Just for giggles...

[slingshot]

Very addictive tools Mack The Knife Love the grinds on them. Guess some are re-profiled to a convex grind. Much better than the original

[Rajat]

Had seen this picture of the Esee 3 earlier. Looks pretty impressive and there is no place better than the Esee website that could have carried it. And I am not saying that the esee 3 is not a great knife or would not stand up to hard and heavy usage or the knife in the picture has been " created". I really like mine and the F1 too in a similar size.


But there is no denying what the Esee 5 would take the Esee 3 would not and I am not talking about the regular chores for which knives are built. How far and frequently would the owner carry the 5 is another story as is using the right tool for the right job.

It is difficult to lug these heavy and larger blades around. But still could not resist getting the BK2, although the reasons were different.

You are right about the Bravo and I also like the Fox and the Northstar with a different blade profile. I like them from the pictures, the Fox I had handled a couple of times. They just look (and the Fox feels) right. About time I got one.

P.S.: Have they fixed the sheath for the Eskabar?

I think they must have by now. If not, why drop the knife from your wishlist. Either do not drag the blade against the sheath or get a custom sheath.

[Mack The Knife]

Very addictive tools Mack The Knife Love the grinds on them. Guess some are re-profiled to a convex grind. Much better than the original

The Izula-IIs have partial convex grinds. The rest still sport the factory grind. I definitely prefer the convex edge and have been on the lookout for a smallish belt sander.

Bruno told me you are very good at convexing edges. What method are you using?

[Mack The Knife]

But there is no denying what the Esee 5 would take the Esee 3 would not and I am not talking about the regular chores for which knives are built.

There's no denying the 5 will take more pounding than the 3 before fracturing. However, I am not sure what kind of pounding you are refering to. Are you refering to the destruction tests carried out by Nos or something milder?

What is your opinion of the F1? Mine was stolen, so I have no hands on experience of this knife.

The Eskabar has never been on my list but the BK2 was. However, I decided to go the ESEE route.

[xl_target]

Wow! That is quite a collection, Mack The Knife.

[Rajat]

There's no denying the 5 will take more pounding than the 3 before fracturing. However, I am not sure what kind of pounding you are refering to. Are you refering to the destruction tests carried out by Nos or something milder?

No Mack The Knife, destruction tests and (nutty) fancy reviews or Cold Steal style tactics are not something I take particular interest in and spend time on. I simply detest these.

Although I have not experienced this or felt the need for it but lets put it this way: if it was the only tool in ones hand when he has to beat, cut, chop, pound, pry, hammer his way outta something as a last resort scenario then I am sure one would choose the 5 (or something similar) over the 3 if these were the only options.

For everything else the 3 (or any similar knife) is better.

Didnt mean to make it sound so dramatic but I hope you got the answer.

What is your opinion of the F1? Mine was stolen, so I have no hands on experience of this knife.

If you really want my opinion, I will cut out all the fancy stuff and let you know my basic observations.Great handle, good grip, above average metal ( I have the laminated version, 440 laminated over vg10, not the 3G version), edge retention is good, light blade, good enough for all practical use, good blade shape, sufficient belly and quality construction. A simple knife with good clean lines.

Cons: it might just be me but I miss the choil as on the 3 and a couple of other knives. In the beginning I had to concentrate and remember not to let my finger slip / go over the blade.

All in all, if you lost yours and are looking for something similar get another one, its worth it.

Blades in this size range are what I end up with mostly. Sometimes bigger ones too. And although I always want to get a few more folders but I still end up convinced that a fixed blade is better and I really need another one.


The Eskabar I just mentioned as it was very interesting to see that you own almost all the esee blades and was thinking what else could you add to it

The decision was good. You have chosen to buy some of the best and practical production knives available today.

[Mack The Knife]

Wow! That is quite a collection, Mack The Knife.

Thanks, xl_target.

[Mack The Knife]

if it was the only tool in ones hand when he has to beat, cut, chop, pound, pry, hammer his way outta something as a last resort scenario then I am sure one would choose the 5 (or something similar) over the 3 if these were the only options.

That's just it. The chance of such a scenario occuring is remote and the possibility of you having a BK2 / 5 on you at that time even more so. The 3 on the other hand, with its dandy size and weight, may very well be on you. I can understand if a frontline soldier were to pack a 5 but for the majority, it's really not required.

If you really want my opinion, I will cut out all the fancy stuff and let you know my basic observations.Great handle, good grip, above average metal ( I have the laminated version, 440 laminated over vg10, not the 3G version), edge retention is good, light blade, good enough for all practical use, good blade shape, sufficient belly and quality construction. A simple knife with good clean lines.

Thanks. Should that not be 420J and VG10 laminated steel?

Cons: it might just be me but I miss the choil as on the 3 and a couple of other knives. In the beginning I had to concentrate and remember not to let my finger slip / go over the blade.

I am not too fond of choils. However, I have got used to them and almost cut my finger whilst handling the Junglas. Muscle memory and all that.

All in all, if you lost yours and are looking for something similar get another one, its worth it.

The Falkies are definitely on my list and have been so for years. Have you had any edge chipping problems? I understand Fallkniven are putting a micro v-edge on the convex grind and this isn't very stable.

And although I always want to get a few more folders but I still end up convinced that a fixed blade is better and I really need another one.

That makes two of us. I really must get back to carrying one but the one I want (first gen. Spyderco Manix) is no longer in production. Esse should finally be releasing their Izula folder early next year, so that is probably what I'll get.

[slingshot]

Very addictive tools Mack The Knife Love the grinds on them. Guess some are re-profiled to a convex grind. Much better than the original

The Izula-IIs have partial convex grinds. The rest still sport the factory grind. I definitely prefer the convex edge and have been on the lookout for a smallish belt sander.

Bruno told me you are very good at convexing edges. What method are you using?

Mack The Knife, I am no expert in convexing edges. A long time ago, I used to work in the kitchen and don a hat. Since those early days, my approach to sharpening is simple. Free hand sharpening on carborundum. And once sharpened, the edge can be brought back to the right edge with a good sharpening rod. Sometimes, in case a sharpening rod is not available the tang of a good carbon blade will do just as well to get back the edge. Works very well in the outdoors.

Every kitchen has a few sharpening experts. And their skills are just fantastic. I have the privilege of counting some of them in my buddy list. One of them has a complex system of japanese stones that he uses and I go to him when I need some special TLC including re-profiling, re-grinding of my blades. He works the old way. Lots of elbow grease, whet stones, and constant affection...and with a good smoky single malt for company...till the knife will cut...if just looked at

[icemanV]

till the knife will cut...if just looked at

Nice Nawabsa ......on a roll looks like.

Slingshot that was really funny.

Ice

[rraju2805]

Nice blade sir.

[Rajat]

That's just it. The chance of such a scenario occuring is remote and the possibility of you having a BK2 / 5 on you at that time even more so. The 3 on the other hand, with its dandy size and weight, may very well be on you. I can understand if a frontline soldier were to pack a 5 but for the majority, it's really not required.

Exactly! Just as I said in one of my posts above. It seems like we think alike

Should that not be 420J and VG10 laminated steel?

This is correct but past midnight when one is dozing off over the computer there does not seem to be any difference between the 440 and the 420

Glad you corrected it for the benefit of other people who are reading this.

However, I have got used to them and almost cut my finger whilst handling the Junglas. Muscle memory and all that.

On the Junglas !! what were you trying to do??

Have you had any edge chipping problems? I understand Fallkniven are putting a micro v-edge on the convex grind and this isn't very stable.

Yes, I heard / read about it but you were asking for my opinion based on my experience with the knife and so far I have not seen this happen with the use my F1 has seen. I do not to chop or baton hard materials with such knives.

I do not think you need to worry about the chipping issue with the F1 more than you need to worry about the breaking issues with the esse's as seen in the pictures here http://jungletraining.com/forums/showth ... -RC-knives

Even if it does chip like in the pictures floating around it can be corrected easily as these are very tiny micro chippings.

The Izula folder should be good.

Now I have a question for you. Or rather am seeking an opinion. What advantages does an Esee 4 have over the 3, if any? In other words if one already owns a Esee 3, will getting an Esee 4 be advisable?

Not from the point of view of collecting them but in terms of utility. Better grip?

I have the 3 but the 4 too seems like a good blade! Should I skip it and go for something else instead?

I have recently felt that I really need another knife and just looking at all these esse's makes me think about it all the more

[Mack The Knife]

Slingshot: Pity your friend isn't in Bangalore as I would like to see him work on the stones. I also happen to be partial to single malts. LOL.
Have you reprofiled the edge on the Izula?

Icy: We need to meet up. Perhaps coming weekend at Decathlon?

RRaju2805: Thanks.

Rajat: That sounded like a correction but I was wondering if you had some sort of rare F1 prototype in 440.

On the Junglas !! what were you trying to do??

Drew it out of the scabbard and my index finger automatically went ahead of the self guard because it has got used to resting in the choil. Caught it just in time as my finger came in contact with the edge.

Jeff and Mike were talking about commissioning a metal sculptor to make something out of those broken ESEE's so that they can display the stupidity of some of their customers at the Blade Show.

Asking a knife junkie if it is adviseable to get another knife isn't very sensible.

The 4 is a damn good knife. Amongst my ESEEs, the Izula-II, 3 and 4 are my favourites. However, if I were to choose just one amongst these three, it would be the 3. Can the 4 be a better knife for you? Yes it can depending on what roles you want the 4 to play.

Chopping: The 4 pips the 3 to the post thanks to its longer length and additional weight.
Battoning: 4 wins again due to its longer length and thicker blade.
Slicing: The 3 is well ahead of the 4 assuming the edge grinds are the same for both.
EDC: The 3 is ahead of the 4 due to lesser weight and smaller size.
Concealed carry: 3 wins again. The 3 is on the border for a concealed carry knife in my opinion.
Food prep: 3 wins again.
Dressing game: Whilst not applicable in the current Indian scenario, my nod would goes to the three.
Self defense: Whilst the 4 has the longer reach, the 3 is more likely to be on your person. So the 3 wins again.

As for the grip, the scales for the 3 and 4 are the same. The 4 feels thicker in the hand because the tang is thicker. The 3 feels much better in my hand compared to the 4. Even though I wear a size L glove. The 4 benefits greatly from the custom G10 scales you saw in the pics above. Having said that I have removed all my custom grips this afternoon as I plan to sell them.

I will take and post some side-by-side pics tomorrow for your reference.

Should you buy the 4? The answer is a resounding yes.

Other than the 4, is there any other ESEE blade you should consider? I would recommend either the Izula-II or ESEE-6, depending on what size range or functions you want your next knife to perform.

[Mack The Knife]

One thing in favour of the 4 that I forgot to mention last night is that it comes with a kydex sheath rather than the moulded plastic sheath for the 3. The kydex sheath has better retention and the retention pressure is also adjustable.

If you need pics comparing the Izula-II and 6 to the 3 and 4, let me know.

[Rajat]

Asking a knife junkie if it is adviseable to get another knife isn't very sensible.

Where were you all this time??

I sincerely appreciate your detailed reply and the precise comparison. Its good that you posted the last two pictures as this made everything clear.

Somehow I was under the impression that the 4 had a slightly longer handle but I know now. I am surprised that like most of the beckers the scales on the 3 and 4 are interchangeable.

I have noticed that the original scales on your 4 were already the orange G10 then what makes the grip with the custom G10 scales better? I have noticed the different "beak" shape at the pommel, better and secure grip in hand ?

Why do you want to sell off ALL the custom scales? From the pictures the scales on the 4 look good and they belong there.

I had noticed the kydex sheath on the 4 in your earlier lineup picture. The Phillips screw that we see on the top, does this work as the retention pressure adjustment system? I had noticed the capsule slot with the slider screw adjustment system on the Junglas sheath earlier.

So overall the 3 wins over the 4! That puts the matter to rest.

I will proceed and get the 4 at the earliest and I do not know why

The Izula II and the 6 I can make out from your pictures above and some earlier study. These have an altogether different size and shape etc.

Planning gone haywire and this time who else but you are responsible for it! I had set my sights on a couple of totally different knives and now this!!

The Izula I am beginning to like and / or possibly the Candiru. Another contender seems to be the Junglas! Well let me see, I will think that out.

Regarding the broken Esee pictures: I am sure you got the point earlier, this is exactly what I had meant with this comparison and the Fallkniven chipping issue. But well the chipping can still be understood but not most of these.

Its good to have you back, I hope we will continue to see you here. At least frequently