ESEE Laser Strike

L

Lonewolf01

Joined
Oct 31, 2011
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I just saw that ESEE released the Laser Strike and from looking at it, it looks like it would make a pretty good knife for backpacking / hiking, pretty light, but still very capable for what you would run into on a normal backpacking trip.

I'm just wondering if anyone has some first impressions of the knife if you have it, or if you have used the old TOPS version how do you like it?

Here are the specs and the picture from the ESEE website.

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Overall length: 10"
Blade length: 5"
Cutting edge length: 4.5"
Maximum thickness: 3/16"
Handles: Canvas Micarta
1095 Carbon Steel
 
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It's a good knife. I've used the knife extensively and Reuben has an article coming out in Tactical Knives soon about it. I've also used the Tops. Both are good knives. If it had a convex edge on it I would definitely carry one around. But you can do that yourself after the fact. The spindle works for bow drill as well.
 
I had the TOPS version, only reason I sold it was the flint striker on the spine of the handle made it uncomfortable to grip. But I just ordered the new model, the design seems perfect overall as a great woodcrafty kind of knife.
 
tknife said:
I had the TOPS version, only reason I sold it was the flint striker on the spine of the handle made it uncomfortable to grip. But I just ordered the new model, the design seems perfect overall as a great woodcrafty kind of knife.
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that's what i thought as well regarding that jimping under the hand's webbing. it kills me to see a lot of esee's knives that's on the verge of greatness but held back with such design flaws! the choil on most of their knives is a deal breaker for me too.
 
tknife said:
I had the TOPS version, only reason I sold it was the flint striker on the spine of the handle made it uncomfortable to grip. But I just ordered the new model, the design seems perfect overall as a great woodcrafty kind of knife.
Click to expand...
I agree, looks like it will be an awesome woods knife, I just ordered one so now the waiting game begins. :D

JV3 said:
that's what i thought as well regarding that jimping under the hand's webbing. it kills me to see a lot of esee's knives that's on the verge of greatness but held back with such design flaws! the choil on most of their knives is a deal breaker for me too.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, I have a -3 and if the handle was a little bit larger and no choil it would be great.

blindripper23 said:
It's a good knife. I've used the knife extensively and Reuben has an article coming out in Tactical Knives soon about it. I've also used the Tops. Both are good knives. If it had a convex edge on it I would definitely carry one around. But you can do that yourself after the fact. The spindle works for bow drill as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input! I'll definitely be putting a convex edge on it. I look forward to seeing the article about the LS in Tactical Knives.
 
clich said:
that looks uncomfortable to say the least
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From what I have been reading about peoples first impressions they find it is pretty comfortable.

I really like the blade shape, looks almost perfect (IMO) so I'm gonna give it a try, I'll up date this thread with my first impressions.
 
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Only looking at the picture. Love the blade shape. Would prefer it in 5/32" to the 3/16" thickness it comes in. The pointy thing under the handle separating the index finger will screw up the reverse grip....That alone would make me pass.
 
The ergos look a bit odd to me, but sometimes it's the ugly knife that feels best in hand. For that reason I sure do wish the LS was available as a passaround. I'd love to play before pay on this one.
 
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The handle is perfect, for many grips.

The leaf shape blade, and grind, is perfect.

The handle containing a magnesium/ferro rod and a pair of Quiktinder tabs, with a washer on the lanyard to open the screws that hold the handle on, is perfect.

The sheath is perfect.

Seriously, after some screwing around with it this weekend, this is by far my favorite ESEE. The handle feels well in a hammer grip, Fillipino grip, and especially when you use the choil to choke up on it. Very very very controllable, well thought out design. Really liking the leaf shaped blade for everything, big improvement over the regular '3, '4, '5, '6 designs. The grind is outstanding as well. The sheath is very high quality, I'm wearing it with a large Teklok.

I'm going to order a second while they are still $90...
 
I should have my review finished this week. I have been using the Laser Strike for about a Month now. The handle is quite comfortable and due to the skeletonized tang the weight and balance are very nice. I should have the review to Woods Monkey by the end of this week.

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JV3 said:
that's what i thought as well regarding that jimping under the hand's webbing. it kills me to see a lot of esee's knives that's on the verge of greatness but held back with such design flaws! the choil on most of their knives is a deal breaker for me too.
Click to expand...

Choils! :barf: I can except them on big knives(7"+blades) but just barely. On small knives, no way. I mean how much "detail work" do you really need a knife to do for a choil to make sense on a 3.5" blade? What's really odd is their junglas and machete have no choil but there small knives do. :confused: There are people who love themselves some choils though. Sigh.


I passed on the laser strike because I think it's fugly but then Kephart thought the same thing about the knife he used.
 
This is definitely the ESEE that appeals to me the most, just don't have the $$ right now !
 
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