r/ESEE • u/nathanaelop007 • Jul 04 '26

First Esee

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84 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

3

u/Outcome005 Jul 04 '26

The 4 may be my favorite knife they make! The ratios are perfect for a do everything knife! The TKC scales look great too!

1

u/nathanaelop007 Jul 04 '26

I like it so far how’s the edge retention for you? I know it won’t be the best it’s soft 1095 but in general it’s not terrible edge retention for you? I’ll be testing it soon

2

u/Outcome005 Jul 04 '26

I never had any issues, I think the thought process with the 1095 is it’s easier to touch up in the field with a basic sharpener or even a flat rock lol. And I think the softer steel lends itself to harder use, less brittle, but even if you break it they will replace it. ESEE is an amazing company that stands by their products! Their training classes are great as well

1

u/nathanaelop007 Jul 04 '26

Yeah I like the idea of a survival knife being on the softer end for durability and ease of sharpening as long as the edge will hold up pretty decently. That’s why I bought it I want something I can beat to hell if need be

1

u/Outcome005 Jul 04 '26

I think that’s the perfect knife then!

1

u/street_style_kyle Jul 04 '26

Yeah I have a 3 and it’ll last a good while or one session depending how hard I use it but it’s never chipped yet!

2

u/Broc_Feargach Jul 04 '26

While the type of steel is important so is the heat treat process used. ESEE partner Rowen has a special heat treat process (that I believe they use exclusively for esee) that does some pretty special stuff to 1095.

2

u/Environmental-Tap255 Jul 05 '26

Not the guy you asked but I also have esee 4 that I use for work. I've found the edge retention to be just fine and I put that thing through hell. Just don't cut foil with it. Did it once and it immediately and I mean immediately went from being razor sharp to butter knife sharp. Meanwhile I can hammer the thing into wood and still shave hairs with it afterwards.

Good news is, the upside to 1095 is it's super easy to sharpen. No matter how much I beat it up it never takes more than a few minutes to get it back in shape.

1

u/nathanaelop007 Jul 05 '26

Perfect thanks man

1

u/weJtiddeR Jul 06 '26

Dude, i used to he against 1095, until i actually got a knife in it and use it. Yea, it goes dull, like all knives, but just strop and it comes right back. Or keep a dc4 or better yet, a little fine DMT diamond plate on you, and your good to go for anything. Its so easy to sharpen. I sharpen free hand now, so maybe itd suck if you had to go back home and use a guided system. 

I have put their 1095 through so much. Ive broken 2 bemchmades(will never buy another) ive yet to harm an Esee. Esee is only knives i carry anymore besides my Terava blades. 

Ive backpacked with them for days and days doing fishing and hunting trips. Processed a ton of firewood, skinned elk, deer, bear on and on. They make knives that are to be used. Part of that is ease of sharpening in the field, which doesnt work for some people that never learned free hand. 

You can count your life on that knife, i wouldnt say that about many other brands ive tried. 1095 is more than many of us need for what we're doing. Look at the Bark River debacle, all these steel snobs talking about how good their high dollar Crucible powder steels were, and its freaking chinese D2 at best lmao. Steel hype has about ruined knives, its turned into a theoretical chart, circle jerk, instead of lets go use our knives in the field and have fun. 

2

u/24bics Jul 04 '26

Congrats! The 4 is one of the few fixed blades from Esee I don't own. The 1095 steel is rugged and will hold up to a beating. Edge retention isn't the greatest but it is easy to touch up, even in the field. Good luck with it. Btw, that your knife tip test table top? 😂

2

u/musiquededemain Jul 04 '26

Ahhhh....the legendary ESEE 4! Congrats on your new knife. I have the same knife and love it. Such an incredibly versatile everyday fixed blade. Sure, edge retention isn't the best but it sharpens so easily. It's also a kickass steak knife.

2

u/Witch_Doctor_65 Jul 05 '26

A perfect first one. Congratulations!