ESEE X, where X < 5

[AStone]

As some of you know, I've got a thread going about the Kabar EsKabar. We've been exploring that fine little blade in some detail for a few weeks now. Interesting discussions have ensued. I was fairly sure an EsKabar was my next blade. I'm still pretty sure I'll own one.

But over the last few days - for almost a week, now - I've been running a low-grade fever
accompanied by a bit of ... anxiousness for ... something ... different.

After some research on the Interweb, I've learned that what I have is a jungle-based disease called "ESEE fever".

It was so bad last night that - on the cusp of my birthday, after receiving some unexpectedly generous cash gifts from some friends and colleagues, who knew I was mostly broke (pending the next big 'step up' in my professional life, in the works), and that I prefer cash for gifts rather than ... other stuff (because they know I have a long wish list of tools for the wilds that I want to buy, but that I prefer to acquire them myself) - I bought an ESEE knife online.

Amazingly, the fever abated almost instantly upon receiving email confirmation of the purchase. This morning, my temperature decreased to normal upon receipt of an email saying that my ESEE had shipped via USPS Priority Mail, which means I could have it by week's end.

Which ESEE? I'm not going to tell you yet other that that the blade is less than 4". I'll post picks when it arrives.

So, why this thread? Because I'm reading that it's impossible to purchase only one ESEE (here is one among several examples of that principle), and I thought this would be an informative - and fun - way to discuss which other ESEE of that blade length (< 5") I might want to acquire. That includes the Izula (1 and 2), ESEE 3 and 4, and some others. I'll be posting links here to various pages about ESEE blades - sources, reviews, videos, etc.

Back ground: My goal is to meet town and wild EDC blade needs with two ends of the spectrum : ~3" (town and wild) and ~9" (wild). After decades of experience, experiments, trial and error, I think I can do tha. I've got the longer blade chopper covered with my Ontario SP53. The new ESEE - and perhaps others - will be my EDC for both town and the wilds.

{PS: I'm likely to be selling some other knives soon, including a 7" Kabar, a SOG Seal Pup Elite, a SOG paratool (which I use extremely rarely), and a Spyderco Manix 2 (though I haven't decided about the latter yet; it could stay in the kit as a back-up short blade; don't know).}

So, what say you?

Nem

 

[ugaarguy]

So, what say you?

I say keep the Spyderco because a high quality, one hand opening, locking folder is essential to any town and wilderness tool kit. Small and light as the EsKabar and Izula I/II are that little 2.85 ounce folder is even smaller and lighter. That size and clip on functionality lends the knife to carry in so many ways and locations.

After that, I think the 4.85" SPE and the 7" Kabar are overlapping in the size category in and of themselves. With an SP53 on the big end and a 2.85"-4.5" ESEE X on the small end I'm not seeing much need of either the SPE or the 7" KaBar now.

Realistically, is there that much that would even require a blade between a roughly 3" fixed blade and the big SP53? Or, wouldn't just keeping the Spyderco TM2 and adding an ESEE 4 or Becker BK15/16/17 or BK2 handle darn near anything you could use a knife a knife for?

 

[AStone]

^ Great start.

Let's keep this going.

Nice to know that - regardless --
you can put on an edge or re-shape blades.

 

[AStone]

With an SP53 on the big end and a 2.85"-4.5" ESEE X on the small end,
I'm not seeing much need of either the SPE or the 7" KaBar now.

That's what I've come to understand.

John S pointed out recently in one of my other threads
that one can do everything with a 3" and 9".

That's when it really 'clicked' for me.

 

[hso]

You're gonna hate me but...

http://www.blindhorseknives.com/knives4sale.htm

http://www.selfrelianceillustrated.com/

http://www.thepathfinderschoolllc.com/

No one company makes the perfect set of knives so you should see everything that is out there. The design philosophies of each company are different enough that you should pick "one from column A and one from column B and a soup or salad".

BTW, you need a folder for when you don't want to carry a small fixed blade.

 

[AStone]

You're gonna hate me but...

Naw.

At least no more than DA,
because you both keep
making me buy more steel.

:banghead:

BTW, you need a folder for when
you don't want to carry a small fixed blade.

Which is why I'm thinking I'll keep the Manix 2.

{Sound track for this thread;
good headphones strongly suggested.}

 

[AStone]

But to get back on topic ...

{ ESEE X, X < 5 }

... just look at the non-linear curve
along the top of this knife.

 

[hso]

I've handled the ESSEs and they're great knives, but they're not any "better" than the Blind Horse or Beckers or Tops or ...

It really comes down to a matter of taste and how it fits. That's more of an issue with their knives below the ESSE 3 so it is important to handle them and best if you can get with people with a variety at camp to use a little.

Would I carry an ESSE? Without reservation, but I can say the same about a bunch of knives out there.

 

[JimStC]

Blind Horse makes some very nice knives and are reasonably priced for the quality. Thanks for the reference.
Where are they located? Couldn't find that on their web site.

Jim

 

[AStone]

For the record, I'm emphatically and certainly not claiming that ESEE's are "better" than others. That's not the point of this thread.

The point is to provide some info about their sub-five inch blade-lengths,
especially those in that 3" neighborhood, about design, pro's, con's, etc.

I wish I had an opportunity to handle them before buying, but that option
simply doesn't exist for me for a variety of reasons, so discussion will have to suffice.

 

[JShirley]

Nem has a Manix 2, not a TM2.

Both terrific knives, but the standard Manix 2 is heavier. I would NOT sell it.

Hso is on the money. I prefer a big knife that can chop, and a small task knife. There are any number of fine tools for the jobs at hand.

I think my "1 and 1" would be a sturdy 7mm Magnum rifle and a Glock 23. I'd also be perfectly happy with a 1903 Springfield and an STI Trojan .45, but I wouldn't fault anyone who chose a .270 Winchester Model 70 and a .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk.

Same thing with knives...

John

 

[hso]

Then you're going to have to tell us whether you've ordered the Candiru, Izula, Izula II, ESSE 3 or 4 because the neck knives are fundamentally different than the 3 and 4.

The 3 and 4 are pretty much the same knife with different blade lengths. Plenty of reviews on them out there. They'd be fine knives in any trip to forrest or field.

The Izulas are like the EsKaBar as far as handle with there being just a little more on the Izula II. We've discussed the blade shape differences in the Eskabar thread a bit as well as that entire genre of knifes. I've handled to Candiru and all I can say is that it is smaller than the Izula and feels ok. It is for folks that want an even lighter/smaller knife than the Izula and the handle reflects the needs for the smaller knife.

 

[AStone]

Then you're going to have to tell us whether you've ordered the Candiru, Izula, Izula II, ESSE 3 or 4 ...

In good time, compadre; in good time.

... because the neck knives are fundamentally different than the 3 and 4.

The 3 and 4 are pretty much the same knife with different blade lengths. Plenty of reviews on them out there. They'd be fine knives in any trip to forrest or field.

The Izulas are like the EsKaBar as far as handle with there being just a little more on the Izula II. We've discussed the blade shape differences in the Eskabar thread a bit as well as that entire genre of knifes. I've handled to Candiru and all I can say is that it is smaller than the Izula and feels ok. It is for folks that want an even lighter/smaller knife than the Izula and the handle reflects the needs for the smaller knife.

Now, we're getting somewhere.

 

[mdauben]

So, what say you?

I agree with ugaarguy, keep the Spyderco. For when you don't want to or can't carry a fixed blade, the Manix is a great EDC.

As far as your "fever" I think repeated doses of the cure is the only answer! Personally, I think the sub 5 inch ESEEs (Izula, 3 and 4) are some of the most generally useful outdoors and utility fixed blades around and you can't go wrong with adding any or all of them to your personal "tool kit".

 

[RatDrall]

So, why this thread? Because I'm reading that it's impossible to purchase only one ESEE (here is one among several examples of that principle), and I thought this would be an informative - and fun - way to discuss which other ESEE of that blade length (< 5") I might want to acquire. That includes the Izula (1 and 2), ESEE 3 and 4, and some others. I'll be posting links here to various pages about ESEE blades - sources, reviews, videos, etc.

I've owned an Izula, four ESEE-3's, an ESEE-4, two ESEE-5's, an ESEE-6, two Laserstrikes, and a Junglas.

I currently own three ESEE-3s, an ESEE-5, and a Laserstrike, and I'm very happy with my very useful battery of ESEEs, I have all my bases covered.

The best EDC fixed blade I've ever used is the ESEE-3. When I was in sales, I wore one under my suitcoat and never had an issue. It's flat, light, and just big enough in the handle and blade to be useful for whatever comes along. There's a reason I have three of these, because if I ever lost one I wouldn't know what to do while the replacement was in the mail.



The best ESEE belt knife is the Laserstrike, by far. It has perfect balance, a handle that works in any grip, a design that really allows one to choke up on the blade for fine work, and a leaf shaped blade that couldn't be more useful. It also comes with a sheath that would cost $50+ to have made by a pro. When I'm in the woods, the LS is on my hip.



I like my ESEE-5 because it is a badass prybar, with a razor sharp edge on it. I would use it if I was running out the door into the unknown, where I may need to break through something, as opposed to cutting it, but also want a fixed blade knife handy.



The '4 I sold and never have I regretted it. It had horrible balance and felt aweful in the hand. The handle is too small for the blade thickness and length, nothing about it made sense. If you want to know what a '4 feels like, imagine an ESEE-3, but thicker and with 1/2" more blade. For an analogy, imagine a fit, healthy woman, about 5'8" tall and 130 lbs. Now take the same girl, only 5'9" tall, and 200 lbs. That is what the ESE-4 is like

Same with the Izula, I don't miss it a bit. For the same space in my pocket, I can carry a Spyderco Endura with a 4" blade. I cannot see the point of a small fixed blade, except for the Tops IRAQ-JAC, which for some reason I can't put down:



I loved my '6, it had great balance and was a good knife, but the LS is similar in length and blade thickness, with a more functional handle and a better blade shape for bushcraft or....darker things



I really liked the idea of the Junglas, but where I live (Northwoods) a knife that long doesn't do much, you need an axe.

 

[AStone]

^ Nominated for most informative post in thread to date.

Very interesting reading. Thanks.
_____

Was expecting my ESEE in the (priority) mail today,
so I sat on the front porch with coffee and laptop until the mail came.

But the postman didn't stop at my house.

I'm holding onto a slim, but unreasonable hope that priority mail
is delivered by a separate courier that will come later today.

 

[AStone]

RatDrall, you raised my curiosity about the Laser Strike, so I searched for reviews.

While eating lunch, I read this set of pages about it, including one of your posts.
I'm including it here for any who are interested since
this thread is about X < 5", and the LS fits that criterion.

Interesting knife. Not sure if it appeals to me or not. Maybe eventually.
_____

OK, time to check my mailbox again.

(Yes, I feel like a kid waiting for this knife. )

 

[AStone]

Checked my tracking information this morning.

July 28, 2012, 7:13 am Out for Delivery

I've been sitting by the front porch with coffee for hours.

No postman yet; he's usually here well before now.

A FedX truck stopped next door earlier - but mine is coming Priority Mail.

Come on, USPS. Don't make me wait until Monday. :banghead:

 

[conw]

I would offer input but I'm on a different wavelength with my knife purchasing.

I was very excited when my ZDP 189 ladybug arrived the other day. FFG, man is that thing a slicer . I've got some camo paracord on it and have attached a "covert nose" red Photon brand LED. The red lets me minimize exposure to blue light which is best for my circadian rhythms and lets me also preserve night vision where relevant (whereas, with my Klarus that puts out 470-500 lumens... that is not the case).

Nem how do you sharpen your knives? I ask because all this money could be well spent on the basic Sharpmaker...it's pretty unbelievably efficient and that's multiplied if you have many knives, of course.

Final thought - if you can get in on some "passarounds" over on Bladeforums or Knifeforums, you can scratch some of these itches without forking over the cash. You might even make knife buddies you can temporarily trade off blades with. Lots of people there have the same interests you do, enjoying knives as users and objets d'art at the same time, on an experimental basis.

Heck you could even set up your own passarounds considering the type of collection you are getting, for people who just want to play with and use a knife then let the next guy try it.

 

[AStone]

Conwict, it's great to see you here in this thread. I always value your input. Thanks much.

Yes, excellent ideas and suggestions. I've never heard of a passaround, but love the concept.

RE sharpening, check out a thread on this board that I started last night called Sandpaper Sharp.
I hope you'll come by; would enjoy reading your opinions.

My intention is to get something like a Sharpmaker soon -
(it's a cash flow issue, but that's starting to turn around with a better prognosis for fall.)
I've actually got a different favorite ceramic rod set up that I think I'd like more than the Sharpmaker, but I'd love your input.

On the west coast, I have in storage two larger stones, but I never had much luck with them.

For two years, which has involved travels and a lot of moving, so I've had to pare down my tools, I've had only a tiny (3" x 1") backpacking drystone, very, very fine grit. It does a passable job for maintenance, but I need a system with multiple grits - and want a V-stick system (because I'm just not very effective with a horizontal stone; I just can't keep the angle, and don't want to deal with all the clamp on angle brace thingees).

Right now, I'm exploring sandpaper as a cheap alternative until I can get a better set up.
You'll see my drift in that sandpaper thread.
_____

PS: still sitting by the front door while waiting on a postman carrying a package.
Doing pre-late lunch exercises to abate my anxious energy ...
_____

This just in : the postman just pulled up across the street!

<.... drum roll ....>

 

[AStone]

ESEE 3 Mil-P : first impressions

So now, you finally know what I acquired.

I've explored it for the last couple of hours or so, handled it, explored the sheath system (I got the deluxe sheath set up with multiple options), set up the sheath for what I think will be my main method of carry, compared it side by side with my EDC of the last 2 years (Manix 2 - and their sizes are very similar) - handled the knife some more, trying all possible grips, choking up on the choil, doing some carving, caressing it, admiring it, taking some pics, etc.

First impression: Very impressed. Love at first handle. Well, nearly so.
Took me a few minutes to adapt to the new feel (after two years of Manix), but soon it felt second nature.

This is probably the best knife I've ever owned.
(Remember: I'm a novice compared to some of you.)
It is already in my top three favorites,
and is destined to become EDC
for at least a while.

Dinner cometh. More later ...
_____

PS: wow, that's weird. The time stamp claims I posted this at 3:34,
but my first post of this post was at 5:27 pm. First time that's ever happened.

PS 2 : OK, I see what happened. I had posted one with subject line "It's here!" at 3:34, right after the postman left. I think in my state of excitement and hunger (put off eating while I explored the knife), I accidentally opened it, and put this new text in. Oh, well, all is good; at least I've still got all my fingers and my skin is not leaking blood! Now, dinner.

 

[AStone]

The obligatory first photo.

Canvas Micarta is foliage.

More to come.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have an ESEE 4 and generally feel that I would use the ESEE 3 a lot more. So, you made a good choice. But not in any hurry to buy a 3. The blade that I am trying to get used to is a Dozier K-42 Compact Personal (2.5" blade) in CPM 154. I love this thing. Got it to EDC, but it kind of gets in the way of my cell phone if I carry the phone on my belt as I usually do when I work. So, now I am looking for a leather pocket sheath for it. I think I'll call Bob and see if he has any suggestions or can fix me up.

 

[AStone]

22, I agree about shorter blades. After only a few hours with this ESEE 3, I already love it.

I wore it during a long bike ride with a hike in the middle through my favorite nearby wood with a rocky brook running through. I'm wearing it OWB right side, and can deploy it with lightning speed from there FGEI or RGEI depending on how I grasp the handle.

I found a dead snag and tried some sewing machine stabs RGEI with my 16" stick in my left hand (drawn from my fanny pack) for blocking; like a charm; the snag didn't stand a chance. With my thumb over the (glass breaking) pommel, the grip is solid.

With the sheath OWB on my belt, my fanny pack waist belt sits inside the sheath (from the top). Sitting and pedaling with the knife on is very comfortable. Trying to sit with my longer Seal Pup knife on was problematic: the bottom of the sheath would hit the chair bottom. Not with this shorter blade.

Now that I'm back home and showered, I'm in my sweat pants (what I wear around the house) sans belt, so I'm experimenting with a 5' section of 1" climbing sling to make a baldric sling (top of sling over my left shoulder, sheathed knife hanging inverted on my right side). I've clipped the belt clip (that I've put on the sheath for OWB) to the sling so it hangs inverted. The hook on the bottom of the clip that hooks the lower edge of the belt when worn upright prevents it from falling off the sling even when pulled hard. Perfect for use around the studio during the day, will hang by the bed at night. It pops off the sling and onto the belt in seconds.

 

[AStone]

I have adjusted the sling. The baldric arrangement was not comfortable after an hour, so I've shortened the sling and am just wearing it as a necker now, the whole arrangement just hanging in front like a neck tie. The 1" width of the sling makes it very comfortable around my neck (compared to paracord). I'll play with the length for a few days to find the optimal length, then trim the sling appropriately.

Yes, yes, I know: the 3 isn't designed as a neck knife.

I'll pick up an Izula 2 asap, but for now, this works.