ESEE 6 Review: The Last Survival Knife I'll ever need
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ค. 2024
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I have owned most of Esee's knives excluding the Esee5, EseePR4, cleaver, laser strike, hms and RB3 series. I fortunately or unfortunately have never had to use the warranty even after years of use and abuse. I will say that the Esee 6 was always my favorite although the Esee 4 S35V is what I am carrying most right now. I dont use the 6 to chop. I have a Junglas. But if you can only take 1 knife the 6 is a good choice.
4:37 -- "If you're not going to the wood with a hatchet, especially if you're in North America, you're a fool." -- I strongly agree.👍 And I also carry a Tramontina 24" Machete with me every time when I go to the woods.
Very fair review, just subbed
I will generally only baton small, very dry pieces just to get some fire starting material. Anything larger than 2 inches I'll notch with my blade and split with a titanium wedge that I keep in my pack (5oz). A warranty doesn't help much if you're deep in the wilderness and your knife snaps in the center of a log.
I will say that I've been forced to baton wood once because someone was off using the hand axe and it was 20 degrees at camp. I was using my scrapyard knife company 711 so there was no chance of it breaking in the cold.
Glad you live in such a sheltered environment you can just go out in the back shed or m aybe "car camping" but ... If you live in the Bay Area of S F. & have to head for the hills on foot after an earthquake with nothing but a bugout bag you are NOT toting an axe .... likely because just like my backpack is already up to 26 pds.
Food- water & purification, tent, backpack, underware & First Aid kit.
A "1 knife option " is he superior choice.
Just a friendly suggestion, get a mountain bike and strap your gear to it. Then you can also strap a fiskars axe and a rifle to it. May have to push the bike at times but you will also cover more ground faster when you are able to ride so it would equal out some but you wouldn't need to carry all your gear. Get to a point you don't want/ can't use trade to someone or ditch it.
@@fyrebugg9354, thatscexactly what I have. Mountain biI e - 2 saddle bags & a "tow cart".
Problem is that's where the dog goes. 🙂
@@dumaflotchy13 sound prepared, luck to you.
You live in the Bay area and are accusing someone else of being "sheltered?!" You wouldn't last a week up here in Alaska, junior.
@@madgepins1967 , Im not interested in visiting your ****hole ...
Perfect camp and field knife. Very nice.
Good review! I think you should have also addressed the ergonomics of the handle. How comfortable at what grip, hotspots after long use etc. Nice that you tested, rarely shown chopping abilities. The piercing test was fun. Good luck with your channel!
Yiannis2112 thanks, good point. Forgot to mention ergonomics. I did include it on the web review though. CHEERS
Thats how you baton. Awesome video sir. Subscribed
Your thoughts on batoning are spot on. Respect sent from Western AK.
Amazing review
Because it is a survival knife it has to be able to do unreasonable things like baton large pieces of maple. Although the only time It really really makes sense to baton is for small dry kindling. Great review! Best of luck to your channel (micarta sheath;)I’m sure you meant kydex lol
Bark River has the best warranty in the world. Sharpening, handle reshaping and refitting, sheath replacement, hardware replacement, breakage replacement, etc. The best.
I have the ESEE 6 and LOVE it. Why I would NEVER pay for an overhyped "show knife" because then I would NEVER actually use it. I sometimes debate using this one because it so nice, but it's made to be used and I would put it up against those other overhyped knives. What have I used most everyday as a suburban that does outdoor things on weekends? The ESEE Zancudo foldable pocket knife they gave me for free when I bought my customized ESEE 6. Perfect everyday carry and its easier to have on me everyday in the business world.
Keep up the good work well rigged. Love the motto, buy it once. More knives, multitools and a hatchet please.
Thanks, I'll do my best.
thecarter27 damnnnn ... you eyeballing my gear? 😁
Spent a good portion of my life in the wilderness , I share the same opinion on batoning a knife. And those who snivel about WEIGHT should take a close look at the extra time they will spend prepping wood by batoning. Time that can be infinitely better spent on other tasks. And not only do I carry a light hatchet/tomahawk I also carry a folding saw.
Silky bigboy, fiskars x11, mora 👍
I don’t baton either, BUT I like having the peace of mind to know my knife can do it if things go sideways. I had a handle break on my camp axe once in the woods and instead of ending the weekend right there I decided to try and baton with my knife, and the one I carried at the time fell apart. If I had been in a serious situation it could’ve been a really bad weekend, every sense then I carry a knife that can handle the task
Yeah. That dulls the blade quickly. Good to know it can baton. A good saw like the bahco laplander works good. Very light.
Cheers Mate!
I agree about the axe. I live in BC you gotta get the bigger sutff to get dry wood for a fire. spend more effort and hassle trying to baton hardwoods then just packing an axe along.
Not trying to be a jerk but had a few thoughts after watching your video. I dont baton much but it has its place, especially in an emergency. Hatchets are great but yours is pretty big if you had to go very far on foot. Weight adds up fast and you dont appear to be in great shape. As for the Esee 6 sheath, it is made of a molded plastic. And according to Esee it is just a durable as their kydex versions. It is not junk and it is more tolerant to extreame temps (hot and cold) then kydex sheaths. Have you experienced failures with Esee's molded plastic sheaths?
Well said
@@johnnyeas1431 Esee disagrees with you. Esee has spoken at great length on this issue about their injection molded sheath being just as good if not better then their kydexs versions. But believe as you wish.
@@johnnyeas1431 Esee has a lifetime warranty on all the products. But hey, some people don't believe earth is round, either. See ya around, kid.
Not trying to be a jerk, but...
The word is THAN, not THEN.
You mifht want to learn the difference if you intend to continue communicating.
@@Skyfall-sv8df Once again, the word is THAN, not THEN.
I get you say "just bring a hatchet" and ideally obviously I would, I have one in my truck. But alot of people buy these as survival knives for a reason, shit hit the fan and you are stuck with only the knife in your pack and couldn't grab your hatchet. Or you are in the military and don't have room in your pack, or don't want that much extra weight for the offchance of doing a specific chance. That's a big target audience for this knife. You are in the woods or jungle and you need one knife that can chop and split. That's why the original Kabar came to be, if you combine it with the E-tool, the e-tool can do chopping, and maybe splitting (haven't tried it), and this knife is kabar sized but more durable and designed by people who stand by there work better.
Have the tracker 1. Its the most durable knife ever. The best chopper and batoner BUT its a pound and a half and a bit cumbersome so not do good at other tasks. Nice looking knife though. Esee 6 in dark earth is another good looking knife. Ill try the bk 7 next. Esee 6 is definitely a must have. Ive heard the bk7 is too. I just think you get way more value with esee cause of the mucarta handles and kydex sheath for only 30 bux more. Beckers have been called the best value. They are not. Low cost is more accurate. You will pay more than esee if you customize the becker with handles and sheath. Do the math. I might try the oc collins knife
Anyone know when the Esse 6 will get a steel upgrade?
Don’t know why they’ve holding off for so long?
I find it funny that those who are against batoning get so upset at those who do, and usually revert to name calling lol. Thing is, it's our knives that we paid for so we can do what we like with OUR property. As far as carrying a hatchet along with the rest of your gear, unless you're camping, like someone else stated, it adds weight.
I do agree the ESEE 6 is top dog in the survival/bushcraft/camping knife world and good luck sharpening those high dollar high end steel blades in the field.
ESEE does have a great warranty but it’s not the best in the business. Bark River Knives actually provides the same warranty but in addition they also warranty the sheaths for life. I’m still an ESEE fan though 🙌🏼
Good video. Besides amazon, any recommendations on where to get this in Canada?
I send them into Canada all the time.
I got mine from "cutting edge cutlery."
@@jessicaagecoutay6547 thanks for the response. I ended up with the G10 venom green model through Amazon. Money well spent.
Have you done a lot of backpacking or hiking with a hatchet?
The Spartans walked hundreds of miles with hundreds of pounds of armor, swords, spears and shealds when they traveled to the hot gates to battle the Persians, and they never complained once about the weight of their gear. And most of them did this bare-foot
@@johnnyeas1431 Greek hoplites carried at most 50 lbs in armor, shield, and weapons. No soldier can physically carry hundreds of pounds of equipment. A modern soldier today, who carries the heaviest combat load in history, can carry up to 120 lbs but certainly not hundreds of pounds. FYI, the Spartans also practised institutionalized homosexual pedophilia.
Man I remember my first time using a knife it had a micarta sheath too...
my bad..kydex
@@WellRigged it's not kydex either, it's injected molded plastic. People dog on it but it'll hold up better in extreme temperatures
Good Job on the video ! Ive been looking at getting the Esse 6 for a few weeks from the Knife connection - Be my first Esse. Big thumbs up!
That is how I baton too, finally!!!
Ever carry a hatchet like that 20 miles into the woods on a backpacking trip? That extra 3-4 lbs gets kinda heavy after awhile lol. That's why some people baton. Nice review
Good point, 20 Miles into the woods is a loong way. Never done it myself. I bet a hatchet would be heavy but batonning after walking 20 miles, would stink too.
Well-Rigged I usually baton after long hikes. I have found with a good baton and knife I can usually sit down, save energy, process wood into small pieces very fast. If you drive to camp site then an axe is great but I still baton. I have an Esee 6 but I prefer my Bark River Bravo 2 in 3V. Longer blade at 7" and is a work horse. Full warranty just like Esee. The 3V handles wet weather better.
Thanks Jeff, I'll have a look at the Bark River Bravo. Sounds like a good knife
See Nessmuk and Kephart.
@@jeffgenchi5863 is a long hike 3 times around your quarter acre house section ?
I agree with you about the hatchet/axe. Everyone is so concerned about batoning and having the spine of their knife 90° "so they can strike a ferro rod 🤪" God forbid they use a hatchet or dedicated scraper that weighs a tenth of an ounce to carry 😩
@@Butch_Deezlsteak to the contrary it seems like you know very little about survival and the outdoors. If I lost my hatchet (which has never happened) I’d use my knife, not a big deal. If I lose my scraper I have a backup and I’m guessing that you’re not educated enough to know this but I’d simply smooth out the spine of my knife on a rock if emergency demands it 🤷♂️. I don’t find using a scraper difficult in the sense that it’s multiple times a day. I light one fire and keep it going. I could make a torch to carry the flame but I digress. You think you know something about survival but you know jack 💩. 😅
@@richroc7 I’m not a survivalist but isn’t efficiency important? While batoning consumes a bit more energy than using a hatchet, you can argue that traveling with a 2lb hatchet is also energy consuming. A knife can achieve the same thing as a scraper and a hatchet and more.
I see it this way. Most of us will never be in a survival situation. So what is the most practical when I go backpacking, camping and hunting? It’s simply inefficient to bring a hatchet. And what are you likely gonna have in a survival situation? Are you going to carry an axe everywhere you go?
A good comparison to this is a leatherman multi tool. A screw driver, needle nose pliers, wire stripper, file, and prybar might be better. But the leatherman has it all in one and will get the job done despite being worse at the job. A survival knife is gonna be the same concept. It can fillet a fish, but should I bring a fillet knife too?
@@Phaminator525 imho there are pros and cons to both sides of this. While not bringing the axe is less weight it’s also more work on the edge of your blade. Lighter weight means sharpening twice as often. I definitely don’t ever want to be in that situation. I enjoy my modern comforts too much. 👊🏼
I have numerous Esee knives. 2 that are the 6 model. One of which I really abuse. I would never ask them to honor their warranty on it because I ask it to do things knives aren't meant to do. It has held up very well. Great knives, at a good price, especially when you consider the sheath, clip, and MOLLE attachments that are available. Some stores even sell the blade by itself. Knife Works has excellent prices on Esee.
Darn right! They're tough as nails! Thanks for the testimonial. ESEE is making top notch knives right now.
Was that the fiskars x7 ?
I have both, The one in the video is the x11. X7 is more portable but is better for chopping kindling etc..
Lol so funny about batoning great vid.
The reason that they switched to plastic sheaths over kydex is because they had kydex failing and breaking in certain climates. The plastic is simply better. I actually prefer the Rat 7 still! I prefer the nylon sheath with the extra pocket. The knife is straighter then the Esee 6 and half inch longer.
Straighter THAN, not THEN.
You cannot go wrong with an ESSE 6, in fact when I am asked from new people what survival knife to get I just point them at that particular knife. 1095 is tough, easy to sharpen for those not sharpening pros. It will strike a flint, and if you have to be able to strike a firesteel just take a file and put a notch near the jimping and your GTG. Nice video btw!
So if you had to pick just 1 Esee out of all of them for general survival, would it be this one? The 5 is pretty popular it seems too.
ESEE 5 is a great choice too, nice added tail punch for glass which the 6 doesn't have. Being smaller, the 5 is probably better for detail work, field dressing etc. As far as sheer grunt...its the 6. The 4 and 5 make excellent field knives but not as great for tactical situations or chopping like the 6. Depends on your needs really.
@@WellRigged Cool thanks.
Indeed about the hatchet aspect. Regardless of how high speed your knife is- batoning can break it. If the knife stock is thick enough to relieve the worry of batoning damage, then it likely is too thick to have a super keen edge profile for finer slicing/bushcraft tasks. Having a hatchet/tomahawk is much smarter.
Is having a hatchet really smarter though? I’ve batoned my esee 6 for years and have had 0 issues. And carrying around another 2lbs isn’t exactly efficient
I must say I love your enthusiasm for the ESEE6! I've been considering the ESEE6 for quite a while but I confess that I am conflicted about it.
Firstly, I do not adhere to the one-knife-only school of thought, but rather the best-tool-for-the-job school. With that said, where does the ESEE6 fit in? In short, it doesn't. Why not?
Size: the ESEE6 is too thin (for splitting) and light (for chopping) to really be a Big knife, yet it is too heavy to be a medium size belt knife, even a touch too long (11,75" with a 5,75" cutting edge). It is far too large and the wrong shape for a bushcraft knife. So where does it fit?
4:14 Batoning: here I tend to agree with you, but not altogether. Splitting a large log like that is not knife work - a knife is a contact tool eg cutting, an axe is an impact tool eg chopping. But, an axe is heavy and needs a lot of energy to do its work. So, how to get around the problem?
Instead of the primary tool being an axe (as you suggest), I believe that to be a saw! For the outdoors, a folding saw (Silky is my choice). This can do a lot of low energy work for better results (nice neatly square-cut logs). OK, so splitting: well here one can always use a wooden wedge (which you don't have to carry around!). It will split almost as well. But why cut such thick logs in the first place? Why not just harvest thinner limbs and sticks in various thicknesses suited for the various purposes (tinder, kindling and fuel)? So, you say, but the wood is wet! Huh? Always? Granted, if it is so wet, yeah, you might have to cut a few logs to find some dry core wood to get the fire started. Isn't it a lot easier just to carry a small quantity of tinder/kindling (it's a lot lighter than an axe!). Once you have the first fire it's simple to dry the next bundle of wet tinder/kindling for the next wet-weather fire. [I learned that at Boy Scouts decades ago!]
As I said I'm not totally against batoning (like some hardliners). My rule of thumb is that it's ok to baton a log about half the size of the cutting edge (ie 3" for ESEE6). That should not damage the knife blade. Similarly with axes/hatchets, which would be fine at a static camp site, or in a nearby vehicle. Great for that. For carrying around, not so much.
So, how to set up then?
Firstly, as I said, is the saw (probably a Silky Gomboy, or Bigboy if weight is not an issue). This is not negotiable.
Large knife: this is for the heavier work, much as you pointed out. (like a Cold Steel Trail Master, or Falkniven Modern Bowie, possibly a Becker BK9).
Bushcraft knife: currently I favour the Victorinox Venture Pro, for those around camp knife chores.
Multi-tool knife: Here I'd never be without my Victorinox Swiss Champ that I've carried for decades!
In a more static environment, as I said, an axe would be useful, as would a drill brace and bits set.
7:28 Isn't this called beaver-chewing? With that technique one goes all around the tree, till it's thin enough to push over.
8:39 Shaving - isn't that more cutting/carving than shaving? Shaving would be more like making feathersticks, I think.
9:38 "Say you need to kill a bear?" Wow! That would be quite a challenge! Personally, I think I'd be MUCH better off with my Trail Master, with all due respect. But I do think the rabbit bit the dust!
A last comment - I personally don't like coatings! But without a coating 1095 rusts so fast you can almost hear it chewing away. My knives tend to be more rust resistant steels.
Well, thanks for the video and comments welcome!
However you use it, the E6 is the single best general use knife I own, of all brands, designs, and steels. And I have about 150 different blades from Esee, Tops, Cold Steel, Kabar, Morakniv, Condor T&K, etc. In read world use, my Esee 6 beats them all in the way that it works, carries, and handles so seamlessly that you just don’t worry about it, other than re-sharpening and drying/oiling to maintain it, like all carbon steel. It feels like an extension of my arm when I use it, especially with the 3D handle scales, whether Esee’s or TKC’s. That no-questions-asked, lifetime replacement warranty makes it the single best survival/field/woods knife value on the market.
@@jessr.2490 More recently I'm favouring the Cold Steel SRK (CPM3V, in sabre grind). This I think is very similar to the ESEE 6. I just like the Cold Steel approach ( I have a Trail Master (San Mai III version). I'm impressed by your collection! That would be something to see!
@@dennisleighton2812Coldsteel makes great stuff in terms of fit and finish and toughness. I just can’t get over the rubber handles. I had an SRK3v and the handles got sticky because I cleaned my hands with hand sanitizer and touched the handle. Plus I love the classy look of a full tang wood/micarta handle.
@@Phaminator525 Like a lot of high quality "tools" there are certain protocols that will alleviate such issues. I've used my Trail Master with wet hands, dirty hands, sticky hands, and after a good wash, the TM is ready to go. Using a micarta handle with "oily" hands is a nightmare!
If I'm going for day hike n some climbing while reaching the peak 500 meter hills I'm not going to carry hatchet. But don't underestimate day hike! Most people lost in jungle are on their day hike 😏
Batoning with a knife i get but chopping? I guess if i had to.
Nice review... I have an Esee 6 and I enjoy using it. One small point -> at 3.28, you said some of the other Esee knives come with micarta sheath, I am sure you meant to say Kydex sheath. Thanks for sharing the video, keep them coming 👍
Thanks for the encouragement. Great catch! Face-palm. I noticed this after I had already posted the video.
Well-Rigged And you got your 9th subscriber today.
Thanks for the support!
I can't think of another American knife company that has a lifetime warranty no questions asked. Esse is #1 in my book
Bark river is better
@@merlynquasar6214 for the price no
Only a 100 more for way better performance
@@merlynquasar6214 you overpaid for a knife and like everyone who overpaid you claim it preforms way better and i call bullshit
@@merlynquasar6214 Yeah Bark river is like 3 times the cost.
Where can I buy a micarta? sheath
Hah..you caught that one...ahem...Kydex sheath
Totally Maple.
Esee rules for sure I own many of their models. However I have two 6s and my original black bladed model will hold an edge thru most anything but I also own one in dark earth and it seems to dull quickly on even softer material. Maybe a manufacturing issue idk
Kydex sheaths!
Yup...my bad.
Nice job, great review.
light weight backpackers dont carry hatchets
Lightweight backpacking is quite a different application than what I'm talking about here. Survival is generally more stationary and includes extended stays, up to weeks. Being stuck in the woods for a week or more without a hatchet? No thank you.
That's not survival, that's camping. Camping is planned. Survival isn't. A hatchet is practical for camping, a good battonning knife is for survival
@@chrishoward5401 if you are prepared enough that you have your esee 6 knife for survival. Then why wouldn't you be prepared enough to have a hatchet with it? Baton or don't, with your knife but your claim between survival and camping, makes no sense.
👍🏻👍🏻
My dogs name is also Oliver lol.
And the only reason you would chop is if you forgot to bring your silky saw LOL.
Great Canadian viewpoint review!
micarta sheath????
Yup..someone else pointed that out to me...oops
So why would you need to chop with a knife when you have a hatchet? Or for a little extra weight, a folding saw? So much wasted energy........
There's no such thing as a Micarta sheath dude.
Yeah...i know...kydex silly mistake
It’s about weight dude. Nobody wants to pack an axe up and down hills. Certainly not foolish. Nobody batons 10 inch pieces of hardwood with a piece of flat wood either. If you’re doing it right you’re not a fool. Sorry I just don’t like the word fool. Be nice. Still looking for one of them there micarta sheaths though.
Check out the knife connection. They have nice options for the esse 6.
I don't buy knives made in Taiwan bruh 😆
I need to stop watching your videos. I'm gonna go broke buying survival knives
Damn, so your officially the whitest guy on 2 continents. 😁
Racist
@@WellRigged You're the whitest racist on 2 continents??
don't ask me...White men ENDED slavery..founded the greatest nation/country the world has ever seen, and you with your black heart actually think having white skin is something to be ashamed about!! You whackjobs never use your brain.
A lot of blah blah. A good knife, way to big to actually carry any distance. 1095 steel is a basic carbon steel. It will take a really good edge but there are many (more expensive) alloys availabile in today's market that are superior. Basically the knife is a big chunk of cheap steel that rusts every time it rains and isn't really first choice for a seasoned outdoors man's carry knife.
Examples?
you should take that knife and gut some fat off your fat gut
"Micarta sheath"....
Lol.