You’re probably not alone out there if you haven’t gotten yourself an ESEE because of the price tag. For the simplicity of design and materials used, the price of ESEE knives is ambitious, to say the least.
Their staples are G10 and 1095, both of which are budget materials. You can get a solid knife made with those materials for $20 or so. When the ESEE comes in at like $100, at a starting point (with a few exceptions), that’s a bit of a turn off.
But these are rock solid knives, and in many ways are worth the price. So if you’ve been putting it off, here are a few good reasons to break and just get one.
Simplicity
You know, this is something that often gets overlooked. There really isn’t a single ESEE in the whole darn catalog that’s going to turn heads. These are plain, generally boring patterns and profiles in stale colors and blade finishes.
Truly, the only thing eye-catching about these knives – and only some of them – is when they’re finished with the purple, orange, or venom green powder coat. By and large, though, they are black or drab.
The patterns are plain, too. They are mostly flat-ground drop point profiles, but you know what? That works. You could send one of these to hell and back and you’d probably come up for air before the knife did.
Their Warranty
One of the biggest selling points of ESEE knives, and a big justification of the cost, is the warranty. If you break an ESEE, send it to them and they will fix it. No sales receipt or proof of purchase is needed.
This is one company that really stands behind their knives. If you break it, they fix it, no questions asked. The warranty covers the knife for its lifetime and is transferable, by the way. How many other knives with price tags this ambitious will honor such a warranty?
Their Patterns Are Proven
Back to the knife patterns, which are pretty plain. They’re plain for a reason. A 3 to 6 inch drop point with a flat grind can pretty much do it all. They’re good camp knives, good game processing knives, decent for food prep, can split, shave, carve, and more. You can even use them as draw knives or chisel with them, if you make a maul.
Ergonomics
Get an ESEE in your hand and you will realize that these are remarkably comfortable knives to hold, and they balance well. Even tiny models like the IZULA and Candiru, which look like they’d be hellishly uncomfortable (especially if you have large hands) index well and don’t produce big hot spots. It’s really a thing of beauty, actually, and one that must be experienced rather than communicated verbally.
What Are the Best Models of ESEE Knives?
If you’ve gotten this far, chances are you’re thinking about getting one seriously. Perhaps you just need some recommendations. These are some of the best.
- ESEE 3: The perfect “everyman’s” knife, neither too large for small tasks nor too small for large tasks.
- ESEE 4: Indistinguishable from the ESEE 3 but for the fact that it is one inch bigger. Also a generalist.
- ESEE Junglas: One of ESEE’s larger knives, the Junglas (pronounced HOON-gluss) is great as a machete or a chopper.
- ESEE Izula: A tiny knife, the Izula is still large enough for hard jobs like batoning wood rounds or making camp furniture.
- ESEE Candiru: Smaller than the Izula, the Candiru is still capable enough for breaking down big game or carving tools, yet it carries with impossible comfort.
- ESEE Sencillo: The Sencillo is like the Izula but a bit larger, making it suitable for those that like the profile of the former but want a little heft.
- ESEE Churp: If you must have a folder, make it a Churp. These little slip joints are built tough and are endlessly utilitarian.
Where to Get ESEE Knives?
Interested in any of these ESEE Knives? You can learn more or get one of them online at White Mountain Knives – and they offer free shipping there, too.
