Knife Review: ESEE JG3 by ESEE Knives

In this knife review, I take a closer look at the JG3 by ESEE Knives. This knife was designed by James Gibson and is part of ESEE's Camplore series which represents some of their more camp and bushcraft focused knives.
As I always do during my review process, I put this knife to work in order to properly evaluate it. I didn’t, however, get the chance to do any field dressing with the knife, but due to the unique handle design and overall profile of the blade, I believe it would do quite well at this task (if you have used this knife for hunting and field dressing, please feel free to add a comment below). These same design features allowed it to do well with basic fire-side food prep, which I demonstrate in the video. The knife handled well with a wide variety of cutting tasks which I explored as I reviewed this knife, but I did have some personal concerns about the knife that I share in more detail in this video. As always, knives serve specific functions based on their design and the materials used, but there’s still room within all that for some personal preferences, and that’s always important to weigh in to which knives you carry.
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ESEE JG3: amzn.to/3630O3o
Other knives from ESEE Knives: amzn.to/3630O3o

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

ha ha ha, every time I watch this review I tend to start leaning back towards the ESEE HM3 or the RB3 for the same reasons you talk about with the handle narrowing at the front. I love my CR 2.5 with the narrow foregrip, but for a slightly larger blade I like more purchase. Great review by the way, watched it several times over the years.

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks for sticking with me and watching, Zeuki1! I wonder if the JG3 would start to shine more if I used it to field dress and animal-especially skinning in tough spots. Not enough curvature for what I’d normally like, but there are times when a more narrow pointy blade is needed, and then your grip benefits from a more narrow handle (like a caping knife, for example). But for most of my uses, I was in the same boat as you, I just always found that I preferred a different knife over this one.

[@steelfanatic918]

Another excellent review as always. Keep up the great work, Ryan! You have made my mind up on a few occasions, and you have been spot on.

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks Steel Fanatic. I’m glad the video have been helpful for you. Anything specific you’re like to see reviewed?

[@RandallsAdventureESEE]

Thanks for the review. That grind is actually called a High Saber Grind. We have that same grind on the PR4, Laser Strike and a few more blades. It’s a great skinner too.

[@AdventureRyan]

I agree with the grind being a high saber. I was trying to stay consistent with what's listed on ESEEKnives.com. And yes, I would have loved to be able to test out the skinning ability of this knife. The handle geometry, along with the slender, narrow blade profile, would all be very appreciated during skinning tasks.

[@RandallsAdventureESEE]

@@AdventureRyan that slipped thru the cracks....will see about getting that corrected on the new website!

[@AdventureRyan]

@@RandallsAdventureESEE Awesome! I'm looking forward to the new website. Keep up the great work!

Good review and beautiful country

[@jcknives4162]

Great review Ryan. More videos please... take a hike and bring us along. grin!~

[@AdventureRyan]

Sounds like a plan, JC Knives! More videos en route.

[@jcknives4162]

I hate to be selfish... I personally benefit from your video production of sauntering.@@AdventureRyan

[@AdventureRyan]

@@jcknives4162 Ha! I'm glad you enjoy the videos, and I also benefit from the Sauntering Ops--I'll keep it up for both of us!

[@ToughJourneyman]

Solid review 👍

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks! I hope it was helpful.

[@ToughJourneyman]

@@AdventureRyan You are welcome.

[@joaquin-jacknava2696]

Good review. I would agree it would be a companion knife not a primary one.

[@AdventureRyan]

For certain adventures that don't require a lot of knife, I've gotten by just fine with my Izula 2 (also from ESSE Knives). After working with the JG3, I found that it's almost too specialized as a small knife to be used the way I use my Izula 2--even though it's a slightly longer blade. So yes--great companion knife, but companion to which knife? That's another question that could be fun to answer. Any thoughts?

[@redbear_70]

That's exactly how the handle is for me, with my big hands. It's a great knife but you just can't bear down a lot with it before it becomes uncomfortable. The esee 3 is better if you want the same function, minus the 90 degree spine (you can always add that yourself though). Good honest review though, thank you.

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks, RedBear!

[@AKBoarder22]

Very interesting...i am tempted to make a purchase. How is it for haircuts? Id like to see you do a review for that please. If the results turn out well consider it mine.

[@AdventureRyan]

Hmm...I’ve never given much thought into what sort of knife would be best for haircuts. This one would cut some hair though.

[@Walterliquori]

I wish they made it in a harder stainless that stuff is soft

[@AdventureRyan]

It is quite soft. The benefits of that, however, is that it's more resistant to edge chipping and it also sharpens back up in seconds.

[@jcknives4162]

I don't think stainless steel is a good version of a steel blade. I have been making knives for over 40 years and D2 (a semi stainless) is far and away a better steel for cutting and slicing. The Chromium in the steel gives it some resistance to oxidation/rust but it has zero nickel so it isn't nearly as resistant as the variety of SS options out there. The problem with nickel is that it reduces the harden ability of the steel and is very abrasion resistant so difficult to sharpen. All of that said, the high carbon steels like 01, A2, 1084 etc will take a lot of abuse that D2 won't because it is a harder steel and so more prone to chipping when abused which is what Ryan was saying.

[@AdventureRyan]

@@jcknives4162 Thanks for sharing your wisdom. The finer details of knives and even metallurgy keeps me up at night--I love it!

[@Walterliquori]

@@jcknives4162 yeah 3v would be good 1095 the esee steel seems to roll.the size and shape to me in 154 cm would be amazing

[@Walterliquori]

@@AdventureRyan for sure.i love the looks and size of this knife alot