ESEE Folders

[MBG]

Other than the BRK Avispa/Zancudo, is the ESEE folder a dead concept? I would have really liked the Expat Medellin if it had thicker scales and a steel upgrade.

In my opinion, the Avispa and Medellin were functionally a downgrade from the Rat-1.

 

[The_Knife_Man]

I'm interested in ESSE folder feedback as well. I recall when they made their 1st one, but I never followed up on it. How does it compare the the RAT?

 

[MBG]

I'm interested in ESSE folder feedback as well. I recall when they made their 1st one, but I never followed up on it. How does it compare the the RAT?

Both the Avispa and the Medellin have a similar feel to the RAT Model 1, but they are thinner due to their frame lock constructions vs the liner lock of the RAT. The frame lock side of the knife on both models is very slippery. The actions are similar, except (based on the ones I own) the frame lock knives are less refined than the liner lock, this leads to stiff detent and difficulty disengaging the lock.

The Avispa and Medellin take up less space in the pocket, they are also easier to draw because of the slick frame.

The RAT's lock is more user friendly and the thicker scales make it much more comfortable when you are cutting with any force.

The Avispa might be better for EDC if you only do light cutting tasks and don't open and close it very many times throughout the day. Otherwise, I prefer the RAT.

 

[The_Knife_Man]

Awesome man! Appreciate it M MBG

 

[Lee D]

I’ve tried them all but only ended up keeping the Zancudo and Medellin. I really like that the slimness allows you to tuck them away in places thicker knives wouldn’t necessarily fit. Throw them in your glovebox, packs, and wherever else you might need a beater.

upload image to url

 

[Shorttime]

The Izula folder is a bit like a Yenko Camaro: a few do exist, but their ownership is traded around among a small group of well-connected and hardcore fans. The rest of us just hear rumors.

I've read threads and second-hand information over the years, and this is what I understand:

The folding Izula was in the planning stages, and a limited number of mid-tech versions were sent out to a lucky few who were in the right place at the right time, for real-world testing. At about the same time, ESEE cut ties with Ontario, and the folding version was put on the back burner. Once they got themselves set up, they started looking at it again, and decided they needed to expand their manufacturing capacity to meet anticipated demand.

Shortly after, there was some issue with Rowen (their heat-treater, I think? It's been years since I read all this. If I'm wrong, somebody will set me straight), and the folding Izula got pushed back, once more.

A mkII version debuted at SHOT Show in '16 or so (again, a guess), but then there was silence.

My guess is that the Medellin is as close to a folding Izula as we'll ever get, even though it's more like a folding version of the ESEE 3.

Is the folding Izula cursed? Maybe. At the very least, it's the victim of a long string of unfortunate circumstances.

There are a few knives that could be seen as continuing on in the same spirit. The TOPS Mini Scandi Folder 4.0 is not that similar, but it still feels like the knife you choose to "do the stuff", in the same way as the Izula would have been. Similar ergonomics too, and that's what the big draw of the knife was, for me.

 

[MBG]

I’ve tried them all but only ended up keeping the Zancudo and Medellin. I really like that the slimness allows you to tuck them away in places thicker knives wouldn’t necessarily fit. Throw them in your glovebox, packs, and wherever else you might need a beater.

I do prefer the Zancudo over the RAT-2. The thin scales are a much better fit with the shorter blade. My Zancudo's frame lock is dialed in much better than my Azvispa as well. Nice picture!

 

[MBG]

The Izula folder is a bit like a Yenko Camaro: a few do exist, but their ownership is traded around among a small group of well-connected and hardcore fans. The rest of us just hear rumors.

I've read threads and second-hand information over the years, and this is what I understand:

The folding Izula was in the planning stages, and a limited number of mid-tech versions were sent out to a lucky few who were in the right place at the right time, for real-world testing. At about the same time, ESEE cut ties with Ontario, and the folding version was put on the back burner. Once they got themselves set up, they started looking at it again, and decided they needed to expand their manufacturing capacity to meet anticipated demand.

Shortly after, there was some issue with Rowen (their heat-treater, I think? It's been years since I read all this. If I'm wrong, somebody will set me straight), and the folding Izula got pushed back, once more.

A mkII version debuted at SHOT Show in '16 or so (again, a guess), but then there was silence.

My guess is that the Medellin is as close to a folding Izula as we'll ever get, even though it's more like a folding version of the ESEE 3.

Is the folding Izula cursed? Maybe. At the very least, it's the victim of a long string of unfortunate circumstances.

There are a few knives that could be seen as continuing on in the same spirit. The TOPS Mini Scandi Folder 4.0 is not that similar, but it still feels like the knife you choose to "do the stuff", in the same way as the Izula would have been. Similar ergonomics too, and that's what the big draw of the knife was, for me.

I didn't know there were any Izula folders in the wild, assumed there were just one or two prototypes.

I like the TOPS Mini Scandi folder, I'd love to see a full-sized one.

 

[Shorttime]

I was really jazzed about the folding Izula, and it took me a while to get over the hope that it would show up.

In an effort to blunt the disappointment, I started looking for knives that seemed like they should have a similar feel and handling characteristics, since I was really interested in knife ergonomics at the time, and the Izula checked a lot of boxes.

So, in another example of "only on Bladeforums", here's what I found. Random screengrabs, some of them may be gimungus, ginormagus, or worse.

The James Brand Carter. Over-priced and under-quality controlled, from what I've heard. If it speaks to you, try to snag one off the auction site.

Kizer Gemini. The very high flat grind means that there is some dirty stuff you wouldn't want to do with this knife.

Civvi Elementum.

Columbia River Knife & Tool... Prowess, I think? I lost track of most of the Ken Onion designs, as his work for Kershaw and CRKT started to blur together.

Speaking of blurs, Kershaw, and Ken Onion, the Kershaw Blur also qualifies.

The DPX HEAT-F... I think.....? Robert Young Pelton likes to give his knives names that sound like artillery shell designations, so the models get confusing. For what it's worth, there is some connection between Mr. Pelton and ESEE, but I can't be bothered to look up the details.

Finally, the Civilware Pointer II. If I remember right it's a little small for my taste, at 2.5" of blade or so, but it has a cap lifter on the back, and it's a friction folder, if you believe that carrying a friction folder gives you some kind of "old school" cachet. Maybe it does...?

 

[Lee D]

I like the TOPS Mini Scandi folder, I'd love to see a full-sized one.

I like mine very much. The grind is a little different for daily carry, but it flips well, is very ergonomic despite my XL hands (I’ve handed it to several people and everyone seems to like the ergonomics), and doesn’t take up much real estate in a pants pocket. The choice of micarta over G10 was a nice touch as well.

 

[MBG]

I was really jazzed about the folding Izula, and it took me a while to get over the hope that it would show up.

In an effort to blunt the disappointment, I started looking for knives that seemed like they should have a similar feel and handling characteristics, since I was really interested in knife ergonomics at the time, and the Izula checked a lot of boxes.

So, in another example of "only on Bladeforums", here's what I found. Random screengrabs, some of them may be gimungus, ginormagus, or worse.

The James Brand Carter. Over-priced and under-quality controlled, from what I've heard. If it speaks to you, try to snag one off the auction site.

Kizer Gemini. The very high flat grind means that there is some dirty stuff you wouldn't want to do with this knife.

Civvi Elementum.

Columbia River Knife & Tool... Prowess, I think? I lost track of most of the Ken Onion designs, as his work for Kershaw and CRKT started to blur together.

Speaking of blurs, Kershaw, and Ken Onion, the Kershaw Blur also qualifies.

The DPX HEAT-F... I think.....? Robert Young Pelton likes to give his knives names that sound like artillery shell designations, so the models get confusing. For what it's worth, there is some connection between Mr. Pelton and ESEE, but I can't be bothered to look up the details.

Finally, the Civilware Pointer II. If I remember right it's a little small for my taste, at 2.5" of blade or so, but it has a cap lifter on the back, and it's a friction folder, if you believe that carrying a friction folder gives you some kind of "old school" cachet. Maybe it does...?

The James Brand looks nice. Might have to keep my eye out for sales. I wonder how their VG-10 compares to Spyerdo VG-10. The Civivi looks nice too!

 

[banana-clip]

ESEE has been talking about making the Izula Folder for about the past 10 years. I doubt it will ever happen, even though the prototype looked super nice. They talked about making one back when they had a subform on here and there was tons of interest in them after they relieved their prototype. I'm sure if they ever made one it would be a hot seller.