ESEE 4: S35VN or 1095?

[@Bino_Means]

Conspiracy theory: Was the S35VN knife perhaps left in close proximity to a Huusk knife and infected by the contagion?

[@scottnelson5722]

Should probably have a sheath on keep at least 2 meters apart from another knife with the Huusk

[@firstjohn3123]

You're right, Some say HUUSK inferiority may be contagious...even sticky...hope he quarantined it wearing P.P.E. (Personal Protective Equipment)...It's all about Time, Distance, & Shielding...hopefully innocent blades may be saved...

[@d4mdcykey]

Ye gods, you're right! My entire blade-based worldview has been shattered.

[@firstjohn3123]

@@d4mdcykey 🤣

[@mikeappleget482]

I absolutely LOVE my Huusk knife. Huusk steel beats Magnacut every day of the week and twice on Sunday! #TeamHuusk 😂

[@tombrown4683]

This is why you, Pete are at the top of U tube knife channels. You are hard using these 2 versions & dont even worry about the warranty issue. Just great info from real world experience.

[@EricBrownWins]

I think esee deliberately makes their knives softer than they need to be so they are less likely to snap when KZbinrs use them as pry bars.

[@Dhari1]

Almost any factory knife has their grind way too obtuse, i.e. more than 40 degrees inclusive, because youtubers (Pete is already sailing against the trend) like to break them. It's what it is.

[@49giants3]

@@Dhari1that’s obtuse. Shallow would be less than 40

[@charlescollier7217]

Thanks for sharing this, Pete. I do hope you send it back to ESEE, if only to get feedback from them about what happened with that particular knife. Was it a flawed heat treatment or other one-off manufacturing glitch? Would love more information.

[@c3foto]

Totally agree. That would be very interesting, and maybe also a fair opportunity for ESEE to evaluate / make changes to their heat treatment etc.

[@ehehrawn5584]

Esee has a video where they break a 3 in S35VN. On the charts S35VN is better than 1095 in every way. I've never had problems with other knives in S35VN which leads me to question Esee's version of the steel.

[@andrewfournier8817]

Wouldn't AEB-L or 14c28n be better than S35 or Magnacut for this kind of knife? The 1095 is fine. but if you want to change their line maybe Magnacut on the Esee 4 and smaller, 14c28n or AEB-L as the stainless option on the 5-6, and 3v as an option on the 6 and smaller Junglass? But the Rowan 1095 works really well on the 4-6 and the machetes. I think the real gain would be a MUCH tougher stainless than S35 as a stainless option on the Esee 6. If our fantasy includes a Larrin steel, maybe Niomax? Magnacut, while tough at the edge, seems like it wouldn't bring enough additional impact and torsion resistance to knives larger than the Esee 4. I like S35 in folding knives- it's tough enough, stainless enough, easy enough to sharpen, etc. All things being equal I'd take Magnacut over S35 in a new purchase. But I'm quite happy with s35 on blades 4 inches and smaller- that don't get pounded through trees. It seems like simple carbon steels are perfectly good for larger knives, and that if we want to go stainless, we should lean hard into toughness over any other factor. Maybe actually use the 1095 Esee 4 for a while and see how easy it is to touch up in the field while using it and give us a longer use comparison?

[@adods9824]

Brilliant comment .. well do E! 😁👍

[@FPSRelic]

You should warrant that knife. You pay for that warranty when you buy the knife - no point in paying good money for a warranty that you won't use.

[@James-ke5sx]

"Esee warranty, no matter how many times they have been traded, sold or given away - no sales receipt or proof of purchase required. "

[@dlrmon1]

Would be excited to see Esee start using more steels...especially 3V. I’ve been beating on the latest Ontario Rat 6 in S35vn...I’ve been surprised at how well it’s held up.

[@DL-ij7tf]

The SOG Pillar is a "field knife" sized fixed blade in S35VN. I don't think there's much info on beating on them really hard but it's really nice looking. I'm curious how strong S35VN is in various fixed blades. I really like it as a pocket knife steel and some of the CS folders in it were more durable than a lot of fixed blades in JoeX's tests

[@dlrmon1]

I have yet to try the SOG Pillar. Would be a great field knife. My S35vn Rat 6 is rather ductile. I’ve had it bend multiple ways and spring back. It took a few trips for me to stop carrying the Esee 6 as a backup. The Ontario has now done the most fire prep of the two.

[@bobjohnson1633]

These medium size fixed blades are thick enough that strength isn't really an issue. S35 is a wonderful do it all steel on a fixed blade..not great on a thin flipper.

[@DL-ij7tf]

@@bobjohnson1633 Well the edge and tip of a knife is always thin. S35VN seems pretty tough for a powdered steel but it's primarily used in folders, which it's great for. Its main draw is its edge retention and corrosion resistance, not toughness.

[@dlrmon1]

Back in the day, Chris Reeves one of the developers of S35vn used it one there fixed blades. That led me to try a Bark River Bravo 1.5 in S35vn and it’s still my main outdoor blade. The Rat 6 in its thinner geometry was questionable at the time but has proved itself.

[@daveglarner2138]

I think it's great that they agreed to branch out with steel choice a bit, but it being s35, I'd be more inclined to want that on something smaller like a xancudo or izula. Something where I could actually benefit from that additional edge retention. With anything bigger, I feel like I'd be throwing it around a little more at that point and so the toughness really becomes a factor again. Probably a good idea to stay with the 1095 on those.

[@krissteel4074]

At least in my experience working with a run of S35VN- its a steel that does like to be pushed into that 60-61HRC bracket to maximise its potential toughness, that's sort of where it wants to be. If you go a little harder for something like aiming for secondary austenite at a higher temp it can reduce its toughness as well, but give you a little teeny bit more wear resistance, poorer corrosion resistance. Likewise if you go too soft on the hardening into the 58-59HRC its toughness is roughly the same results as the higher tempering, but a little better corrosion resistance and less edge holding. Essentially it has a sweet spot and it does like a cryo treatment prior to tempering, that does give a noticeable gain in hardness, but its a process cost which ends up on the customer as well. I haven't had any issues with rolling or chipping, high hardness at the highest recommended temperature soak, cryo and a fairly middle of the road tempering for hardness. Still use the prototype in the kitchen, its wafer thin, its got a severe and steep edge that 'could' roll if anything is going to roll and it hasn't over the last 18 months of being used 3 times a day on generic kitchen duties (often by some people who do bad things with knives) and that's just my observations. So my guess is that they opted for probably 58HRC on that one, its decently tough, still got its corrosion resistance for fishing trips and its got good enough edge holding to be worth the money, but maybe its just not tough enough to function in a role of an axe. If someone wanted a stainless to function well impacting into hard timber, S35VN isn't even going to be mentioned as an option, along with a great many other excellent stainless steels won't be nominated either. Not saying you can't use it to chop up Mr Gum Tree, its your stuff and your choice along with the fact it does entertain me when you do, but just my opinion I don't think it would work best there :)

[@bobjohnson1633]

Esee says they do 59.5. it works pretty well for me.

[@krissteel4074]

@@bobjohnson1633 Yeah its an all round good knife steel and I think its otherwise excellent because it's ok corrosion resistance, very good edge retention and in ok toughness. If you were to select a stainless for impact and toughness resistance you could look at stuff like Z-FINIT, CPM-154, AEBL and Nitro-V all stands up to a good amount of abuse being belted into things. But, not as good at being a knife for cutting as S35VN. I think also to be fair we should take into the edge geometry, like a 4-5mm thick stock of S35VN is going to stand up to impacts with a convex grind than it would with the high-flat grind. But you might sacrifice a bit of cutting performance on some materials with more metal behind the edge.

[@adods9824]

Gold! Are you an Aussie mate? 😁👍

[@krissteel4074]

@@adods9824 Yep I am

[@adods9824]

​@@krissteel4074Mr Gum Tree gave it away. I am Adelaide S.A . KZbin is amazing! 👍

[@danielwendell542]

I have an ESSE 6 that I have split, hammered, and beat on as a fire knife, shelter building knife, and now farm do all knife. It's 1095, and I have had no issues with the edge ever. It is factory bevel, and stropped/sharpened as needed. A bomb proof knife!

[@EC-dz4bq]

well esse themselves said they prefer the 1095 in all their testing... they only did the sv35n to please people.

[@JohnLocke1776]

My Esse 6 was bent to a crazy angle when I first was learning to button wood, a piece way to big. I got the knife out and it bent back on its own

[@acid6urns]

their 1095 is soft as baby shit

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

​@@acid6urns I have the orange G-10 ESEE4 & edge retention sucks even the 420hc on my Buck119 is better.

[@jesseadams45]

I think I remember the owners breaking a s35vn one when they first came out. I think they said something like "if you want indestructible use 1095 and if you want SS, it's not as tough" or something like that to paraphrase. It's been several years ago though.

[@mlwarrior]

1095 is less tough than s35v at the same HRC, though.

[@CNYKnifeNut]

​@@mlwarrior This is the knife world, sir. Objective facts aren't welcome here.

[@jackjohnson291]

@@CNYKnifeNutLol, absolutely not. Hype and rage rules the day! In all honesty, they were open and clear about the results early on (which I appreciate). I just wish they would have gone with 3V or something comparable, but if you’re conscientious about use, the S35VN is entirely appropriate.

[@andrewfournier8817]

@@mlwarrior I wonder about our use of "toughness," though. It seems to pan out on issues like chipping. But it doesn't seem to give great predictions on the effects of torsion, or torsion and impact combined. I keep seeing "tough" stainless break where even a modest carbon steel like 1095 won't under mixed twisting and pounding stress. So I'm starting to think that CATRA toughness tells us a little less than we have been inferring it does. It's something I've been watching for while, and this is just a theory. But this theory does explain things- like Esee breaking their s35vn 3 on stuff their 1095 3 didn't really notice

[@stalememe6407]

@@andrewfournier8817 Its probably becuase esee's 1095 is heat treated super soft (55-57 hrc) while their s35vn is the standard 60hrc.

[@thedangerisreal]

The Splitting Hatchet by Stihl will blow your mind. Legit. Do a review please! Thank me later!

[@stuartb9194]

Even pine knots can be pretty harsh on a good edge and cause rolls or chips

[@BoneDangle69]

Dude, pine knots are no joke. They can get super hard. I've seen them wreck the edge of an otherwise great axe, ruin drill bits, and deflect nails from a nail gun.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

When I bought my two ESEE S35vn blades I went for the smaller Izula and 3,. These are my EDC blades and I use them mainly for slicey functions. They work very well in that regard. 3V or AEB-L would be wonderful in the ESEE 4, in my opinion. Also my opinion because I don't know this but I suspect that ESEE/ROWEN went with s35VN because it is a USA manufactured steel. I could be wrong, as always. lol

[@krazmokramer]

But that S35VN looks so much better than that orange 1095! Ricardo Montalban once said, through Billy Crystal, "It is better to look good than to feel good." Doesn't that count here?? Your Redgum sounds similar to the Osage Orange, or Hedge as we call it in Kansas. Very hard but burns hotter and longer than any other local wood. Throws LOTS of sparks when burning so best in a wood stove rather than a fireplace. That dangler sitting on your bench looks really nice. How about sharing its origins and where to get one like it? Thanks Pete!!

[@jb7707]

Pete, i liked your mallet baton idea so much i ordered a cold steel "indestructible" Brooklyn slammer for the same purpose.

[@gregs7519]

I carry a Brooklyn Shorty with me every day. You never know when an impromptu baseball game will pop off and you'll need to bash some baseballs with it

[@d4mdcykey]

@@gregs7519 Apparently you are my neighbor

[@mikeappleget482]

@@gregs7519You EDC a Brooklyn Shorty??

[@gregs7519]

@@mikeappleget482 yes, in my truck. I use it to check my tires. Similar sticks are known as "tire thumpers"

[@gregs7519]

@@d4mdcykey 🤣🤣

[@nandayane]

Essee must have run the S35VN soft. I don’t think they like working with anything but 1095

[@thefunky_brassmonkey]

Just got an Ontario Rat-6 in S35vn, still havent test or used it much, but Im loving it.

[@SpartanJohns]

the ede angle on my 1095 ESEE 4 is at 17 DPS. I chopped, batoned and cut with it and no warps. I was always hesitant to get the S35VN versions. What I am thinking, is what you also mentioned, it might be less hard than the 1095, the abrasion resistance of S35VN will make it do better when cutting abrasive materials. I think it was the ESEE 3 that first came out in S35VN and on their channel they broke it when batonning. You could see that they were not too thrilled about S35VN but "the people" wanted it so they made it. Why did I enjoy the video so much? Was is the batoning? ...who knows... all I can say is: yes! it was the batoning😁

[@poncho151]

I have both of these in the Esee 3 format but haven’t really used the s35vn like I would the 1095. So I have wanted to see DBK do this exact comparison since the introduction of s35vn but even though they respect Esee, they unfortunately aren’t the biggest Esee fans, therefore I was glad to see you had done this video. Now I personally would love to see them drop the s35vn and instead just go 3v and 1095 as kind of a premium and budget line. Yes I know 3v isn’t a true stainless but it is leaps and bounds more corrosion resistant than 1095. Plus down the line if they want a premium stainless line, then introduce magnacut.

[@adods9824]

Yes! This!

[@Ruger44Redhawk]

I do not and will not understand the whole "batoning" of a knife thing. It's abuse of your tool. Like you said, use an axe for that intended use. We just got back from camping. Not once did I even consider splitting wood with anything. You know why? Because there is kindling, small and large pieces of wood all over the forest floor for campfire use. Everywhere you look.

[@simonstaub9870]

Until you have you no axe at hand or dont want to carry one around.

[@woistjulesgeblieben]

@@simonstaub9870yeah well… then you are not prepared for the job.

[@stalwart263]

I would do it as a survival technique. If I was a downed pilot and only had a survival knife. There is no other situation where its necessary.

[@EC-dz4bq]

not really abuse of the tool... if the knife was built with that in mind... maybe a cheap little flipper yeah...but not a long sharp piece of metal designed specifically to be forced through wood.

[@wolfsoldier5105]

IF you have a wood stove or fire place...Thats why I baton for just for kinlin...Just about any steel knife will do...Yea, its an overrated thing...

[@buckaroobunnyslippers]

The warp carrying that far up seems really weird. If Esee sees this I hope they send you another s35sn blade to do some more testing on. Hopefully it was just some fault in your particular knife. I like the rubber mallet idea. I use a Becker 9 for kindling, but always feel like a bit of an idiot using a log as the hammer here in the city. The mallet might be ever so slightly less concerning to the neighbors...

[@Daniel.Liddicoat]

It seems ESEE want to have their knives "field serviceable". 3V would take longer to dull, but also longer/harder to sharpen. I have an ESEE-4 in S35VN with orange G-10 slab handles.

[@andrewb5415]

Wrong? Maybe. Personally feel that if it’s warped above the edge it’s not your fault. The steel up there is the same thickness as before you put your edge on it. Does that make sense? Maybe not . Just my thoughts

[@billvan5219]

Good info 😊 I'm glad I choose my tops 1095 for "tougher" jobs

[@Doobie603]

I think it is the heat treatment, I have a White River FC7 in S35VN and even with a 20 degree edge and beating through logs I have NEVER had a roll like that.

[@porscheguy19]

I never go below 25° on my bushcraft knives (my best being Grohmann). I've found that at that angle, they work flawlessly, don't get damaged, and retain the edge the best by far. There's also an aspect of the grain and composition of the steel - granted, I don't know much about this, but it's why Sandvik can be sharpened to such a fine edge, while others (like M390, I believe) can't be sharpened to quite as extreme an angle. I would like to know more about it, because I think there are optimal bevel angles for specific steels... and this may be a major factor in edge retention that has been overlooked.

[@Dhari1]

Larrin Thomas, Phd in metallurgy, says geometry is key, even above steel. You are on to something. Especially if you don't baton (which you can somewhat ignore in bushcraft , e.g. use wedges) you can get away with very slicey degress. Modern steel is amazing!

[@DrFrankLondon]

1095 every day of the week, I love S35VN on all my CRK knives, which I collect, but my Esee 4 has seen a heck of a lot of abuse, but the 1095 is so easy to maintain downrange and perfect for most task's. Unless you need yo chop down bamboo or hard trees.

[@mlwarrior]

1095 is not a "hard use" steel.

[@martinerhard8447]

​@@mlwarriorit is when you make the blde thick and keep the steel soft xD just sucks then as a knife for knife tasks

[@adods9824]

​@@mlwarriorI think ESEE would very much disagree ...

[@aido1987]

The esee 4 is way too thick for its size. If you want something that thick then get the 6. And if you buy an esee 5 then I don't know what to say

[@martinerhard8447]

Neither! Since both are overpriced

[@JerryLoffelbein]

I think that was the conclusion (more or less) that ESEE came to. They were apprehensive on stainless, and broke or ruined some where their 1095 was fine. That could be a compromise they had with the toughness of S35VN, having to run it soft so it wouldn't break in some tests. 3V and Magnacut would be interesting options, but they're far from "field serviceable" steels (needing more time on more advanced abrasives) which take away from their survival goal or mission statement, so I doubt they'd replace 1095, but they're better fixed blade materials than S35VN for sure.

[@andrewfournier8817]

Yeah... 14c28n seems like a more reasonable stainless. Or AEB-L. inexpensive and top tier for toughness. AEB-L is, I guess, a little tougher; 14c a little easier to come by and less prone to corrosion.

[@bobjohnson1633]

Magnacut has no such problem with abrasives. There is no reason not to, other than availability, especially with how big their brand is.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

The problem w/ powder steels atm is price vs performance ratio. Unless your a steel nerd w/ disposable income youre probably not going to need such.

[@CNYKnifeNut]

Id love to see exactly how much of your collection you _need._

[@bobjohnson1633]

That's false. The cost of the steel will add $10-$15 to a knife. If it is an easy to use steel, like s35vn or magnacut, that will also keep the price down, while some other steels can be costly to produce or work on. S35VN is not expensive. Most particle steels are not. Most cost added for a new steel is working on a new steel. This can be alleviated by moving completely into that steel so everything is done completely in bulk.

[@OmegaCaldereroid]

Realities in real life scenarios, keep it up mate... You're doing awesome and comparisons are always appreciated.. The only S35VN I got is my para2...

[@mapleknot3]

Most people think the name of 1095 has to do w its .95% carbon content, however it's really the year it was invented. Come on esee/tops etc! Do better!

[@PLBW81]

So many interesting TOPS knifes but mostly 1095. Stryker Defender Tool in Sandvik or some decent steel ...

[@MB-jg4tr]

Pretty sure it's the carbon content

[@VortymLichbane]

Carbon dating

[@SgtSly]

I have an old school Ontario RTAK II, the poor man's Junglas. It's about 13 years old now and I have definitely hard used it the whole time. I rolled the edge about 10 years ago on some ponderosa pine and it is still going strong. So the type of damage your S35VN ESEE got is certainly representative of what 1095 may experience. Not an ESSE obviously, but I've had an ESEE 6 for about as long and I don't see a major difference between it and the Ontario.

[@Hectorszenshopedc]

very interesting view.. I look at it the same way.. folder knives pivots fail at extreme abuse for survival.. hhhmmmm s35vn looks good

[@Swearengen1980]

Depends on the knife and use. I love the ESEE AGK for skinning, it's literally the perfect size, handle, and mini Nessmuk shape. But 1095 sucks ass for skinning and requires constant touching up just to properly skin and process one buck. S35VN hands down for skinning. I really wish ESEE would use magnacut or cruwear; I'm cool with not getting the same warranty if they'd use better steal. The only upside of 1095, IMO, is that it's cheaper and easy to touch up in the field, but that cheap steal is why they can do the warranty they do. Really I'm not a huge fan of S35VN or 1095, so come on ESEE, catch up.

[@firstjohn3123]

My suspicion is that ESEE has a better grasp of 1095 heat treat than S35VN...it's a bit trickier, and MAY be a bit softer (while more abrasion resistant.) 🤔 So it rolled. Still prefer 52100 over 1095...they've both been around for a long time and have had the kinks worked out of the heat treats. Many really know how to get the most out those.

[@theharvster5908]

Ive never bonded with bigger blades in s35vn or cpm154. Pain in ass to sharpen. Great for pocket knives though, or maybe izula size

[@andrewb5415]

Yay! I was just lamenting there was nothing to watch and then BAM! You released a video. Thanks!

[@sloanNYC]

Great testing. I believe ESEE claims 20 degrees default from them, but by hand, so it isn't precise. In their own videos they broke the S35VN version.

[@Eichhoernchenschreck]

According to ESEE the S35VN version of the ESEE 4 is between 59-60 HRC. (I've asked them a wile ago) Of course there is always the chance that something went wrong during the heat treating process or when grinding the blade. But I don't think that's the case here. This is a very short full flat grind with a relatively stiff blade. That puts a lot of stress on the knife when using it for batoning. Hard steel is still able to warp. Maybe you've just had bad look with one specific piece of wood this time. That doesn't mean you shouldn't baton at all, but stuff like this can happen. Only having one knife with you out in the wild is never a good idea. Nothing is bulletproof. Greatings from Germany. 🖖

[@tybertimus]

Not S35 but the predecessor, I have a knife in S30 that I've beat the crap out of and the edge hasn't rolled. I kept the edge a bit beefier than you did, though. Magnacut is a fine steel but I think it's getting overhyped right now, and the price reflects that...as a price-conscious person I'd stick with 1095 or S35 depending on how you're going to be using your knife.

[@2fast2block]

Only going by two knives from the same manufacturer, is not enough for me to say for sure, although you did the best you can. The reason I say that is, after seeing so many videos exact knives with the exact same steel from the same manufacturer, show inconsistencies. Then throw in how they say the QC was better at such and such date, where they were made, etc, just makes me wish there was at least 5 knives of each steel going through the same tests to get a better benchmark of it all.

[@j.p.4541]

Hey Esse and Tops 3V is calling your name!

[@VortymLichbane]

Shout out for the Brisa Kephart. Super thin 80CrV2 that seems to motor through anything without flinching.

[@ketodad]

Maybe not an exact replica (doesn;t matter to me) , but my favorite Kephart knife . Very good knife for the woods.

[@chriskitchen4772]

I have one, good to know.

[@charlesp9681]

Agreed about possibly using MagnaCut on a future ESSE blade. I saw another content provider compare the ESSE 1095 and S35VN, and saw similar results when hammering both edges against a cooking pan: the S35VN edge had small chips while the 1095 remained unscathed. Thank you for producing this video, it was very informative. I'll probably be sticking with my ESSE 6...

[@johnhurley4656]

Thank you. I cannot tell you how often I’ve looked at their knives wondering. I’ve got a clip-point Esee 6 in 1095, and now I don’t feel like I’ve missed out on anything. :)

[@BayouGrove]

Would be interesting to see how the S35VN performs with a convex edge

[@oxman1800]

To me 180 cuts for the 1095 is nuts. I’ll be taking my 4 down to 20 degrees now.

[@flying2lowAK]

I chiped my new esee 4 in s35 just debbarking a stick for marshmallows sad moment but I still like it.

[@davidaxman]

S35vn is not the toughest stainless steel. 14c28n, Aeb-l, 3v and such could be a better option.

[@stuartknight2174]

Hey mate, I am looking for the best home knife sharpener. I have tried wet stones etc, but no good. I am after one of those ones that you can set at a fixed angle …. Can you recommend one please. Ps. I live in Aus too.

[@Orochi_001]

I’m sure you know this, but the Izula line can be mounted horizontally.

[@shadowdance4666]

Even bricky knows if you're going to batton wood use something with a scandi grind

[@REAPER-1xxx]

Ppl have always make suggestions on what steels they should use like there’s a problem with 1095 for the last 13 years I’ve had one. It’s cheap to attain, they have the heat treat dialled, easy to machine and lives up to the reputation they have. From the user perspective it takes a keen edge, can be stropped back better than many newer steels, and if you went to far with it can easily be sharpened again in the field. It is the ideal steel for the knives intention and user base. The users of these knives aren’t gonna be able to maintain their edge in the field with 3v and magnacut. I don’t think Esee is too interested in knives the way your following is. Doubt they want to get into technical bits about metallurgy. Someone needs to be the Case knives of fixed blades and stay in the past. If it sells it sells. Ppl who know about the attributes of 3v would want a better design than these, maybe more oriented towards bush craft.

[@vb2162]

Why not both 🤔

[@adods9824]

Ahhhh, you think just like me! :-)

[@JohnFrumFromAmerica]

I think this is a fault in the heat treatment. Not a sharpening issue as it is outside the sharpening bevel

[@NZComfort]

Get both, in all models!!!! … I might have a problem…

[@MusicalWeasel]

Holy cow a premium line from esee in magnacut and 3v would be amazing.

[@wadejensen3301]

I think s35vn is a great steel...perhaps notbthe best Heat,treatment

[@c-mo313]

Body getting thinner, glasses getting thicccer ❤

[@MV-df8jl]

Don’t need to split wood, just use a propane torch, that giant log will light up no matter what

[@yankeesrule1176]

Thanks! This was a question I wanted answered. Looking for a small do all tough use knife. Now I know.

[@Berzilla]

what knife sharpner are you using in the video?

[@rickyricardo3551]

Talk about timing . I was just watching your knife brand teir list video and I was at the part about how you talked about esse telling people that the 1095 is what they should buy and not the s35vn. So I cant wait to watch this test.

[@o0FranklySpeaking0o]

Who is Australias ESEE dealer ?, should be easy

[@girthbrooks-lk9cq]

1095 hands down

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

When brickie starts wearing a hoodie, watch out!🧱

[@_BLANK_BLANK]

Sounds like its either soft, or they ended up with some retained austenite.

[@andreaburroni2213]

the only mistery here is how you can be that famous

[@danielcluley870]

The correct answer is Magnacut.

[@ArmoredCore5000]

I hear final fantasy music 😶

[@buggyduggy2431]

That is what I'd call bent. Did they heat treat it????

[@Hungrybird474]

Ar15 barrels are made out of 1095

[@JohnnyR.Bassilious]

is the esee 4 too thick to be a good slicer?

[@adods9824]

Yeah, pretty much

[@PileofBrass]

I disagree. It’s a perfect slicer.

[@joelg6306]

Get to the point sooner u talk to much bro

[@zoiders]

Have you got your hands on the ESEE Laser Strike yet? I like the profile more than than the numbered models. Someday someone will offer an inside the waist band paddle for bolting kydex sheaths to.

[@MB-jg4tr]

I have the PR4 and love it.

[@just9911]

I wish they would do a run in 154cm/cpm-154

[@ninemimesleft]

I'd love to see aeb-l or magnacut

[@MB-jg4tr]

I'm surprised they don't use 14C28N, it's a Great stainless steel

[@Dhari1]

@@MB-jg4tr Yup, I LOVE 154CM for slicing but for this knife 14C28N is way more suitable. It's tougher, easier to sharpen and just as stainless. Cheaper, too.

[@MightyRedHat]

Great video! I’ve been shopping Esee blades for a bit and this helps immensely!

[@MilkieBeargames]

I broke my mother's ESEE.

[@patriceb26]

Bonjour so which one is the best ?

[@kaizen5023]

I believe some S35VN ESEE blades have snapped under extreme abuse, whereas that almost never happens with the 1095.

[@martinerhard8447]

Cedric batoning is absolutly legit. There are pailing knifes especially made for that since axes are less suited for controlled splits. Where I lived they used to make shingling (tiles for the roof) this way

[@krazmokramer]

@martinerhard8447 FYI Cedric was a dog. Pete is the human in these videos. Just letting you know.

[@StevanOutdoor]

These warranties mean nothing to me. You pay for it but you can't order a knew knife once you're out in the bush and your knife fails. I do believe ESEE is keepinmg the steel on the softer side to prevent breaking. My food prep knife needs to be uncoated stainless steel, a good slicer and easy to clean both knife and sheath. My batoning knife can be coated carbon steel and I prefer a saber or scandi grind.

[@Dynotop1a]

If you just want a stainless ESEE knife, the S35vn versions are solid! If you are actually interested in or benefiting from better edge retention, go with a knife that makes good use of that in thinner geometry for cutting and a comparable steel. I recommend Spyderco’s Mule Team 2 (MT2) fixed blade in CPM-Spy27 steel. Similar grade of steel (bit harder probably ~62rc), USA Made, good boltaron or leather sheaths, for about the same price directly from Spyderco. The MT2 is full production, but you could also look into any of the available limited Mule Teams fixed blades for a chance to try a variety of steels from different foundries. Lots of aftermarket sheath and scale options too! I have three and I’m recommending them so highly based on my positive experiences and testing results.

[@jackjohnson291]

Another vote here for 3V, if anyone is keeping track!

[@cal.f.alegria1196]

Exactly, my dude!!!... That's what I've been saying for years. I love AEB-L steel, and correct me if I'm wrong, AEB-L is one of the most toughest stainless, right??? But it is not an American steel. I think that's why Esee didn't go with it.

[@klausheisler5014]

Not a fan of the standard esee 4 at all. Esee 4hm is my preference, it would be superb in S35VN.

[@Hectorszenshopedc]

yeah my s35vn roll and i got a different s35vn with a horizontal grind .. its suppose to be more premium mate.. yeah s35vn is tough not edge retention.. i got m390 and dull that until magnacut for the UTRLA upgrade

[@Mike-mi3yw]

I have never understood the fascination with esee knives. I mean I get the warranty and all but….. what’s the appeal? Personally I’d rather have a 3V, magnacut, 14C28N, or some other steel. Have a survive knife in magnacut and I love it…..the only con there is the wait time 😂

[@paullmight42]

wtf kinda bug was on that wood you were splitting 8:27 ??? typical aussie bushman...

[@cjt1982]

I'm curious, would you rather have 3V or M4?

[@CedricAda]

3v in a fixed m4 in a folder

[@zepedrofd]

Was looking at the Izula in S35VN a year ago. Just for the corrosion resistance, newer steel everyone was praising. Last minute I went for the 1095 black oxide...have not regreted my choice a single second since! Esee did a great job on that steel, it's tough and I have no rust issues...because I have enough respect to take care of my tools! I think I will get the CR2.5 next...again 1095, no hesitation!

[@DL-ij7tf]

Another data point loosely in line with what JoeX's tests tend to show: super steels have a risk of being too fragile, too hard to maintain, and overpriced. There's really not much to justify steel snobbery when 1095 makes a better knife

[@DL-ij7tf]

As an addendum, I think there is, or should be, a difference between saying "edge retention" when only "edge wear resistance" is being tested. Cutting a consistent material repetitively tests for the rate of wear of the terminal edge but doesn't take into account edge deformation. A really hard steel may cut more cardboard but if the edge contacts other high-hardness materials like metal or soil with rocks in it, it will chip easier and be far more dull than a softer steel which will only mush a bit.

[@clintwestwood3539]

Oof 😂 JoeX just shows which knives are bad knives, and I mean the one that surpass his “””tests””” (if you want to call someone going like a baboon and hitting a steel pole with a knife to test the edge retention a test).

[@Dhari1]

Easy choice. ESEE 4 in S35VN with the HM (modified handle. ;) Yeah, doesn't exist but should. Until then there's enough European blades in 440C or close with what I want - slicey with some toughness. An XL handle - which the HM 95% delivers - wouldn't break the bank for the premium you pay.

[@paulmarshall9189]

For a field knife to use for batoning and feather-sticking, 1095 and S35VN seem like pretty poor choices. 1095 at 55-57 might be OK for axes and machetes, but probably not so great for cutting stuff.

[@cmd2four]

Thank you for explaining and demonstrating why Esee is selling hard-use 1095 and standing behind its No-Questions-Asked Lifetime Warranty.

[@thomasschmid566]

Really good vid. In my opinion the cpm steels are often overrated especially when it comes to hard tasks. I have a s30v folding knife and this is doing a good job. For hard tasks i prefer carbon steel like 1.2235.

[@Dynotop1a]

Thanks for another great testing video!

[@mmiller73]

While ESEE still fully warranties their S35VN knives they will tell you that they are not recommended for batoning. They recommend the 1095 knives if you are going to baton with them. I have both versions of the ESEE 4 but I only use the 1095 for batoning and wood processing. The S35VN is used for hunting and camp chores like food prep.