Esee S35VN Izula

D

DocT

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Mar 25, 2012
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I see Esee is coming out with an Izula in S35VN. It should hit dealers in less than a month. I am happy to see this, though I think they should have investigated AEB-L and used that, instead. It would give them the same or better toughness than 52100, which is far better than 1095. Plus it has better edge retention than what they have been using and is stainless, as well. It is not as stainless as S35VN, but good enough.

Still, I am happy to see the S35VN and I will definitely get one. It will give me a good pocket fixed blade with good edge retention and no powder coat to hinder cutting.
 
AEB-L is criminally underused. I suspect it is because companies can't boast about the edge retention like they can with M390, etc., but it is plenty sufficient and super tough. Maybe less name recognition to the average user as well?
 
Unless it's reduced the price significantly, AEB-L doesn't really make sense on an Izula like S35VN does. It's a blade just over 2.5" so toughness is not a primary concern; edge retention and stainlessness are much more important to a knife in that category.
 
I will still prefer the Xancudo, with its full handle and thinner blade stock. I'm just happy they're priced far enough apart not to compete with each other too much. Otherwise s35vn would have been a very odd choice.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
Unless it's reduced the price significantly, AEB-L doesn't really make sense on an Izula like S35VN does. It's a blade just over 2.5" so toughness is not a primary concern; edge retention and stainlessness are much more important to a knife in that category.
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Came here to post exactly that^. Who needs high toughness in such a small knife? At that size I’m all about edge retention.
 
I think price and availability factored into the choice of S35VN over something like AEB-L.

I want to love the Izula, whether 1095 or S35VN, but it's just too darned thick for a tiny knife. If they did 1/8" or even better 3/32" stock, I'd be all over it. Or even if they used the current stock and did a hollow grind.
 
I'm a big fan of my 1095 izula (like most people), and every day I keep returning to one of the dealer's S35VN Izula preorder page to tempt myself.
Honestly the 1095 is more than sufficient for what I use it for, but the S35VN ESEE 3 I have is so darn nice.

I think it's a great move by ESEE, particularly for their smaller knives.
 
rhino said:
I think price and availability factored into the choice of S35VN over something like AEB-L.

I want to love the Izula, whether 1095 or S35VN, but it's just too darned thick for a tiny knife. If they did 1/8" or even better 3/32" stock, I'd be all over it. Or even if they used the current stock and did a hollow grind.
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I don't mean to be disrespectful but will a small (sub-3" long) paring knife in the kitchen work? They usually are much thinner.
 
I've been kind of expecting this move.
For such a small, pocketable knife I think it's a good decision. One of the better stainless steels(imo) and perfect pocket size...
I just finally got my s35vn Esee 4 a few days ago. I haven't even really gotten to use and test it yet, but I'm confident it'll perform just fine for me. I don't think I'd want s35vn in a blade much bigger than the Esee 4, but it should suit the Izula and 4 beautifully.
 
sharp_edge said:
I don't mean to be disrespectful but will a small (sub-3" long) paring knife in the kitchen work? They usually are much thinner.
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No disrespect perceived!

I'm sure it would, but paring knives aren't as cool as "real" knives! 😁
 
rhino said:
I think price and availability factored into the choice of S35VN over something like AEB-L.

I want to love the Izula, whether 1095 or S35VN, but it's just too darned thick for a tiny knife. If they did 1/8" or even better 3/32" stock, I'd be all over it. Or even if they used the current stock and did a hollow grind.
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The difference between 5/32" and 1/8" likely has more positive effect on getting a skeletonized knife to be stout enough to work with ESEE's warranty than it does negatively affecting cutting ability. I think the slight bump in thickness helps in terms of hand comfort when used in it's normal skeletonized state; thin it out much more and it would get much less comfortable to hold onto without a wrap or scales.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
The difference between 5/32" and 1/8" likely has more positive effect on getting a skeletonized knife to be stout enough to work with ESEE's warranty than it does negatively affecting cutting ability. I think the slight bump in thickness helps in terms of hand comfort when used in it's normal skeletonized state; thin it out much more and it would get much less comfortable to hold onto without a wrap or scales.
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Sure, but isn't the Izula thicker than 1/8"? It's not by much, but it's enough to make a difference. Holding an ESEE 3 (1/8") and Izula together, my Mark I eyeball tells me the a little thicker. I don't have calipers handy, but I'm guessing it's 5/32" stock.
 
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rhino said:
Sure, but isn't the Izula thicker than 1/8"? It's not by much, but it's enough to make a difference. Holding an ESEE 3 (1/8") and Izula together, my Mark I eyeball tells me the a little thicker. I don't have calipers handy, but I'm guessing it's 5/32" stock.
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Yes, Izula is 5/32"; I was saying I think ESEE went with that stock because the increase in durability from the extra 1/32" (relative to 1/8") is likely more significant than the decrease in cutting ability from using the thicker stock. Similarly, I feel like any marginal gains you'd get from dropping to thinner stock would be outweighed by decreased strength and comfort of use as a skeletonized knife.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
Yes, Izula is 5/32"; I was saying I think ESEE went with that stock because the increase in durability from the extra 1/32" (relative to 1/8") is likely more significant than the decrease in cutting ability from using the thicker stock. Similarly, I feel like any marginal gains you'd get from dropping to thinner stock would be outweighed by decreased strength and comfort of use as a skeletonized knife.
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Okay, thank you for the clarification. I have no insight into ESEE's decision making process, but your assertion is reasonable. I was merely stating my preference.

Do you have experience with the TOPS Tibo (discontinued) by any chance? It was similar in form factor to the Izula, but 1/8" thick and noticeably thinner near the edge and a better cutting tool. When I got mine, it replaced my Izulas for every day carry and it performed well, albeit I never abused it.
 
A tough little neck knife screams LC200N
Can’t rust and tougher than most knife steels out there
what it lacks in edge retention, it makes up in ease of edge tuning and sharpening. I have made LC200N shaving sharp on found river stones.
 
I don't get why they don't switch to 1084 as their normal steel, sharpens and holds a edge as well as 1095 but way tougher. As for the Izula I think magnacut would be great. I don't know if it was introduced before or after this post started.
 
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