowhead in it your ready for pretty much anything. the esee5 is a great knife but it just isnt as good a slicer for me as the 6. i like the 5 and its tough and feels good in the hand. its something i would have carried on duty in the military but not my favorite for camping.

take it easy
cricket
 
First off I don't have the 5, but just like cricket, I LOVE my 6. I hear you on not wanting to spend that much, but do it right the first time. 10 to 20 years is a long time... I would recommend the 6. It is a great all around knife, and really is a value, just like the whole ESEE line. Whatever you decide on, enjoy!
 
The 5 is almost too much of a knife, I am interested in getting a 6 sometime for a user knife.
 
The 5 and BK2 are very similar knives - you may find them too heavy for a camp knife, but that is personal preference.

The sabre grind and blade width on the 5 will not slice as smooth as a thinner 4 or 6 (assuming that is the size range you are considering).

The 3 and 4 have the same handle size, the 5 and 6 have the same handle size as well. Some complain that the 3 and 4 handle is a tad short - again, all personal preference.

I think a 4 or 6 would make an excellent camp/hiking knife.
The 5 is ideal for SERE/survival situations.
 
I'm waiting on my 4 to get here and I'm already wanting the 6.:D
 
As a light and capable replacement for a Mora I would go with a ESEE 3. I have a few Izula's, Two RAT 3's and a RC5. For what you have described, 'woodcraft' type use, (which to be just means a all round knife anyway), then I think a 3 would be fine. I do not own a 4 but probably will at some stage even though the 3 has done everything I have needed it to. It is my favorite all round blade.
 
I own all the Esee's except the Junglas. My rec. would be the Esee 4. It is by far my most used camping/backpacking/bushcraft/survival knife because of the size , thickness , grind , overall length , and kydex sheath option.
I love all the Esee's , but my 4's hold a special sweet spot for me. I highly recommend it for a 4" blade to replace your Mora. :thumbup:
 
NHbeau said:
Recently purchased an Izula as my new EDC. Can't tell you how much I love the knife, just hands down is an amazing blade and has made every folder I have save my SAK obsolete For Me.

I am now looking to replace my 20+ year old mora style knife for my camping adventures. I've been "poor man's camping" since I was twelve and am shocked how much it looks like this newly labeled "bushcraft" adventuring. Well times change and I think it's finally time to replace my old carbon steel knife with something new and exciting. Here is my dilemma. I'm not really a knife collector, as in I will be buying one likely for the next 10-20 years. I need something more heavy duty than my Izula, but not something so large it becomes cumbersome. Basically I am torn between the RC-5 and RC-6.

I handled a Ka-Bar/Becker BK-2 recently and thought that was a pretty good sized knife, am I correct in thinking the RC-5 is around that size/weight? What are the pro's and con's of the RC-5 vs. the RC-6? My budget limit would be really stretched at the $150 mark, so please keep that in mind and I'd love to keep it under $100.

Below is roughly what I have been using for literally since I was 10 years old. It's not pretty, and the blade is pretty well half as thin these days from many sharpenings.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...

I can't tell by the picture what size blade that you have been using but it looks to be in the 4-5 inch range. If a blade in the 4" range works well for your needs, than the ESEE-4 would be the way to go. But if a 5-6 inch blade is more in line with your needs, than the ESEE-6 is the way to go.

I would not recommend the ESSE-5 based on what you have indicated.
 
I bought an RC-5 first as I have specialized needs getting out of a small plane should I have a forced landing. I want something that can cut through aluminum and plexi FAST. After that I bought an RC-4, then an RC-3. I carry the 3 and 4 a lot and the 5 stays pretty much for its specialized use. However, I would not hesitate to use a 5 in a Bushcraft, or camping role. With a SAK or Izula or any small knife it can be a great companion and you know it will take anything you throw at it.
 
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