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ESEE makes a ton of different knives, all purpose-built and extremely tough. They also all look very similar, making it somewhat confusing for people who are just getting into their first real fixed blade. So I have compiled a list of some of my top choices for best ESEE knives that you can buy today.
Key Takeaways
- Best Overall ESEE Knife is the ESEE-4PB-017.
- Best Budget ESEE Knife is the IZULA-II.
- Best Premium ESEE Knife is the ESEE-3.
- Best ESEE Knife for Survival is the ESEE Junglas.
- Best ESEE Knife for Bushcrafting is the ESEE Camp-Lore Bolieu RB3.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: ESEE-4PB-017 Fixed Blade Knife Natural 3D Micarta
- Best Budget: ESEE Izula-II Black
- Best Premium: ESEE-3 Fixed Blade Knife 3D Black
- Best For Survival: ESEE Junglas Survival Fixed Blade Knife
- Best For Bushcrafting: ESEE Camp-Lore Bolieu RB3 Bushcraft Knife Micarta
Best Overall: ESEE 4PB-017 Fixed Blade Knife Natural 3D Micarta
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If there was ever a “standard issue” survival knife, it would be the ESEE-4. Renowned for its incredible toughness and build quality, the ESEE-4 has solidified itself as the go-to knife for bushcraft, survival, and military use. The steel is made from a solid stock of 1095, a steel engineered to maximize toughness at all costs. To minimize the natural drawbacks, ESEE powder coats their knives to reduce nearly all risk of corrosion. The handle design is also fantastic on the ESEE-4. It’s big enough to accommodate any hand size, and the Micarta keeps the knife stuck to your hand even when it’s wet. It’s hard to argue with the value that the ESEE-4 provides, and I have to say, it really is my personal favorite ESEE knife in their catalog.
Best Budget: ESEE Izula-II Black
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The ESEE Izula-II is not only one of the smallest knives that ESEE makes, but it is also one of my favorite fixed blades of all time, specifically for everyday carry. Its short 2.8” blade covers all the bases for what an EDC fixed blade should and is also short enough to not slow you down. You can carry the Izula-II as a neck knife or clip it to your belt like you would any other fixed blade. If you are wanting something significantly more tough than a basic folder for EDC, then the ESEE Izula-II is exactly what you’re looking for.
Best Premium: ESEE Knives ESEE-3 Fixed Blade Knife 3D Black
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Although I chose the ESEE-4 as the best overall ESEE knife, it was a toss-up for me between these two. The ESEE-3 is a fantastic knife and splits the difference between the Izula-II and the ESEE-4, giving you a full-sized CPM-S35VN blade to help chop through anything that gets in your way, while also keeping the overall size and weight down. I think the ESEE-3 is the most balanced knife of the ESEE lineup. And because of the more durable G-10 scales and the high-end S35VN steel, this is easily the most premium knife that ESEE makes. Although some might laugh at that, I think it’s a testament to ESEE’s knowledge of how to make a purpose-built tool that meets the needs of a variety of different users. The standard 1095 steel that nearly every other ESEE knife is crafted from has been surpassed by more modern steels in terms of performance, and ESEE fans have been wanting a more “high-end” option. This was their answer.
Best For Survival: ESEE Junglas Survival Fixed Blade Knife
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There’s been a debate over the years about whether we should call the Junglas a machete or a sword. It looks a lot like a machete, but because it has nearly a quarter-inch-thick blade, that makes me think otherwise. The Junglas was designed to fill, all at the same time, the role of all three main survival tools: a knife, a machete, and an axe. The Junglas will chop better than a knife or a machete and will still function extremely well when doing smaller, more light knife-cutting tasks. It’s surprising how useful the Junglas is. It is definitely not “just a chopper.” It’s a bullet-proof chunk of steel that would help anyone survive in nearly any situation.
Best For Bushcrafting: ESEE Camp-Lore Bolieu RB3 Bushcraft Knife Micarta
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Although almost every knife that ESEE makes could be a great option for bushcraft, the Camp-Lore Bolieu is a clear standout for one main reason, the Scandi grind. This blade grind is similar to what is on an axe and is the best option out there if processing wood is your most common use. The Scandi grind bites into the wood in a way that a flat or saber grind just can’t. For bushcraft, this is exactly what you’re looking for. Other big benefits of a Scandi grind are that it can hold an edge longer and it’s more easily sharpened than other types of grinds, if you know what you are doing. If you are more inexperienced at sharpening, then a Scandi ground knife is probably not the best option for you. They sharpen a bit differently, but once you get used to it, you can actually sharpen it with a wide variety of methods. The blade grind isn’t the only reason that I chose this as the best bushcraft ESEE knife. The handle shape is extremely comfortable, and designed to minimize fatigue over long periods of use. Overall, if you are specifically looking for an ESEE knife to bushcraft with, this is my top recommendation.
How To Choose The Best ESEE Knife
Choosing the best ESEE knife comes down to a few things, mainly personal preference, and your intended use case. If you are looking for an EDC knife for hard-use cutting tasks like on the jobsite, then a medium-sized knife like the ESEE-3 may be the best option for you. If you are looking for a knife that can handle most light to medium cutting tasks in a small form factor, then I’d probably go with the smaller Izula-II. Once you have a good idea of your intended use for your knife, it all comes down to price, material choice, and what suits your lifestyle.
Why Trust Us
I’ve had the opportunity to work behind the scenes for many knife brands and distributors during the past four years. I’ve carried, tested, handled, and purchased many knives from basically every brand on the market. I have extensive experience with ESEE knives. I’ve distilled my personal experience and preferences into a solid list of the best ESEE knives that I would trust day in and day out. I will never recommend any knife that I haven't either personally carried or have some form of hands-on experience with.
Final Thoughts
ESEE makes world-class survival and hard-use fixed blades. If you decide to pick one up, you won't be disappointed. However, they are usually a bit heavy and on the large side. So make sure you are prepared for that. There are so many other companies out there making incredible knives. But ESEE has solidified themselves as the go-to brand in the outdoor space for a reason. And one of those reasons is their warranty. If you break it, they’ll replace it. No questions asked. Another huge value add to their already incredible products.
FAQ’s
Question: Who uses ESEE Knives?
Answer: ESEE knives are mainly used by people who require extremely tough tools to do hard work outdoors. They are also commonly used by military personnel all over the world.
Question: What does ESEE Knives Stand for?
Answer: ESEE is an acronym for a combination of a Spanish term and two English words. The pronunciation is “S” “E,” which means Escuela de Supervivencia (School of Survival), Escape and Evasion (ESEE).
Question: Which ESEE for Bushcraft?
Answer: The Camp-Lore Bolieu is my favorite ESEE Knife for bushcraft because of its balanced design and Scandi ground blade
