ESEE 5 Knife Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 มี.ค. 2022
- Howdy Folks! This is my ESEE 5 Knife Review! The Esee 5 Knife is an absolute brute that can tackle nearly any cutting or chopping task around camp. In addition to heavy-duty work, it can also perform precise work such as notching or joinery. After more than 5 years of constant use, I believe I can offer an honest review of this bushcraft workhorse!
CORRECTION During the video, I state that the ESEE 5s Tang is skeletonized, I was mistaken, It IS NOT SKELETONIZED.
ADDITIONAL CORRECTION This is a comment posted by a viewer (I really appreciate the input!):
xXRambodianXx
"1st of all, the Esee 5 does not have skellontonised tang.
2nd of all, the Esee 6 weighs less, not more.
Esee 6 13 ounces
Esee 5 22 ounces
Good review, I own both, love them both."
Links
Esee; Esee 5: eseeknives.com/product/esee-5
Knife Works; Esee 5: knifeworks.com/shop-all-brand...
I have a 5. The only knife I know I will never break.
And if it does, you have a guaranteed replacement
The tang on the ESEE 5 is NOT skeletonized. The only metal removed from the tang are the holes for the handle scale bolts.
Thank you JD! A couple other subscribers pointed that out as well. Re-editing of the video is not possible, however, I will make note of this fact in the description. Thank you on behalf of the viewers for pointing this out!
@@boonedockery7220 you’re welcome. Enjoyed the video!
Great video....a few of my opinions.
I'm old now..mid 60's....and alot has changed. I just can't hammer split, baton, and beat myself up anymore. SO I SWITCHED and should have many years ago. I saddle backed togeather on sheaths an Ontario SP53 with a SILKY 210 Medium Tooth, and carry an ESEE 4. All cutting 2" or more is fast work with my SILKY SAW compared to beating your brains out with ANY HATCHET/MACHETE/LARGE KNIFE. The SP53 is for splitting, branches, cot notch building, notching, digging etc., etc. The ESEE 4 is for fine work, common camp choirs, skinning game etc., etc. My SS neck knife is for food prep.
FOR YOU APOCALYPSE NOW FOLKS.....When the SILKY dies you still have a real chopper/hatchet/large knife all in one, built in 1095 steel. Lastly MY ESEE 5 does split wood better than my #6, I think it's because of the 1/4" blade spine acting as a wedge...but a big but....it only gives about an inch or maybe 2 to baton on. I found more use with my six than my 5 but that's really all in PERSONAL NEEDS AND PREFERENCE. For me back in the military days....Yes the ESEE 5 is GREAT and the CORRECT CHOICE....but...it is for survival not a hand to hand knife, unless last ditch.
I'm even older, but agree with most of what you say. The Silkys (Gomboy, or Bigboy) are awesome for cross-cutting even large timber. If used correctly (ie on the pull stroke!) there is no reason why the Silky should "die". They should last for a decade or more. It will also give lots of warning about when to reblade or replace.
Instead of the ESEE 5 (or 6) I have a Cold Steel Trail Master San Mai III, which will out-perform the ESEEs in just about every counter!
For smaller scale utility tasks I would rely on the Cold Steel SRK, San Mai III version. It can even do acceptable feathersticks, except not those superfine curls so beloved of bushcrafters.
For food prep tasks, a Victorinox Ranger Grip 79 would be quite acceptable, and in fact a rather nice folder.
That would be a versatile set of tools for outdoors applications.
Im not a bush crafter but I want a 5 I think it would make a great truck knife.
OH YES!!!!
Great review. Thanks for the information.
Actually the esee 6 is lighter than the 5. It's 3/16 thick and full flat ground so it actually weighs a little less. Thanks for your insight tho, great user review. I like reviews by people who actually use their stuff
Thank you Jeremy, I became aware of that and a few other issues after I posted the video. I corrected myself in the description box as I have no idea how to edit a video after it has been posted, or if it's even possible. I appreciate your help and support. Have a blessed day and thanks very much for your comment!
@@boonedockery7220 thanks, God bless you brother. You have my subscription
@@jeremybryant5778 Thank You, Brother!!!! Have a very Blessed Day!
The venerable ESEE 5 was also my first serious woods knife, absolute beast of a knife, but I have since moved onto the ESEE RB3 paired up with a H&B Tomahawk. Good review BTW!
My first too, I didn't realize how heavy it would be
Got an ESEE 5 for one reason - I like to go on day trips, but I never plan for overnight stays. It is a good just-in-case knife that I can pack away in minimal space for a bit of extra assurance.
It's a great knife!
Thanks John, this was a great review. The only 0.25 inch knives I have are the Tops Prather War Bowie, the Tops El Chete, and the Schrade SCHF Extreme Survival; all wonderful blades for different purposes (and some similar). I always strip off the powder coding and put on a force patina. I like your knife videos.
I have a friend of mine that removes the factory finishes from all of his knives and creates gorgeous artistic patina. They are beautiful. The whole review thing is a real challenge for me, I am very pleased you like them!
Very well presented and articulated 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank You!!!
Never had the 5. I have had the Izula, the 4, the 6 and a Junglas. The Junglas is the only one I still own still. That said whenever anyone who is not a knife person ask what knife they should get for camping/go bag/shtf I always suggest ESEE as for the price and warranty you can't beat them and they are easy to sharpen. Once again great video.
Thank You Very Much Brother! I agree with every thing you wrote about Esee! I pray you have a very blessed evening!
Good review. I like how you made your own carry system for the knife. Pretty cool. I really like the Esee 5. It was my first serious knife about 14 years ago. Up to that point, I only used Mora's (Companion). I was caught up in the whole knife game for years, buying $500.00 to $600.00 custom knives, which have since been sold. It's ridiculous spending that much for a knife IMHO. To the point, I just bought a new Esee 5 from The Knife Connection with the upgraded handle scales and the leather drop loop (under $150.00). If I go out in the woods for awhile, then this will be the knife I take with a good saw. I don't mind the weight. Cheers from Idaho.
I totally agree with you! I'll check out the knife connection. I really want to replace the scales on mine. I'll check out that sheath too! Have a great day!
I love esee, I got new handle scales from the knife connection for my 5 and 6,
When chopping with the esee 5, I find it helpful to "choke down" on the handle for extra swingability. Only do this with it securely lanyarded around your wristn
I think my Izulla ii needs a big brother. Great demonstration. thank you
Thank you Brother! Look at the HM series. They remind me so much of the 18th century trade knives we use to carry. I'd love to eventually have a few more of them. The 6HM is fantastic! Review coming soon! God Bless You And Yours Brother Bill!
Worlong on reverse here lol just bought this today. I'll look at the izula 2.
un des meilleurs couteaux de survie !
I will definitely check it out! It looks pretty cool!
I purchased this knife and it is a workhorse of a knife. The only problem I had with the knife was with the store I bought the knife from, I held the knife and checked it out before I bought it but that was all, the salesman put it in it's box and I paid and left the store, when I opened the box and took the knife out there was no sheath for the knife, I went back to the store and asked about the sheath and was told it didn't come with one and he would be happy to sell me a sheath for a mere 50 bucks. I turned him down and made my own sheath for the knife. I checked with ESEE and the knife did come with a sheath and was told that the store was ripping customers off saying that it didn't and they offered to send me one but I declined saying it wasn't their fault and that I have made my own. The morale is to always check everything out when you make a purchase before you buy because there are some very shady people out there that will do anything to steal your money like charging you extra for something that is supposed to come with. You just can't trust very many people these days, they are always trying to get over on someone
Great Advice! Thank you for sharing this!
I don't own an ESEE knife nor any other knife that has a high price tag [that I purchased]. I know how to sharpen and care for my blades so even less expensive knives serve me well. I collect knives but I use them for if they have no purpose, I give them away. Currently I own just North of 70 knives. Many of them are carbon steel and those I cold blue. Don't like rust. I live on a salt water coastline so I must care for my blades. John, I owned a 1/4" thick blade once but just didn't care for it. I didn't like the "clunkiness" of it. At the moment, I'm wearing a left draw, horizontal wear, 5.75" S/S Magellan. Gift from my oldest son. It's my favorite right now. Good video. Looking forward to the next knife episode. Blessings to you and your family.
David, I'd love to see that collection! There is so much of my bushcrafting and wild camping journey that is a continuing education for me. I did the military thing and pretty much did everything after that with my old A.L.I.C.E. gear and kept everything fairly streamlined and simple. Then I did the 18th century reenacting/experimental archeology thing for twenty five plus years. That was pretty using a pretty limited kit for everything for every season. When my buddies at the time got into all of this new fangled stuff, I was truly overwhelmed! As a matter of fact, I still kind of am! As I was exposed to different trends and focuses, I tried to narrow down where I felt the most comfortable with the items I bought. Sometimes the purchase turned out to be a mistake but other times I picked a winner. As my journey had its ebbs and flows and meanderings, "Stuff" accumulated as my interests in different focuses and disciplines increased. That "Meat Cleaver" of a knife served me for many years as my choice of a "survival/one knife" (which I am still reluctant to believe exists). It is a beast, and as far as my relatively short time doing this "Modern Stuff", I think it kinda suits me.😆😅😄😃😂👍👍👍 Have a FANTASTIC Day Brother David!
@@boonedockery7220 Computers#?!*$^#* Just typed a too long and rambling reply which evaporated. - Too much stuff acquired, learning along the way what worked for me and what didn't. And not smart enough to get rid of, or even find for that matter, stuff no longer useful. Guess that applies to life as well. Blessings, my friend. May we meet this side of heaven, and if not - we will have much time to visit there!
@@davidtiner4094 Hahahaha!!! I do the same thing sometimes! Hahahahaaa... I gotta win that lotto so I can retire have time and money to visit! I would love that!
Mmmhmmm…this is my main knife or as I call her my, AXE😂. Bulletproof. 6 years of punishment. I baton logs longer than her blade. Has never failed me. Keep it lubricated always. I’ve probably sharpened her maybe half a dozen times. I don’t go into the woods without. D😎🇺🇸🤙
Brother, thanks for sharing! I am experimenting with several different harness rigs from all of the items I have gathered throughout the past decade or two, plus revisiting other rigs I have felt were solid as they are. I realized I have so many knives, I could easily add the sheaths to the rigs and as I change out my rig, I can use a different knife. As far as the Esee 5 goes, I can pick up a couple more sheaths and attach them on packs or rigs (As they are fairly affordable) and be able to use her a little more frequently. I have become quite fond of always having my Esee 4 on my kayak sling pack and always knowing it's with me. Have a great day Brother!
Especially nice work at the 9:49 mark.
Thank you very much! I apologize for the delay in replying. Things have been very hectic lately.
Did you make a video on your neck lanyard ?? Looks awesome. Good video. I’m ready to go put my Esee 5 to work!!
I have not. I put that on my to do list.
The ESSE 6 weighs 13 oz, as it is .188" thick. The ESEE 5 weighs 17 oz, due to being .25" thick. ESEE 6 is much lighter.
Thank you Greg, If I knew how to edit the video once I publish it, I would do so. If you read the other comments, you would know there are many mistakes in the video. I deeply appreciate those that have commented with accurate information so other viewers/readers of the comments will be able to get a much more accurate overview of the ESEE 5. Thank you again. I hope you have a great day!
@@boonedockery7220 Welcome, sir. Now we need the ESEE5 vs ESEE6 video! 🙂
@@gregborror466 I don't have an ESEE 6 (Yet). I do however have an ESEE 6HM, which isn't quite the same..... Great Idea Though! Thanks!
@@boonedockery7220 I recently bought the ESEE6 with the 3D G10 handle. While I like the non contoured micarta handle, ON my ESEE4, the 3D contoured handle is so much more comfortable and stable. Highly recommend the 3D G10 scales
A lanyard on your wrist makes chopping a lot easier and efficient with the esee 5
Got my ESEE 5 the same day you posted this video. I agree with you on the standard belt clip. Not ideal. But - I hooked a D-ring through the clip, and attached it to a belt dangler. This changes everything. Much easier to carry, and combined with a lanyard at the bottom and a spring slip lock loosely tied around my upper thigh, it keeps things under control. Very comfortable and convenient for such a beast of a heavy knife. ATB.
Great modification! I might have to try that one! Thank you Very Much for sharing that!
that knife is the H U L K !!!
TRUTH!!!!
The Esse 6 is lighter at 12 oz's while the Esse 5 weighs 16 oz's.
The Esse 6 is a 3/16" blade while the Esse 5 blade is 1/4" thick.
I want this knife soooo bad but wish I could find it for under $150 but Xmas is coming thanks for the vid
You're very welcome! Good Luck With Santa! I usually get lumps of coal... Have you checked eBay?
I Believe you are talking about the Bk2 With the skeletonized handle..now the Kbar Bk2 knife and the Esee5 Knife are very Close In Everything the main difference is the Kbar has a Drop Point..and the Esee 5 is Straight...and the Kbar has skeletonized handle...I have the Kbar2 knife and next month I will be getting the Esee5..but great video
You Are Correct Good Sir! My best friend purchased the Bk2 the same day I ordered my Esee 5. We took them out for the first time during the same camp.
Esee 5
Drop point blade ...
Ive beenlooking at this knige for a long time watching alot of reviews about it .yes its expensive but when i buy this i will never need another knife in my life time .i got a sog pup and itsgood but this knife is thicker then the sog .ive seen these for 140.00 on amazon idont knowwhen this video came out but i think tomorrow when i get my money i will pull the trigger on this knife .my nephew is a traveler who camps out sll over the world and told him about this knife .maybe i will get him one someday so he can k ow this knife might save his life maybe .if the sere guys designed it and they would know whats needed to survive then i would listen i heard it needed a 90 degree angle to use with a ferro rod so maybe i will have to grind it down a little.maybe the factory might read this and start grinding them down at the factory for us .good video thanks for your advise.
This knife is a beast. If necessary it would be a fantastic spear tip in a survival situation. I would recommend replacing the factory scales (if they are still like the ones that were on mine) with a more rounded contour set and use a file to remove a small section of finish off the spine to accentuate the right angle for using a ferro rod. Even though I love this knife, I prefer my ESEE 6 HM.
This was a great review. It truely is an American knife!!!
Thank You!!
My Freind and Brother John, Outstanding Review, I love everything about your Esee 5 I love the Size, I am very happy that you got them on Sale, you deserve everything good on this Earth, I am very excited to see everyone of your Sharpies, Thank you for Sharing Brother. Sincerely your freind from Mo Rick and God Bless you 🙏 and your family and God Bless America 🇺🇸 🙏 and God Bless all of the Great Veterans and First Responders 🙏 🇺🇸
Thank you very much Mo Rick! Things have been very hectic, I apologize for taking so long to reply. God Bless You And Yours My Friend! We speak many of the same prayers, of this I am certain! May we see the results of those prayers soon!
@@boonedockery7220 That's a Big Amen 🙏 Brother
👍🏻👍🏻
Decent review- bushcraft is over played...it's a great knife for what it is designed for, great company and the warranty is outstanding. 1095 works well for most of these types of knives. I see a lot of STEEL SNOBS out here-they just cannot give up on having some kind of exotic steel or talking down to 1095.
I've owned several ESEE's....I consider them SME's (Subject Matter Experts)-in the field. Thanks much. Their NEW ESEE's with the G-10 scales is awesome. Agree with you on the CLIP....I'd pay more for a better design in that area- I do not particularly care for it.
Thank You! I'm glad to hear from another practically minded individual concerning knives! I don't know much, but I know what I know. Esee makes a good knife. If they can find a sheath design to match their knives, they'll be "Rock'n It"!
The powdercoat actually retards the cutting ability of the blade. I stripped it off the primary bevel of my Tops Prather War Bowie and oh what a difference!
Great info! Thank you for sharing this!!!!
@@boonedockery7220 just don't be surprised if you find that they didn't exactly polish the primary bevel. Powdercoat allows for less finish work and even Tops takes advantage of that! Disappointed?
Yes, but I still love the knife.
So I have now Both Knives...and I like the Esee5 Knife alot better then the Kabar Bk2 knife.....the Esee 5 holds a great Edge but it's to short if this Knife would be made in 6 or 7inc Blade this would be a Awesome Knife that could do anything you Ask of it...
they make a longer one
Could you do a similar video with the Microtech Socom Alpha full length? I can't find any reviews on it. Only the mini.
I will look into it!
Both sized knives from ESEE work well as a pair...which seems to be more of THE setup these days.
James, It has worked well for me. I most frequently carry my Brothers of Bushrcraft Knife, but I always have my Izula II.
What size would you pair with this for a smaller daily knife? Just bought the 5 for my end of the world knife to go in my Oh crap WWIII bug out bag.
@@ClintK. Bit old of a comment, did you ever find a good companion blade for the 5? I have been using the CR 2.5 for quite a while and find it excellent as a daily and a good pair for small axe or large knife.
@@Scablands_Scavenger I bought the Esee 3,4 and Izulla II. I use on a daily basis the Izulla. I went back and forth with the 3 and 4 and kept the 4. The 3 seemed more like the Izula just a tad bigger and the Eseee 4 length was nice with a lot thinner weight and profile from the 5. I have the 4 strapped to my camping chest pack from Hillpeople. The Izula II i clip onto my pocket and leave the handle sticking out a little for easy access. I did have to turn in reverse to do this though.
1095 steel rusts I prefer s super steel like CPM3V which bark river makes.
I'll definitely check it out! Thank You!
1095 also sharpens in actual field use, SO much more easily than super-steels like CPM3V; carbon steel has been used for thousands of years and 1095 does the job more than adequately.
@ secret stuff. If you dull a supersteel knife in the field Goodluck trying to sharpen it.
It takes me 7min to make a 1095 steel knife razor sharp.
And honestly, supersteels become dull frequently when they are actually put to use in the field.
I keep a light coat of olive oil on my esee's & beckers and I have no rust issues at all.
knifeworks has killer prices on ESEE
Agreed!!!!
My Esee 5 primarily splits kindling lol
It's A Cleaver!
What is the best sharpener for this knife?
I use the Ken Onion Work Sharp Band Knife Sharpener.
amzn.to/3ueTkGx
How about skinning deer and hogs
In my humble opinion, there are far better knives for skinny deer and hogs. The blade is more like a clever, good for joints and the pelvic bone.
7:35 Watching how the ESEE 5 performs at chopping that oak sapling is painful to watch. That knife really is NOT a great chopper. I went outside and selected a piece of dry oak about the same size as that and attacked it with my Cold Steel Trail Master San Mai III and made short work of it! Maybe the reason is that the ESEE 5 is very short in the blade, so one doesn't get that ideal swing that you do with the Trail Master. The ESEE 6 would do a much better job.
17:07 Another thing - it takes a while to get used to the "balance" of it - Now to me "Balance" is something that you FEEL instantly, or it's not there. Picking up a Trail Master I felt it instantly! It just feels RIGHT! This ESEE 5 knife doesn't LOOK right, and you just confirmed it doesn't FEEL right either.
17:27 The ESEE 6 blade is somewhat longer but it is also quite a bit thinner stock than ESEE 5! Completely different kind of knife.
Ok ok... god I ordered one...
It's a beast! When you heft it, you'll agree it's a Bushcraft Cleaver!
Isn’t this knife discontinued?
Not that I'm aware of.
It's just too beefy for most bushcrafters and backpackers. This is designed to be the one and only tool you have to survive. Not when you have a pack full of redundancies. Seen some great leather sheaths for these but most cost more than the knife itself. And even then you would need a special skill set to make it all work. Quite possibly the toughest blade ever made and it may never truly fulfill it's purpose.....
Well said my friend!
This knife ain’t skeletonized
It appears I am in error sir. I stand corrected. Thank you.
👎🏻 Izula, 👍 Izula 2, 👍 Esee 3 (except handle is too short),👎🏻Esee 4, 👎🏻 Esee 5, 👎🏻 Esee 6
Ditto to the last reply I made...😆😅😂😄👍👍👍 Thanks for commenting!
@@boonedockery7220 Same for me on my reply to your reply. 😀
I love my 5 and 6 😭
@@pubplays368 I am happy for you.
The esee 6 is lighter weight than the esee 5 the blade on the 6 is 3/16 inches thick
The 5 is 1/4 inch thick the 5 is made heavier duty than the rest
I agree, the belt clip that esee includes is garbage
ridiculously overbuilt. super heavy. handles are very bad. with new handles i might consider using it more