I just got the Esee 4 a few months ago and I really like it. I removed the coating on the blade and put a patina on it after and have not had a problem.
Sweet blade Doc! I love my ESEE 4 which I’ve had for a couple years now. I finally made myself a leather dangler sheath for it and I love it even more. It is my EDC fixed blade of choice. I also have the Junglas if I’m feeling like Crocodile Dundee! I must say that out of all of the channels out here man, I love the humility, relatability, respect and kindness that you portray in all your videos.
I love my esee and the Randall adventure training or aka rat products that I have had a chance to play with. My edc is an esee izlua 2 that I have used for almost everything you and throw at it from field work to kitchen work. Holds an edge better then most of my other knives in the rotation. The blade coating makes it almost maintenance free.
i love my esee knives i keep em shiny and happy with food grade coconut oil, are there "better steels" sure, but its a very reliable and serviceable blade. its my absolutely my most grabbed knife before almost anything else, beside my rapala filet knife but they do different jobs. i did grind out a 90 degree flat on the spine but i normally leave the rest of the coating.
Thanks Dr. Ernie for another video. I have the ESEE 4 and stripped the coating off of it. I forced a patina on it using warm vinegar and mustard. I like it better now, but it still is not good a striking a ferro rod.
Im a big fan of the esee 4. It has been my go-to outdoors knife for a few years now. They do make a stainless steel version but they do clearly advertise its more prone to breaking.
With paws, how were you able to type this!? What am I talking about.. not like you can read either.. talking to myself, here. Well.. this is awkward… *pats head* ..good kitty.. 😬
The Esee 4 is a good working knife. About the coating, I think it is possible to order a version without the coating as well as other steels. And, then there are the different versions available. In short, if you know what you want beforehand, you can get exactly what you wish for.. Thank you, Ernie!
I bought the orange ESEE4 too awhile back for $99.99 on Amazon. I stripped the coarse coating on the blade but left it intact under the handle scales to prevent corrosion underneath the scales I then forced a white vinegar patina on the blade making it look battle worn & so far no rusting at all.
Congrats on the ESEE 4! I have several of their knives: Izula II for neck knife, ESEE 3, 4 and 6, all purchased and customized through The Knife Connection (TKC), My only "complaint" is that they don't put a 90-degree spine on them, but my Worksharp took care of that! Regarding the finish: I also don't care for it so I removed the finish and forced a patina with vinegar. Scales: I bought all of these knives prior to ESEE coming out with their 3D scales, so I replaced all of them with scales from TKC.
People are buying the 4 only to realize the handle is too short and super slick . If a handle doesn't feel good when it's freezing cold and while wearing gloves, you'll hate it. Nice review, thanks & all the best.
I have an Esee 6 with the 3d scales and it is my favorite fixed blade survival knife. The powder coating doesn’t bother me except that Esee should make a bare spot for a ferro rod. It wouldn’t be that hard to do and it’s a pretty important survival feature. The dimensions are perfect, not too thick and not too thin. And 1095 is the right steel for a survival knife.
I had the Esee 4 with the modified handle. Liked the handle shape, liked the knife shape and blade length. Wasn't that bothered about the powder coating on the blade. But this is why I eventually got rid of the knife, I found myself having to sharpen it all the time, I wasn't doing anything crazy with it, just that the 1095 (whilst I understand all the reasons why Esee use that steel) seems to me to be a bit too soft for regular and frequent use. Finally, living in the UK means that Esee knives are very expensive for what you are getting. I'm using Joker knives from Spain and I think for me anyway, they are a better all round knife.
Ernie, what are your thoughts on the esee 4 since you did this video couple years ago? Im looking at the esee 4 and the esee 4HM at the moment. Im debating on what to buy??? Have a good week. 🇺🇲🔪🔥🌲
I believe ESEE knives evolved from the Ontario RAT series, same builder or something, moving on but don’t hold me to that. Anyway the Ontario knives are essentially the same knife at half the price with that same 1095 high carbon steel. The coating is because high carbon steel corrodes easier than stainless. That doesn’t bother me much as I much prefer the edge it keeps over stainless. My daily carry is a folder with D2 steel. Even better edge but a bit “brittle” compared to 1095 which as you show is a better choice for splitting wood! I am sure I will kick in the “which steel is better” argument but this is my humble two cents (-:
Not the same knife by a long shot, nor is Ontario anywhere as close as the folks at ESEE. I can tell you the ESEE 100% values there customers and are by far the best group of people in the business.
@@Outcaste153 Fair enough. They are great knives. I have one. But I also have had great luck beating my RAT knives without failures. Many balk at even $80 for a RAT knife much less $200 or so for an ESEE. Maybe just suggesting a cheaper option? Still 1095. Still full tang. Made in USA. Still works well. I’m not seeing a downside. Customer service is important. Haven’t needed CS for my RATs though so can’t say Please let us know if you know of an upside to ESEE over Ontario. I truly would like to know. Out
@@TimM762 I'd say this go follow them and see how they handle things as people and a business. I'll say that I've seen them warranty a knife because the user sharpened it to nothing and it broke. There isnt any company that would do that. Sure you may spend more but your getting way more in return, not just the best warranty out there, but so are the people in the company. Again don't take my word for it look for yourself, at there Instagram account or most videos involving there products, they alot of times they reply to comments in those as well. And I'm not talking about solely there RU-vid videos but those made by other content creators.
@@Outcaste153 And also in all fairness, Ernie was testing the ESEE 4P. That is one of their less costly knives at $105 street value. Great value! I’ll stop boring you all now!
Looks a lot like my BK-16. Blade length is the same as is over all length. The only difference is the BK-16 came with a really crappy sheath, which I replaced with a nice leather sheath. Not a fan of Kydex.
Love my esse 4. Have a bunch of Esee blades. Found that the extended handles from The Knife Connection to be way better fit for my xl hands. Out of all my esse blades I love my 3 and my 5 the most.
I have several ESEE knives, the oldest being 15 or more years old. They are not inexpensive, but they are worth the price (especially for the No questions asked, forever warranty). P.S. At one point you called it a kydex sheath, it's not. Kydex sheaths are available from multiple sources, since these are popular knives.
Very good Ernie, seems like a good knife but I mostly use folding knives. I have a Cold Steel Recon 1 with a 4 inch CPM-S35vn blade. I think it could do a lot of the tasks of a fixed blade, I know it can baton wood because I’ve done it. For light duty I have a Ruik P801 with Sandvik 14c28N steel and 3.5 inch blade which is a good budget knife at $30. Please review some folding knives too!
Not my knife, simply said. Checked the one of a friend and wasn't overwhelmed. Don't like the coating nor the sheath. And else, well, it is a knife and does what knives commonly should do, not less but also not more. I own a Izula, which is ok, but keep it usually as backup in the rucksack. Instead I use for similar tasks and situations in which I would use the Izula mostly a very similar knife, the Sanremu 7130, which had cost me in those good old days not even half of what I had spent for the Izula and has a fine sheath which is not so bulky as the one of the ESEE. ESEE's overseas prices are also one of the reasons I don't like this knife here. I buy my knives usually in Europe and whiles I could get such a orange one in the USA for 110 USD I would have to pay in Europe for the same model at least 160 Euro (=180 USD). That makes no sense.
It looks like a really nice knife Ernie. 🔪 I have always wondered about them . I have lots of Mora knives and I also have a couple Marttiini knives . You should check them out I think they are very under-rated. Great video as usual Ernie! Take care and stay safe my friend!
Love the Esee 4. Got one in the 1095 with standard handles and one in the stainless with the contoured handles. Only complaint is the coating on the 1095, thinking of stripping it and putting the acid patina on it. The coating is too thick and too rough making it catch in certain situations where the stainless slides right through.
? Much ? I'm not sure about the coating , ar least from the standpoint of striking a spark ! In an extreme survival situation You would be either scratching off , or You'll suffer the consequences ! Simple solution carry a separate stryker !!!!
I agree 100%!! I bought the 3 and the 4 several years ago. The handle is simply to small for my hands!! I hated both of them! Bought scales from The Knife Connection. Wow! What a game changer! Now, I LOVE these knives!!!!!
ESSE knives and most things ESSE are mediocre at best in my opinion and way over priced mora GARBERG carbon does everything and most things better but that said you cant have enough knives
I have a esee4 1095 that needs to go back under warranty. Its the biggest pile of trash . it has never ever held a edge. Ive shown it to other knife makers and they say idk what they did. But they screwed that up. Maybe it missed being heat treated. I finally snapped it. There 1095 is pure crap
@@montanaplease mine was legit, they replaced it with another. it was purchased from 1 of their suggested suppliers. this one is better, i still wouldnt buy another at least in 1095.
Everything this guy did with the demo could be done with a Walmart knife. It’s long term use that matters. As for the steel, imo proper high carbon steel is best, unless you are going to just use it occasionally and it may rust in between. Gotta say, since I saw the "review" on the whisper lite stove, I’ve started to pay more attention to this guy. He’s a bit of a scam. Just table top reviews, dressed up like something else.
Well said. Especially true about the comparison to a Walmart knife. Even a butter knife can be made razor sharp to do a few basic chores. But it's not going to perform long term or be reliable when you need it most.
