Despite the highly ambitious pricing scheme, ESEE Knives like the ESEE 3 and 4, along with smaller models like the Candiru and Izula are consistent favorites among users.
But what is it that makes these knives so popular despite the fact that they cost so much, comparatively?
Here are 7 strong selling points.
An Emphasis on Simple Designs
One of the things that no doubt makes ESEE Knives popular is the fact that the company is not invested in plumbing market interest in new fads like sheepsfoot blades, pocket cleavers, and hawkbills.
Their knives are more or less all plain drop points (with a few specialized exceptions) in very basic blade profiles.
Diversity in Sizing
While ESEE’s catalog really doesn’t offer too much diversity in the patterns of knives they offer, they offer a great deal of variety in the actual size of the knives they sell.
All the way down on the small end you have the ESEE Candiru which is small enough to make a pocket fixed blade, bordered by the Izula and followed by models like the Sencillo, ESEE 3, 4, 5, 6 and Junglas on the other end, which is large enough to be used as a big camp knife or even a machete.
No Frills
ESEE Knives are typified by their simplicity. Unlike so many other brands, you’re not going to catch ESEE trying to market its knives on the basis of a novel lock type or some special sheath retention. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – and ESEE Knives are “not broke.”
Solid Steels
ESEE also doesn’t use a lot of high-end steels in most of its knives. There are a few models made with super steels, but by and large their knives are made from 1095.
Is that a super steel? Certainly not. But it is cheap, it takes a good heat treatment, and anyone that says it’s not a good steel just doesn’t know what they’re talking about. You can beat the heck out of it, it takes an edge, and even though it’s soft, it’s very easy to resharpen.
The one catch, if you can call it that, is that it will rust.
Practical Carry Optics
A few select ESEE Knives come with leather sheaths, but for the most part they come with thermoformed plastic that offers a good friction fit. As basic as they are, though, they are MOLLE-compatible and can be rigged basically anyway you need, making them highly adaptable.
Bright, Protective Finishes
One of the great things about ESEE Knives is that, even though they are largely made with 1095, which will rust as has already been stated, the company finishes them with a highly durable powder coat that effectively seals them off from moisture and oxygen.
In some cases, highly visible finishes are available, such as blaze orange, purple, and venom green, which help minimize the likelihood that you’ll lose the knife.
Arguably the Best Warranty in the Industry
ESEE offers what is probably the best warranty in the industry, period. The warranty guarantees the knife against breakage, regardless of circumstances, and follows the knife for its lifetime, regardless of owner. That means if you give the knife away and someone breaks it, ESEE will still replace the knife, no questions asked.
Where to Explore ESEE Knives
Want to learn more about ESEE Knives before you get one for yourself? Take some time to look through White Mountain Knives to get familiar with the brand and then pick up one of their models for yourself. They carry a wide range of options, many of them from ESEE.
