So I have both the 5 & the 6 and this is REAL difficult decision as to which one to take on a trip. So this is what I came to conclude the Esee 5, and here is why: the 6 has the better handle (it is thinner and if you have smaller hands, it just feels better), but the downside is that it is significantly lighter. IF you could only take ONE blade... no saw, no axe, no hatchet, no Esee 4, 6 or 3... then you are going to LOVE the weight of the Esee 5. Sure the Esee 6 might be better for batoning with that longer blade, but the weight of the Esee 5 will cut into wood like butter with minimal effort due to the weight of that downward thrust. Hope that helps...
Just a quick add: the 5 will baton way better than the 6, because of the steep sabre grind. It will just shove the wood away like mad. The full flat grind of the 6 does not really make for good baton work, and could easily bind up. I saw a comparison video where both reviewers even said the shorter 5 chops better, because of that added weight. I feel sure the 6 will slash and cut better especially in food prep etc, or carcass dressing. My feeling is that they are not really competitors for the same slot, but rather fill different slots. If you intend to do heavy work with a baton, then definitely an esee 5! I think the real competition is between the esee 6 and the Junglas II! Now that presents a big choice problem. They are both flat grinds, same thickness, same blade shape, and so on just overall dimensions different.
+Sour Mash Im new to out door camping, which one would you recomend if you only get one? I was looking at these and also the ka bar bk2. and the schrade 42 your thoughts?
+vegas wajeel If your budget allows buy an ESEE. The Becker is a good knife and the Schrade is decent but neither hold a candle to an ESEE. If you're gonna buy only one ESEE first buy a 6. It's the do all ESEE to me. They are all fine knives but the 6 will get you in to the world of ESEE knives very well. With blades you truly do get what you pay for and in ESEEs price range few other knives compete with them especially the 4,6 and Junglas.
Dutch Prepping I've used all of them. For one knife to have the 6 wins for me. For a chopper the Junglas wins. I use the 4 as my hunting knife, it's the best hunting knife I've ever had.. I think if you wanna break into the ESEE game, the 6 is probably the best for you to start with. It is a fantastic all around woods knife and you will do fine with it. I upgraded mine with TKC scales and a custom sheath.
Brian Taylor thnx for your advice wanted you to know that i placed the order for the Esee 6. i'm sure i am not going to fail with this one. At this moment i had a German survival knife Herbertz but it isn't really working for me on bushcraft level.
the esee 5 is a well all round knife it works for all the needs in the woods and will do fine work task. the thing is this knife is made to be used it works hard and really holds up. I am not easy on my gear I believe this is the one knife I will ever need outdoors.
The ESEE 4 has it covered for a do-it-all woods fixed blade. Thick and (just) long enough to handle batoning small to medium-ish logs, limb stripping, light chopping, predator defence, etc. Flat grind is stronger and resists sticking when processing firewood better than scandi grinds. It's lighter than these bigger blades, yet heavy enough for the duties listed above and more. The 3 can't do what the 4 can, yet the 4 can do all that the 5 & 6 can with better carrying ease for backcountry travel. Depending on the trip I'll carry one of following everytime: 1) ESEE 4 only, or 2) I'll take the ESEE Izula plus a small axe. The latter combo covers more ground than the 5 or 6 are capable of. All said, I do like the bow drill hole and the stout glass smasher of the ESEE 5. These 2 features on the 4 would be perfect. My spin anyway. Cheers, Jf
I read a response to that very comment from esee. The injection molded is actually stronger, more heat/cold resistant, and an overall better sheath. They said the only reason all of their knives dont have the same sheath is because of the cost of the molds to produce them. Plus, if it ever broke im sure esee would take care of you
MrAsundstrom Well, that's nice I guess, but this plastic sheath doesn't come with that great locking slide like their Kydex ones. Overall, it just seems like a cheaper way to go and I'd be willing to pay 10 to 30 dollars more for that Kydex sheath. That said, you could always have a custom sheath made for 30 to 50 dollars, but it won't have the warranty or features of an ESEE sheath. Believe it or not, this is a bit of a deal-breaker for me and I'll probably just buy a Fallkniven A1 instead.
Hi the esee 5 cuts ok but is a thick blade that i would use for heavy tasks. I really think the esee 6 is better for chopping and other outdoor duties overall because the blade is a thinner profile (still very solid though). The esee 6 is lighter and if i had to choose between these it would be the 6. I think the 5 is more for SHTF use.Hope this helps.
I think the esee 5 is better for splitting wood because it's thicker but the esee 6 might be easier to actually button because it's longer. For tactical, esee 5. For overall outdoor survival, I would say esee 6. (I have the 5)
I realize that this excellent video is old. My choice would be the Esee 5. I was a knife dealer. Sure, I have the whole range of knives - BK series, Fallkniven series, Esee 4, etc. I don't recall that the Esee 5 was in existence when I wanted a choice for a specific application. I wanted an all around survival knife to put in the car. Not just my car, but the car of my son who was not a knife person. I selected the Ontario TFI. This was before kydex sheaths existed. If you compare TFI to the Esee 5, the similarities are there.
I have both the ESEE 5 and 6 as well. The 5 was designed for a downed helicopter pilot in South America. It does a lot of jobs. It is a survival knife. One could cut a hole in the hood of a vehicle with one of those. They'll baton wood and so on. The 6 is more of a tactical knife along with being great for cutting meat and batonng wood. The 6 comes in a "clip point" that is made for tactial purposes. Great video!
I like the model 5 a lot more, that thickness is just daunting. Pretty sure you could lift an elephant with it. Also the glass breaker and bow drill divot are a huge plus. All I'd want is a junglas to go with it.
My friend owns the 5, I own the Izula 2, the 4, and just ordered the 6. The 5 is a monster of a knife! One pound of knife, (for me) is a bit much for camping/wilderness use. I do Love the ESEE line though!
Outstanding review. But damn! I dont think you helped me decide between them, now I want both... An am I the only one who actually likes the molded plastic sheath? I love the one my Esee 3 came with... just saying
PreparedPaddler I have the Esee 4 and love it for edc I second that the plastic sheath is super legit and stands the test of time. I just ordered the 6 for outdoors stuff. I have a bk2 I bought when I was unemployed. I'm in a much better place now but price was a deal breaker at the time between the Esee 5 and Ka-bar bk2. In the near future, I'll pick up an Esee 5 and retire the bk2 to trunk duty. I can't speak specifically to the Esee 5 but the very similar bk2 easily competes with a hatchet of similar weight in chopping effectiveness if a hand loop is utilized so that one only holds the very end of the handle plus the loop wrapped around the hand while using a wrist snapping motion to chop. This same technique also works for the four to a lesser extent.
Some people have mentioned that a full flat grind is superior for batoning wood to the saber grind. This interests me, since I assumed the reverse was true. It seems the spine becoming thicker sooner (in the saber grind) and the increased blade angle would make a better wedge for chopping.
Esee 5, it’s indestructible. I’m not worried about saving 5oz in weight (less than *1/3rd* of 1 pound) especially for the item that is literally the most important thing to have- a knife. Esee 6 would be right there beside the 5 though if I had to choose a sidekick.💯
I'm really wanting an ESEE Although I like the longer 6, I have big hands and big guy and Like a thick handle. I would probably use it for utility reasoning, rope cutting, wood carving, skinning etc. Plus personel protection.
6 has better balance. 6 with a clip point is a better stabber, tactical knife. 5 was built to hack out of a chopper. A clip point 6 is the way to go for all around, combat, survival and a "one knife". I like the 6.
I bought the Esee 6 for heavy work and dangerous situations, the Mora bushkraft black in a kydex sheath und with an Blade tech tek lok is for finer work like food prep, craving etc, and a cold steel AK47 folder in CTS-XHP steel is my back-up blade. This package is fitting for most purposes. If I would travel in a cold regon I would leave the esee 6 at home and take my Onterio Kukri in 1095 steel instead... Greetings from Germany!
Thanks for the side by side (literally) comparison. I think I'll go with the 6 but the 5 looks pretty usefull for heavy duty, almost hand axe type work. I have the Izula II and it is an awesome lil carry blade. Thanks again!
Really?If you've never owned one how do you know if it will rust??I've used these knives for several years and even in salt water enviroments have never had a problem w/ rust.
I have them Both...and i would pick the Esee 5....because it jut feels better in your Hand its easy to move around and it stay Sharp...plus you can depend on the Esee5 will not bend or break....so the Esee5 wins in my mind
thnx for the tip. I think i'm going for the Esee 6. Why? because i think it will do the job and i have a machette and a herbertz knife also with me when i'm going on a survival bushcraft long weekend. what you guys choose? i'm still not 100% sure.
i ordered the five. i prefer a more durable blade as far as it's thickness goes. i don't mind the weight. also with the 5 you have the circular indentation in the handle that is used for a bow drill socket for starting fires which would be handy for survival purposes. i feel that the 5 has combat capabilities but, is more for survival than anything else as it's also good for batoning through wood.
I bought the ESEE-5 about 6 months ago. And all I can say is this knife is a beast. It will do anything and everything. I have several other knives that are more suited for camp use, like small bushcraft work. The 5 is manageable to do that sort of thing...if need be. It can do anything. But that's why you have different knives for different purposes. That being said. I bring the 5 with me no matter what. If all else fails, this knife will still be good to go.
It's funny everyone thinks the 5 is mainly for urban usage but if you look closely in the middle of the grip there's a little round divet used to start friction fires with a rounded off stick and some shavings. I'm looking to get the five just cause it seems like an all around great knife bit it kinda stinks it can rust over time. Also looking at the Ontario knives, do they make a 5 as well or just a 4 and 6? Keep up the great reviews gentlemen!
I have some fixed blades, but they are hunting knives. All three are thinner and shorter. I have actually used them for gutting deer. I keep two in my BOB. I prefer to carry a folder. I would like to try the 6 for camping, splitting wood, etc. 5 seems to be heavy, but in a self defense situation, it might be just the ticket!
I kinda like the 5. That sheath is what really sells it for me. The 6 looks great but I think the 5 ounces more and shorter blade trade off you get with the is well worth it.
Do you know what E S E E stands for?. If so please let me know.I would also like to know where the best place to buy one is. Good video.I want the ESEE 5.
I like both knives. I happen to own the ESEE 6 and like it so much that I'm looking forward to ordering the ESEE model 5, the ESEE 3, and IZULA II. I've been studying these blades for some time. I'm a fan of a lot of different knife manufacturers such as, for example, various Buck models and the KA-BAR Fighting/Utility knives along with the Becker series - many of which I own - TOPS, and Bark River. This last is a more expensive product but aesthetically pleasing and a joy to own and use. As to the plastic sheath that comes with the ESEE 6, 3, and IZULA: it doesn't matter to me. I usually go the extra mile and have a special sheath ordered for the different knives that I own. The Becker knives are a good example. The sheaths they come with are downright awful and I've purchased after market sheaths for the BK 2, 7, and 9. A good review of the ESEE model 5 and 6.
This blade is coated. It will still rust on the edge and etchings, but just oil it every once in a while and you won't have any problems with rust. Also, "stainless" means just that. It will stain less. Not stain proof (usually). Good luck with your hunt for a H1 bushcraft knife.
I went down to Cabelas mainly to get the 5 not even thinking about the 6. After handling both knives and seeing both were very good knives. Since the price was more than 50 dollars for the 5 and I really like the balance of the 6. I bought the 6, plus with the money I saved I also got the Esee Izula 2. These will make a great pair for hunting and camping.
ESEE 6 beats the ESEE 5 for all around survival use. ESEE 5 is more of a chopper/prybar for heavy use. The Becker BK-2 is as good as the ESEE 5 and more affordable.
got the 6 and love it. maybe the 5 is a little better for batoning, and the 6 probably is a better cuter. i do woodsplitting with the six since month and its just awesome, keeps a edge damn long. cool channel, keep it up
I chose the 6 over the 5 myself. The 6 feels more natural to me and I had more room to paracord the handle and keep the grip a reasonable size with it. Plus the molle pack for the 6 is really nice and I would recommend it. The only real allure of the 5 after I held it was the knowledge that I had a 1/4 of steel in my hand and that was reassuring but ESEE will replace any broken blade so I'll run this thing to the ground and if it breaks....well, I'll know its limits.
If I was buying a knife right now, between a Essee 5, or the Essee 6, I would buy the Essee 6 first, I like a saber grind, and I luv a choil, I find .188 is 3/16ths, which is plenty with to baton with, infact it works great, as long as it's a saber grind, so there's not as much wood drag as in a full grind, the choil, is like two knife sizes in one, the reason I got interested, is because of the divot, for friction fire making, again good video.
But then the Essee 5 doesn't have a choil, these things I look for in my Bush Knives, because I know all about emergency survival, and doing this for a little while I came to a simple deduction, a choil for me makes my knife more versital to be able to choke up or use it long, the Saber Grind to me is a very high Scandi but stronger at tge edge, actually a stronger blade period, Thanx for the reply I really enjoyed your video, I just had a customized Rodent 6 made for me, I took the Rodent 6 and had it thinned down at their Custom Shop and also had the top gaurd taken off and now it look's like a beefy Ratmandu and I like a 6" blade as a utility camp knife that I know when things go south I can trust my life on it, Thanx again, Good job.
I guess I'm not on top of things with Essee Knives. But I am with my Swampies. Intact one that's growing on my Fav's is my Rodent 5 with choil. I also modified my Rodent 6, I had it thinner down to less than a 1/4" and I had other top guard taken off. It's now one of my Favorite. 6" blades. For my cold weather trips, since I like to solo scout. I have a nice Piggyback knives that I Bakdric carry. My go to piggyback is my Rodent 7 which for me is a perfect survival knives and my Rodent 3 which is like using the best part of a knife color fine tasks. I call it my go to, But I also have my Rodent 9/Rodent 4 which is top shelf because its a little larger and the ratio between the blades for me is perfect, but a little heavier. I also have BusseCombats made in Piggyback carry.,,.
I heard they went with molded plastic for the 6 to keep the price down where they wanted it to be . However I'm in Canada and paid 200 for mine so where's the savings
The lack of a finger choil on the 5 is something I truly dislike....the thick stock and pommel looks awesome though, and better sheath imo, but i can get a 6 and beat on it just as hard and not have to worry about the quality holding up. Love Esee knives, quality, and confidence.
Which would be best to molle to my get home bag/bug out bag? I have a morakniv in my bag but feel I need a bigger knife as well. I always have a folder in my pocket and conceal carry a shield 9mm. On long trips I keep my sport 2 ar-15 in the trunk. Thanks.
I love both but I must say that the 5 is better. The only reason one would buy the 6 instead is because of the length difference however, if you take into account the place for your index finger to choke up, its actual cutting edge is almost the same.
I've got an ESEE RC-6 and it's awesome! It's suits my requirements and you can fit a survival kit pouch to the sheath. Lifetime warranty! Crackalackin!
The 5 and 6 use the same molle/ attachment pouches. That said I have the 6. Love the flat grind, actually my molle system just came in the mail today. Enjoy
@lizardwop82 The saber grind make for less friction and better splitting power with the thicker blade, so the 5 is better for batoning. The 6 is better for cutting with the full flat grind. The 5 wins in chopping due to weight, use a pinky lanyard and you can choke way back effectively making the 5 an eight inch blade for chopping. I have the 5 & the 3 Mil, wife has the 4. For wet climates we have the Fallkniven A1 and F1 respectively. I love the ESEE-5, I'll buy another any day, great choice.
I have the 6 ,3 and izula 2, if you want the esee 5 but not wanting to spend the money get the Ka Bar BK2 ,thats what I did, its kinda like glock vs MP its matter of what you like but the same concept!! the BK2 is a heck of knife and wont let you down!!!
I like both but would like to see a combo of the two.A blade 1 inch longer than the 6 and as heavy as the 5 or heavier.Great video by the way.Keep it up.
I think I would choose the 6. I have a BK2 which is about the same dimensions as the 5. The 1/4" blade thickness makes certain important bushcrafting tasks difficult. Batoning (splitting) wood is a dream, but cutting certain types of notches or feathering is challenging. I think the 6's thinner blade and flat grind will ease some of that difficulty. That black coating will need to be stripped. I haven't used an esee, but if it's like the Beckers, the spine will need to be filed/ground to have 90 degree edges as well.
They have a no questions asked lifetime guarantee so i wouldnt worry about messing up the blade putting a 90 degree spine on it for a ferro rod? Its your kit i say go for it.
1095 and similar carbon steels are the best for outdoor use; almost every expert will agree. They fail less, snap less, chip less, are economical, are easy to sharpen, and hold an excellent edge. In almost every sense they are better than stainless steels for wilderness/survival use. These knives were designed for the jungle and excel in that environment especially because of the user friendly steel. Ever tried sharpening S30V or S35vn on a rock? Didn't think so because you cant. It's too hard.
It doesn't rust that easily. First it's coated. Second only the edge is exposed and that's the part you use and sharpen. I have a Becker BK7 which is practically the same steel and have had no rust issues. Tough stainless steel is very expensive and very difficult to sharpen.
really tough choice I am struggling on which one to get the 5 seems better build quality in knife and sheath also the 5 is more expensive although what kind of beating can the 6 take?
I bought both. I couldn't decide, they really are two different knives with two completely different feels and handling. There is no difference in build quality, it's just what are you looking for? They are both fantastically built knives. I also own a 4 and Junglas and they are equally as well built.
the kind of beating the 6 can take? more than should be reasonably doled out is the answer. an anvil with a pointy tip can take more though so I would throw that on your hip as your one tool option and the 5 as your backup.
I got the RC-5... Also tried in my hands the RC-6, but...I think RC-5. for these reasons: 1. Thickness & Weight: RC5 is thicker and heavier...and this turns good when it's about chopping. I think it can chop same as RC6, also if it's smaller. 2. Size: RC5 size is a good one (almost perfect one) for a survival knife. RC6's too big. 3. I just LOVE RC-5...It's a BEAST!!! And I bet RC-6 couldn't do well as the RC-5 one! ;) greetings from Italia!
Why would anyone pay more for the 5? So its 1/4 thick but what does it matter if they have a no questions asked lifetime guarantee? I like the 6 better. It looks like it would be better for skinning, carving, batoning, etc although i have no hands on xp with esee. mine wont be here til tomarrow. After watching that video of that guy hammering his straight into a log i decided i had to have one.
That is what I told to people from ESEE. They should do blade lengths of 6, 7 and 8 inches in that thickness and if they would add the same handle configuration Junglas has it would be excellent.
@@mcr0741 the usual " thank you for your concern". I hope they will listen to their customers. I love ESEE knives, I love the sheaths they provide for their knives but it's time to listen to people. For example I think of a Junglas 2 in 5 or 6,35 mm thickness and clip point blade, available in carbon and stainless like AUS 8A or 440C. I dream of a Junglas or 5 in CPM 3V but I am dreaming too much I think. Best regards from France. Stay sharp brother.
@@gunner3548 Yeah, it usually just boils down to their business model. If they can get supplies of 1095 carbon steel in bulk, they'll use it in bulk. And also, it's been working quite decently for them. I mean, who wouldn't love a product built right upto their specifications but unfortunately, there are as many opinions out there as there are number of people. Their need to acquire new suppliers for premium steels like 3V will also require a huge downpour, not to mention the enhanced cost of products thereafter and the kind of response they will receive from the customers. Besides, product differentiation is a risky process all together. Producing and selling 5 variants of the same product would not go as easy as selling 5 different types of products.
@@mcr0741 i know how this sick society we called civilized works, always the fucking money, but I hope that I will live that day when doing the right thing will be enough. Stay sharp.
thanks for the video. I am trying to decide which one of these i want. The differences are kind of drastic. i wish the 6 had a 3/16" thickness without the index finger spot... the 5 is so damn fat... neither one is exactly what i want, but the price point is pretty good.... id mainly use it for cleaning fish because I usually carry a folding saw... damn.... i cant decide, i guess ill keep looking
I've got both, I use the 5 for tearing down heavy buildings and ridiculous stupid abuse. I prefer the 6 for General use. Also I like the sheet for the esee 6.
Not much of difference in length versus the cost. I like the esee 5 because of the thickness of the knife, the multiple uses of it for its size. You pay for the kydex versus the plastic. If you cut the kydex cost out the knife (5) is a little more thant 115 bucks. I have the becker seven in 1095. Its a monster knife for hacking and chopping. Cost under 80. Larger knifes are not great for camp use in dealing with cooking, delicate cutting and dressing out a deer. I would like to to see a pouch and belt attachment for it.
I would choose the 5 because it acually ment for survival(that is why it is thicker) but the 6 is a more of a bushcraft knife but both are great but still i would go with the 5
@IMBW89 Actually a full flat grind is better for batoning wood. The Saber grind tends to bind more in the wood and causes you to exert more energy wrestling around with the knife. Same goes for the thicker blade of the 5. Using the 6 to baton wood, you can split wood with a slightly larger diameter than the 5 and use much less effort. because of the flat grind, thinner and longer blade. Trust me, you're not going to break the 6 splitting wood. For combat ESEE 5 & ESEE 6 for Bushcraft.
idk about the legalities but there is no swedge and they dont sell it with the back sharpened, and personally i think it would b stupid to do tht, if u need to penetrate get something with a spear point, sharpening the back would ruin ur ability to baton and would make handling the knife to do useful taks more difficult
I have the 5, and I love it. I wouldn't carry it around, though - just too darned heavy. It feels like a brick on your belt. But it's very cool just to have. The sheath on the 5 is much better. Don't know why they have such a crappy sheath on the 6. That's the main reason I haven't bought the 6 yet.
I went with the ESEE 5 for a tank that will just work (almost) no matter what I throw at it. For hiking I want something light so I'm building an Izula 2 neck knife survival kit.
So I have both the 5 & the 6 and this is REAL difficult decision as to which one to take on a trip. So this is what I came to conclude the Esee 5, and here is why: the 6 has the better handle (it is thinner and if you have smaller hands, it just feels better), but the downside is that it is significantly lighter. IF you could only take ONE blade... no saw, no axe, no hatchet, no Esee 4, 6 or 3... then you are going to LOVE the weight of the Esee 5. Sure the Esee 6 might be better for batoning with that longer blade, but the weight of the Esee 5 will cut into wood like butter with minimal effort due to the weight of that downward thrust. Hope that helps...
Just a quick add: the 5 will baton way better than the 6, because of the steep sabre grind. It will just shove the wood away like mad. The full flat grind of the 6 does not really make for good baton work, and could easily bind up. I saw a comparison video where both reviewers even said the shorter 5 chops better, because of that added weight. I feel sure the 6 will slash and cut better especially in food prep etc, or carcass dressing. My feeling is that they are not really competitors for the same slot, but rather fill different slots. If you intend to do heavy work with a baton, then definitely an esee 5!
I think the real competition is between the esee 6 and the Junglas II! Now that presents a big choice problem. They are both flat grinds, same thickness, same blade shape, and so on just overall dimensions different.
5
I bought both. That was the only way to solve the debate. I also have a 4 and a Junglas.
I love my ESEE knives.
+Sour Mash Im new to out door camping, which one would you recomend if you only get one? I was looking at these and also the ka bar bk2. and the schrade 42 your thoughts?
+vegas wajeel If your budget allows buy an ESEE. The Becker is a good knife and the Schrade is decent but neither hold a candle to an ESEE. If you're gonna buy only one ESEE first buy a 6. It's the do all ESEE to me. They are all fine knives but the 6 will get you in to the world of ESEE knives very well. With blades you truly do get what you pay for and in ESEEs price range few other knives compete with them especially the 4,6 and Junglas.
Brian Taylor and have you tested them both? wich is you favorit?
Dutch Prepping I've used all of them. For one knife to have the 6 wins for me. For a chopper the Junglas wins. I use the 4 as my hunting knife, it's the best hunting knife I've ever had..
I think if you wanna break into the ESEE game, the 6 is probably the best for you to start with. It is a fantastic all around woods knife and you will do fine with it. I upgraded mine with TKC scales and a custom sheath.
Brian Taylor thnx for your advice wanted you to know that i placed the order for the Esee 6. i'm sure i am not going to fail with this one. At this moment i had a German survival knife Herbertz but it isn't really working for me on bushcraft level.
I wish they added the esee 5's pummel end and fire spindle hold to the esee 6 that would have made the 6 that much more awesome!
this is the type of reviews i like...no bullshit blabber,
+Joey Baggs Thank you
the esee 5 is a well all round knife it works for all the needs in the woods and will do fine work task. the thing is this knife is made to be used it works hard and really holds up. I am not easy on my gear I believe this is the one knife I will ever need outdoors.
The ESEE 4 has it covered for a do-it-all woods fixed blade. Thick and (just) long enough to handle batoning small to medium-ish logs, limb stripping, light chopping, predator defence, etc. Flat grind is stronger and resists sticking when processing firewood better than scandi grinds. It's lighter than these bigger blades, yet heavy enough for the duties listed above and more. The 3 can't do what the 4 can, yet the 4 can do all that the 5 & 6 can with better carrying ease for backcountry travel.
Depending on the trip I'll carry one of following everytime: 1) ESEE 4 only, or 2) I'll take the ESEE Izula plus a small axe. The latter combo covers more ground than the 5 or 6 are capable of.
All said, I do like the bow drill hole and the stout glass smasher of the ESEE 5. These 2 features on the 4 would be perfect.
My spin anyway. Cheers, Jf
Come on ESEE, give us that Kydex on the 6. How you gonna do us like that?
I read a response to that very comment from esee. The injection molded is actually stronger, more heat/cold resistant, and an overall better sheath.
They said the only reason all of their knives dont have the same sheath is because of the cost of the molds to produce them. Plus, if it ever broke im sure esee would take care of you
MrAsundstrom Well, that's nice I guess, but this plastic sheath doesn't come with that great locking slide like their Kydex ones. Overall, it just seems like a cheaper way to go and I'd be willing to pay 10 to 30 dollars more for that Kydex sheath. That said, you could always have a custom sheath made for 30 to 50 dollars, but it won't have the warranty or features of an ESEE sheath. Believe it or not, this is a bit of a deal-breaker for me and I'll probably just buy a Fallkniven A1 instead.
to each their own. I plan on buying the esee 6. If the sheath ever fails then Ill just make my own kydex one trying to replicate the one you desire
MrAsundstrom Best of luck in your purchase and I'd love to see what you come up with.
maybe my first video will be on the finished product lol
Have the Esee 5 and it is indeed heavy...well thats just the perfect excuse to get the 6 now.
amen
hey do u recomend esee 5-p or the 6 im very outdoorsy and go camping alot or i can save up more and get both
My opinion is to get the Esee 6..the 5 is so very heavy. To tell you the truth I use my Esee 3 more than any of the others. Good luck with choosing.
Hi the esee 5 cuts ok but is a thick blade that i would use for heavy tasks. I really think the esee 6 is better for chopping and other outdoor duties overall because the blade is a thinner profile (still very solid though). The esee 6 is lighter and if i had to choose between these it would be the 6. I think the 5 is more for SHTF use.Hope this helps.
only need the 6 if the 5 breaks, but that wont happen 6 will break
I think the esee 5 is better for splitting wood because it's thicker but the esee 6 might be easier to actually button because it's longer. For tactical, esee 5. For overall outdoor survival, I would say esee 6. (I have the 5)
I realize that this excellent video is old. My choice would be the Esee 5. I was a knife dealer. Sure, I have the whole range of knives - BK series, Fallkniven series, Esee 4, etc. I don't recall that the Esee 5 was in existence when I wanted a choice for a specific application. I wanted an all around survival knife to put in the car. Not just my car, but the car of my son who was not a knife person. I selected the Ontario TFI. This was before kydex sheaths existed. If you compare TFI to the Esee 5, the similarities are there.
I have both the ESEE 5 and 6 as well. The 5 was designed for a downed helicopter pilot in South America. It does a lot of jobs. It is a survival knife. One could cut a hole in the hood of a vehicle with one of those. They'll baton wood and so on.
The 6 is more of a tactical knife along with being great for cutting meat and batonng wood.
The 6 comes in a "clip point" that is made for tactial purposes.
Great video!
I would choose the 5. Blade thickness is very important to me.
You can go check out the kabar becker bk2 aswell
The 5 is not as much for the outdoors? It was designed by SERE instructors! It has bow drill divot in it. Im pretty sure its made for the woods.
Hahaaaa exactly!
If you use both though, the 6 feels much more nimble in hand and more useful overall. It will lack in the pry-bar department.
***** I can baton wood all day with it. It actual process wood better than the 5 as it has a little bit more reach.
***** Had both, sold the 5. I do have a BK2 though.
Another good option is a Fiskars X7 or X15. Lightweight and makes wood processing super easy.
I like the model 5 a lot more, that thickness is just daunting. Pretty sure you could lift an elephant with it. Also the glass breaker and bow drill divot are a huge plus. All I'd want is a junglas to go with it.
WTF??? WHY don,t they make the 6 in 1/4 inch ? Then it would be perfect.
I have the ESEE 4/5/6, Junglas...and the candiru and Izula in Damascus. Hard to beat the ESEE range!!!
My friend owns the 5, I own the Izula 2, the 4, and just ordered the 6. The 5 is a monster of a knife! One pound of knife, (for me) is a bit much for camping/wilderness use. I do Love the ESEE line though!
MrDavo1959 I have the 5 and the blade chipped on my first day out when I was chopping branches off of a log
Wow...That's not cool..^
stragi So send it back to Esee and they will replace it for free.
Outstanding review. But damn! I dont think you helped me decide between them, now I want both... An am I the only one who actually likes the molded plastic sheath? I love the one my Esee 3 came with... just saying
PreparedPaddler I have the Esee 4 and love it for edc I second that the plastic sheath is super legit and stands the test of time. I just ordered the 6 for outdoors stuff. I have a bk2 I bought when I was unemployed. I'm in a much better place now but price was a deal breaker at the time between the Esee 5 and Ka-bar bk2. In the near future, I'll pick up an Esee 5 and retire the bk2 to trunk duty. I can't speak specifically to the Esee 5 but the very similar bk2 easily competes with a hatchet of similar weight in chopping effectiveness if a hand loop is utilized so that one only holds the very end of the handle plus the loop wrapped around the hand while using a wrist snapping motion to chop. This same technique also works for the four to a lesser extent.
Some people have mentioned that a full flat grind is superior for batoning wood to the saber grind. This interests me, since I assumed the reverse was true. It seems the spine becoming thicker sooner (in the saber grind) and the increased blade angle would make a better wedge for chopping.
Esee 5, it’s indestructible. I’m not worried about saving 5oz in weight
(less than *1/3rd* of 1 pound) especially for the item that is literally the most important thing to have- a knife. Esee 6 would be right there beside the 5 though if I had to choose a sidekick.💯
I'm really wanting an ESEE Although I like the longer 6, I have big hands and big guy and Like a thick handle. I would probably use it for utility reasoning, rope cutting, wood carving, skinning etc. Plus personel protection.
love the 5th
awesome blade thickness and length Badass sheath and glass breaker
I don't mind the weight at all
I don't feel it lol
If I had to fight a Tiger, I'd rather have the 6.
6 has better balance. 6 with a clip point is a better stabber, tactical knife. 5 was built to hack out of a chopper. A clip point 6 is the way to go for all around, combat, survival and a "one knife". I like the 6.
I bought the Esee 6 for heavy work and dangerous situations, the Mora bushkraft black in a kydex sheath und with an Blade tech tek lok is for finer work like food prep, craving etc, and a cold steel AK47 folder in CTS-XHP steel is my back-up blade. This package is fitting for most purposes. If I would travel in a cold regon I would leave the esee 6 at home and take my Onterio Kukri in 1095 steel instead...
Greetings from Germany!
Help me make up my mind the 6 for me, nice review, good video views of the blades and handles.....thank you sir.
Anytime. Glad we could help
I think the Esee 6 is the best all around outdoor belt carry knife. If you want to baton wood, add the BK-9
The 5,for self defense and the locker is a great feature so someone can't pull your knife out
How has it held up? Were you glad you made that choice? I am debating between the two, but leaning toward the 5.
Thanks for the side by side (literally) comparison.
I think I'll go with the 6 but the 5 looks pretty usefull for heavy duty, almost hand axe type work.
I have the Izula II and it is an awesome lil carry blade.
Thanks again!
Really good comparison..... mentioning the thinner grip on the 6 is great. so much information packed into the 5 min.. excellent. Thanks!
Really?If you've never owned one how do you know if it will rust??I've used these knives for several years and even in salt water enviroments have never had a problem w/ rust.
I have both, I tend to use the 5 more often.
I have them Both...and i would pick the Esee 5....because it jut feels better in your Hand its easy to move around and it stay Sharp...plus you can depend on the Esee5 will not bend or break....so the Esee5 wins in my mind
thnx for the tip. I think i'm going for the Esee 6. Why? because i think it will do the job and i have a machette and a herbertz knife also with me when i'm going on a survival bushcraft long weekend.
what you guys choose? i'm still not 100% sure.
Hey, nice comparison there! Just one question, the green stuff in the handles of the 6, what material is that plz?
i ordered the five. i prefer a more durable blade as far as it's thickness goes. i don't mind the weight. also with the 5 you have the circular indentation in the handle that is used for a bow drill socket for starting fires which would be handy for survival purposes. i feel that the 5 has combat capabilities but, is more for survival than anything else as it's also good for batoning through wood.
I bought the ESEE-5 about 6 months ago. And all I can say is this knife is a beast. It will do anything and everything. I have several other knives that are more suited for camp use, like small bushcraft work. The 5 is manageable to do that sort of thing...if need be. It can do anything. But that's why you have different knives for different purposes. That being said. I bring the 5 with me no matter what. If all else fails, this knife will still be good to go.
I'm from Sweden, in Sweden we use Fallkniven in this case it would be an A1
Peo Wahlberg I'm going to Sweden and wanted to buy a new knife should I buy an A1?
It's funny everyone thinks the 5 is mainly for urban usage but if you look closely in the middle of the grip there's a little round divet used to start friction fires with a rounded off stick and some shavings. I'm looking to get the five just cause it seems like an all around great knife bit it kinda stinks it can rust over time. Also looking at the Ontario knives, do they make a 5 as well or just a 4 and 6? Keep up the great reviews gentlemen!
I have some fixed blades, but they are hunting knives. All three are thinner and shorter. I have actually used them for gutting deer. I keep two in my BOB. I prefer to carry a folder. I would like to try the 6 for camping, splitting wood, etc. 5 seems to be heavy, but in a self defense situation, it might be just the ticket!
I just bought them both.
+AdmSlc game on
I kinda like the 5. That sheath is what really sells it for me. The 6 looks great but I think the 5 ounces more and shorter blade trade off you get with the is well worth it.
Do you know what E S E E stands for?. If so please let me know.I would also like to know where the best place to buy one is. Good video.I want the ESEE 5.
I like both knives. I happen to own the ESEE 6 and like it so much that I'm looking forward to ordering the ESEE model 5, the ESEE 3, and IZULA II. I've been studying these blades for some time. I'm a fan of a lot of different knife manufacturers such as, for example, various Buck models and the KA-BAR Fighting/Utility knives along with the Becker series - many of which I own - TOPS, and Bark River. This last is a more expensive product but aesthetically pleasing and a joy to own and use. As to the plastic sheath that comes with the ESEE 6, 3, and IZULA: it doesn't matter to me. I usually go the extra mile and have a special sheath ordered for the different knives that I own. The Becker knives are a good example. The sheaths they come with are downright awful and I've purchased after market sheaths for the BK 2, 7, and 9.
A good review of the ESEE model 5 and 6.
i would have not guessed that they were that different. thanks for the video and keep up the good work.
This blade is coated. It will still rust on the edge and etchings, but just oil it every once in a while and you won't have any problems with rust. Also, "stainless" means just that. It will stain less. Not stain proof (usually). Good luck with your hunt for a H1 bushcraft knife.
I have both, love both. They’re beasts
I went down to Cabelas mainly to get the 5 not even thinking about the 6. After handling both knives and seeing both were very good knives. Since the price was more than 50 dollars for the 5 and I really like the balance of the 6. I bought the 6, plus with the money I saved I also got the Esee Izula 2. These will make a great pair for hunting and camping.
+Len Orender $50 dollars more? something isn't right about that. Do you remember what the two prices were? we are just curious
$199.95 Esse 5
$149.95 Esse 6
Question. This never occurred to me before. What happens to the logo when the coating wears off?
I own both. I got custom versions from the knife connection. The 6 rides in my Baja Bug and the 5 is in the saddlebag of my enduro
Bonjour So which one is the best ?
ESEE 6 beats the ESEE 5 for all around survival use. ESEE 5 is more of a chopper/prybar for heavy use.
The Becker BK-2 is as good as the ESEE 5 and more affordable.
got the 6 and love it. maybe the 5 is a little better for batoning, and the 6 probably is a better cuter. i do woodsplitting with the six since month and its just awesome, keeps a edge damn long. cool channel, keep it up
I chose the 6 over the 5 myself. The 6 feels more natural to me and I had more room to paracord the handle and keep the grip a reasonable size with it. Plus the molle pack for the 6 is really nice and I would recommend it. The only real allure of the 5 after I held it was the knowledge that I had a 1/4 of steel in my hand and that was reassuring but ESEE will replace any broken blade so I'll run this thing to the ground and if it breaks....well, I'll know its limits.
If I was buying a knife right now, between a Essee 5, or the Essee 6, I would buy the Essee 6 first, I like a saber grind, and I luv a choil, I find .188 is 3/16ths, which is plenty with to baton with, infact it works great, as long as it's a saber grind, so there's not as much wood drag as in a full grind, the choil, is like two knife sizes in one, the reason I got interested, is because of the divot, for friction fire making, again good video.
The esse 6 doesn't have a saber grind........
It has a flat grind. The 5 is the one with the saber grind
But then the Essee 5 doesn't have a choil, these things I look for in my Bush Knives, because I know all about emergency survival, and doing this for a little while I came to a simple deduction, a choil for me makes my knife more versital to be able to choke up or use it long, the Saber Grind to me is a very high Scandi but stronger at tge edge, actually a stronger blade period, Thanx for the reply I really enjoyed your video, I just had a customized Rodent 6 made for me, I took the Rodent 6 and had it thinned down at their Custom Shop and also had the top gaurd taken off and now it look's like a beefy Ratmandu and I like a 6" blade as a utility camp knife that I know when things go south I can trust my life on it, Thanx again, Good job.
I guess I'm not on top of things with Essee Knives. But I am with my Swampies. Intact one that's growing on my Fav's is my Rodent 5 with choil. I also modified my Rodent 6, I had it thinner down to less than a 1/4" and I had other top guard taken off. It's now one of my Favorite. 6" blades. For my cold weather trips, since I like to solo scout. I have a nice Piggyback knives that I Bakdric carry. My go to piggyback is my Rodent 7 which for me is a perfect survival knives and my Rodent 3 which is like using the best part of a knife color fine tasks. I call it my go to, But I also have my Rodent 9/Rodent 4 which is top shelf because its a little larger and the ratio between the blades for me is perfect, but a little heavier. I also have BusseCombats made in Piggyback carry.,,.
I heard they went with molded plastic for the 6 to keep the price down where they wanted it to be . However I'm in Canada and paid 200 for mine so where's the savings
SHADOW prices for knives in Canada are crazy especially because of the exchange rate .. I think I'm gonna start buying more straight from the US
In Sweden you pay even more for the knives. Around 250 usd for just Esee 5 without sheath.
the 5 cause like CrakaBunch30 said the survival so chopping and cutting would be benefit alot more for u and how much did they cost each?
@koelkast9 i don't mean to seem rude my butting in but, it isn't a serial number. it is a batch number for the heat treat according to jeff randall.
Do you protect it with the wax for storage or does the wax hold up during use?
Im liking the ESEE blades more and more as I see these reviews.
I like the saber grind, so I'll go with the 5! Also the thickness of the blade is an advantage in many situations.
The lack of a finger choil on the 5 is something I truly dislike....the thick stock and pommel looks awesome though, and better sheath imo, but i can get a 6 and beat on it just as hard and not have to worry about the quality holding up. Love Esee knives, quality, and confidence.
Which would be best to molle to my get home bag/bug out bag? I have a morakniv in my bag but feel I need a bigger knife as well. I always have a folder in my pocket and conceal carry a shield 9mm. On long trips I keep my sport 2 ar-15 in the trunk. Thanks.
I like the 5 cause of the weight and thicker blade.The pommel is also sweet.I wish it had that finger trowel like the 6 though
I love both but I must say that the 5 is better. The only reason one would buy the 6 instead is because of the length difference however, if you take into account the place for your index finger to choke up, its actual cutting edge is almost the same.
I've got an ESEE RC-6 and it's awesome! It's suits my requirements and you can fit a survival kit pouch to the sheath. Lifetime warranty! Crackalackin!
The 5 and 6 use the same molle/ attachment pouches. That said I have the 6. Love the flat grind, actually my molle system just came in the mail today. Enjoy
@lizardwop82 The saber grind make for less friction and better splitting power with the thicker blade, so the 5 is better for batoning. The 6 is better for cutting with the full flat grind. The 5 wins in chopping due to weight, use a pinky lanyard and you can choke way back effectively making the 5 an eight inch blade for chopping. I have the 5 & the 3 Mil, wife has the 4. For wet climates we have the Fallkniven A1 and F1 respectively. I love the ESEE-5, I'll buy another any day, great choice.
so which knife wins the battle in this vs. video ?
The viewers decide...
can you strike a fire steel on the esee 5?
I like the 5 since it has a thicker blade and has more weight which will make most tactical or wilderness jobs easier!
Both knives are Smooth As Hell, will need o get the 5 and may couple months from now, i'll get a 6, both are bad ass
What did you use to sharpen it bro.
I have the 6 ,3 and izula 2, if you want the esee 5 but not wanting to spend the money get the Ka Bar BK2 ,thats what I did, its kinda like glock vs MP its matter of what you like but the same concept!! the BK2 is a heck of knife and wont let you down!!!
I like both but would like to see a combo of the two.A blade 1 inch longer than the 6 and as heavy as the 5 or heavier.Great video by the way.Keep it up.
I would go with the ESEE 6. It's lighter, which allows fine work. The blade is longer, which gives more striking surface for batoning.
The 5 wouldn't be as useful as the 6 in most daily applications, I choose the 6.
And that's why they call you
Mr. Kitty
You are wrong the 5 is more durable and works for everything
i guess it depends on weather you want to spend time maintaining the blade by sharpening it, or by cleaning and oiling it.
Even stainless has to be maintained. Carbon steel is definitely better suited for hard use. Stainless may break or chip depending on how you use it.
I think I would choose the 6. I have a BK2 which is about the same dimensions as the 5. The 1/4" blade thickness makes certain important bushcrafting tasks difficult. Batoning (splitting) wood is a dream, but cutting certain types of notches or feathering is challenging. I think the 6's thinner blade and flat grind will ease some of that difficulty. That black coating will need to be stripped. I haven't used an esee, but if it's like the Beckers, the spine will need to be filed/ground to have 90 degree edges as well.
I've seen axe bits that are thinner than the damn BK-2.
Damn, sorry forget to ask my question... 90 degree spine on the 5? Or will I have to put a file to it?
They have a no questions asked lifetime guarantee so i wouldnt worry about messing up the blade putting a 90 degree spine on it for a ferro rod? Its your kit i say go for it.
1095 and similar carbon steels are the best for outdoor use; almost every expert will agree. They fail less, snap less, chip less, are economical, are easy to sharpen, and hold an excellent edge. In almost every sense they are better than stainless steels for wilderness/survival use. These knives were designed for the jungle and excel in that environment especially because of the user friendly steel. Ever tried sharpening S30V or S35vn on a rock? Didn't think so because you cant. It's too hard.
I meant it can break or chip easier compared to carbon steel. Anything can break.
yes they do make a 5 as well usually runs around $80
It doesn't rust that easily. First it's coated. Second only the edge is exposed and that's the part you use and sharpen. I have a Becker BK7 which is practically the same steel and have had no rust issues. Tough stainless steel is very expensive and very difficult to sharpen.
@555Nato Interesting. How did you verify that information?
really tough choice I am struggling on which one to get the 5 seems better build quality in knife and sheath also the 5 is more expensive although what kind of beating can the 6 take?
I bought both. I couldn't decide, they really are two different knives with two completely different feels and handling. There is no difference in build quality, it's just what are you looking for? They are both fantastically built knives. I also own a 4 and Junglas and they are equally as well built.
the kind of beating the 6 can take? more than should be reasonably doled out is the answer. an anvil with a pointy tip can take more though so I would throw that on your hip as your one tool option and the 5 as your backup.
I got the RC-5...
Also tried in my hands the RC-6, but...I think RC-5. for these reasons:
1. Thickness & Weight: RC5 is thicker and heavier...and this turns good when it's about chopping. I think it can chop same as RC6, also if it's smaller.
2. Size: RC5 size is a good one (almost perfect one) for a survival knife. RC6's too big.
3. I just LOVE RC-5...It's a BEAST!!! And I bet RC-6 couldn't do well as the RC-5 one! ;)
greetings from Italia!
Why would anyone pay more for the 5? So its 1/4 thick but what does it matter if they have a no questions asked lifetime guarantee? I like the 6 better. It looks like it would be better for skinning, carving, batoning, etc although i have no hands on xp with esee. mine wont be here til tomarrow. After watching that video of that guy hammering his straight into a log i decided i had to have one.
I like the 6 because it the the FFG blade. I'd use it as a camp knife for sure. Great video.
Please for the love of mankind, make the esee 5 in a blade length similar to esee 6. That would literally be the perfect knife!
That is what I told to people from ESEE. They should do blade lengths of 6, 7 and 8 inches in that thickness and if they would add the same handle configuration Junglas has it would be excellent.
@@gunner3548 That's awesome, how did they respond to that?
@@mcr0741 the usual " thank you for your concern". I hope they will listen to their customers. I love ESEE knives, I love the sheaths they provide for their knives but it's time to listen to people. For example I think of a Junglas 2 in 5 or 6,35 mm thickness and clip point blade, available in carbon and stainless like AUS 8A or 440C. I dream of a Junglas or 5 in CPM 3V but I am dreaming too much I think. Best regards from France. Stay sharp brother.
@@gunner3548 Yeah, it usually just boils down to their business model. If they can get supplies of 1095 carbon steel in bulk, they'll use it in bulk. And also, it's been working quite decently for them. I mean, who wouldn't love a product built right upto their specifications but unfortunately, there are as many opinions out there as there are number of people. Their need to acquire new suppliers for premium steels like 3V will also require a huge downpour, not to mention the enhanced cost of products thereafter and the kind of response they will receive from the customers. Besides, product differentiation is a risky process all together. Producing and selling 5 variants of the same product would not go as easy as selling 5 different types of products.
@@mcr0741 i know how this sick society we called civilized works, always the fucking money, but I hope that I will live that day when doing the right thing will be enough. Stay sharp.
thanks for the video. I am trying to decide which one of these i want. The differences are kind of drastic. i wish the 6 had a 3/16" thickness without the index finger spot... the 5 is so damn fat... neither one is exactly what i want, but the price point is pretty good.... id mainly use it for cleaning fish because I usually carry a folding saw... damn.... i cant decide, i guess ill keep looking
is the bk2 better than the esee 5 in my opinon it is
I've got both, I use the 5 for tearing down heavy buildings and ridiculous stupid abuse. I prefer the 6 for General use. Also I like the sheet for the esee 6.
Not much of difference in length versus the cost. I like the esee 5 because of the thickness of the knife, the multiple uses of it for its size. You pay for the kydex versus the plastic. If you cut the kydex cost out the knife (5) is a little more thant 115 bucks. I have the becker seven in 1095. Its a monster knife for hacking and chopping. Cost under 80. Larger knifes are not great for camp use in dealing with cooking, delicate cutting and dressing out a deer. I would like to to see a pouch and belt attachment for it.
Both blades are great but specific to different jobs as all knives are. The 5 is more survival/utility.
I would choose the 5 because it acually ment for survival(that is why it is thicker) but the 6 is a more of a bushcraft knife but both are great but still i would go with the 5
@IMBW89 Actually a full flat grind is better for batoning wood. The Saber grind tends to bind more in the wood and causes you to exert more energy wrestling around with the knife. Same goes for the thicker blade of the 5. Using the 6 to baton wood, you can split wood with a slightly larger diameter than the 5 and use much less effort. because of the flat grind, thinner and longer blade. Trust me, you're not going to break the 6 splitting wood. For combat ESEE 5 & ESEE 6 for Bushcraft.
Wrong... the saber grind acts like a wedge and is superior foe chopping and batoning. The flat grind tends to be a better slicer.
idk about the legalities but there is no swedge and they dont sell it with the back sharpened, and personally i think it would b stupid to do tht, if u need to penetrate get something with a spear point, sharpening the back would ruin ur ability to baton and would make handling the knife to do useful taks more difficult
I have the 5, and I love it. I wouldn't carry it around, though - just too darned heavy. It feels like a brick on your belt. But it's very cool just to have. The sheath on the 5 is much better. Don't know why they have such a crappy sheath on the 6. That's the main reason I haven't bought the 6 yet.
I went with the ESEE 5 for a tank that will just work (almost) no matter what I throw at it. For hiking I want something light so I'm building an Izula 2 neck knife survival kit.