ESEE 3 and 4 comparison

rtz

rtz

Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
69
Same handle size; only slight difference in thickness. 4 has 3/4" longer blade.

The largest difference of all is the weight and stock thickness. The 3 uses roughly 1/8" stock and the 4 uses 3/16". The 3 weighs nearly nothing in hand and the 4 has some weight to it.

Things to consider if you were ever considering one of these. Sitting on the 5 for more comparison.











https://postimg.cc/gallery/BvT2xfH
 
I found the thickness of the 4 to be offputting for the size. I preferred the length of the 4 over the 3, but the thickness of the 3 over the 4.

TL:DR Combine the thickness of the esee3 and length of the 4 and they'd have something.
 
If they did a 5 in 3/16"; would it substantially reduce the weight?

I think they could do a batch of lightweight knifes and do them out of slightly thinner stock.
 
Have both. Not anticipating being in a situation to use the 3. Have the 4 in a kydex sheath to be place horizontally behind the back.
 
have both. the 4 is used, the 3 is in the shed for whatever stupid abuse may pop up. the 3 had serrations, but i filed those away. the 3 is a bit too short for the general use cases I used it for (outdoorsy things)
 
I got an old Rat 3 and got the extended handle scales, makes it feel like a different knife, but still light. Now a point to ponder, if the 3 could feel better with the extended scales, would not the 4 feel different too? With a thicker blade, and more heft, but more control? I have the 4 too, but with regular handle scales, very stout, but still less than the 5, which I liken to the Becker Companion, too heavy.
 
Last edited:
co556guy said:
I found the thickness of the 4 to be offputting for the size. I preferred the length of the 4 over the 3, but the thickness of the 3 over the 4.

TL:DR Combine the thickness of the esee3 and length of the 4 and they'd have something.
Click to expand...

Voila! e.g. With a .115" blade thickness, the SurviveKnives GSO-4.5 Bushcraft eez perfecto!
 
My wife has a 3. It is her only fixed blade. It was mine for a long time but I didn’t need a 3 and a 4 so I gave her the 3 and kept the 4. In real world use, they are damn similar.
 
I picked up an ESEE 3 several months ago. I really do like it. Its compact, fits snug against my body, rides high and out of the way, all of which I like. No question the 1095 is a tough steel and I really like the new contoured handle scales. Due to weather and recent surgery I haven't had much opportunity to actually put it to use. So I've used it in the kitchen just to get the feel of it. I think the short blade runs out of really useable cutting surface to quick as the blade curves up towards the tip. I feel the need to keep the slicing and dicing back in the first 1 1/2" before the blade sweeps up to the area I find mostly unusable. Granted, its not a kitchen knife. But a carry knife may be called on for all sorts of tasks, including food prep. Each style has its strengths and weaknesses and the ESEE 3 is no exception.
 
sheep herder said:
You'd really spend your money with that company?
Click to expand...

I bought several nice knives from them while they were still in Pa.
Their problems with production arose AFTER they moved west...
Still a great knife..
The quality is hard to deny, and what else counts on the trail?
 
Rat was making them for Randall Adventure Training before they went with their own company, Rowen. They made the Rat 7, the TAK 1, and the RTAK too. It is a long story, but I think ESEE wanted to have control of their own production and ideas.
 
Thanks for the comparison info. I do not own an Essee, but have considered getting one.
 
cbach8tw said:
I got an old Rat 3 and got the extended handle scales, makes it feel like a different knife, but still light. Now a point to ponder, if the 3 could feel better with the extended scales, would not the 4 feel different too? With a thicker blade, and more heft, but more control? I have the 4 too, but with regular handle scales, very stout, but still less than the 5, which I liken to the Becker Companion, too heavy.
Click to expand...
The 4 with TKC extended grips is so much better than the stock model. I wish I still had mine. I’d like to try the 3 with the longer scales, too, though the 3 had a better blade/handle ratio from the factory in my opinion.
 
Big Ol’ Hauger said:
The 4 with TKC extended grips is so much better than the stock model. I wish I still had mine. I’d like to try the 3 with the longer scales, too, though the 3 had a better blade/handle ratio from the factory in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I agree, I liked the feel of the Rat 3 over the ESEE 4, maybe it was the overall feel of a lighter knife, more maneuverable, and that is why I got the extended handle for it, makes it feel even better in hand. Now I have wanted to try the 4 with the more rounded handle. Either one will be a good stout and useful blade for everyday things, tough and a good warranty. We have come a long way since the first time I remember handling the Ontario Tac 1 at a gun show.
 
Last edited:
I've had several of the 3's (both OKC & ESEE) and the 4's, all were nice knives, but my problem with them were much like everyone else's, the handles were too short. I purchased extended handle scales from TKC for them, but they became too handle heavy, so when Becker came out with the BK16 it took the place of the 3 & 4 and I've never looked back. The handle fit my hand perfectly, the blade width was perfect and it didn't have that useless choil.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top