ESEE 4: Still My #1 Knife After 2 Years!
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Here's a short video of my ESEE 4 after using it for just over 2 years. Still to this day it's my go to knife for almost everything I do. If your thinking of getting an ESEE but still on the fence about it? Well, get of said fence and make the purchase, you'll never regret it.
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Great video. I recently obtained my ESEE 4 stripped it, convexed it & I absolutely love that knife. It is now razor shaving sharp. We baton with our knives because we love to baton with our knives. Have we broken knives batoning? YES we have. Thanks for all of the videos you share with us. - Marco
Hi I totally agree with the batoning, most of the time we are able to gather wood of various sizes. Regardless of what is prolific on youtube I would prefer not to abuse my knife. Great video !
Just got my ESEE 4: amazing knife, definitely. Think I'm going to get all ESEE blades sooner or later. Unfortunately they're bit of expensive down here in Italy...
Nice review.
I love the honesty and enthusiam you have in the vid...been carrying an Izula DT in my pocket for the last 3 months and love the knife so much I carry nothing else....I see a 4 on the horizon for me!
bless you for giving knives to those who are less fortunate. I do this also and it is a blessing to be able to do so. Have given away almost all my knives and swords just keep the ones I really use.
Just bought an Esee 4- your vid pushed me over the edge after all these years ha!
You'll be happy you did. 👊
fantastic honest review. i've been pining over esee knives for months, i'm of the type who can't afford one. seeing you love it after 2 years is wonderful, i think the esee 5 is for me some day in the future.
I wanted a 5 until I held one. It's too heavy in my opinion. I bought the 6 instead.
I agree about batoning. There are so many dead sticks of different sizes, for starting fires. Then all I need is a saw to cut the bigger logs....
John Ganshow It's certainly good to know or a skill to have just in case, but I feel many do it when it's really not needed.
John Ganshow sometimes batoning biger pieces of wood. kindling from it can be dryer and burn easier, but it's better to do with small pieces to get finer small kindling. finer kindling is harder to make with a hatchet.
I LOVED this review, I am both a fan of ESEE and Scrapyard blades. I would like to add something about batoning and what I have found. Sometimes if the area in which you hike or camp has been rain logged the wood for fire may be wet on the outside making it hard to light or keep lit. Batoning allows a person to get to the dry meat of the wood. I know here is SC where I am, it rained for 3 weeks straight and when I took the kids camping batoning some smaller logs became an essential for the fire.
After watch your video my doubts are gone... bought mine today! Thanks man!
I picked one up a few weeks ago. Ordered the stainless model. Couldn't be happier with the knife.
I'd love a 12 year update lol. definitely wanna see how that 4 looks and acts now!!!
Welp… Other than a pair of G10 scales from The Knife Connection and a little more wear on the blade it still performs like a brand new ESEE. It’s not used for batoning, pretty much cutting and slicing.
You just gave my knife enthusiasm some direction. I am now officially an Esee fan :) Thanks for this practical and logical knife use review!
Not yet. I know that Knife works has pretty competitive prices...
I have an ESEE 5 in venom green. The bright color makes things easier if you drop it and have to look for it. At any rate, it's a fabulous workhorse of a knife. Also, I've used Ernesto bicycle chain lube (soy oil based) on my blades that have a high carbon content for a couple of years now, and have never had any problems with rust or corrosion.
Outstanding video - best I've seen on the ESEE 4 and I've watched a bunch. Thanks.
Yup, a great video, Tim, for knife selection for the up - coming season. Summer is great, but with the bugs and all surprises in the bush, I'm looking for this up - coming season, and picking my Fav's getting them in order. That's why I caught this video, just to see if I'm still on the right track. Thanx, Tim. Oh, Yeah, I also got a couple of knives I'll be trying out. One actually as a 1knife carry, the other one as a chopper that if needed I can chop and baton with, actually both are promising and they are my Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Potbelly and the Parangatang. You mentioned a machete that Randall uses, well I think the Parangatang might be a good one. Another area I'm learning is curved bellies, and how good they carve. If anyone wished their BK-2 was a little longer, I think I found it in my Potbelly, again Thanx, Tim.
I have to agree that they are tough SOBs. You're right about the Junglas, never give one of those away. Been with me for 4 years, can't tell you how many people I lent it to loved it
No prob I used the 3 to dig boar tusks out of hogs they really sold me on that. Though given the chance again I'd get the 4 just for the extra thickness
👍👍👍glad to see you back
ESSE's are badass. The next step up when someone with a Becker wants to go to next level. They make something that'll fit anybody with all their sizes.
Absolutely. Beckers are nice but I'm just not that crazy about them. I'll stick with my ESEE's
Yeah I'll be coming out with a review and test video. thanks for the response it means a lot dude.
gave my son my 4 and been on a nightmare of trying to find the perfect knife again but keep coming back to the 4 , why , cause its freaking perfect! lol guess im buying a new one, thanks of reminding me i need it lol
It really is perfect. Very well made here in the states, good kydex sheath and the knife isn't too big or too small.
ontario RAK is another very tough knife very good knife
I hit the park a while back didnt bring my big blade but decided I wanted to light up the wood stove instead of the alchohol stove. I had a five inch knife so rather than wandering around picking up gobs of little sticks I got one big branch sat in my camp chair and batoned it down to fit in the stove. I could have easily done the task without the batoning and the big branch and that would be a different kind of fun.
Subbed! You probably just sold me on this knife after weeks of searching online, and in stores. Thanks.
Thanks. I probably still have a few months until I have the budget for a new knife, so I appreciate any tips. Aside from the extra $50 on the price tag, the Bravo 1 looks like the kind of knife I have in mind. Lately I've been going back and forth between the ESEE 4 and the Fallkniven F1.
Thank you for the great down to Earth review. I like the way you review and have of course subscribed. Hope to see lots of great stuff in the future. Thank you again, great review for a great knife.
Thank you for the great review. I placed an order for an ESEE 4 a couple of days ago. After watching i certainly feel i made the right choice. I have just subbed to your channel, Cheers!
Great Honest Review enjoyed watching and found It real hard to decide which essee to get,,, U convienced me to get the 4.. Tnaks man keep trekin thumbs up
Ben Sheffy Thank you Ben! Almost 5 years after this video was uploaded I'm still using the 4 on every outing. Great knife for sure. I now have the 5 and 6 and as much as I love them I find myself still grabbing the 4 almost every time.
Great video man, wish I saw this video two months ago! I sold my 4 for a Fallkniven S1. Its a great knife but I still regret selling it. HOLD ON TO THEM!
I have the 5, I now need the 4!!
The only time i baton is if it has been raining a bunch or during winter camping if the logs are covered in ice but I don't claim to be a exert by any means. nice knife.
I just upgraded my camp knives to the Becker BK2 same steel as the ESEE 4. The ESEE was my first choice but for the same price we got two knives. The knives are used by my Scout son and I and we beat the crap out of them. Now if I was camping on my own, the Becker is just really over the top on weight. I would rather a good camp ax come with us. Anyway, I still have my eye on the ESEE as a good overall craft knife when I am done with the Scouts and sure no kid will borrow my knives!
You make great videos....keep up the good work.....
Thank you! This is one of my older ones, I do believe my videos are better today than back then. I appreciate you taking the time to watch.
TheTacticalDefender I used to watch all your videos before....and watched the one on people going on the comments and disrespecting you...it is sad that those things happen....BUT...you have to remember that those people that are doing that have horrible lives. And have very very low self esteem...and have to try to make other people feel like shit to make them feel better....just dont fall for that crap....some of those people are 35 yrs old in there mothers basement and havent accomplished anything in there lives...that must be very depressing.....hence low self esteem......you are easy to listen to..and have great content.....so like I said.. keep the videos coming....what state are you in..very beautiful there.... I'm in las vegas......so hot over here...lol. have a great weekend... .ESEE ALL DAY!!!!!
Thank you for the kind words. I live in Massachusetts, I'm not fond pf the state but I do live in a very beautiful part of this crappy state. ESEE for me is life.
A good video on the ESEE 4, TheTacticalDefender! I've read the critical comments others have made on your channel concerning ESEE and take it in stride. I happen to like their knives. I own the ESEE 6 and like it a lot. A beautiful knife! Isn't it great that people have choices in life! So much out there to choose from; and that's good. I'm also a fan of the Becker series and own a BK2 and BK7. Wonderful knives no matter what anyone thinks.
I agree. We all have our favorites for different reasons. What works for you may not work for me. Be well & stay safe.
I love your belief and sincerity. This important. Too many reviews and knives out there.
Thank you for stopping by. Much appreciated.
RE: Kydex vs. thermo plastic - per Jeff Randall - the thermo plastic is actually preferred, more durable, and more reliable under various weather conditions. The kydex can become brittle in extreme cold and soft in extreme heat. The plastic doesn't change. Moving to plastic on the others would increase the price on those. Kind of backwards from what you're(and I was) thinking. I'm with you though... I prefer the kydex sheath as well.
Finally someone not obsessed with batoning I honestly don't understand the whole obsession with splitting already small limbs into smaller pieces. just grab some twigs and sticks. If you are in a situation with larger logs only and you need to process it get an axe and save the energy just my opinion. thanks for the vid.
My Esee 4 should ship this week. Really excited to get my hands on it.
Thanks for your reply too! I made the purchase today on the ESEE 5 at $150 including shipping. I can't wait until next week! I think I am looking at the Izula next! Thanks to Tim and jkampmeier for helping a newbie to the knife game!
Looks like your ESEE have spend two years on bookshelf or it have seen only paper! My ESEE4 after a year have got a lot scratches without batoning and chopping for those purposes I use larger blades. But simple cutting tasks and some bushcraft wood carving tasks has put a lot of scratches in my ESEE 4 coating.
Nope. No shelf sitting here my friend. It gets used and used often. Thank you for stopping by.
God i RESPECT what you say in the first part of the video...and the rest is brilliant too, great job
I hope this is not too late. Check out the Bark River Bravo 1. A2 tool steel, lots of handle option, and a great blade shape! The Esee 4 is also great, you wont be disappointed with ether .
Great video! I love ESEE's too, got an izula II and plan to have a bigger one. The 4 is becoming a serious option thanx to you, haha! Now you have another one sub! Keep on!
Finally, someone without the urge to create a rod notch and go on a batoning spree.
Nice Video! Bought an ESEE 4 after watching this in 2012....
Yeah this certainly an older video. Still have and use the 4 all these years later.
I can offer some thoughts, if I may. I have all of the knives you mentioned. I'd say it depends on what you're planning to do and where you're planning to go. The 5 is beast of a knife, and while I love it... even Jeff Randall says he doesn't see any point in the ESEE 5 and doesn't like it. I have and like both the BK2 and ESEE 5... I think I actually prefer the BK2 for camp/survival chores WITH the micarta scales.
For regular camp and bushcraft knife, the 4 or even the 3 should be plenty.
I haven't had an issue with the ESEE kydex, but I did have a Comp-Tac kydex holster get too hot and deform while it was in my car. I live in Phoenix, and the car was black... with the windows up during the day, inside temps probably exceeded 150F. It was sitting on the seat without the pistol in it. After I got it out it was so bad the gun wouldn't even fit back into it.
Hey Tim,
I agree with you about the ESEE-4... The ESEE-4 and ESEE Junglas make a great team...
On the dulling part of the blade from the sheath, that kydex won't do it. However, sheaths that use glass-reinforced nylon, like the Becker bk2, will dull a bladefaster than you would think. It won't make it blunt but it certainly won't be a nice razor edge within a few swipes. I had a bk2 and kept sharpening it. I finally tested it and had it hair shaving sharp and within just a few times of putting it in and pulling it out of the sheath, it was dull and I had to sharpen it again. I figured I could either by another sheath or just get rid of the thing and get a knife didn't have a defective sheath from the start. I ended up just getting rid of it. Anything with glass-reinforced nylon it is going to be contacting and sliding on a blade or glass or anyting is going to mess it up. Even their window scraper made from that junk ended up scratching the laminate on my windshield. Kydex is definitely the way to go and they did a great job and using it with this knife.
just ordered mine last night...got the uncoated 4 in kydex...love the look of that uncoated blade
+dragonclaw88 Awesome! Your going to be very pleased I'm sure. Thank you for stopping by.
Nice review.....now your getting me hooked on Esee knives......Stay Safe.
Steve R ESEE is still my go to blades for the outdoors. After all these years I'm still a bug fan. Been using my 6 a lot lately. I took a big spill down a hill last weekend while hiking and the knife with sheath came off my belt, I found it right away but for a minute there is was panicking. lol
In regards to Jeff Randall's survival class, you do baton in his class. Quite a lot actually. I just wanted to clarify that for you. He requires a fixed blade knife, water container, pace count beads, and a mirrored compass. Almost all the classes are in Alabama. The Peru trip is once a year, if that often. I took the June 3 day course. It puts you through the paces for sure.
This was roughly 5 years ago that I read that, I'm sure some things have changed since then. Thank you for stopping by.
+TheTacticalDefender For sure. They're constantly updating the classes. I highly recommend taking it. Some of the best folks you'll ever meet.
i really like the esee 4 after purchasing the esee 6. i'm thinking about getting the build your own knife from the knife collection with that orange G10 handle they have. in love with that knife lalala..
Sweet video man. I am looking into getting an ESEE. Which would you prefer the ESEE 4 or the ESEE 5?
A comment on batoning, i really just think it depends on the environment and person. In some places it's dry enough OR there's an abundance of small sticks so that batoning is unnecessary. In my area, sometimes it's easier to baton than gather sticks, it also gets very wet so we have to expose the dry would inside. And some people like to go more light weight and leave the 2 pound axe at home. just my two cents, whatever works best for you is the way to go.
Say Heah Tim, Yeah I really like a 4 1/2" blade, but I like paring it off with a larger brother. You've used your Essee 4 for two years. I don't think I've used my Rodent 4 as long, but I've used it long enough to see its becoming to be a promising size knife for me. I like to pair my Rodent 4 with my Rodent 7 and I still call it my lite carry, I had my Rodent 4 thinned down and a Saber Vex Grind, and now it's between a Mora and Camp Knife. Tim, you did a very good informative review on this knife. Yeah If I need a heavy duty set on a expended trip in unformilair area, Yeah I will carry my Rodent 9 and my Ratmandu, awesome heavy duty combo, and Yeah I still carry my Saw and a Hatchet. If you balance your carry, it's very managable. I like to be prepare. If I'm just scouting or looking for fatwood, I like to carry a 5 1/2"-6" blade. The Saw and Hatchet comes along. Your absolutly right, I just learned a new term and that's "Axe Tapping" and that makes easy work of making kindling. so Yeah the a 4 1/2" blade especially with a choil, is IMO a needed knife size. I do have smaller knives and their good too, but a all around size knife that is good for alot of small work yet is big enough for other stuff, a 4 1/2" blade is the way to go.
great video, I am wondering what kind of backpack to get for hiking and going into the bush, Im on a budget and I need some recommendations, thanks
Thanks again! I'll be watching, and ordering soon!
Awesome. I like my 4 a lot as well. I got the custom setup from TKC with the tan blade and g10 scales. She's purdy. Also have the Izula, ESEE-5, and ESEE-6. It's a very close call between the 4 and 6 for me. 4 is a much better daily use knife I think, I just LIKE the 6 better. Ordered the 3MIL and Junglas today, so I'll have to compare those when they come in as well. I need to start making some gear videos. I have quite a bit.. and a decent camera too.... hrm... maybe this weekend!
I ordered mine a couple of days ago.
Awesome! It's a great knife. I still have and use mine often all these years later. 👍
I don't baton much either. That's what an axe is for. Yes, I carry a small forest axe when I camp. It pretty light and comes handy for many things. I actually use it far more than my knife for process firewood.
Nice video, man. I have the
RTAK 2, and have just bought an ESEE 4.
Looking fwd to many years of service from them.
Love the 4 !!!It,s my main knie!!
Thanks you for the great vid. Still trying to decide which ESEE i'll buy as my first. Tough choice. Keep up the good work. Cheers
What exactly will you be doing with it? What will it's main purpose be?
I really enjoyed your review, thank you!
Ok thanks for the input! Now do you have a go to place to purchase these knifes? I have been looking on the internet and prices seem to vary from place to place. I'm not real educated on this, so if you can point me in the right direction to get the ESEE 5, I would appreciate it greatly! Oh how about serrated blade vs the normal blade. What is a serrated blade used for? Thanks, sorry for my lack of knowledge on this.
Hey Tim, I watched and rated this a ways back, but I was wondering if you could recommend a decent handgun for casual range shooting and affordable.
I love batonning it relaxes me to process big pieces of wood to small pieces of wood :D
Even my mora didn't have any problems with batonning wood almost as thick as the length of the blade.
Great video, you say the things as they are.
Well, I own an ESEE4 myself but Im thinking about changing for a Fallkniven F1 or S1 cause they are sharper than the ESEE and hold the edge much longer. Im not a sharpening expert so I never get my ESEE as sharp as I want to...
Thanks for the very good video.
I think they have a shorter lighter Junglas 2. The Becker 7 and 9 are also very good.
You would be correct.
So far leaning towards the 4 ....going to putting it on a pack I'm putting together the maxpedetion Falcon II
I'm currently researching 4-5" fixed blade knives for med.-heavy camp use. ESEE 4 is the current front runner, but do you have any suggestions for other knives for me to look into? I understand you're an ESEE fan, but I'd like to check all of my options before purchasing.
Nice vid. 2 questions. I just moved to eastern MA looking for some suggestions on camping/hiking spaces (real camping not car camping :-) and have you seen any IWB clips for the sheith? I dont use mollie on my packs
You sound like you have a Massachusetts-Boston accent? Am I close? Maybe a Cape accent. I'm from Mattapoisett, just curious. I love my Becker BK 7, all around great knife, and I have a Mora for feather sticking, and a Condor Bushlore as a back up...and more folders than you can shake a stick at, Good video, keep them coming.
"My God, what the hell have you done?!" Haha, that made me laugh. Great review!
The best place to get the ESEE 5 would be either the-knife-connection or usamadeblade . Best prices and both owners are members on the ESEE forums.Both great guys. Good luck. I love my ESEE 5.
Great vid thanks! I'm having an internal conflict. I initially was looking at the esee 5 vs bk2. I also really like the esee 4. Do you have any thoughts on any of these? This would be my first real knife purchase, and honestly I'm leaning toward the 5 or bk2. That 4 looks nice too. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated!
Hey man can you make a video on how to hang your knife in the sheath like you are in the vid...thanks
If you like the Esee 4 then try the Swamp Rat Rodent Solution, its a little better steel, deferentially heat treated 52100, great stuff.
Great vid man..... I've always overlooked the 4, it does seem to be a handier size. I'll always love my Junglas, but it is a little overkill , unless you need to process allot of wood. I'm thinking about trying to pick up the 5 soon!
If you can get past the handles of the bk line from kabar you get the same performance as esee for less than half the cost
I agree with your opinion on batoning. If something needs to be chopped, grab an axe. That said, I like the idea of a knife that can be batoned because I like having tough gear that can take more abuse than I plan on subjecting it to.
Also, I really dig your "get out there and use it" attitude
Michael Franciotti Thank you my friend. It surprises me when people are still able to see/watch my older videos, this one is from 6 years ago. I still feel the same way about batoning, it's important to have the skill but I very rarely have to do it. And I'm still using that ESEE 4 all these years later.
..damn..yes..it is a badass blade..what do you think about Topps knives??
I like your point on batoning, if I was really in a survival situation I would definitely not be beating my knife in to a log for hours on end.
I'm wanting to get a esee as a edc fixed blade and I can't decide between the 3 or 4 which would you recommend for someone in a suburban area, and I would get the izula but it's a bit small for my liking
Good video, I have the Esee 4 and the Esee 6. Both are great knives.
Hershel Cyphers Wow! This is an old video, I forget sometimes about my older videos and how horrible they look compared to my newer ones. lol Thank you for watching, it's very much appreciated. ESEE is a great company putting out some fantastic blades. I have the 4, 5 and the 6 and as much as I live them all the 6 lately is my favorite.
Great review, now you got me buying one...and you sharpen it on the sharpmaker, do you use the 30 or 40 degree side? Or do you sharpen it on feeling? And what about rust on this knife? I live in a moisture enviroment.
Oil it. You'll be fine.
Tim.. how do you feel about serrations on blades? Do you prefer specifically straight edges on your knives? Keep up the good work!
When I wasn't very good at sharpening knives I liked them, I liked them a lot. Now that I can sharpen and get a good edge on my blades I don't care for them. I would rather take the time to learn how to sharpen knives well and stay away from serrations. If your knife is properly sharpened it will slice through rope like butter.
Haha, I don't get batoning either! At least not the frenzy some people seem to get into around this subject. I do split wood sometimes, mostly when I want small pieces to fuel a small stove made out of a large bean can. I use the Bear Grylls hatchet for that. he back of the head is made to hit on, so I just use another log and split wood that way. Won't use my knifes for that.
I get why people do. I understand it's important to be able to if you needed to. But on a regular basis I don't see the need for it. I think some do it just for the sake of something to do while sitting around a fire. Maybe, maybe not. Thank you for stopping by.
I'm sure it's important to know and practice but it just seems there are some people, lots of people that do it no matter if it's needed or not.
Absolutely. I mean batoning is very valuable when in the woods. Splitting wood to get
to the very dry core, or just making nice, easy to handle pieces to set up your fire or use in a stove. Batoning just has some strange allure, even I myself have this innate need to baton. It's really strange.
Nice review. I’ve had my eye on the ESEE 4 for some time. Probably the combo blade, and I just can’t seem to get enough videos on this blade as there aren’t many out there. Do you know if the Molly Back has a belt loop on it? No videos I’ve seen or the ESEE site talk about that.
Fellow, Mass resident here... Would like to get your input on good starter Backpacking, Camping locations anywhere in our area.
i loved your review on Esee 4. now i'm going to buy me one because of your review. and i do agreed that we should not use esee 4 as wood processing... i believe i should too pamper Esee 4 using as cutting tasks only. yet i would bring another knife to baton. thanks again and i will check out more videos from you.
Got the #5 ,now i want the #4 great video
Thank you! The 4 is a fantastic knife for sure. Not a beast like the 5 but still great to have with you. They all have their place for use.
I respect how good you have treated your knives and I have the ESEE 4 uncoated and it still looks brand new as well, all I see on youtube is people with very ugly and beat up knives.
I do feel knives or gear in general should be used and used well but not abused. I don't batton with my ESEE 4 or 5 so the blade coating seems to last longer than others, they are for cutting and only cutting for the most part. I do like to see blades or gear that looks used, but not abused.
I use Mineral Oil on my knives. I love my Izula, it's my EDC. Looking to get a #4. Thanks for the video.
Esee is to me as far as a total system are probably the best knives on the market for what you get. Bark River from what i see "Don't own any" are a awesome knives to. But Esee are just super. I own the 5, Izula 2 and Junglas. The 4 and Candiru will be my next Esee's.
you know I think if your not into batoning you find all kinds of great ways to acomplish your goals without it. And if your into batoning you find all kinds of great ways for it to help you out. Though when your touting around a machete or a junglas, they make way better thumpers than a 4
The becker BK2 is really good
Love my Esee 4. Great knife for the price.
Yep, it's always my go to knife. I have many fixed blades but I seem to keep grabbing the 4.
Good video ... I'm stuck between getting the esee 3 or 4
When I go into the woods I always bring a hatchet...i can't see myself batoning with a knife unless something happened to that hatchet
Exactly