ESEE 5 V's ESEE 4 whats better and why?

A

Average_joe101

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Feb 8, 2013
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So back to the old 'Which is best the ESEE' for hiking/camping/survival.

I know everyone prefers the 4 or even the 3. But i wanted to know why? Also why is the 5 preferred for US SERE instructors?

Wouldn't they pick the best knife?

I want to know as i own the ESEE 5 and i love it. I would definitely rely on it if the cards were down. But im putting together a little kit for hiking and all the reviews and opinions say the 4 is much better for general use. I wanted to know why exactly?

Sorry for the 100 questions, trying to shed some light...
 
The 4 is cool because it's thinner(usually cuts most things better) and lighter(easier to lug around). But it's really whatever work for you. They're all sweet knives.
 
The 5 was overbuilt for SERE operations and to be a "downed-pilot" survival knife, capable of cutting out of a downed plane. Also has a bow drill pivot, glass breaker, etc. It's seriously thick so that it won't break no matter what kind of crap it goes through, handle whatever, etc.

The 3 and 4 are more "general purpose" woods knives. Maybe handle some batoning, but mostly for cutting slicing type tasks. The 3 is a little thinner than the 4 so slices better, and I think fills a bit more of a tactical role for some with the glass breaker.

The 6 is kind of the standard big-sized woods knife, thick enough to handle most stuff but still thin enough to slice well and everything. It doesn't have the glass breaker like the 5, but it could probably stand up to just about whatever you can put it through. It's just the 5 is SERIOUSLY bulletproof... Well almost.

These are pictures of broken knives returned to Smokey Mountain Knife Works, ESEE has them displayed there in the store to demonstrate their commitment to their warranty. Notice how all of them pretty much only have their tips broke...
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Thanks for that KennyB!

So to summarize, the 5 is made to cut your way out of everything, where the 3, 4 and 6 are more designed as the 'woodlands survival/craft' knives. Basically for the normal day Joe's the 3, 4 and 6 are the better option?
 
yes.

get either the 4 or 6 based on your length needs. The 5 is unnecessary unless you really need to make YouTube videos of you smashing things with your knife.
 
Jeff has said that the 5 was built for the sere program when the requested a knife that "wont break", its a great knife for that purpose but its probably one of the worst knives more hiking/backpacking. A big, thick, heavy knife is not what you want, I vote 4! The wilderness model.
 
I love my 5, it's a very capable knife in many ways. That's being said I also think its a bit heavy for hiking. If you're planning on doing any serious miles them weight is probably a concern. The 4 should handle all your camping/hiking needs and then some.
 
My bet is go for the 3, I have the 4, but it takes awhile to get used to the handle, still a good knife. I handled the 3, felt nice and that is where I get my feeling about the 4's handle, just like larger blades. If for hiking the 3 will be lighter and still what the 4 can do.
 
I've had an RC-3, 4, and 5 for a few years now. I bought the RC-5 when it first came out as I was doing a lot of flying in the Rocky Mountains, and wanted something I could strap to my leg, and get out of the plane's plexi or aluminum as quickly as possible if I were to have a forced landing somewhere, and bent the plane. The 5 is designed to bust through this stuff, but then also be used as an ACCEPTABLE, but not ideal "survival" knife. As others have said it is not the best bushcraft or backpacking type knife due to its thickness and weight.

I actually like the 3 better than the 4 as I think the handle is sized better for the 3. They share the same handle, and the 4 feels off to me without the addition of the TKC custom scales which transforms the 4 into an excellent, all around woods knife rivaling my BRKT Bravo-1 for versatility.

For general use in the woods, I would get the 3 or the 4. Either will serve you well.
 
I'd also recommend the 4 with TKC handles. They really do make a world of difference and transform the 4 into just about the perfect 'survival' knife. Pictured below with a Becker BK-2.

esee4_bk2.jpg
 
Cheers guys! Pilot1, thats what i wanted to hear from someone who has them all.

Think ill get the 4 as the blade is a bit bigger than the 3. Im going to be doing a lot of day trek's so i dont want something too heavy like the 5.

Really appreciate it guys!
 
Average_joe101 said:
Cheers guys! Pilot1, thats what i wanted to hear from someone who has them all.

Think ill get the 4 as the blade is a bit bigger than the 3. Im going to be doing a lot of day trek's so i dont want something too heavy like the 5.

Really appreciate it guys!
Click to expand...

The 4 is a great all around choice. Try it with the existing scales, but if you want something more hand filling get the TKC scales and give them a try.

That BK-2 is compared to the ESEE-5 a lot. Another good choice, but again heavier, and thicker than the 4.

Forgot to mention, while I do carry the 5, I also have a little Fallkniven F1 in my flightbag which is sized close to the ESEE-4, just a tad smaller. Also a great all around woods knife choice, but more expensive. More to think about. :)

FallknivenF101.jpg


Comparison shot. The 4 is at the bottom.

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ESEE 5 is the only knife by that company, that I gladly sold. It just did not fit the bill for an outdoor knife. The term "Unwieldy" comes to mind.

The ESEE 3 is probably the best one they make. Izula II would be a close second. My other ESEE knives mostly stay in a box, and never get field use.
 
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