Watch this BEFORE you buy an Esee 5

[@ClydeClemons]

Every esee video is the same. Everyone literally says the same thing lol regardless of model. We get it 🫠

[@MattRoseKnives]

Bwahahha you’re probably not wrong 🤣

[@salt-team-six5883]

@@MattRoseKnives I hear they dont stay sharp

[@joehall7883]

I have an ESEE 4 and while before I purchased it I read and heard that they stayed sharp, it's not been my experience. I think it's a great knife but mine, although I can sharpen it easily, does seem to dull easily.

[@mustafalang]

​@@salt-team-six5883mine stays pretty sharp.

[@thekamotodragon]

@@salt-team-six5883 1095 is easy to keep sharp if you know what you're doing. That's kind of one of the selling points of .95% carbon steel, it's decently strong and extremely easy to sharpen but rusts easy, and that's why knives like these come with a protective coating.

[@josephmcdonald764]

Too heavy? Sissy Boy, do some weight lifting! Do some push ups! Each some spinach! Stop drinking sissy cocktails! Don't drink so much Bud Light!

[@Gorvikk]

Okay we get it,, you're voting for trum

[@maxhoyle2134]

This knife does not have a 'flat: grind, it has an saber grind.

[@cagemasterson9652]

ESEE 5 is a Sabre Grind blade. 👍🏻

[@willford9205]

I HAVE AND LIKE A 5 ESEE , BUT CARRY A 6. IF I AM GOING OUT IN THE BUSH, I CARRY A ESWING CAMP AXE AND A 12 INCH FOLDING SAW. EVERYTHING POSIBLE COVERED THEN.

[@thomaswhite5928]

For those that want to chop with this knife, simply put a pinky finger lanyard through the glass breaker at the back of the handle. Never had it fatigue or slip out of my hand. As far as the bow drill divot, if your in a survival situation which this knife is designed for, and you've fallen through ice and your rushing to start a fire you'll find that your hands won't work for finer cutting tasks. Having the divot my save your life. If you want a camping knife this isn't the knife to bring, it's a survival knife.

[@requiscatinpace7392]

Nice to see some heavy scuff wear on a reviewers knife.

[@mr.delacruz559]

Love the Esse 5 And you’re absolutely correct I agree that the Esse 5 having the saber grind is such a big plus. Keep up the great work!

[@dlrmon1]

The original Esee 6 never bothered me I enjoy it. The extra width on the original 5 drove me nuts. I recently upgraded to the contoured handle on the five and it just transformed the knife. Love it.

[@Wichitan]

Imagine that you're a pilot downed in the ocean and you're trapped in a sinking aircraft. You now have to fight your way out of the craft to not drown. Are you going to complain that the knife is too heavy? Or that the MIL-SPEC blade isn't ground to your liking? Probably not. Matt, this is a nice review, but the ESEE 5 wasn't designed for you.

[@jetdr]

I have two ESEE knives, one is the 3 in 1095, the other is a 4 in s35v, both are great for what they are designed for, Camping/survival type of knife, they are not designed for slicing work, they are used to beat on. they excel at that. had mine for well over 10 years.

[@mickp1978]

I disagree, my 3 is a great slicer and field game processor. Cuts like a laser.

[@thomaslego1929]

The ESEE 5 was designed for helicopter pilots who are on mission in Southern America and are experiencing a crash. The glass breaker on this knife is designed to break the windows of the helicopter after the crash.

[@aurelius5837]

He basically said that

[@M60gunner1971]

But unless involved in a chopper crash, this knife is worthless? Please tell us more Terrence Hill.

[@BeefT-Sq]

@@M60gunner1971 There's always a smartass !!!!!

[@jetfighterpilot7949]

The unsharpened part is for a ferrow rod

[@thepatriot7153]

This guy loves how it feels in his hand, ( inspired confidence in knife). Then complains it's too heavy? Yes it's heavy,1/4" thick. I bet you he complains when his sandwich is too big? Or ,the AC is too cold? Lol.

[@vieuxacadian9455]

A whopping 1 pound ? Geez Kiddo. I have carried only My old USAF pilots knife and a hatchet since 1977. I have processed firewood / wild game with that combo than imaginable . Don't put too much thought into it sonny , grab something and get outdoors.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Fair fair

[@Gator-357]

I already bought ome before watching this video. Try again.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Oh no… I will definitely try again

[@Stump51]

These people that designed the knive knew what they were doing.do not need a cub bubbas to show them to make a do all knive.just sayin my friend.just sayin .i used to get butt hurt on why the things are designed the way are.they designed it perfectly.these people are smarter than you give them credit for.from an old buck to a young buck.

[@DonHamm3r]

Laugh if you will, but its great for food prep while camping. Cuts through bone like a clever, but can slice like a filet knife. ISH. Lol. Either way the 5 has never let me down especially partnered with my Rat 1

[@andyu5596]

just got another esee 5 i have esee 6 and izula 2. i love the thickness of the 5

[@craigcook1571]

I personally believe the essee is a lot stronger than the bk2, because it is not a skeletal tang. I have a bk2, and while a good knife, I would feel better having the essee in a survival situation than the Becker

[@dennisleighton2812]

3:39 On the grind: technically that is not a flat grind, as it does not go from cutting edge to the spine. It is in fact a classic sabre grind, with a secondary bevel. 7:34 Weight: that is an interesting one! I have a Cold Steel Trail Master - 91/2" blade, 5/16" thick (8mm), 14 1/2" overall and weighs 17 ounces. The only conclusion I can come to is that the handle material of the 5 is VERY heavy! OK, the TM has a through-tang construction so it is slightly narrower than the blade, so that accounts for some weight. The TM balance point of the TM is over an inch along the blade, whereas I'm guessing the balance point on the ESEE 5 is somewhat behind the front of the handle. This means the ESEE 5 is handle heavy and the TM is more blade heavy. 8:51 The ricasso - I just went and had a look at my TM and it is similar, except the ricasso is slightly wider than the 5, but the grind starts slightly closer than the 5! Interesting point. On the TM though, the loss is not of as much importance, as one has a lot of length to play with, whereas the 5 is very short so every mm counts! Good point! 9:29 Fully agree. If you have to have a bowdrill divot, then line it with metal (like the new Victorinox Venture Pro). But by and large for most people they would never actually make a bowdrill. As you said, that type of activity is for hard core old school traditionalists (and there is NOTHING wrong with that!). But, isn't it more traditional to do as you say and cut and shape one from wood? 10:31 Indestructible: Your earlier comment about how does one take this, is valid. There are many knives that are just as tough if not tougher. If you look up Cold Steel on KZbin they do a series of test on their Trail Master San Mai III blade and it is truly astonishing! On the weight - for a Big knife it is slightly on the light side, but for a 5 inch belt knife it is somewhat heavy (but not by that much! A CS SRK is 12 ounces on a 6" blade!). Conclusion: The ESEE 5 is an exceedingly tough, robust knife that will not let anyone down, ever! However, if one is kitting out for the outdoors, then one would have to do some serious thinking about what you want from a knife (or preferably, knives). It may be worth considering a large knife for heavy work, a belt knife, for camp work and cutting jobs, and a multi-tool knife for the many unexpected tasks that crop up - the true SAK application. And, of course, you must always have a saw! This is not negotiable! This comment is sort of an update on my earlier posts. Cheers mate

[@MattRoseKnives]

Excellent analysis! Thanks for the comment and the effort you put in to your thoughts on the 5! Cheers!

[@timothychartrand9103]

Homie be thankful it’s not a Fallkniven lol. My A1 is thicker and heavier lol

[@andrewmoore7586]

I have one knife that’s noticeably more indestructible that the ESEE 5, it’s the TOPS Operator 7 [mine is the Blackout mode]..!! It’s SO DAMNED HUGE & THICK, that TOPS had to use 1075HC Steel, as opposed to 1095.. 🇺🇸 #2A 🇺🇸

[@MattRoseKnives]

Ahhh yeah for sure

[@joshuasmith6319]

So the 5 is thicker but is ground thinner towards the cutting edge, while the 6 doesn’t have as thick a stock but isn’t ground thinner behind the cutting edge…

[@jamessherburn]

06:16 Nope, BK 2 not as strong, imo, thanks to it's stupidly skeletonised tang!

[@taftarat]

hi, please include metric units in the future videos (cm/mm/kg/g)

[@C0ochieMeat]

I really wish they’d make a 5 with that wasn’t 1/4” thick. They could call it the 5 LT or something

[@MattRoseKnives]

AGREE. 5mm would be perfect

[@James-ke5sx]

My last comment started off how I prefered the BK2. Then I got a Esee5 green micarta, 3D handle. Real nice. Now I got to choose one or the other.

[@Son_Of_Scotland]

That's called a saber grind son.

[@justintraupel9468]

I have the 4hm, 5 and the 6. The 5 is my favorite

[@JohnLocke1776]

Sent the 6 back to Esse, it came out of the box with a roll on the edge, I asked them to replace it with the 5, waiting to hear back 🤞

[@airpaprika]

Esee 6 has full flat grind while Esee 5 has flat sabre grind. In order to make videos about knives, you need to learn the terminology.

[@KeirRyen]

No it’s not

[@supersaiyanbear5298]

Ok, Boomer...

[@JohnLocke1776]

​@@supersaiyanbear5298he's not wrong, it's a saber grind...what low testosterone gen are you?

[@JohnLocke1776]

It's totally a saber grind, snowflakes, regardless of how you think the blade identifies 🌨️ ❄️😂🎉

[@supersaiyanbear5298]

@@JohnLocke1776 let's call it a sabre dagger flat-angular square ridge grind, just to annoy @airpaprika for being a boomer, thinking it's cool to tell people how to make their videos when this bumblefrick doesn't create anything at all, including his own content.. =}

[@GayBladez]

Tank is an understatement

[@adamnada7162]

Cut to the damned chase.

[@ExtraCrispy357]

It certainly is A TANK!! I LOVE MY ESEE 5! I hear what you're saying about it being a bit too heavy - it's a bit clunky to carry around and certainly not very 'deft' in the hand. Personally, I wouldn't want them to change it. There are so many other knives out there that are thinner, but I like that this is available for purchase - like you said, "If you are going for absolute indestructibility, this is probably a good option for you." Because it's so big, it is NOT usually my first choice to carry, but I like that I have it for any possible SHTF situations!

[@jolier1313]

I agree with your assessment of the ESEE 5. They could have made the blade a little thinner or the sabre grind a little higher to increase the slicing ability and reduce its weight. I do find the small finger choil useful for delicate tasks close to where I'm using the edge closest to the handle, but I agree they should have made a full finger choil for it. I own and use an ESEE 5. It's my go-to camp knife and the knife I have the most experience using. I personally think it's the best "jack of all trades, master of none" knife, and I can get mine razor sharp. But, it behaves much like the way an axe does, and I think of it as a smaller version of a hatchet sometimes. It is nowhere near as great a slicer as a knife that is 1/8th to 3/16ths of an inch thick, which is why slicing with it can be frustrating at first - it feels so different than when using a thinner knife, almost like you're wedging food apart. Its heaviness is a double-edged sword: carrying it is a pain, but batoning or chopping is so effortless. If I'm in an urban or wooded environment, or if I'm going for a small size, moderate weight pack setup (e.g. under 15 to 20 lbs), or if I can't carry an axe, this is the knife I'd want to have. Pair it with a folding saw and an ESEE 3, and you can do more things than you could with a hatchet for the same weight. If I'm in a rain forest, densely vegetated, or jungle environment, I'd opt for an ESEE Junglas. To use a car analogy, the ESEE 5 is like a Toyota Tacoma of knives (bombproof, medium-sized workhorse that can be used as an off roader. Most versatile utility vehicle). The ESEE 3 is like the GR Corolla (fun to drive, highly performant daily user). The ESEE 4 is like the Rav4 (the medium-sized all-arounder). The Izula is the Prius (most fuel efficient/lightest weight daily commuter). The ESEE Junglas is like the Toyota Tundra (big, heavy duty workhorse, but not the best EDC). And, the ESEE 6 is like the Highlander (verstile, big space, all-arounder).

[@markhoffman2165]

It has a Sabre grind.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Yeah I use those terms synonymously but I suppose saber is the correct one. I always used “flat grind” for saber. And then full flat grind for a full flat.

[@willford9205]

I have 4,5 & use the 6 more than any. ESEE makes GREAT knives. All from the USA! ESEE are one tough cookie cutter!...LOL

[@spectermad9180]

Then get a Different Knife..I like the weight you said that you didn't like so many things about this then you should just get something else...for me it can do everything I want to do...i really like this Knife...

[@brnrecluse2946]

Great review. I've got one on the way.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Awesome! Great choice

[@griswald7156]

I’ve got one on the way….ill deal with the weight…i really dig indestructible..did he say 170 ? I’ve just unloaded £230 !

[@hillbillyfromtheswamp6223]

The 5 is my most favorite. Have almost all of them. And if I had to only keep one, it's gonna be my Esee 5.

[@jessr.2490]

Personal preference aside, Why”? Objectively speaking, I can think of several models in my collection that are superior to it at doing “knife stuff” and “survival stuff,” including a few in Esee’s own lineup.

[@hillbillyfromtheswamp6223]

@@jessr.2490 Just love the knife. Probably because I have alot of more time spent with it. It's got attitude. I have attitude. We get along great lol

[@jordanJohnn]

@@jessr.2490 can I ask what you prefer? I’m looking a good outdoor knife. Doesn’t necessarily have to be a great slicer as I always like having my pm2 / my waypoint on me anyway.

[@vwr32jeep]

@@jordanJohnn I was a BK2 fan (similar to the Esee 5, same steel and thickness etc) until I started watching Joe X torture test them. He broke the BK2. Switched out the BK2 for a Gerber Strongarm after seeing the abuse the Strongarm lived through.

[@TexasPatriotOffRoadAndOutdoors]

@@vwr32jeep I have a StrongArm and was blown away at its durability on Joe’s channel. However, I still want an Esee 5!

[@tacoface5000]

Sounds perfect for my needs

[@melvin768]

Its best to know all forms of fire starting when you have zero resources a bow drill is an excellent choice for a survival fire.

[@dasta7658]

I never noticed it wasn't sharpened to the choil. I just paused the video to check and yeah, mine is the same; not sharpened to the choil. I want to love the ESEE 5 but it just doesn't cut as well as other products on the market. As you also said, the weight is a problem and I find my forearms fatiguing when using it on simple tasks. Thanks for the video.

[@scottnorvell2955]

He’s confusing flat grind with Sabre grind.

[@hendog5396]

I'm just diving into knife youtube, and I've gotta admit, this thing has my attention. I find it interesting how on one hand: I'm not a super outdoorsman, so I really don't need a SURVIVAL knife like this, but in the same breath, I'm not trekking great lengths, to where the weight would significantly impact me. Thing seems very cool

[@theinflationsituation8870]

I've been researching for a bit. Lots of people love 'em. Probably the most comfortable knife I've ever held. The canvas micarta grip literally grabs your hand. Outstanding grip and so comfortable.

[@jasonwhite3098]

Great review. I have owned the knife personally for a few years. The truth is it is a beast. It is cumbersome on the belt due to its length. Luckily, I haven't had to use it for survival so It is only used for camping or remote hunting trips. If I had to survive this would be a top choice. It is heavy but the beefy build hopefully indicates longevity with heavy use. Realistically only a few percent need this. But it sure is cool.

[@BassMaster.454]

I'm looking for a strong fixed blade for under around 80-100 dollars. What would you suggest for a camp knife, fire making, chopping, light batoning, and some food prep. I want I knife that I can really use and not have to worry about. I like this one, but it's a little behind my price range.

[@aurelius5837]

Condor Hudson bay might be what you are looking for

[@BeefT-Sq]

Batonning is crap. That said, British MOD Survival Knife from Night Galaxy ( about $98 ) or Cold Steel SRK would be worth your money.

[@jordaneggerman4734]

So, I've seen a bunch of reviews on this knife, and yours is great, but nobody has answered my main question about the sheath... can you rotate the clip 90° and still use all the screws? I _really_ like the Kydex sheath with these, but I intend to scout carry, and don't want to give up the sheath/spend another 50% the cost of the knife...

[@mustafalang]

I just had a better sheath made. Yellow hawk custom kydex. Incredible work.

[@dennisleighton2812]

3:40 "flat grind" Actually, it's a classic sabre grind. 6:15 Tough. Ever reviewed a Cold Steel Recon Scout, or Trail Master? Next level! 9:06 Grind line Yeah, I also cannot stand that! It looks unfinished, and flies in the face of your earlier "fit & finish" comment. Another thing, on weight/hand fit, why use the same scales as on the ESEE 6? This just makes the handle much thicker! Surely they could have shaved off a thin layer, so that the "feel" ends up exactly the same as the ESEE 6? So, the knife is too short to chop well, it's too thick to slice well, or do feathersticking, it's too heavy (you say, but I don't - I use a CS Trail Master!), it has a lousy grind line, and it just looks out of proportion. I'm thinking, if I'm not a pilot, why would I buy one?

[@TexasPatriotOffRoadAndOutdoors]

Definitely a sabre grind. I have a Trail Master Bowie in Carbon V steel purchased in the mid 90’s at a Western Auto. It is a real tank at 5/16” thick and 9” blade length. I have three Esee knives and think they great but a lot of people overlook Cold Steel. I’ve had nothing but good to say on their products I own.

[@dennisleighton2812]

@@TexasPatriotOffRoadAndOutdoors Agreed! I own a CD Trail Master San Mai III, and I agree that Cols Steel products are highly under-rated and yet they still make Top 5 lists regularly.

[@Walterliquori]

Can you get the 5 sharp I have had a few quarter inch thick knives and they were to thick behind the edge . No matter what I couldn’t achieve the right sharpness

[@gunner3548]

Zero ground convex is the way. I did mine and I can shave with it. Best regards.

[@Walterliquori]

@@gunner3548thanks man

[@VoidDragon82]

Thankfully we can buy esee knives (that includes 5) in the U.K. Will be ordering mine in the next few months.

[@Harry._.Thompson]

Also in the uk, where did you go to buy it.

[@thebeardedalchemist]

Tom Brown Tracker from Tops is thick too

[@MattRoseKnives]

I’ll have to check it iut

[@BeefT-Sq]

@@MattRoseKnives Tom Brown Tracker is the same thickness.

[@dionpage7948]

Killer blade(I own 1&it stays on my go bag)&killer vid knife bro but it aint for airplane pilots it was for helicopter pilots in South America that went down in the jungle. Not sure how much difference there is if any in the thickness of the window. I dropped the edge to 20°&cut in a forward choil&it made a huge difference in the knife.

[@HWGAFoundation]

The heli part was the marketing tactic, but it has never been used by pilots. Why, the weight and it will never break a plane or chopper window, impossible. You need to freeze the window first. High impact polymer window.

[@gingebrien2408]

Esse 5 is a chunk of steel that’s built like a tank. Love mine. It is not the first knife I take with me. Your review is spot on.

[@ryunosukexiong2653]

Anybody know if ESEE will ever make this in S35VN?

[@rkaplan11]

I know enough to be dangerous, but I don't think ESEE will make the ESEE 5 in S35VN because it is too brittle for a blade that length . The 5 has a reputation for taking abuse and S35VN would probably break.

[@cherokeefit4248]

Good call on the glass breaker being unable to break that thick glass haha but for cars it should work but it could be impact weapon too.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Definitely adequate for a car windshield and impact weapon 👍

[@James-ke5sx]

Cool knife but I refer the Ka-bar as an emergency knife. The handle is hollow, lighter knife like you wished for the esee and it puts more weight forward onto the blade for chopping. The Kydex sheath is nicer but if you are in an emergency situation and you are digging through mud etc, trying to put a dirty knife into a tight fitting sheath while you are in a hurry running for your life Behind Enemy Lines is going to be a mess. That is why I think the k-bar sheath is so loose fitting because it's easy to clean it inside. realize this was made for war combat not prettiness. Plus there is a pocket to put a sharpening stone Flint Steel Etc and you can easily attach it to Molle on your backpack. Lastly even though I have a few Esee knives I stopped short of this one because for me the features that most people admire on this knife are drawbacks for me. Plus I don't like the divot for the bow drill and in an emergency situation I would prefer to have an all black knife. I have Ka-bar knives in my urban emergency kits and Esee knives in my bushcraft kits.

[@Milkman3572000]

I do not own the ESEE, but I do have several Kbars.. I was checking the reviews for a KABAR comparison. If only there was a Bayonet, for my Mossberg 590... that was like a KABAR. Oh wait, there is.

[@jessr.2490]

The single most pointless model that Esee makes. Ironically, I think that’s also what makes it the most popular, as the “one knife” folks go for when getting into outdoor blades for the first time; it’s the stereotypical “suvival knife” folks expect.

[@jordanJohnn]

If you could only take 1 knife with you and you had to depend on it with your life - what knife would you take with you

[@vwr32jeep]

The only thing more pointless is a critique from someone who doesn’t understand a tool’s designed purpose.

[@jessr.2490]

@@vwr32jeep I get its purpose, and there are much better designed tools for its purpose.

[@vwr32jeep]

@@jessr.2490 No, I don’t think you’re quite getting it. It’s the equivalent if you were comparing a 2lb sledgehammer to a framing hammer and saying the sledgehammer was pointless.

[@jessr.2490]

@@vwr32jeep strongly disagree. It’s really the equivalent of looking at a specific sledgehammer for specific job, and then picking the least refined of the options for that job, when there are more adequate options in the same price range. I own the 5 (amongst many others) and this knife is such an oxymoronic design compared to other options that would get the same job done, but with better balance, weight, blade length, ergonomics for performing outdoor tasks, etc. The 5 will get most “knife jobs” done, but there are absolutely better options for the money when it comes to actual field use.

[@tunnelrat1439]

if esee would make this in a thinner profile it would fly off the shelf..

[@thwolf762]

It already does though

[@josephpatrissi5670]

I used my dremel to make a perfect finger choil. Almost like it was meant to be.

[@looseballs1966]

You should really larn what you are talking about before you go on video and look like a complete morron, the Esee 5 is a sabre grind, the Esee 6 is a flat grind (better know professional as full flat ground) any knife so ground is the same terminology, a sabre grind does not bring the primary bevel all the way to the spine of the knife but generally is beyond the first third of the distance from the edge of the knife, less than one third is more akin to a scandi grind,, of which some scandi grinds are very short and abrupt from the knife edge and some go a bit higher up the blade,, manufacturers vary,,,.

[@Son_Of_Scotland]

Joker knife? Saber grind, too. Just sayin