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Hey, knife nerds! Today, we're diving into an ESEE JG3 review, specifically the Camp-Lore series JG3-BO.
Today, our star is the JG3-BO. It's like a cross between an Izula and an ESEE 3, with a touch of the quillionless bushcrafter's delight from the HM series. I said a bush craft, a bushy to the craft. See what happens? Wait until I discover catalogs and reading. This blog will blow up!
In This Article
- Pros and Cons
- Dimensions and Specs
- Design and Materials
- Handle and Ergonomics
- Sheath
- Comparison
- Field Testing
- Video Review
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The JG3-BO is like the lovechild of an Izula and ESEE 3.
- It's got a black oxide coating for better rust resistance.
- The handle is canvas micarta and comfortable as heck.
- It's got a high flat grind and a "more droppy" point.
- ESEE's warranty is idiot bushcraft-proof and unconditional.
- The sheath is well-made and doesn't ride high.
- It's great for hunting, fishing, or bushcrafting without looking like a Rambo wannabe.
Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|
|
Dimensions and Specifications
Let's break down the numbers:
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 7.625" |
| Blade Length | 3.50" |
| Blade Thickness | 0.13" |
| Blade Material | 1095 |
| Blade Style | Drop Point |
| Blade Grind | Flat |
| Finish | Black Stonewash |
| Edge Type | Plain |
| Handle Length | 4.125" |
| Handle Thickness | 0.54" |
| Handle Material | Micarta |
| Color | Tan |
| Weight | 4.32 oz. |
| Sheath | Leather |
| Knife Type | Fixed Blade |
| Brand | ESEE Knives |
| Model | Gibson JG3 |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Best Use | Camp/Hike |
| Product Type | Knife |
Did you know sheaths add weight? If you're an ultralight hiker, I recommend carrying the knife in your teeth to avoid sheath weight. (Don't actually do this. I don't want to be responsible for dental emergencies.)
Design and Materials
The James Gibson-designed JG3 comes in two flavors, both a little metallic. There's the regular JG3 made from uncoated 1095 carbon steel for all the patina lovers. Then we have our star, the JG3-BO, using 1095 carbon steel with a black oxide coating and an uncoated 90-degree spine. This one's more rust-resistant because it's covered in BO. (Get it? Black Oxide? BO?)
Compared to the standard ESEE 3, this knife has:
- A smaller side profile
- A high flat grind (not quite full flat)
- A slightly shorter cutting edge (3.2" vs 3.3")
- A different blade coating
- A "more droppy" point (a phrase which probably just caused about 7 people to stop reading)
For hunting, fishing, bushcrafting (or whatever people do to pretend they don't buy their meat from a store), 3.5-inch blades are a good compromise. They're not as jackass-looking as a Rambo saw back on your belt, lighter weight, and good for most camp tasks not named batoning.
Handle and Ergonomics
The handle, like many ESEEs, is canvas micarta and comfortable. Boring, well-rounded handles that fit various grips is something I like about ESEEs. There's a hole in the back for a lanyard paracord survival sculpture.
ESEE uses Allen keyed handles for easy swapping and removal. If they ever get beat up, buy new ones or steal them from someone. (Just kidding, don't do that unless... no, really, don't.)
Sheath
The sheath is a nice reddish-brown sewn and welted one, similar to, but not identical to, my PR4 sheath. It's thick and well-made. For the standard JG3, you can get a right- or left-handed sheath. This one's right-handed because I'm not a freak of nature. (Lefties, I'm kidding. You're all beautiful snowflakes.)
It's not a dangle sheath, but since it's a small knife, it works well and doesn't ride high. My grandpa always said a good sheath and a good pair of underwear never ride high. Or if you're going commando, you don't need to worry about either. (Ok, my grandpa wasn't into knives... and would have been ashamed of this poorly-worded joke.)
Comparisons
Let's see some knives!
ESEE 3
I like this one a bit better than the JG3 because of the handle and quillion. I hold a knife sort of like a child, and the proper finger guard and quillion are more friendly to my awkward fingers.
This one has some blade jimping, while the JG3 does not. It's also a little heavier too. It's not quite as big a knife as I like for batoning. You know, for hunting or fishing or brush crafting or whatever people do to pretend they still hunt and gather like the good old days.
ESEE PR4
This one is a nicer size overall and has a nice 90-degree spine. For ferro rodding. I still don't 100 percent love the handle. I'm more of a standard ESEE handle type guy... you know the type, right?
When a buddy returned my PR4, he had sharpened and stropped it. When I returned his Condor Swamp Romper, I think I left tree sap on it. See, that's the kind of guy I am.
Condor Tool and Knife Bushlore
This one is ok. I like this handle, but I'm a little wary about wood handles. I tend to whack those handles with my wood for batoning reviews. It's comfortable but not quite as stabby as I'd like.
Vangedal Rover
I love the flat grind on this Rover and the handle...also wood- but I have beaten the crap out of it. The sheath is also very nice.
Field Testing
For this section of the ESEE JG3 review, I got a new Ferro Rod from Silent Thunder Ordnance. It's 5/16 diameter and 2 1/2 long. We're going to start a fire with it.
First, we start with some wood for feather sticks. Can I do this? Who knows? Maybe it's just a pile of wood shavings. Then, we use the spine for some finer wood. This is the part that ignites the easiest because it's like cotton if cotton were wood.
Video Review
Conclusion
That’s it for this ESEE JG3 review. It’s a solid knife for those who like their blades, like they like their deodorant, and has plenty of BO. (Black Oxide, people. Keep up.)
ESEE has the best idiot bushcraft-proof warranty in the business. They're ready for dumb reviewers like myself who have used their warranty before. It's an unconditional, transferrable lifetime warranty. Did you break it beyond repair? Just send it in.
If you're reading this, James Gibson and ESEE (and I hope you're not), I just want to sincerely apologize. But the internet made me do it. So it's really not my fault.
Thanks for reading this ESEE JG3 review or whatever it is you're doing right now!
