ESEE CR 2.5 Knife: Tiny Knife, Lots of Function - I Love This Thing - 1095 Steel, G-10 Handles

Shout out to SMWK.com - thanks for sponsoring this video.
I've been looking at the ESEE CR 2.5 for a while now, and after using it, I can tell you I like it and plan to use it a lot more in the future. 1095 for your steel, very cool G-10 handles in Blaze Orange, and honestly - there is a lot of function in this little knife. Check it out and let me know what you think.
LINKS to SMKW and this knife:
- smwk.com
- www.smkw.com/esee-camp-lore-c...
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BUDGET-FRIENDLY ITEMS I RECOMMEND:
1. The Mora Craftline Basic 5 11 - amzn.to/2Lf2M4A
2. Mylar Blankets - amzn.to/2LLVtk9
3. UCO Stormproof Matches - amzn.to/2XFvZfF
4. Light My Fire Fire Steel 2.0 - amzn.to/2S9lKuc
5. Stanley Stainless Steel Cook Set - amzn.to/30w6nih
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SOLID SURVIVAL KNIVES:
1. ESEE 6 - amzn.to/2S6STGN
2. Ontario Knife Company Rat 7 - amzn.to/2NK29lr
3. Benchmade Bushcrafter - amzn.to/2LOcTga
4. TOPS Kukri - amzn.to/2LcLwgc
5. Mora Garberg - amzn.to/2Ju9W2T
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SOLID EDC KNIVES
1.CRKT Squid - amzn.to/2NL32KL
2. Benchmade Griptilian - amzn.to/2S5nx38
3. Spyderco Tenacious - amzn.to/2XAFBbz
4. Ontario Knife Company Rat 2 - amzn.to/2S7UewO
5. CRKT Fossil - amzn.to/2LOd8b4
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SOLID EDC FLASHLIGHTS
1. Streamlight Microstream - amzn.to/2LLGjLW
2. Olight S1R Baton 2 - amzn.to/2S42Zbe
3. Thrunite T1 - amzn.to/2LLCruh
4. Thrunite TC15 - amzn.to/2NMwXSA
5. Fenix PD35 TAC - amzn.to/2Jr95Qd
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OTHER SOLID SURVIVAL/OUTDOOR TOOLS
1. Bahco Laplander Saw - amzn.to/2LKInUo
2. Corona Folding Saw - amzn.to/2LM4r0P
3. Mechanix Gloves - amzn.to/2xGgRPF
4. Large Firesteel - amzn.to/2JvQX8d
5. Pocket Bellows - amzn.to/2S84wNG
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SOLID BAGS
1. Vertx EDC Commuter Sling Bag - amzn.to/2XAGO2B
2. Maxpedition Valence Tech Sling - amzn.to/2XFU8mc
3. Vanquest Mobius - amzn.to/2LLHPO8
4. Vanquest Envoy 13 Bag -amzn.to/2S67cvj
5. Helikon-Tex Bail Out Bag - amzn.to/2S5nTH0
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POPULAR VIDEOS:
1. Car Survival Bag - tinyurl.com/CarSurvETV
2. 10 Lies About Survival - tinyurl.com/Top10SurvETV
3. 10 Survival Knives - tinyurl.com/10SurvKnETV
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[@RandallsAdventureESEE]

This is still my MOST fielded knife.....small in size but still covers the vast majority of my cutting tasks and is always handy! Thanks again for a great review!

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Glad to do it - and glad to partner with you all.

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

The best small, fixed blade I've used for moose and elk hunting .

[@VortymLichbane]

Dammit, I didn't know I needed another knife until I saw this!

[@dwstrange334]

Great vid Pastor. I agree with you, a compact and useable knife is a lot of fun and invaluable as well.

[@janpen78]

I own and love this knife. Modded the handle scales, and the sheath. Very useful.

[@byakko6645]

Always love the Esee knives 😍

[@barrybueler3356]

Cool little knife great for backpacking looks like a great backup knife to or great for just playing with in the backyard 👍

[@thegreyghost2789]

The thing about a small knife is that you will always have it with you cause its easy to carry whereas the large "survival" knife will most likely be left at camp while you go out to collect firewood or water and if you should lose your way on the return (and its more common than most people think), your trusty workhorse is not present when you need it. I would sooner have a small cutting tool with me at all times than the best survival in the world sitting back at camp.

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

I love this comment. This is wisdom.

[@thegreyghost2789]

@@EverydayTacticalVids Thanks Tim

[@devatwell334]

Except up here in northern Canada ul be takin the bigger tool Incase of grizzly or polar bear and Timberwolve attacks

[@thegreyghost2789]

I agree@@devatwell334

[@gingebrien2408]

Yes siree. It is an awesome little knife. The RB3 is one of my all time favorite knifes of all time.

[@brianmiller6055]

I've been known to carry an old Imperial Frontier 422 when I'm just going on a day hike. It's small, but can handle anything that I might need a knife for

[@troymanning3150]

Wow I like that! Never even considered that knife until this video. Gonna pair it up with my Esee 6. That should make a great combo. Thanks Tim.

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Troy Manning Glad I could help out, Troy.

[@houghton.era.outdoors]

I love smaller thinner blades lately. The cr 2.5 is amazing!!!!!! Great perspective

[@darrellbowen1582]

Awesome review ! Ive been thinking of getting one for squirrel hunting . I believe it would be fantastic at cleaning them.

[@DanielKezar]

Very nice cinematography in this video. Awesome!

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Daniel Kezar thanks Daniel

[@almollitor]

OK. Thanks to this review, I asked for one for my birthday. I haven't used it yet, but it sure is a beautiful little knife and sheath.

[@dalew515]

Nice knife! I do like esee knives! That's a nice sheath that comes with it. Thank you for the video!

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

dalew515 thanks for watching Dale

[@suewho2302]

I use a small fixed all the time. My favorite is a murray carter neck knife or a graham razel.

[@robertherek4020]

I've carried the Cold Steel Pendleton Mini hunter in VG1 for years as my EDC knife. As a trucker it is perfect size and durability. Used it to do most of the gutting of a button buck. Small knives like the mini hunter and the esee you showed are very under rated. It's a shame since they are a God send for so many things. Recently upgraded the mini hunter to the 3v version. Looking forward to seeing what use and abuse it can hold up to. I keep my larger knife in my pack generally and have the mini hunter on my belt at all times

[@charlescollier7217]

Nice review Tim. I don't have this particular knife, but I agree that a good small blade can do a lot for you in the outdoors. Personally I prefer one in a stainless steel, because I use them for detailed carving as well as food prep. Most days, whether outdoors or in, I neck carry a Cold Steel Mini Pendleton Hunter, and it gets a LOT of use.

[@punchfukker3383]

I do the exact same prep work with an old Old Hickory Paring Knife for a tenth of the cost of that ESEE, _so!_

[@jesusjonas7860]

I regularly use a "victorinox SD" and this one 💓

[@timbo4374]

Nice size for a fixed blade EDC, or as you said, piggy back it with a large knife like the Junglas or ESSE 6 or 7. Although I love big fixed blades, there absolutely are times that a small blade like this rule, like fine carving or dressing out small game or fish. A little expensive for what it is, but ESSE does make good quality, and of course, you will pay for the name on any popular branded knives like ESSE or Tops.

[@thorsbeat]

My small knife that I use mostly is the mora light my fire and the Becker BK 13

[@suberblackiron]

Damn that little knife is awesome I've been carrying a CRKT minimalist Andaman carry for about 2 years and half always carry with me....but might end up getting this one and rotate them once inna while....

[@Jerry2406]

Nice knive , i use a cold steel pendleton Lite 3v with my Sog pillar cpm s35 vn 👍

[@clintwalker5804]

Awesome little knife to team up with a Junglas. 🍻

[@thui7889]

The swiss army knife huntsman is all anyone really needs for non hardcore backpacking or hiking. That and a hatchet if you want to take it a step higher

[@OldPackMule]

What a great backpacking blade. That would be nice with a neck/clip. It is rather expensive for what it is. Thanks for the idea.

[@scottneedleman6511]

Not compared to the Benchmades and other knives in it's class

[@samcole2381]

Just ordered one

[@bradnat05]

I really like small blades. I have an Izula 2 with TKC scales and Charlie Cline leather sheath. Also a Bark River Bravo EDC. The CR 2.5 is next on my list! Looks perfect for small game & fishing

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

brad armstrong Excellent. If you like small blades this has been a great one for me.

[@casualcamping3776]

You can't go wrong with an Esee.

[@bernardweaver2416]

I agree, a compact knife is the way to go. If you need to process wood use an axe , saw ,or machete. I run a bk24 and a 12" golok. Some might balk at the stick tang in the golok, but it works great and is insulated from the cold.

[@oleskoolvp]

wow your from my neck of the woods. your right sometimes some knifes work out better. my best edc knife is a cheap one from amazon. looking at it you would never think it would be good.but hands down it makes some of the expense one look bad

[@ThePartyWreckers]

I had a long layover in SLC today and I made a trip down to BladeHQ (sorry Smoky Mountain Knife Works) specifically to get this knife. Great knife and a great review! Looking forward to using this on a pheasant hunt this weekend

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Let me know what you think of it for sure.

[@nomadicbushman2933]

I carry a Mora 2.0 as an edc. Love it! Use it daily, and outdoors its partnered up with a 2hawks Voyager tomahawk. Great little combo.

[@49giants3]

Looks like an overbuilt paring knife. I like it

[@mistersmith3986]

I love it. Gonna buy one for my girlfriend's pomeranian dog🐩 Thanks for the video my Bladed Brother⚔️

[@joshuagenovese36]

Will definitely invest in one of these, I can see the value this small blade will bring when doing bushcraft activities

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

GenoveseOutdoors AnAverageJoe Great little night. Highly recommend it.

[@joshuagenovese36]

@@EverydayTacticalVids thanx, cant go wrong with an Esee. I own the Pr4 and it works very well. Want this lil knife to do even better finer tasks, like making notches and such . Plus it has that look and shape , what can I say, and the warranty, you cant go wrong

[@seanwhite304]

This knife reminds me of Havalon Piranta. If they make S35VN version of this it will be an awesome hunting knife . I'd get one for sure in Black Oxide 1095 & S35VN

[@kb2zya]

Great video

[@skibbiethegamecat9057]

I recently decided to try and carry a small fixed knife on my belt instead of a folding pocket. I am not Rambo so I wanted a smaller knife, but when I use it, I use it often so it couldn't be strapped in too tight. I ended up choosing an Azeria for its nifty holster like sheath. While the knife is great for me, perfect for what I wanted it for, and has immense utility, it's often judged and snickered at first because of its looks and size before ever being held. I love my new small knife, maybe a new trend will start with edc micro knives.

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Skibbie the GameCat Good deal. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@maritimespook]

Very Cool Tim ! Kullcraven showed me that pitch trick too ( he doesnt live far from me ) great lil knife Esee Rocks !! :;,;;; Cheers !!;;:,,, Spook

[@100BearPaw]

I do have this particular knife, but I carry my little swamp rat mega game warden more. It is simply due to the wow factor, and that it’s literally indestructible. Which eases the mind. Other small knife I like that’s more practical is the Krein Bushcrafter. Now that is dynamite. Meaning it packs a punch for its size. For a folder, I like the Tops small scandi trekker and/or folder I think they call it.

[@jim9121]

Hi Tim thanks for another great video. I have a mini bushlore and a cold steel mini Pendleton I have extra large hands but the mini Pendleton is very comfortable it's not the best looker with its secure ex sheath but it carries very well and is light yet a very capable small edc. I'm sure Probably not as nice as your 2.5 but I think the mini Pendleton is a budget gem that is often overlooked.

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

steel loving you Good deal. Can you send me a link to that one from Amazon?

[@jim9121]

www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Pendleton-Hunter-Knife/dp/B00U1I9PZ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542548952&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=cold+steel+mini+pendleton&dpPl=1&dpID=31ca9wmvH1L&ref=plSrch

[@jim9121]

Hi Tim on Amazon there are two versions of this knife the link I sent to you should be the one that has the slightly longer handle wich is the model I have and love. I only have a small collection of knives there all budget , condor moonshiner being my most expensive. The sad truth is you and I both know we could get rid of all are knives and get a mora basic 511 and live happily ever after but there's more fun to be had than just limiting ourselves to just a 511? Aesthetically the mini Pendleton is ok I don't like the looks of the sheath but functionality is almost perfect , sitting , getting in out of cars, getting knife in out of sheath while wearing and working hardly ever notice your wearing it. I love the looks of leather sheaths over kydex/plastic /fnr , like I said before , I love my mini bushlore but I don't edc nearly as much as my mini Pendleton. I can't see the mini Pendleton when I'm wearing it , out of sight or of mind and the blade is way more useful on the mini for edc and it's lighter. I'm not a fan of cold steel all in all I was disappointed with a lone star hunter with fit and finish , problems with the lock pivot bar not seated properly also disappointed with micro recon . the other cold steels I have I love but the are caveats with each but I still love them , a pocket bushman with carpenter steel - while opening and closing are difficult I like it for intended purpose , a kudu , a magnum kukuri machete - but you have to put an edge on it yourself only paid $13 with sheath and a mini Pendleton hunter - my opinion is the sheath just looks ok but functionality and value are very good. I don't recommend cold steel and very few knives from what I have would I BUT I recommend the mini Pendleton hunter for all . I apologize for my incessant babble . Tim I love that you're a condor fan and look forward to seeing more condors they have so many now . well thanks again.

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

@@jim9121 good stuff - thanks for sharing this. I've got 3 more Condors in the mix - 2 knives, 1 chopper.

[@HarveySpectre415]

A small knife is just the right thing a lot of the time. My Mora Eldris is my most used non-ESEE product.

[@SpikeBachman]

We all love the big knives, but it's the little knives we use.

[@jkukurugya]

I was just at Smokey Mountain Knife Works this weekend (sidenote, stay away from that place on Black Friday, holy cow!). I did check out the ESEE counter not sure how I missed this knife tho.

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Jerome Kukurugya solid little knife for sure.

[@ronfry5851]

Yes Lebanon looks like a great little night thanks for your demo have a great day

[@robertacosta1293]

Dude this video👍🏼

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Thanks Robert

[@survivalofthefittest409]

Would be cool to see some scallops (is that how you spell it lol ?) on the scales, sense it is for dressing game. But over-all it is a very cool little blade. Each time I think ive got all the ESEE blades I wanted....."needed" lol...they come out with another *winner.*

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Survival of the Fittest yeah - some contour on the handle might be nice

[@survivalapache7331]

Jg3 with my esee 5 or 6 great system

[@archie1902]

Cool little knife. cant justify paying 80 bucks for that small a blade. the mora classic 2/0 is about the same size for a quarter of the price. I love mine. carbon steel with a Scandi grind. what you expect from mora.

[@AhnDhyYhu]

Tactical beef steak and apple knife. 👍

[@FidelCashflow_YT]

Hmm, I wonder if the Tops Msk 2.5 was made to compete with this or is it vice versa?

[@toto29er]

Hi there! Cr 2.5 or Izula II????

[@ocomegashadowstacking5886]

Awesome ESEE knife look just like a butter knife lol!!!

[@mikeparton4294]

If I’m going that small I’ll use my sak I love esse and there fairly priced but 70to $90 bucks don’t think it’s any better than the super tool or the Sak just my opinion hell the little mora 110 would work wonders for a bird &trout just convex the edge or micro bevel it.

[@Treestandtroubadour]

Should I get this or tops lion toothpick please I need help lol this is 85$ and the tops knife is 100

[@vinniesdayoff3968]

Small knives matter!

[@neemancallender9092]

you did not show how the knife grips in the hand it it a three finger grip with the knife resting in the palm?

[@davidwatchesyoutube]

I love my Esee Izula, but I've found 90% of the cutting tasks I would use it for can easily be handled with my Cold Steel Fin Wolf, Ka Bar Dozier, or Gerber Gator. This knife looks like an overbuilt paring knife, IMHO.

[@charlescollier7217]

That's a good description, and that size and general shape of knife works well in the outdoors.

[@ChaseAHawk]

All great small knives are underrated, because most people have not been in a situation where a small blade is king, skinning knives for example. Plus pack hunting you want every oz. to count, small blades for dressing game not bragging rights at a tail gate party.

[@ronr.53400]

Chase Hawk damnnnnn 😊🤘

[@4coopdawg]

Do they make a kydex sheath for it ? Thank you

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

ESEE doesn’t but there are aftermarket options. Check out blade hq

[@DamionJR4923]

I have the original cr 2.5. I like it I wish the blade was a little longer 2.75 to 3 inches or a little thinner. I do really like it. I find it not having a broad blade very useful.

[@johnkeck1025]

Just needs a kydex sheath.. then it would be perfect 👌

[@anibal1331]

Or how about a sub-$10 Mora 511? Will do the same and mora...

[@nickmiller3796]

Looks like a normal paring knife. Seems to be able to handle it though.

[@ronr.53400]

Nick Miller exactly 😁🤘

[@timpoe1015]

Try the Battle Horse Knives frontier first!!!

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Tim Poe interesting. I’ll have to check it out

[@brnobre4301]

👍

[@williamyoung369]

I like my #CRKT Obake for a knife that size.

[@jerrybobteasdale]

3.5" ESEE Ashley Game Knife Orange seems preferable to the 2.5"

[@EverydayTacticalVids]

Both are solid. I’ve not used the other one yet.

[@supernoobsmith5718]

I like it but am worried about sheath retention. That looks like a generic non-fitted sheath that a 5 year old might make as his first leathercraft project.

[@K_Tech64]

ESEE makes great knives (I own four of them) but for a small all-around utility blade, my favorite is the Mora Eldriss - although I'll probably be buying this one soon, lol!

[@DocRush7874]

I would by a 3.0. 2.5 just too short for me.

[@scottsmith6571]

Stitch gear outfitters can make u a sheath

[@timpoe1015]

First!

[@Donttreadonme-ky1ty]

80 bucks for this!!! No way. Better options out there for less $$$

[@ronr.53400]

Donttreadonme1001 yeshhhh 😁🤘

[@matthewshannon6946]

It looks like a really handy piece but even knowing esee quality, I think I'd be reluctant to pay more than $60-$65 for it.

[@DamionJR4923]

You can find the original stonewashed finish with micarta handles for $65-$70. It's a good knife. I actually really like the leather sheath. Most of my other fixed blades are either kydex or plastic so I like something different.

[@matthewshannon6946]

@@DamionJR4923 Hey- Thanks for the info! I'll look into it. Much appreciated!

[@elvarwinston]

If black = Tactical steak knife

[@latetodagame1892]

I got some really shitty knives from smkw.

[@dobypilgrim6160]

Lol. Mora.

[@rtoguidver3651]

1095 steel, I can make that for $10

[@dobypilgrim6160]

So can Mora.

[@rtoguidver3651]

@@dobypilgrim6160 ..There's more satisfaction doing it yourself. and it's easy.

[@ronr.53400]

R Toguidver now sell themmmmm 😁🤘

[@rtoguidver3651]

@@ronr.53400 .ESEE CR 2.5" Knife blade going price is = $80 - I have that much steel left over from projects, so that make's my cost about $2 for handle material.... When you pay $80 you're buying a name not quality..

[@rtoguidver3651]

@Erich Von Wachter .. .. ... So, You overpay by $80/$150, just for a name ??? I don't sell knives to rip people off, that's why you've never heard of me, you follow the crowd that think you're getting a buck for your dollar, all in the NAME of STUPID !

[@randycisneros4111]

Way over priced for the size you can buy three Mora knives for the same price

[@bogoljubdjordjevic7528]

80$ hahahha

[@preelenede]

Nice knife if it were in the ballpark of $30! 80 is a ripoff.....

[@theoutdoordude2259]

There is no way on god's green earth that I would pay $79.99 for that. No disrespect to your channel. Love your vids but esee is down right insulting us with that price. I wouldn't pay $49.99 for that. If I was to give any constructive criticism it be that you chose this knife to make a video of.