Thanks for the review....to clarify about the spine....we coat the knives first and then actually sharpen the spine so that it will strike a ferro rod or scrape effectively....We do this on ALL of our Camplore line and as we move to the black oxide finish they will have the same look....
Love it. Really sturdy en beautiful knife. My first kephart style knife and so far really like it a lot! You can feel and see the quality in this knife. Its a beast! Good job Esee
Nice video Tim, I was thinking that the handle would be uncomfortable, well you cleared it. The blade looks sweet with profile similar to the Laser Strike and it goes straight to my to-buy list.
Indian Outdoors More comfortable than ESEE 4 handle and TOPS Rocky Mountain tread. Not as comfortable as handle on LT Wright HC Bushcrafter or ESEE 3HM. But the blade is better out of box than LT Wright HC Bushcraft.
The Pr4 is my go to for fire making. For batoning, I'll make a video soon enough but for its size and weight it batons like a beast!!! Great review, ... got to love Esee blades
Your description, thoughts and video were top notch...extremely well said and done. Yes, the Kephart: Jack of all trades, master of none. Thus the perfect all around camp knife. BTW, I have both an ESEE 6 and a ML Knives Kephart. Your comments about this knife and the ESEE 6 I believe are exactly correct.
Thanks for the review, it helped me make up my mind (I ordered one a few days ago). I appreciate you taking the time to give this knife an honest evaluation.
I was just in a 1 week class with Jeff and Patrick. Pat designed that spine without the finish so you could strike a ferrule rod with the spine so it wont dull your blade
I like this knife, but have big hands. Although have used a thin scalpel very effectively in leatherwork. I think an Esee PR4 might be a great addition as a lightweight backpacking tool. Thanks again for your informative videos.
Hey Tim, whenever you do future knife reviews could I make a small request that you show the viewers a good shot of the spine-side of the handle as well as a cross-section view from the butt-end of the handle so the viewers can get a good idea of how thick the handle is, as well as what the cross-sectional shape of the grip looks like? Absolutely no one seems to do this! You kind of gave the viewers a spine-side view of this knife rather quickly at 2 points in the video which was certainly helpful, but as I said previously, I think getting some good long shots of those 2 particular angles of the knife grips will help people dramatically when making a decision to potentially buy a knife without being able to actually get it in hand. I personally agree with your sentiments on liking a bit thicker handle. My personal benchmarks for comfortable handles are the Mora Classic #1 & #2, and the Mora Companion (standard, not HD - the grip is too tall on the HD IMO). I had never seen a spine-side shot of the PR4 handle until now, and was shocked at just how thin the grip is! Those scales are thin looking! I don't think I would like that knife for extended carving. Great review Tim as always! Take care brother.
BTW- just to elaborate on grips that are too thin... I personally find that whenever a knife grip is too thin, it causes discomfort (and sometimes even pain) in the webbing between your thumb and index finger when carving wood using a hammer-grip/power grip/standard grip... (all the same grip, just different names!). Either way, I find the hammer grip to probably be the single most used grip when it comes to using a knife... Second to that, I would say the pinch-grip and saber grip would come next... But bottom line is, if a knife isn't comfortable in a hammer grip, then it is pretty much useless in my eyes!
Just took the RAT Idaho bushcraft class and chose this as my class knife and got to assemble it and have it engraved. It worked great for friction fires, traps, and various tasks.
Good video as always . Ive always found esee blades a little to thick behind the edge but own a junglas and a model 3 and love em both after i thinned them a fair good amount. The are really good performers now
Ever held a SOG seal pup? I like my knives to be at least that thick in handle size...this one looks rather thin. I'm seriously considering getting this knife as it is very handsome, but that thinner profile has me questioning myself lol.
I hate to be a pig (but I Will) it would be nice if the opening (edges) of the sheath were treated with something. Oil, sealer, anything. I know it's picking nits but that raw edge really looks raw. Other than that, the knife & sheath look fantastic.
I leather stained my entire pr4's sheath with Cordovan red. This easy fix turned the original orangy brown color into a deep dark brown. I liked it so much that I put 2 coats of the same leather dye on the micarta handle scales of the knife. It worked! Now the knife matches the color of its sheath! It really looks A LOT BETTER with a super dark brown with just a hint of deep burgundy color in the handle & sheath. It looks tougher. It's a cohesive set now. **So don't be afraid to get your leather dye out & go to town on the pr4 & its sheath! ( I used "Angelus" Cordovan red).
As the handles are screwed on, it would be good if the knife came with some liners so you could beef the handle up. A knife that sells for $100+ is not going to sell well if it's got an uncomfortable handle.
Don't try to defend yourself with ax or knife. It's for the professional. Own a small handgun, it's easier to use to counter ambush the intruder or gang of robbers to protect your family. It's your duty you can't avoid. Bye.
I personally prefer that the line where the finish ends isn't a very clean line. Especially on a knife like this that has more of a primitive look. I don't like when knives have an extremely machined look to them. I like subtle lines and simple designs. I really love this design. It kicked my blackbird SK5 out of my top 5 knives. I have considered adding some g10 liners to this knife but I love those sculpted scales and don't plan to replace them.
@@adrianotero7963 @Adrian Otero I love the design of the blackbird. Unfortunately, my copy felt poorly executed. The grind was uneven. You could see that the ricasso on one side was significantly lower than the other. The knife was not as sharp out of the box as I would have expected either. I wanted it to be my go to fixed blade. I love the kephart design. I also found that after some light baton work my scales had moved which created a hot spot. I reached out to ontario and never received a response. I sold the knife.
@@daltonramsey9585 sorry to hear that.....I can see how that would leave a bitter taste.....I have an early version of the SK- 5 and it is on my side whenever I go to the woods.....if I am not mistaken....it was the first one out with what is now called the Kephart blade.....seems to me all others are jumping now on the Kephart bandwagon.....and that's alright by me.....proven design and all.....a knife blade is only as good as its warranty......too bad OKC dropped the ball with you.....if I had a similar experience I would probably feel the same way.
@@adrianotero7963 you have one of the micarta scale blackbirds? 😍 I'll take micarta over g10 any day. Paul Scheiter did a great job designing the SK5. I still think it's a gorgeous blade. I believe kabar has one of Horace Kephart's original knives and designed theirs after that or something. I still really like the SK5 and PR4. LT Wright genesis is a great example of a kephart style knife but I have purchased one yet.
Why such thin handles?? I don't understand this weird skinny handle fascination companies have lately....TOPS ruins very good designs by putting horrible grips on them, Esse please dont follow them.
Thanks for the review....to clarify about the spine....we coat the knives first and then actually sharpen the spine so that it will strike a ferro rod or scrape effectively....We do this on ALL of our Camplore line and as we move to the black oxide finish they will have the same look....
Good info - thanks ESEE.
I kinda like the uneven look, it makes it look a lot more vintage and broken in. I bought this knife to use. I ain’t after pretty..
Make this in a 6 inch
I got mine today, I'm in love with it.
Its everything I wanted the ESEE 4 to be.
Brian Taylor good to hear!
Love it. Really sturdy en beautiful knife. My first kephart style knife and so far really like it a lot! You can feel and see the quality in this knife. Its a beast! Good job Esee
Nice video Tim, I was thinking that the handle would be uncomfortable, well you cleared it. The blade looks sweet with profile similar to the Laser Strike and it goes straight to my to-buy list.
Good call - kind of a bushcraft-styled Laser Strike.
Indian Outdoors More comfortable than ESEE 4 handle and TOPS Rocky Mountain tread. Not as comfortable as handle on LT Wright HC Bushcrafter or ESEE 3HM. But the blade is better out of box than LT Wright HC Bushcraft.
The Pr4 is my go to for fire making. For batoning, I'll make a video soon enough but for its size and weight it batons like a beast!!! Great review, ... got to love Esee blades
Thanks for watching - ESEE makes a great product.
Excellent review Tim! This knife makes a perfect bow drill socket and fire board. Solid
Good stuff - thanks SM.
Your description, thoughts and video were top notch...extremely well said and done. Yes, the Kephart: Jack of all trades, master of none. Thus the perfect all around camp knife. BTW, I have both an ESEE 6 and a ML Knives Kephart. Your comments about this knife and the ESEE 6 I believe are exactly correct.
Thanks Rick - I appreciate that.
Thanks for the review, it helped me make up my mind (I ordered one a few days ago). I appreciate you taking the time to give this knife an honest evaluation.
Adventure Ryan glad to help out. Let me know what you think of it
Thanks again for your helpful review. I just spent 3 days with my new PR4 and love it (the video is up on my channel if you want to check it out).
Very cool - I will check it out.
Great video man. I like that the edge doesn't have any recurve thus making it easier to sharpen for me. It looks like a good little knife
Yeah - that blade is simple but does great work.
Thank you for the info. Watched your video after purchasing one. Will be using it for camping and backpacking
Glad the video could help out. Enjoy the knife!
I was just in a 1 week class with Jeff and Patrick. Pat designed that spine without the finish so you could strike a ferrule rod with the spine so it wont dull your blade
I like this knife, but have big hands. Although have used a thin scalpel very effectively in leatherwork. I think an Esee PR4 might be a great addition as a lightweight backpacking tool. Thanks again for your informative videos.
Great review Tim. What size gloves do you wear? that will give me a better idea if it will fit my hand size. Thanks and take care.
Matthew Jeffres thanks - and I’m a large in gloves.
Thanks! that helps a lot.
That looks like a tactical bushcraft knife that I can’t say I have see many of. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for watching IAM.
Got about 2 minutes into this video and now I have an esse 5 arriving in 2 days hahah
Great knife - you'll really like it.
Do not have a collection, just what works. Have one of these. Works.
Good review Tim,
Do you think that the scales are a little thin? Is there a way to add spacers to it?
Thanks + Regards
Reminds me of a smaller laser strike......which is my favorite esea knife for camping!
Yes - i can see the similarities.
Hey Tim, whenever you do future knife reviews could I make a small request that you show the viewers a good shot of the spine-side of the handle as well as a cross-section view from the butt-end of the handle so the viewers can get a good idea of how thick the handle is, as well as what the cross-sectional shape of the grip looks like? Absolutely no one seems to do this! You kind of gave the viewers a spine-side view of this knife rather quickly at 2 points in the video which was certainly helpful, but as I said previously, I think getting some good long shots of those 2 particular angles of the knife grips will help people dramatically when making a decision to potentially buy a knife without being able to actually get it in hand. I personally agree with your sentiments on liking a bit thicker handle. My personal benchmarks for comfortable handles are the Mora Classic #1 & #2, and the Mora Companion (standard, not HD - the grip is too tall on the HD IMO). I had never seen a spine-side shot of the PR4 handle until now, and was shocked at just how thin the grip is! Those scales are thin looking! I don't think I would like that knife for extended carving. Great review Tim as always! Take care brother.
BTW- just to elaborate on grips that are too thin... I personally find that whenever a knife grip is too thin, it causes discomfort (and sometimes even pain) in the webbing between your thumb and index finger when carving wood using a hammer-grip/power grip/standard grip... (all the same grip, just different names!). Either way, I find the hammer grip to probably be the single most used grip when it comes to using a knife... Second to that, I would say the pinch-grip and saber grip would come next... But bottom line is, if a knife isn't comfortable in a hammer grip, then it is pretty much useless in my eyes!
Tim I love me esse knives. Great review great channel take care and stay safe my friend. God bless you and your family brother.
Thanks James
Just took the RAT Idaho bushcraft class and chose this as my class knife and got to assemble it and have it engraved. It worked great for friction fires, traps, and various tasks.
Cool - good to know.
Is this a good all round bushcraft knife? I have a 5 but I find it pretty big for a lot of things.
@@jamisonk.097 yes, it is. It’s day and night difference from the 5. Might also look into the various 3 series of knives
@@idahomountainelk thanks
Good video as always . Ive always found esee blades a little to thick behind the edge but own a junglas and a model 3 and love em both after i thinned them a fair good amount. The are really good performers now
knife sharpening norway like the esee 5 lolol
knife sharpening norway 1/4 in 5 in blade lolol it is a beast though-pry bar
.308or5.56? Jupp made solid. Thin it from halfway down a good say 40% and its a pretty good blade
Thanks for putting up the video I think I am going to get one now
Joe Soeder glad to help out
Beautiful looking knife.
Awesome review Tim!! Thank you brother!!
Thanks man.
Tim, I don't know much about ESSEE knives but enjoyed the review😀
Great knives - highly recommend.
I have one on the way. I was going to get a new Laser Strike but I couldn’t pass this up.. This knife is sweet!
Let me know if you enjoy it!
I have the Laser Strike and have this one on the way now. Mind if I ask why you were thinking about getting a 2nd Laser Strike? Was the 1st worn down?
Good looking knife wish the sheath had a fire steel loop especially with the 90 degree angle on spine with the patina sanded off
Mine came dull I got it hair popping sharp it’s small blade thin handel still like it bk62 is better imo
That's awesome! Good upload
Hope I can find a place to fondle this knife before I make a decision. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for checking it out.
I got one and I love it
I am hunting for a low number pr4 with the original logo.I now own 5 pr4s I need a kydex sheath
Ever held a SOG seal pup? I like my knives to be at least that thick in handle size...this one looks rather thin. I'm seriously considering getting this knife as it is very handsome, but that thinner profile has me questioning myself lol.
Yeah, I get that. I can tell you that I have large-sized hands and it worked well for me.
Made In The USA!
kind of odd how they didnt finish the edges on the sheath
What material is the handle made of?! Can't tell if it's metal or plastic. New to knives so can't tell.
Xavier Sotelo It is micarta, but feels kind of like g-10. I have that blade.
Luis Gonzalez what's G-10?
Xavier Sotelo A fiberglass laminate. Micarta has denim, or canvas, and fiberglass.
Luis Gonzalez awesome thank you! It looked plastic that's why I was confused. Is it a good knife???
Xavier Sotelo It is pretty good I like better than the ESEE 4.
Nice video,I'm hooked!
Thanks Joel - thanks for watching the video.
Very nice
I hate to be a pig (but I Will) it would be nice if the opening (edges) of the sheath were treated with something. Oil, sealer, anything. I know it's picking nits but that raw edge really looks raw.
Other than that, the knife & sheath look fantastic.
I leather stained my entire pr4's sheath with Cordovan red. This easy fix turned the original orangy brown color into a deep dark brown. I liked it so much that I put 2 coats of the same leather dye on the micarta handle scales of the knife. It worked! Now the knife matches the color of its sheath! It really looks A LOT BETTER with a super dark brown with just a hint of deep burgundy color in the handle & sheath. It looks tougher. It's a cohesive set now. **So don't be afraid to get your leather dye out & go to town on the pr4 & its sheath! ( I used "Angelus" Cordovan red).
As the handles are screwed on, it would be good if the knife came with some liners so you could beef the handle up. A knife that sells for $100+ is not going to sell well if it's got an uncomfortable handle.
Looks nice but that handle will not do. Way to thin. Thanks for the video
Yeah - that's going to be a challenge for this knife I think.
I’m ordering the butcher knife style next
🄻🄾🅅🄴 🅃🄷🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄸🄶🄽 😍
Don't try to defend yourself with ax or knife. It's for the professional. Own a small handgun, it's easier to use to counter ambush the intruder or gang of robbers to protect your family. It's your duty you can't avoid. Bye.
I'm a keyboard commando. Not serious
I personally prefer that the line where the finish ends isn't a very clean line. Especially on a knife like this that has more of a primitive look. I don't like when knives have an extremely machined look to them. I like subtle lines and simple designs. I really love this design. It kicked my blackbird SK5 out of my top 5 knives. I have considered adding some g10 liners to this knife but I love those sculpted scales and don't plan to replace them.
Can't get more simple than the Black Bird SK-5.
@@adrianotero7963 @Adrian Otero I love the design of the blackbird. Unfortunately, my copy felt poorly executed. The grind was uneven. You could see that the ricasso on one side was significantly lower than the other. The knife was not as sharp out of the box as I would have expected either. I wanted it to be my go to fixed blade. I love the kephart design. I also found that after some light baton work my scales had moved which created a hot spot. I reached out to ontario and never received a response. I sold the knife.
@@daltonramsey9585 sorry to hear that.....I can see how that would leave a bitter taste.....I have an early version of the SK- 5 and it is on my side whenever I go to the woods.....if I am not mistaken....it was the first one out with what is now called the Kephart blade.....seems to me all others are jumping now on the Kephart bandwagon.....and that's alright by me.....proven design and all.....a knife blade is only as good as its warranty......too bad OKC dropped the ball with you.....if I had a similar experience I would probably feel the same way.
@@adrianotero7963 you have one of the micarta scale blackbirds? 😍 I'll take micarta over g10 any day. Paul Scheiter did a great job designing the SK5. I still think it's a gorgeous blade. I believe kabar has one of Horace Kephart's original knives and designed theirs after that or something. I still really like the SK5 and PR4. LT Wright genesis is a great example of a kephart style knife but I have purchased one yet.
@@daltonramsey9585 yes....I prefer micarta over G10 also.. I also like Lt Wright.....will pick one up soon......
wish it had kydex .
Kydex solutions for the the HM and Camplore series are coming in '18.
Yeah what's up with such a thin handle? No good. Tops does the same thing.
A clean line? I'll buy you a dollhouse
Thomas Mcginnis Thank you. I’ve always wanted one.
@@EverydayTacticalVids mine is perfect. Never looked until your video. Once you start striking a rod, wouldn't it change anyway?
@@bluesquidny but wait...what about my doll house?
Keep making shitty videos and you'll live in a cardboard one.
Thomas Mcginnis so serious man.
Why such thin handles?? I don't understand this weird skinny handle fascination companies have lately....TOPS ruins very good designs by putting horrible grips on them, Esse please dont follow them.
Esee isn't following anyone. This is patrick rollins' design, not esee
great vid
but the knife handle will only work in black no other color.
the brown looks like a knotty turd wrapped in leather