Check out the Esse-4 here: www.bladehq.com/cat--ESEE-RC-4... Check out the Laser here: www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-Las... Check out the TOPS BOB here: www.bladehq.com/?search=tops%...
Great overview on 3 top quality knives! I think much consideration needs to go into how a knife feels in your hands. What may seem perfect in my hand might be uncomfortable in someone elses etc. I have all three of these knives and in my opinion, the TOPS leans more towards a good Bushcraft knife while the L.S. is more of a hardcore survival style. The Esee 4 sits somewhere in the middle. You really can't go wrong with any of the three but actually getting one in your hands and getting a "Feel" for it should be a big part of your decision. Whichever I take out to the field, I always take a Mora along and to be honest, the Mora always gets the most use, even if it's just the little Companion. Thanks for the video, well done!
I love my B.O.B. I found that the weight is perfect for that sized knife when it comes to chopping small branches. I have smaller hands, and find the feel and shape of the handle fits very well. No "hotspots". Used it to carve a spoon out of a piece of Ash during my last camping trip last Autumn. Very comfortable during the entire process. Edge was still very sharp after carving. Didn't baton with it, since someone else brought an axe, but totally confident that it can. I absolutely recommend this knife for people looking for a field craft/survival knife.
I have a B.O.B. but I find it to be a poor blade for processing game as it is too thick. A purchase I wish I had'nt made. Otherwise, it is a nice knife.
Good insights. I've been thinking about a quality bushcraft / camp knife for quite awhile, and you've sold me on the ESEE-4, over the TOPS B.O.B., but, I am going for the modified handle version.
I have All three of these knives. My favourite is the LS by far. The BOB is a great knife as well, I have two complaints however. When using it for extensive periods, you`ll get hotspots on the "finger guard" area and the jimping is a bit too aggressive when using bare hands. The 4's handle feels a bit thin for my taste, but the overall package with molle backing is great, very complete. The LS is my vaourit for it`s overall size, blade profile and multiple grips the handle accomodates.
I would agree with "It really comes down to personal preference." I own all three and my personal picks in order: 1). Laser Strike, 2). Esee 4, and 3). The B.O.B. I really enjoy all 3, but I find all 3 of these are uniquely different in application.
Thanks for the side by side objective and subjective comparison. I have small hands, even for a female, so the handle measurements are much appreciated.
I went for the laser strike. I got it for 100, it stays sharp all day, and the weight lets it hack through limbs with ease. Love my esee, and they have a replacement warranty no questions asked. I could take a hammer to it and they'd replace it.
Heck, most of the these knives are built like miniature tanks, but as far as my investment goes, I love the fact that if something happened to one of my esee's, I could get it replaced with a new one. Btw, I'm not dissing Tops at all, as soon as I can scrounge some extra cash I plan on getting one, merely wanted to put this info out there for ya Ben. Keep up the good work man!
I think the BOB is a field craft knife that you could fight with if you needed to, and the esse is a fighting knife that you could survive with if you needed to.
Thanks for your insight here! I'm with you... I can't seem to get out the door on a trip without 5-6 blades kicking around in my bags. It's a strange curse.
I´d have another question, maybe you find the time to help me out one more time? I really like my new Laser strike (Ergos, dimensions and so on), but have to say: It cuts really bad when it comes to biting into wood. Did you hear that People who purchased the knive had to modify the grind angle (making it steeper) to turn this blade into good cutter? Would appreciate your help again.
I'm right with you on this one. I should have mentioned in this video that I bought an Izula awhile back, but never got around to using it until a few weeks ago. It soon became painfully apparent that the Izula is not made for big tasks. And that's when I started shopping for something bigger...
I am mostly a hunter and the esee 4 has felt great so far. still waiting to take my first deer and process it with the 4. Recently traded for a laser strike and getting used to it more for work and bushcraft. i do want to get some more rounded grips for it tho.
I love Esee knives. The lifetime warranty sells them for me. I have the Esee 4 and love it. It does hard work in the fall it lives in the combine (grain harvester) plant matter can get bound up in turning parts plugging the machine and needs to be cut free. Anyone that's ran a a farming machine would know how bad green plant material can wrap up to an almost rock solid mass that only a serious fixed blade can deal with. I also have the esse 5 which is a beast of a knife if that doesn't do it you'll need an axe or machete.
I AM enjoying it! I love the way it fits in my hand, batons, clips to my pack, makes all my dreams come true, etc. Seriously, I'm super satisfied with the purchase.
I was debating between the ESSE and the BOB in the end I went for the BOB for a couple of reasons the first and foremost was scandi grind, the scandi grind is my preferred grind for bushcraft and is the easiest to field sharpen, the other reason was the fire striker being inside the handle which I just find stupid on the ESSE.
owned a ESEE-4, terrible handle, sold it. it's a tactical knife, meant to be carried on web gear, that's the only explanation I could fathom for the short and thin handle. The BOB would be my choice out of these, seems like a more well rounded outdoors knife.
i have the esee 4 and the handle is way too small. it feels good until you have to actually use it. if it were an inch longer it would be perfect. just be careful, when your finger is next to the edge you will get a little cut when you squeeze it while working. i had to remove about 1/8" from the rear edge. however, its a great knife for hiking and its strong as hell. i have put mine through hell and it hasnt failed me yet. it would be perfect for someone with smaller hands not a 6' tall person. maybe a woman. im glad you made this video because i was looking at the bob. its exactly what i was looking for.
I was looking for a fixed blade and do to the 0121 getting discontinued I decided to buy it from you guys while it was real cheap. In my opinion it was a steal.
Looking at the date of this... but the B.O.B. has way more variety than maybe you knew about. Mine has the G10 green black handles. Also the coating is set to about half the blade which makes it easier to get through wood, which was intentional in the design. Those things alone make the BOB a better piece of gear.
So the fire gear is under the handles as in take them apart to get to it?? Hmm to much of a chance to lose the screws in the field. Cool idea but im not sure myself if I would make that choice.
I've been considering getting an Esee 4 (as a birthday gift from my wife, so I need to decide soon) but I was also considering the other two knives in this video, but even while thinking about it all day yesterday and after watching this video I'm still leaning towards the Esee 4. I don't own any of the brands in this video so I can't decide based of experience of brand or warranty. With the Esee LS I don't really care for the handle design or the removing of the scales to access the ferro rod because one could quite possibly lose one of the screws especially in a emergency situation and dexterity was lacking.
I'm not liking the serration on the ESSE 4 which you didn't mention along with the other two knives sheaths; but over all it looks to me like a Goldie locks scenario with the BOB being just right; for me. Thanks for an otherwise nice compro. I wish there were more multi knife compros like this one. VERY HELPFUL! thx.
Hey Ben, something to think about as well is the warranty on those blades, being a proud Esee owner ( Candiru, Izula II, Laser Strike, and Junglas) I have a lifetime, transferable, no questions asked warranty( no sales receipt is needed either!) and they will replace my blades if they just happen to fail somehow. I've read the Tops warranty and it seemed pretty standard as far as warranties go, but they seemed a bit more strict on what qualifies for it. Now you my never need the warranty ----
I'm glad you went with the ESEE 4. As a back packer and not a bush/fieldcrafter you wouldn't have been happy with the BOB. Food prep and light chores at camp the ESEE 4 is a good knife. I opted for the BOB because I enjoy the Bush/fieldcraft aspect. Food prep with the BOB is more difficult. ESEE 4 doesn't chop or cut wood as well and the handle is shorter. The LS is in between though I don't own one. YET I'm a scandi fan, but for food prep -flat grind. I like as many knives as I can carry lol
Thanx for the comparison! I got one question, maybe you could help me out: Just received my new laser strike. On one side there is just a hair of a gap visible between the scales and the tang (really minor, but noticeable compared to the other side). Is this normal with this knive, maybe cause there are no liners, or could this be an issue (since water might get into the recess inside the handle)? I´d really appreciate you help
Run of the mill kydex sheath? Going to have to disagree. It's one of the better ones out there No rattle, plus you can lock the knife into a closed position inside of it. Quite frankly, I'm ticked off I had to spend extra at a 3rd party website to get a kydex sheath as good as that one for my ESEE 6. The laser strike and the 5 come standard with that great sheath. The 6 gets plastic that rattles.
My picks were in this order the ESEE 4 then the ESEE laser strike the Tops BOB is all right but it is not balanced like the ESEE and the BOB has a scandi grind. With the ESEE there are many of different handle choices as well. I own all 3. Happy Birthday!
As long as we are simply talking "opinions", in MY not so humble opinion, my LS with the coating removed is just about as perfect as she gets. I integrated my washer for grip removal into the sheath so it can't get lost. Grip, hand positions, weight, blade shape and thickness, edge holding... again, IMNSHO. Blessings....
I would recommend the tops Bob that grind really helps in skinning, wood carving, baton wood and if used correctly the fire starter really does work. That's just my opinion
I went with the Tops Brothers of Bushcraft, and I'm very satisfied with that purchase. High quality, and attention to detail. I can't say that for ESEE. Frequently there knives have missing powder coating or thin spots. Attention to detail, to me, means higher quality.
You must be looking at counterfeits? (several counterfeit sellers on Amazon alone) Missing powder coats and thin spots?! I don't believe that at all. The knifes are American made and have an iron clad guarantee that doesn't facilitate sub par quality control.
Jonathan Ross Personally, I run a Bark River Bushcrafter which has a similar feel to the Spyderco, so I'd go with that one. The ESEE 4 is great and a lot of people love it, it has a slimmer handle and the micarta is a bit more tactile and a wider blade, so take that into consideration when purchasing. Hope that helps, - Mark
It has been 18 months since this video. Did you get ESEE 4? How did you like it? I am in the market for a fix blade, not much in survival in the woods but survival in the city. That's "it is tactical fix blade which I am looking for. ESEE 3 was my choice until I saw your video.
* Blade shape & grind type needs 2b addressed. What jobs are you needing the knife for? That BoB is a scandi grind, which sucks 4 camp food prep. Laser strike has that wonderful Kephart spear point shape, good for drilling. It has a flat grind with that hideous paint coating. I'd check out the Esee PR4---> Great goldy locks size, high saber grind & black oxide coating with a sharp 90° spine.👌👍
The esee 4 is a great knife. Light weight, 1095, great to carry for hiking, camping, bushcraft. BUT I honestly want a B.O.B; The esee 4 tip of the knife broke off on mine. Now it was not enough of a break where it was worth sending back. but I don't see that happening with the B.O.B.
Hey Shandelear. I hope life is treating you well these days. You're right, we do have a large list of knives we don't have in stock. While I realize it's a little obnoxious, there are reasons we do it that way. If I was king of the world, I'd do it differently. For now, we have to get by with the way it is.
Say Heah, First of allI like my choil's on the blade. The 4 1/2" blade is ideal especially when I pair it off with a big brother. I like a Saber Vex Grind this way it's sort of a in between a Mora and a Camp Knife. I also like to take a Folding Saw and a Hatchet. This way I could handle almost anything short of building a cabin. But when I scout a area and look for fatwood and a hot cup of coffee on the open fire. I like a 5 1/2"-6" blade plus my Folding Saw and Hatchet/Axe. But I think everybody should have a good 4 1/2" blade in their stable. I've been surfing the Tube to start selecting some tools for my up-coming events, just light touch up since I put away all my tool's in very good condition. But, Yeah, I think you picked a good choice. The longer blade is what I use when scouting. But to just use a 4 1/2" blade as a primary knife even with a Saw and Hatchet might be a bit too small sometimes. But I know guys do it. I just like using the tools for the right job, it's as clear as mud for me, heh heh heh. And If I was ever in a Survival Situation I would love to have a 7" knife on me, that's why when I multi carry, I like to carry the larger knife on person. So far my go to knives are my Rodent 4 and my Rodent 7, and either my Modde Rodent 6 which I had the blade thinned down and the top gaurd taken off, or if I want to go lighter my Rodent 5. Thanx for showing this video. It really helped me alot. Good job, Thanx.
I'm not a fan of things stored in the handle. I just don't want to be in the field and taking handles off my knife. You can guess what could go wrong with that.
These are all great knives. But to be honest, perhaps knife makers should concentrate on blade steels and not niche features like fire starting. If Im in a survival situation, I'll appreciate an awesome steel on a full tang, before some stupid hole on it's scale.
1095 is an awesome steel for this application.super steels are the worst thing in the world on a survival knife. Every esee out there can be touched up on a flat river rock or car window or coffee mug or various other items. You end up in a survival situation with a dull knife that you can't sharpen and you're gonna feel like you took a branch straight to the butthole!!! Cause you'll be screwed!!!
The ESEE 4 has the most comfortable handle/grip. I absolutely love it. It's great for tactical use, prying, etc. However, It's NOT the knife I'd want in the woods (yes, I have one sitting right here). The BOB with the scandi grind, has a less comfortable handle (for me) but is a much better woods knife. I don't own a Laser Strike. The ESEE 4 carries too high of a weight cost for actual benefit in the woods. Hell, I'd rather have my SRK in the woods over the ESEE 4. Sure, it'd work in a survival pinch, except for striking a firerod unless you remove some coating, get the plain model, or use the blade edge. There are simply better options available for use while camping/hiking/backpacking.
I bent mine in 4 days Batoning firewood with myTOPS-B.O.B and now it is slightly bent..?? Building shelters splitting wood batoning.. No more batoning i guess?? Unfortunately, this is not covered by the TOPS warranty. TOPS Knives
I asked him in person two weeks ago if he would go out and film with me. He was hesitant and I'm not sure why. I'll try again with him when I see him next.
You mentioned it was for your bug out bag. I realize some people do not care for larger knives, but you have to consider one very important thing. If you have to defend your self, those little knives are not ideal. There is a reason the Kabar USMC was designed to have a seven inch blade. I have all kinds of knives, little bitty to large kukri's, but in my bug out bag I carry four seven inch blade knives, because there are four people in my family. Those little knives would have even more of a problem in the winter if some one or some animal has it's winter coat on :-)
The KABAR (fighting knife) sold today is an ineffective cheap copy of the ones I held and used from my dad's era . Broke the pommel cross guard on it within hours of testing it just as I had done with a VN era blade. Not criticizing your 7" inch blade choice, to me its overkill, but perhaps it suits your need. I am in central TX and just came back from Alaska where I spent a month. I learned a great deal there on concepts of application re surviving that bush. Came back with an Ulu and still use the ESEE 4 with it. As well it is an odd thing to me that the Fighting knife in question has been called that, but hasn't been the case since WWII. Read the warranty on both knives and you will see why I chose ESEE (4, 5 , laser, and Izzy). Be safe and carry more than one. Best wishes BoJericho
Texas Outdoors to me a Kabar USMC is a great combat knife but not a survival knife at all. If you're trekking in bear populated areas I would carry one though.
