ESEE Izula or EDC folder?

[BlueSpartan007]

I've been looking into picking up an Izula for some time now, and just haven't come to pulling the trigger. Yeah, a ballpark $50 knife doesn't seem like a huge decision, but I don't typically edc fixed blades. Most everyone I've talked to says it's a great knife, especially at the price point. And the belt clip feature is nice, never really liked the neck knife idea.

I'm used to carrying 3"-3.5" folders, but thought a nice back up fixed blade would come in handy and change things up.

Does it see more time in pocket over other regular edc folders? Against other fixed blades? Less time?

Does the functionality prove useful for everyday tasks at it's size? More or less than other knives at this size?

 

[AdamFuzzyballs]

I can only recommend you get one. You will not regret it. In fact you'll probably Carry it constantly and maybe even forgo the folder after a while

 

[yakantosh]

My izula shares pocket time with a benchmade mini-grip. Its an amazing little fixed blade and the only reason I don't carry mine more is because of where I live. Definitely put in the little extra and go with the izula 2 as long as the extra length doesn't matter. It is much more comfortable than the original izula. Set up the belt clip for pocket carry and never look back.

 

[Armadew]

My izula shares pocket time with a benchmade mini-grip. Its an amazing little fixed blade and the only reason I don't carry mine more is because of where I live. Definitely put in the little extra and go with the izula 2 as long as the extra length doesn't matter. It is much more comfortable than the original izula. Set up the belt clip for pocket carry and never look back.

Funny you say this. Today I decided to carry my Izula and mini grip.

I work in an office, but the Izula sits discretely in my right front pocket.

Great EDC knife. Highly recommended!

 

[Lee48]

The Izula is a sweet little knife. The Candiru as well. I bought both recently and I really like them, especially when the accessory handles are attached. The only thing is...what to do with them. I mean, I rotate medium large to small-medium folders that do everything I need already. And I can open the folders with one hand whereas it takes two hands to remove the Izula/Candiru from their tight-fitting plastic sheaths. Do I really have any need for a fixed blade anymore? I quit backpacking long ago and I no longer camp or hunt. There's no real abiding purpose I can find for me to have these wonderful little knives other than the fact that they are wonderful and little.

While I can see the utility of these knives for a few individuals, for me they're just more nice toys.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Got an Izula 2, have never carried it or used it meaningfully. Luckily, my fiancée loves it, so it wasn't a waste, but I've never found fixed EDC to be necessary, convenient or comfortable and in the woods I want something with a longer blade and better handle.

One other thing, if you do a lot of abrasive cutting be prepared to do a lot of sharpening. 1095 holds an edge about like 420HC at the same hardness, and ESEE runs their 1095 quite soft.

 

[BlueSpartan007]

Sounds like a great knife with these recommendations.

 

[BlueSpartan007]

My izula shares pocket time with a benchmade mini-grip. Its an amazing little fixed blade and the only reason I don't carry mine more is because of where I live. Definitely put in the little extra and go with the izula 2 as long as the extra length doesn't matter. It is much more comfortable than the original izula. Set up the belt clip for pocket carry and never look back.

Yeah, I was thinking about that with the extra handle length. Considering the micarta scales as well.

 

[BlueSpartan007]

The Izula is a sweet little knife. The Candiru as well. I bought both recently and I really like them, especially when the accessory handles are attached. The only thing is...what to do with them. I mean, I rotate medium large to small-medium folders that do everything I need already. And I can open the folders with one hand whereas it takes two hands to remove the Izula/Candiru from their tight-fitting plastic sheaths. Do I really have any need for a fixed blade anymore? I quit backpacking long ago and I no longer camp or hunt. There's no real abiding purpose I can find for me to have these wonderful little knives other than the fact that they are wonderful and little.

While I can see the utility of these knives for a few individuals, for me they're just more nice toys.

Yeah, I got this sense myself. Having only ever carried a full size fixed blade on my belt while camping/hiking, I'm very interested in seeing if it works out.

 

[BlueSpartan007]

Got an Izula 2, have never carried it or used it meaningfully. Luckily, my fiancée loves it, so it wasn't a waste, but I've never found fixed EDC to be necessary, convenient or comfortable and in the woods I want something with a longer blade and better handle.

One other thing, if you do a lot of abrasive cutting be prepared to do a lot of sharpening. 1095 holds an edge about like 420HC at the same hardness, and ESEE runs their 1095 quite soft.

Well noted. Everyone says the retention's pretty great, but since I'm not seriously abusing many of my folders, I wanted to be able to put this thing to work.

 

[pinnah]

I've not warmed up to fixed blades in this size range. I have big hands and would rather carry a large folder that fits my hand better. Folders are lighter and carry better.

 

[BlueSpartan007]

I can only recommend you get one. You will not regret it. In fact you'll probably Carry it constantly and maybe even forgo the folder after a while

Funny you say this. Today I decided to carry my Izula and mini grip.

I work in an office, but the Izula sits discretely in my right front pocket.

Great EDC knife. Highly recommended!

Sounds like this knife just might be what I'm looking for. I'd be amazed if I ever turned from folders, at least carrying a backup, but it appears this knife would meet my standards as far as functionality. The real test is getting one in hand, and it's a very appealing option at the moment!

 

[Shovelhead2]

I love carrying my Izula. My edc is normally a PM2, but since I've gotten the Izula, I just slip it in my pocket and I'm good to go. It doesn't take a lot of effort to use it, and even with my big hands, I like the grip.

 

[Ryanol]

I don't carry an izula but you can definitely put me in the "carrying a small fixed blade EDC is hard to beat" camp.

Lately I've been carrying this little jobber:
2016-03-22_04-41-58 by ryan libson, on Flickr
or sometimes this one:
2016-03-09_09-57-23 by ryan libson, on Flickr

I work in an office and while the majority of the cutting chores I do could be handled by a small lightweight folder. It sure is nice to have something that is pocket able and fast to task. I've found that around 1.5-2 inches worth of cutting egde is about all I really need. Basically a fixed blade box cutter. I switch between wharnie and tanto style blades because if need be they're a little better at handling pry type stuff.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Well noted. Everyone says the retention's pretty great, but since I'm not seriously abusing many of my folders, I wanted to be able to put this thing to work.

It all depends on what you're cutting. 1095 is good for occasional light tasks, or routine heavy tasks where impact and chipping are the main concerns for edge retention. If you're doing extended cutting with things like cardboard, rope and plastics it'll go dull pretty darn fast. I cut a lot of cardboard and, in my one experiment with the Izula 2, I found myself stropping it up after pretty much every large box to maintain the edge.

 

[BlueSpartan007]

I've not warmed up to fixed blades in this size range. I have big hands and would rather carry a large folder that fits my hand better. Folders are lighter and carry better.

Yeah. This would definitely be a new experience for me. Weight's not a huge issue for me, but I could see the carrying being much different. Plus, blade limit is 3.5" in my area, so I'm thinking a knife this size would suit others well for a visble open-carry.

 

[BlueSpartan007]

I love carrying my Izula. My edc is normally a PM2, but since I've gotten the Izula, I just slip it in my pocket and I'm good to go. It doesn't take a lot of effort to use it, and even with my big hands, I like the grip.

That's what I'm thinking. I'd probably do some open carry, see how it fits/feels on my belt, and it would be a nice change to my "folders only" collection.

 

[BlueSpartan007]

I don't carry an izula but you can definitely put me in the "carrying a small fixed blade EDC is hard to beat" camp.

Lately I've been carrying this little jobber:
2016-03-22_04-41-58 by ryan libson, on Flickr
or sometimes this one:
2016-03-09_09-57-23 by ryan libson, on Flickr

I work in an office and while the majority of the cutting chores I do could be handled by a small lightweight folder. It sure is nice to have something that is pocket able and fast to task. I've found that around 1.5-2 inches worth of cutting egde is about all I really need. Basically a fixed blade box cutter. I switch between wharnie and tanto style blades because if need be they're a little better at handling pry type stuff.

Those are some awesome looking little blades. I think there's a warranty if the ESEE breaks, although I'm not sure that includes attempting at pry-bar functionality. I honestly don't think I'd trust it anyway. What steel are those blades made of? If you don't mind me asking, who made that second blade (or if they're the same maker)?

 

[Ryanol]

Those are some awesome looking little blades. I think there's a warranty if the ESEE breaks, although I'm not sure that includes attempting at pry-bar functionality. I honestly don't think I'd trust it anyway. What steel are those blades made of? If you don't mind me asking, who made that second blade (or if they're the same maker)?

I made both of them. Ones a Nicholson file the other is 1084 from Aldo.

 

[BlueSpartan007]

It all depends on what you're cutting. 1095 is good for occasional light tasks, or routine heavy tasks where impact and chipping are the main concerns for edge retention. If you're doing extended cutting with things like cardboard, rope and plastics it'll go dull pretty darn fast. I cut a lot of cardboard and, in my one experiment with the Izula 2, I found myself stropping it up after pretty much every large box to maintain the edge.

Wow, that's not the best review I've seen. I wouldn't be too routine with tasks like that, but I wouldn't be afraid to if I needed to like I am with a few of my edc folders. Might even go out of my way to see what it can handle. It probably won't see as much use as you needed out of it, but nonetheless, that doesn't sound so great.