Esee HM vs Becker

G

Golanv

Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Messages
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I was just wondering if anyone has tried out the new ESEE HM knives and can compare the handle comfort to Becker knives. I have an ESEE4 that I plan on selling just because I find the handle horribly uncomfortable. I was thinking of getting a BK16 to replace it, but with these newer ESEE handles, I'm wondering if I shouldn't consider a 4HM or even a 6HM. Does anyone have any insight as to how these compare?
 
Don't know about the esees but changing the scales on a Becker is easy. Have you considered that possibility? Or is it that it's too messy or no one does easy swap scales and you'll have to roll your own?
 
spykez said:
Don't know about the esees but changing the scales on a Becker is easy. Have you considered that possibility? Or is it that it's too messy or no one does easy swap scales and you'll have to roll your own?
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He doesn't have a Becker yet. He was planning on buying one until he saw the 4/6HM.
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OP:
I haven't handled the HM line, but I have handled a Becker BK15 and 16 (own a 15, worked extensively on a 16). I love them.
I wear XL width gloves all I did was to add a set of liners and stripped the blade. The handle feels like it was made for my hand, and many say the same. It is fantastic.

The BK16 I modded because we all like pics.
Since photobucket is holding my pics hostage, I will be uploading them directly shortly. For now here is one of the handle slabs I made.
20160823_181800.jpg
 
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I am far more of an Esee guy. I've had a few Beckers and while they were quality knives they just were not for me. I did not like the handles. That said, the tweeners are different. They have a different handle profile than the rest. I regret selling my 15 every time I see one come up on the exchange. If you are going to get a BK to replace the Esee 4 I'd go the 15, 16, 17 route. 16s are still available new. I still think about picking one up but I have so many damn knives in this size. Plus, I would need to at least upgrade the sheath and most likely the handles which puts the cost near or above the $150 mark.

As far as the New Esees, I haven't handled them. I don't mind the old Esee handles though they are not great (though the Junglas scales are great). On my 4 & 5/6 I have the upgraded TKC scales. It changes the knives completely. So at about $50 it might be worth looking into on the 4 if you like everything else about the knife.

For me with Esee and becker there is no free lunch. Becker costs less but I know I would need to upgrade the sheath and scales. Esee I don't need to upgrade except maybe the scales. At the end of all that upgrading the cost is about the same. I don't think you can go wrong with either. Both are top notch companies with great products. You may just have to do more research and take a leap either way. Go with the one that appeals to you the most.

2fqwHXah.jpg
 
Beautiful knives guys!

I've tried TKC scales. While it did make the handle way better, there was still something about it I didn't quite like. I may just bite the bullet and try a BK16 and see how it feels. I do like the looks of the ESEE blades a little more. Perhaps the correct answer is to buy a BK15, 16 or 17, and get a Junglas (because that thing just looks pretty).

Is the finger choil on the ESEE6 any larger than the choil on the ESEE4? I find the choil on the 4 just a tad too small (I've cut my finger on it before).
 
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I'm not sure if all the tweeners are discontinued but I know the 15 & 17 are. Those are very expensive now and considering I got my 15 when it was first discontinued for $45, paying 2-3x that is a hard bullet to bite. The 16 is still available but seems expensive at around $80. That said, it will hold its value very well and if it turns out to be "the" knife for you then $80 is quite reasonable in the grand scheme of things.

The choil on the Esee 6 is larger than the 4. The 6 is essentially a supersized 4 with a bit different handle (from the 5). The 6 really benefits from the TKC scales so consider that in cost, though they do come up used often so that could mitigate it a bit. Keep in mind it is a much larger blade.

I think a BK16 with custom sheath and/or scales and an Esee Junglas would be an epic woods combo!

6 with TKC scales and LT Wright sheath also from TKC:
ppnH5RIh.jpg
 
I sold my ESEE 5. I didn't like the handle. I thought about adding scales but didn't. My BK10 fits my hand better then the ESEE did. No experience with the HM handles although I'm anxious to try them. As a guy who has a big hand (2xl glove), I've decided to try my hand at making G10 scales. Some of my tax return $ might go to some sanding equipment. I've come across many knives that I like but the handles are too skinny. It feels like I'm holding a pencil. I want to learn to make my own beefy G10 slabs (I prefer G10 to mircarta).

The HM handles look promising thou.

I like the blades of the ESEE and the handles of the Beckers, if I could marry the two...
 
Thanks folks.

That is correct, the 15 and 17 are discontinued, but the 16 is still available from vendors.

Though you can still find a 15 or 17 on the exchange for $60-$100, they tend to be at the higher end of the spectrum (a 15 sold last week for around $75, iirc).
The 16 can be found for $50-70 on the exchange, lower end of that scale for stock, higher end for mildly modded (scales and such), and they can go over $150 for the elusive saber ground models.
 
I agree with gazz98. I really like the looks of the Becker handles and the ESEE blades. I just ordered a BK16 off of Amazon and some of Tommythewho's (I'm pretty sure) off of ebay. I can make my own sheath (I never cared for nylon sheaths). I'll see if the Becker handles are as comfortable to me as the look. Maybe I should have checked the exchange first...

Down the line, I would like to get another ESEE though (after I sell this ESEE4 and the TKC scales). I guess I'll have to decide between the ESEE6 and the Jungas.
 
Golanv said:
I agree with gazz98. I really like the looks of the Becker handles and the ESEE blades. I just ordered a BK16 off of Amazon and some of Tommythewho's (I'm pretty sure) off of ebay. I can make my own sheath (I never cared for nylon sheaths). I'll see if the Becker handles are as comfortable to me as the look. Maybe I should have checked the exchange first...

Down the line, I would like to get another ESEE though (after I sell this ESEE4 and the TKC scales). I guess I'll have to decide between the ESEE6 and the Jungas.
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Tough choice. I have both and love both but if I could only keep one it would be the Junglas (I have lots of other blades in the Esee 6 range). They fill different rolls for me though. The 6 is a jack of all trades master of none (not a bad thing BTW) and the Junglas is a chopper/wood processor/ bad ass big old piece of 1095 that makes me smile.
 
So, I ended up getting a Becker BK16. The handle is definitely more comfortable than the ESEE. However, I see what people say about the fit and finish being better on ESEE knives. The secondary grind on the BK16 is not perfect like the ESEE4. I can see some variances, especially around the curve of the belly - it looks like the grind is a little flatter than on the straight part of the belly.

I guess this isn't a big deal. I tend to hand sharpen anyway, and I know that the angle I hold my knives against the stone is certainly not perfect either.

Thanks for the feedback guys! I think I have a keeper.
 
Good on ya, now go get her dirty and post some pics.
Take a swing by the Becker subforum, they are an active group and are friendly with the new guys and look forward to the the adventures brought with.

Just so you know, Beckers are like Lays. You will learn sooner or later.
 
I know the thread's a few months old. Just want to say I also chose the BK16 over ESEE. Tough call but I'm not disappointed. Most comfortable knife I've ever handled. I'm not against buying quality but at the time it was about a $30-$40 price diff for basically the same tool with the same function. And the 16's sheath is flawless.
Nice choice, OP!
 
V84mystang said:
I know the thread's a few months old. Just want to say I also chose the BK16 over ESEE. Tough call but I'm not disappointed. Most comfortable knife I've ever handled. I'm not against buying quality but at the time it was about a $30-$40 price diff for basically the same tool with the same function. And the 16's sheath is flawless.
Nice choice, OP!
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The 16's sheath is not "flawless" if you don't like nylon. It is the best nylon sheath Becker offers but that isn't saying much. Esee wins all day in the sheath category for me.
 
craytab said:
The 16's sheath is not "flawless" if you don't like nylon. It is the best nylon sheath Becker offers but that isn't saying much. Esee wins all day in the sheath category for me.
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Ok, maybe I oversold it with "flawless": ...works really really well and I don't care too much what a sheath's made of as long as it stands up (and doesn't dull the knife....stupid Eskabar sheath). But I agree that I tend to prefer a good kydex sheath. I usually make my own.
 
There was a photo on here once of a Becker with black paper micarta handles. Now that was a spectacular looking knife! Anyone else remember it?
 
One thing you can do if you like simple leather sheaths is pick up something like the Condor Kephart (or the Bushlore) and use the sheath for both the Kephart and the BK-16 if you don't care for the factory BK-16 sheath or not want to spend the $ for a custom made one. The Condor Kephart needs the edge thinned down a bit or at least mind does. Haven't gotten around to doing that. The Bushlore is a good knife, but not a great knife because the steel could be better. But it is well worth the price from a value point of view.

I personally like the BK-16 factory sheath. It works.
 
Some other leather sheaths work:
- the Ka-Bar short leather sheath.
- Case XX x-large Finn sheath.

I am sure that some of the JooFuu and Kniveshipfree pocket slips and belt sheaths would work.

Custom Kydex will probably run you around $30-40, which is too bad.
 
I read and see you went with Becker ... I have several Beckers and Esee ... and all my Beckers have had Micarta replacement scales or one has a custom wood replacement. The Beckers are great and comfortable the only thing I have heard friends say is the handles were a bit big for them to use comfortablely.

The Esee HM series is a big improvement in handle comfort over the older style. I have three now and very comfortable. And the biggest difference is the Esee HM series the handles are smaller then Beckers so if you have a smaller hand they might be more comfortable. But I love both.

Congrats on your new Becker.
 
NJBillK said:
Custom Kydex will probably run you around $30-40, which is too bad.
Click to expand...

I'm sure a lot of guys here know this, do this, or have tried this at some point but I'll just say to the OP that if one is at all inclined to do some tinkering and hands-on work then doing your own kydex is kind of a sinch. All you need is a drill, utility knife, a press or simple bench vise (hammer could work too, for the rivets), a heat source like a large or small oven or a heat gun, a little sand paper and foam pad of some sort. After that it's the basic kydex supplies and the little rivet jig ($18-$20-ish) and you're all set to make as many sheath (or holsters) as you want for a couple bucks each. All kinds of great YouTube tutorials out there. I've made probably a dozen sheaths and a few holsters for myself. Saved $hundreds.

There's some other equipment that can help too but simple sheath making doesn't need much for tools.
I also have a scroll saw, belt sand station, and an IR temp gun. The heat gun helps shape things after molding and can be handy. But non of these are required.
 
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