ESEE 4,5 or 6?

K

Kyeg

Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Messages
9
the 4 is cheapest, i think the 5 would be more versatile and the 6 is just plain badass, which would be better for camping, hiking and "survival" type stuff. which would be best?
 
only have the 6 but it is SWEET. big enough to easily baton with, and a more than decent chopper imo. but also not too thick and not unmanageable to perform finer tasks. seems tough as nails too from the somewhat limited use i've put it through so far. plus the sheath is solid and with the optional molle back that thing is versatile!
 
Yes, all of the above. I am going to order a 5 as soon as money allows, I just placed a order for another piece at the moment.
 
6 is made as a camping knife, 4 is more for light weight hiking. 5 is actually made as a survival knife. That probably doesn't help you all that much so here's a small comparison that most ppl would explain in more words than i'm gonna:

Esee-4:
- good for slicing
- light weight
- good for light batoning

Esee-5:
- can work for trimming tree limbs
- hard to break
- can baton decent size wood and handle smaller tasks with practice

Esee-6:
- designed as a camp knife
- not overly heavy
- can baton trough decent size wood and has a choil that makes smaller tasks easier
 
6 all the way. It can baton larger pieces of wood than the 4. And with the choil, you can choke up nicely to perform those smaller, finer tasks. The 6 is plenty strong. The 5 is good for prying open metal drums and cutting yourself out of an aircraft etc. The 6 is more suited as a camp knife. Ive used mine allot and it never fails. Period.

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I have a 4 and love it as i do alot of hiking (5-9 hour days)

i barley feel the thing when its on my belt and it still does all i need.
weight out how much weight you wanna take with you i guess.
car camping compared to backcountry camping might be the deciding factor.
 
6 is the most versatile if you're not carrying a 10" chopper already. if you are, i'd go with the 4. the 5 is bomb proof but it doesn't do anything better than the 4 or 6, except maybe as an emergency pry bar.
 
When in doubt take the middle road. I have the Ontario Rat-5 and I'm more of a backpacker/hiker than a survival guy, then again backpacking is a likely way to end up in a survival situation. I never really understood people who force themselves into survival situations, unless you are making a tv show then just go for a hike and see what happens. I feel the 5 is the best of both worlds, you can do lighter work but also minor chopping and batoning should the need arise.
 
The ESEE 5 has a thicker blade profile than either the 4 or 6. It's a serious slab of steel. If you're looking for a last-ditch survival knife, it's awesome. Of the three you mentioned, the 5 is the one I have. I really like it, and I expect it's tougher than pretty much any situation I'll need it for.

I also have an ESEE 3, which is my woods knife, EDC fixed-blade. I think everyone should have a 3 or 4, so I'd say the 4 should be your first, but you'll not really go wrong with any. Many people have one of each!

SP
 
I just went thru the same decision. I already have a BK2 so the RC-4 was my choice.

Vin
 
I have a 5, and boy is it thick and heavy. I'd want to have it in an emergency, uban survival, and/or if it was the only knife.
I also have a 4, and that is my prefered size of belt knife. I also have a Junglas, so I don't think I need a 6, although I might get one someday.
Really, it's up to what you think you would get more use from. If you could only have one, take stock of what you do most. But, you won't want just one.
 
I think you could easily get away with the 4. I have one an Love it. It does everything I need except for heavy chopping.
My next ESEE will be the 6. I have never favored the 5 but knowing me I will end up with one sooner than later.
For hiking the 5 will be too much whereas the 6 would be fine but the 4 is the best of the lot for hiking.
 
Get the 6, it was my first and i will never give it up. It would also be hard to find a better all around knife than this one.
Buy it you will love it, i promise.;)
 
I have a 6 for general camping. It can be big depending on what you're doing so I have a HEST one the way for when smaller will do.
 
BBQ BOY said:
I think you could easily get away with the 4. I have one an Love it. It does everything I need except for heavy chopping.
My next ESEE will be the 6. I have never favored the 5 but knowing me I will end up with one sooner than later.
For hiking the 5 will be too much whereas the 6 would be fine but the 4 is the best of the lot for hiking.
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I agree that for an "all around best" choice, the RC-4 would be the one. :thumbup:
 
BBQ BOY said:
You and I seem to agree on a few things. Whether it be this or Idaho Made stamping.
Click to expand...

I never did get to read that post you deleted in CRK forum...lol Maybe you were going to chew me or others out.

I tend to be a bit mouthy at times, it's out of pure frustration regarding issues that I think are "dumb" or where a person in a position of power makes decisions that impact others and doesn't give a d*mn - "just because" they can.

The gentleman in question may be a wonderful person but money will put a smile on anyone's face. Usually their behavior leaves clues about who they really are and what they're about. Just my $.02 :)
 
I kind of find the RC-6 a little too large for my taste and prefer the size and handling characteristics of the RC-4 and to some extent the RC-3. I find it much more maneuverable and allows me to craft tools and the little comforts much easier. Sure you loose some of the batoning abilities of a larger knife, but you can always make a wedge to help I guess and rarely have I needed to go through say a 6 inch wide piece of wood without a saw or axe.

The RC-6 does make a fine chopper however. I still tend to use my HI khukri for such a role however, and you tend to need a smaller knife with you if you go for the big one.
 
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