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KA-BAR BK14 Becker Knife and Tool EsKabar Review

During the 2016 SHOT Show, I had the great opportunity to meet a man named Ethan. Ethan was working at the KA-BAR Knives display and approached me as I was viewing some of KA-BAR’s newest designs. We began talking about knives and telling war stories, and before I knew it, almost an hour had passed. When I shook his hand to say goodbye, he handed me a nifty little knife to take with me. He also handed me his card, at which point I finally realized that I had been talking with Ethan Becker.

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Ethan Becker is a household name for many. His grandmother is Irma S. Rombauer, author of one of the United States’ most widely published cookbooks—Joy of Cooking. Ethan assumed authorship of this popular book from his mother in 1976, which is why his name is familiar to so many in the kitchen.

As an avid outdoor enthusiast who was in constant search for the perfect knife, Becker founded Becker Knife and Tool in the early 1980’s and began designing and manufacturing hard-use knives right out of his garage. His knives have always been highly regarded among knife experts and critics and in high demand amongst users. To attest to this is the fact that he won the 1990 Blade Award for Most Innovative American-Made Design. While the demand for BK&T Knives has far outgrown Becker’s garage, KA-BAR Knives continues to produce his best-selling designs.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The knife that Ethan handed me during SHOT Show was the BK14 EsKabar, a hybrid collaboration between BK&T/KA-BAR and ESEE Knives. This unique little neck knife (which KA-BAR allowed one of its customers to name) features the blade design from the BK&T/KA-BAR Becker Necker and the handle design from the ESEE Izula. Made in the USA from 1095 Cro-Van steel, this seven-inch long lightweight knife, featuring a drop-point blade makes for a highly functional everyday/survival knife.

Of course, those familiar with the ESEE Izula will want to know how these two knives compare with each other. To answer that question, the dimensions of the EsKabar and the Izula are identical from the handle, which measure 3.75” long. The EsKabar incorporates the large quillon from the Becker Necker, as well as the larger Necker blade. The blade on the EsKabar measures 3.25” as opposed to the 2.63” blade on the Izula. The EsKabar also has a larger belly than the Izula. The difference in thickness is only 1/100th of an inch with the EsKabar being the thicker knife at 0.165”.

For those who may be wondering what the difference is between 1095 and 1095 Cro-Van, 1095CV is essentially the same chemical composition as 1095 with the addition of small amounts of Chromium and Vanadium for better hardening and bonding (hence the term “Cro-Van”) and smaller amounts of Nickel and Moly for added toughness and edge holding. The actual AISI name for this steel is 50-100B. KA-BAR has been using 1095CV for years, even though there was a period where they actually listed it as 1095 in their literature.

Handle and Ergonomics

As I mentioned previously, the EsKabar handle is identical in every way to the ESEE Izula with the exception of the 1/100” difference in thickness. The skeletonized handle has a good feel to it, but gets even better when you wrap the handle with 550 cord. The handle has a nice angle to it, which offers some excellent cutting ergonomics. It is a simple, yet functional design.

Editor’s note – you can also purchase OEM scales from ESEE for the EsKabar. I imagine they make the knife feel real similar to my Izula II (excellent).

Sheath

The EsKabar comes with a MOLLE compatible, injection-molded plastic sheath that can be worn around the neck or lashed to gear using the accompanying 550 cord. It is also cut to fit the KA-BAR TDI metal belt clip, which is available from KA-BAR for $10.35. The sheath comes equipped with a safety lock to ensure that you don’t lose your knife when things get rough. This feature can be removed if you prefer a more streamlined setup.

Personally, I found that I prefer to carry the EsKabar as a neck knife using a 550 cord lanyard. When wearing a neck knife is too cumbersome or inconvenient, then I simply create a belt loop on the sheath by running a piece of 550 cord vertically through two rivets on the inside of each side of the sheath and crossing the cord on the outside in the same fashion as one would lace up a shoe. This creates a nice belt loop attachment that does not add any extra bulk to the sheath. If you use a cord lock to secure the cord rather than a knot, then you have the added option of a convenient quick release.

I also prefer to remove the safety lock from the sheath. It adds some unnecessary bulk to what is otherwise a nicely streamlined system. The knife locks so securely into the sheath that most people will find the presence of the lock unnecessary unless going into the harshest of environments.

BK&T / KA-BAR BK14 EsKabar Review – Final Thoughts

I was very pleased with the quality and design of the EsKabar. I love to see knife-makers work together on projects such as this one. One of the things that I have always appreciated about the knife industry is that there is such a level of camaraderie and appreciation for each other’s work. Knife makers understand the blood, sweat, and tears that go into transforming a chunk of steel into a functional work of art. The joint effort between BK&T, KA-BAR, and ESEE that resulted in the EsKabar is a testament to the benefits of such companies working together to reach a common goal.

If you are looking for an economically priced, fixed-blade survival knife, then you can’t go wrong with the EsKabar. With a retail price of around $60.00, the EsKabar delivers high-end quality and functionality to a price point that most people can afford.

Sale

Ka-Bar BK14 Becker Knife and Tool Eskabar Knife, Black, 7-Inch

Becker knife design with high quality 3 1/4" blade made from 1095 Cro-Van steel
Heavy-duty hard plastic sheath
Overall length of 7"
Made in the USA
Becker knife design with high quality 3 1/4" blade made from 1095 Cro-Van steel

I recommend purchasing the BK&T/KA-BAR EsKabar at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

ESEE Zancudo Review

by Dan Jackson 32 Comments

Last Updated: September 30, 2017
By now most people are well acquainted with ESEE knives and their variety of fixed blade offerings. Hallmarked by their thick powder coatings, 1095 steel, USA origins, and unlimited lifetime warranty, I have grown to be quite a fan of ESEE products, and hold their Junglas and Izula II in especially high regard. ESEE is known for their no nonsense form over function tools, so it was quite interesting to see that ESEE was taking on a folding knife, and a sub 3″ framelock at that.

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The design of the Zancudo, which, by the way, is the Spanish word for mosquito, is unassuming enough. Whether it will live up to the legacy of their fixed blade offerings is an entirely different question.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Zancudo has an overall length of 7″, sports a 2.94″ blade, and weighs 3.1 oz. This is a great size for suburban EDC, although I don’t doubt it will do well at a camp site preparing food or performing other light camp chores. The sub 3″ blade is an interesting choice. There is plenty of room to gain a few extra millimeters so my guess is ESEE is trying to make a knife that flies under jurisdictions where 3″+ blades are outlawed. The full steel liner and steel frame lock add some heft to the knife, but it’s still slim and light enough to be an easy carry. In talking with globe-trotting renaissance man Kyle Ver Steeg on the podcast, I was surprised to learn that he prefers a small folder for most of his adventures. This could very well be an option for a trip to the Amazon, or disaster relief effort in the Philippines.

Your blade shape is a sloping modified drop point design. The spine of the knife droops down to almost a spearpoint, and the end result is a very utilitarian design with a thicker tip and relatively short belly. The blade is flat ground nice and thin, and the edge bevel has been neatly and uniformly applied. In practice the knife makes easy work of typical daily carry tasks like opening mail, cutting up fruit, and breaking down packages. A handsome dark stonewash has been applied for a well worn look right out of the box. The end result is an innocuous looking blade that packs plenty of punch for daily tasks. There are a lot of logos and markings on the blade. The mosquito on the back side is interesting; can’t say I have any other folders that share that distinction.

Blade steel is classic AUS 8, par for the course for any low price Taiwanese or Japanese made knife. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, AUS-8 is a relatively mild steel. Edge retention isn’t its claim to fame, but I have gotten plenty of work done with AUS-8, and it is extremely easy to sharpen and maintain. It’s also a very tough steel. For a sub $30 folder it’s a welcome choice.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle on the Zancudo is so simple it is almost boring. It’s a form follows function kind of knife, and I don’t have a problem with that. On the show side you have a faux G10 scale over a full steel liner, on the lock side you have a tumbled stainless frame lock. The knife is of pillar construction and features a lanyard hole. One interesting detail is that the hardware on the locking side is stainless while the hardware on the non-locking side is black. This is a thoughtful and attractive touch. Thy could have easily gone with all stainless or all black hardware, so I like that they paid attention to this detail. It is also important to note that everything has been really well finished. There isn’t a sharp corner or unnoticed detail. Even the liner and inside of the frame lock has been polished to a mirror-like sheen.

While on paper the handle of the Zancudo looks a little goofy, in hand it all makes sense. Mike Perrin decided to stretch this handle out to afford the user the full length of the handle without a choil or large guard. The resulting grip is sure and comfortable, and the knife is ready for work. The very short run of mild jimping is perfect for indexing your thumb and providing some level of traction without chewing into your flesh. The plastic scale, while inexpensive and not my favorite feature of the knife, has been patterned to mimic peel ply G10. The results are understated, and you have traction without the trauma often associated with aggressive G10 handles.

The pocket clip is functional but has an almost Ken Onion-esque curvature to it. I think it may be some sort of OEM piece, as I could have sworn I have seen this clip on another knife. The bend to the clip is quite severe, and it results in very sturdy and secure retention. The fact that it butts up against smooth stainless steel will save your pockets and make this knife easy to access. The clip comes right side tip down but the handle is also ready for right side tip up carry. The Zancudo is nice and slim and I found it very pocketable. The extra weight isn’t really noticible on heavy denim, but there are lighter knives out there if watching weight is your thing. I think ESEE’s product line is ripe for a lightweight version of the knife, as that would likely be of greater appeal to the weight conscious hiking and outdoors crowd.

Deployment and Lockup

Much like my Rat II, a firm flick of the ambidextrous thumb studs will send the blade flying out, and the blade glides on phosphor bronze washers. The thumb studs are simple and easy to get at, the way thumb studs on this kind of knife should be. No complaints in the deployment department.

For lockup you have a steel framelock, and it is very robust and well implemented. Fresh out of the box I noticed a little blade stick, but that quickly calmed down and has been replaced by effortless rock solid lockup. Given how relatively thin both the blade stock and lockup are, I am impressed by the early (50%) lockup on this knife. That combined with the dead center blade provides a sense of pride of ownership that you don’t typically encounter with bargain basement blades.

ESEE Zancudo Review – Final Thoughts

Much like the Rat II, the Zancudo isn’t a particularly sexy knife, but it is practical, robust, and well made. You also can’t argue with the price. ESEE always manages to infuse a good deal of character with their knives, and I am happy to report that the trip overseas didn’t wash that character away. The tumbled steel, matching hardware, and big black bug on the blade all play a part in distinguishing this knife from the competition.

2017 Update: This is among my favorite knives in the $30 range, and it makes it to my best EDC knives list. Although I have always liked this knife, I didn’t come to this conclusion immediately. It was only after years of carry and use that I realized the depth of the Zancudo – how thoughtfully designed it was. It’s beautifully built for the money. I prefer it over the Rat II, and can think of little else that matches it at this price point. If you are on the fence about the Zancudo my recommendation is to buy it without hesitation.

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I recommend purchasing the ESEE Zancudo at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

ESEE Candiru Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

Last Updated: August 1, 2019
Small, sharp, and damn near indestructible. If you want the short version of my Candiru review, that was it. Coming from ESEE, a company with a pedigree for making tough as nails outdoors and survival blades, that should come as no surprise. Fans of their extremely popular Izula pattern will no doubt be intrigued by this smaller cousin. Named after a most nefarious of jungle catfish, the Candiru is meant to be lightweight, discrete, and versatile.

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I carried mine for some time as an urban EDC, and also tested the knife outdoors on an extended trip to the rugged Canadian coast. Does it live up to expectations forged by ESEE’s other blockbuster blades like the ESEE 3 and Junglas? Lets find out…

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Candiru is a small knife with an overall length of 5.13″, a 2″ blade, and a weight of 1.7 ounces (not including the sheath). The Candiru is made in the USA. This has been a nice backup knife for suburban EDC and has also served as a (very) small outdoors blade. ESEE also suggests this knife to round out your Personal Survivavl Kit (PSK), or as part of your First Aid Kit. I think all of these are legitimate uses for the Candiru.

Each knife ships with a fold-over cordura sheath, and the entire package makes for an extremely slim and discrete carry. I find the knife very easy to tuck away in a pocket and also would work well as a neck knife. Any way you carry it, the Candiru is the kind of blade that is soon to be forgotten until that moment arrives when you need something sharp.

The blade is a simple drop point shape with a partial flat grind. The entire knife is cut from a piece of 1/8″ thick 1095 high carbon steel, powdercoated in your choice of OD green, desert tan, or black. As I mentioned earlier, the entire package is damn near indestructible. The Candiru has held up well to heavy cutting, batoning, and even prying apart a particularly nasty piece of salt cured driftwood. The edge geometry on the Candiru is pretty stout, and the powdercoat finish is textured – so don’t expect the most amazing slicer. On the plus side you can pound this thing through a 2×4, and the knife will be no worse for the wear. I found the knife useful for everything from opening package, to building fires, to even helping dismantle a lobster dinner.

The choice of steel is 1095 – a high carbon non-stainless steel selected for it’s toughness and ability to easily take a keen edge. All ESEE knives come in 1095, and at this point I am very familiar with the steel. 1095 will rust if you aren’t careful, and I experienced some slight rust spotting on the logo and edge – so you will want to keep the knife clean and oiled. That said, I think the corrosive tendencies of the steel are well outweighed by the excellent toughness of the steel. I experienced no issues with chipping, and the tip passed some gruesome pry tests with flying colors.

Handle and Ergonomics

A stock Candiru ships without any handle scales. I didn’t mind this at first as it kept the weight down and the knife slim, but I have greatly enjoyed the micarta scales on my Izula II and I kind of regret not purchasing the optional micarta or G10 scales for the Candiru. My guess is they are well worth the $15, although I am sure an enterprising individual could fashion his own scales for a fraction of the price.

As far as ergonomics are concerned the Candiru is a 3 finger knife. For most of your EDC tasks this isn’t going to be an issue, but I found that for outdoor use the small knife tended to slip in my rather clumsy grip. A short run of jimping helps control the blade, but I found myself using this one in a pinch grip a lot. That said, this thing is plenty capable, and will be fine for small woodworking jobs as well as typical chores around camp. I managed to prepare food, cut rope, and whittle sticks without major issues. Like I said before I think the optional scales would have been nice on this one, and I would recommend the upgrade.

Sheath

The original Candiru came with a small black cordura sheath. It’s a fold-over style sheath with a little piece of velcro for the closure. Inside the sheath is a plastic lining where the blade fits snugly inside. Besides that the only other landmarks are a belt loop and a small metal grommet for attachment to a lanyard. The sheath works. It requires 2 hands to get at the knife, but given the size of the knife it all seems reasonable. That said, I am such a big fan of the plastic sheath on the Izulas that I would prefer that ESEE shipped the Candiru with a polymer (plastic) sheath.

Well, I was apparently not alone in my desire for a polymer sheath for the Candiru, and ESEE eventually switched over and now a polymer sheath comes standard. I have not had a chance to check it out personally, but from what I have gathered it is a nice upgrade over the original cloth sheath.

ESEE Candiru Review – Final Thoughts

The Candiru is a charming little knife. It manages to pack rugged functionality into a tiny sub 2 ounce package, and is built with the same practical and rugged mindset of everything else in the ESEE lineup. And of course the knife comes with ESEE’s legendary no questions asked use-or-abuse warranty, and the Candiru is 100% made in the USA. Those in need of an ultra light backup knife, or a small fixed blade for a PSK or First Aid Kit could certainly do much worse than the Candiru. I happen to like mine a lot. That said, I do have one lingering issue with the knife.

My biggest beef is with the price. ESEE knives are typically on the spendy side, and I tend to justify the premium with the USA craftsmanship and the killer warranty (well justified in my opinion). But the Candiru is priced at the point where it starts to compete with other blades in the ESEE lineup – which is where the real dilemma emerges.

As shown the Candiru sets you back $47. If you were to buy the OEM scales the entire package easily pushes the $60 mark. At that price, you are firmly in Izula territory. Around $55 gets you an Izula, and around $65 gets you the excellent Izula II (which includes the knife, micarta scales, and a nice plastic sheath). If you want an ESEE and are able to carry the larger Izula II, I would definitely go with the Izula II. I find it to be a much easier knife to work with as it includes full 4 finger grip ergonomics, a bigger and beefier blade, and a more convenient plastic sheath.

So for that reason I have some difficulty giving the Candiru my absolute full endorsement. It’s a cool knife, but unless you absolutely need something that small I think the Izula is a much better buy. That said, if you really do need something as small as the Candiru (maybe for ultralight backpacking or a PSK) then I can definitely say the knife is a cool piece of kit. It is also just as well built as anything else in the company’s lineup – which is saying a lot as ESEE’s build quality is typically excellent.

While I wouldn’t call the Candiru a “must have knife,” it’s certainly not a bad blade either. If you can get past the price you are left with a solid performer for urban EDC and outdoor use alike. Small, sharp, and damn near indestructible.

ESEE Knives Black CANDIRU Fixed Blade Knife w/Polymer Sheath

I recommend purchasing the Candiru at Amazon or BladeHQ.

ESEE Junglas Review

by Dan Jackson 32 Comments

Last Updated: July 21, 2021

Unlike a tattoo, a blog post is easy to edit. Easy to update. And that’s a great thing because I originally penned this review of the ESEE Junglas back in May of 2011. Currently it’s 2021. I’ve owned the knife for over 10 years now. That’s hard to believe. Time to update the review.

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Spoiler alert: Not much has changed. I loved the Junglas in 2011, and in 2018 I still love the knife. Only now I’ve beaten the hell out of mine for half a decade, so I can comment on all the experience I have with the Junglas. I’ve also added some new photography of the knife in it’s present condition. The handle has darkened with sweat and grime, and the coating of the blade shows considerable wear, but in my opinion this just adds character to a bad ass knife.

The Junglas remains my favorite big chopper. It’s the knife I reach for after a hurricane. Heck, it’s the knife I reach for as I get ready for a hurricane, as well as a knife I have used to break down countless branches, baton open logs for camp fires, and relieve a hell of a lot of stress.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The ESEE Junglas has an overall length of 16.5″, a 10.5″ blade, and it weighs 22.5 ounces on its own, 33 ounces with the sheath. It’s a big knife. I can’t say I’ve brought it on any ultra light hiking trips. It mostly lives in my garage. But that size and weight make it a tremendous chopper, and it’s a very satisfying tool to heft and use. Although it shares some lines with a machete, it’s much stouter. Shorter and thicker stock. It’s more like a short sword. I like the dimensions and wouldn’t change a thing. If you need something smaller ESEE knives has an entire range of products for your consideration. This one is their big gun.

The blade is a long drop point made of a 3/16″ thick piece of 1095 high carbon steel. It does two things well: chopping and batoning. I have chopped a ton of tree limbs with this knife. My chopping technique isn’t the best, but if I’m concentrating I can get through a fresh 2″ thick limb in 3 swipes.

The knife comes with almost a full flat grind, so it’s not the most amazing knife to baton with (I prefer the Fallkniven A1), but what it lacks in geometry it makes up for with size. You can span large logs with this knife and beat the Junglas through pretty much anything. Mine has held up famously, although the powder coating is worse for the wear. I am glad it has worn down a bit, as it means less resistance when I am chopping.

The Junglas comes in 1095 high carbon steel. I am a big fan of 1095 for a big chopper like this. 1095 is tough, so it doesn’t chip easily, and it is easy to sharpen. It’s an excellent steel for chopping wood. Of course, being a high carbon steel it is more susceptible to rust than a stainless steel. ESEE mitigated this somewhat by applying a black powder coat. This coating wears well when compared to a cheaper teflon coating, but it will still wear. Regardless, the coating will help protect most of the knife from rusting. That said, you are going to want to keep this knife dry and oiled. I try to hose my knife down with WD-40 after every session. I have not had any major issues with rust following this protocol.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle of the Junglas is simple, but it’s done right. The scales are 2 large slabs of canvas micarta, which provide good grip and durability. This knife is nicely finished. The edges of the handles are radiused (smoothed), and they line up flush with the tang. The micarta is held in place with 3 large allen bolts, so you can take this knife apart if need be. Extra steel protrudes from the pommel, and you can use that to crack nuts or the skull of a zombie invader.

The ergonomics of the Junglas are excellent. This is a knife I have chopped for hours and hours with. I’ve never had a problem with hot spots or discomfort. The handle fills the hand well, and the shape of the handle helps to hold your hand in place. The combination of the smart design and high traction micarta keeps the Junglas in your hand, even if you are a sweaty bastard like me, and near delerium from an afternoon of chopping in the 95 degree Florida heat. The ergonomics are outstanding and I can’t overemphasize that. It’s critically important for a big chopper like this, and the Junglas nails it.

Sheath

The sheath is often the weakest link from a production fixed blade. Most manufacturers spend their money on the knife itself, and the sheath sometimes feels like an afterthought. Thankfully this is a non-issue here because ESEE made a sheath as good as the knife, if not better.

The sheath is made of a combination of kydex and cordura. The kydex portion runs the length of the blade up past the hilt. The cordura portion is the fabric part that attaches to your belt and is removable with 4 fasteners.

My favorite part of the sheath is the sound it makes. The knife slams into the sheath with a loud “crack” that reminds me of a 12 gauge racking a round. It’s a sound that means business. Maybe it’s the 12 year old boy in me or something, but it find it immensely satisfying. If you don’t care for the sound, you can adjust the retention so it’s a little quieter.

Regardless, once locked in place this knife isn’t going anywhere. The secondary retention strap is there for a little extra security, and if you were going to jump out of an airplane with this knife, there is a way to physically lash the blade into the sheath. My friends, blade retention is not an issue.

And the sheath comes with all the bits and bobs you would expect here. There is a water drain, tons of eyelets for running paracord, and it’s MOLLE capable. And everything is built to the highest standards. My sheath shows very little wear. I appreciate how the secondary retention strap falls away, so you don’t cut into it while drawing out the knife. I’ve inadvertently sawn through the retention straps of other sheathes before. You don’t have that problem with this sheath. In fact, you don’t have any problems with this sheath.

In conclusion, this sheath rocks. ESEE thought of it all and you have a sheath that wears just as well as the knife.

As a parting size comparison shot, here is a shot of the Junglas next to an ESEE-3:

ESEE Junglas Review – Final Thoughts

There is a reason I keep coming back to this knife. The Junglas is a beast of a knife. My collection has ebbed and flowed over the years, but the Junglas remains a constant piece of gear. At around $175 this is not a cheap knife, but when you consider what a quality folding knife goes for this is an easy one for me to justify. If I lost it today I’d buy another one tomorrow. No questions asked.

And I think you get what you pay for. Nothing else comes close. The Becker BK-9 is about $100 less and is a great tool for the money, but the Junglas is the knife I continue to reach for. After owning this blade for over 5 years this is the highest endorsement I an offer.

Even if you are just a mild-mannered suburban guy like me, if you do your own yard work or enjoy the occasional campfire you will get a thrill out of owning and using this excellent knife.

ESEE Authentic JUNGLAS-E Survival Knife, Kydex Sheath, MOLLE Backing

ESEE Tactical Suvival Knives.
Kydex Sheath w/ Cordura Backing.
Steel: 1095 Carbon, 55-57 Rc. Finish: Black Powder Coat.
Hammer Pommel w/ Lanyard Hole. Flat Grind.
For Full Specifications, Features, Survival Kit Contents, Care, and Warranty Info Please See Description Below.

I recommend purchasing the Junglas at BladeHQ or Amazon. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews, and keeps this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated Thank you very much.

ESEE Izula II Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Last Updated: September 22, 2018

The ESEE Izula is one of the most iconic small fixed blade knives of our time. Named after an infamous South American Ant, the Izula was designed to be a small, sharp, and incredibly tough blade for outdoor and everyday use. In practice, the knife is just that. The simple design and solid build catapulted the Izula into fixed blade fame in very short order. More recently ESEE released the Izula II, a version of the knife with a slightly longer handle. Having larger hands I went with the Izula II, but 95% of this review applies just as well to the original Izula.

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As for the intended use (and my overall perspective of this knife for purposes of the review) I have carried my Izula II extensively as both a suburban EDC and as an outdoor knife. The Izula is a great size for the pocket and is something I have no issue pairing with a larger fixed blade, a folder, or just carrying it by itself.

General Dimensions and Blade Specifics

The main differences between the Izula and Izula II are the handle length, weight, the color selection, and the fact that the Izula II comes standard with micarta handle scales while the scales are optional with the original Izula. The handle of the Izula II is exactly half an inch longer than the Izula, giving the knives a total length of 6.75″ and 6.25″ respectively. Both have a blade length of 2.75″. The Izula II has a weight of 3.2 ounces and the Izula has a weight of 2.0 ounces. Both knives are made in the USA.

Both knives are forged from a single piece of 1095 High Carbon steel (the same steel used in all ESEE knives). 1095 is a very tough tool steel that is great for outdoor and survival knives because it is very tough (less likely to chip or break), sharpens easily, and takes a very nice edge. The biggest disadvantage to 1095 is that it is not a stainless steel and will rust if you aren’t careful. In order to help combat rust ESEE coats the knives in a textured powder coat. 1095 is a proven steel that I have written at length about, and Rowen (the manufacturer for ESEE) knows how to heat treat this steel (to 57 HRC).

The Izula and Izula II share the same drop point blade shape. This is a great shape for all around utility, with plenty of belly, a stout tip, and a full flat grind. What impresses me the most is how thick the blade is at .156″ (~4mm). The thick steel holds up well to batoning, tip torture tests, and everything else I could throw at it. “Indestructible” is a word that readily comes to mind when I ponder the Izula II’s blade. Of course the thick geometry means that this won’t be your best slicer – it’s no chef’s knife for sure. But the Izula does a good job cutting and will make quick work of most EDC tasks, camp chores, basic food prep, and carving.

Handle and Ergonomics

The regular Izula comes “naked” without any kind of handle material. The skeletonized 1095 is perfect for wrapping paracord around it, or you may opt for the canvas micarta handle scales ESEE sells separately (they can be had for around $15). The scales beef up the knife a bit and it provides a great feel to the knife. Even without any kind of handle scales the Izula is a reasonably comfortable knife. A paracord wrap is an attractive and inexpensive option that will add additional comfort to the handle and also allow you to carry a couple extra feet of cord on you with the knife.

The Izula II comes with canvas micarta scales that feel good and wear well. They are attached to the handle with two sets of allen bolts – making them fully removable. Having used the knife hard in the outdoors I do wish the bolts were flathead bolts. That would make them much easier to service with something like a multi-tool, coin, or even the spine of another knife. That is probably my biggest complaint with the Izula II, and I generally feel they did a great job with this handle. The micarta is lightly textured, and it provides a good comfortable grip in wet or dry conditions. One thing about canvas micarta is that it will soak up sweat, oils and moisture and it will darken over time. I happen to think this looks cool and adds a little character to the knife.

As for overall ergonomics, you will want the Izula II if you have larger hands. I take a large glove and the Izula II fits me perfectly. In my opinion anything less would feel cramped. I also really like having micarta scales on this knife, it fills the hand well and makes for an extremely comfortable tool. Both knives have a nice spot for your index finger and functional jimping on the thumb ramp. It gives you good control over the knife and feels very natural. If you are the kind of person with smaller hands, in need of a neck knife, or want to take a crack at making your own handle scales then the original Izula might be a better choice.

Sheath

Both knives come with black injection molded plastic sheathes. These are lightweight sheathes made of a dense polymer that is very durable. Blade retention with these sheathes is excellent – the knife locks into the sheath with a very satisfying audible “snap.” The fit is nice and tight (no rattle), but it is not impossible to pop the knife out with your thumb. This is about perfect in my book because the knife is secure but it is also easy to get at when you need it.

The sheath on the Izula (and Izula II) allows for multiple mounting options. The sheath has 2 smaller eyelets for paracord, a slot for belts or webbing, and a large eyelet near the tip of the sheath for a lanyard. My favorite way to carry this knife is in my pocket. I’ll sometimes loop a largish (18″ or so) lanyard through the large eyelet of the sheath and secure the other end to my belt. It makes retrieval of the knife easier and you don’t have to worry about misplacing your sheath.

All in all I am extremely pleased with the versatile and durable sheath that comes with the Izula / Izula II. This is easily one of my favorite small fixed blade sheaths.

ESEE Izula II Review – Final Thoughts

The Izula II is a great little knife. The simple design and sturdy construction make for a very versatile tool that works just as well around the house as it does out on the trail. If you need a small no-nonsense utility knife then I would say to look no further. The sheath is excellent, the handle is comfortable, and the 4mm blade stock holds up to even the toughest tasks.

The Izula goes for around $55 for the knife and the sheath ($16 more for handle scales) while the Izula II can be had for around $65. I’d say these are fair prices. Remember that these knives are made in America and that ESEE has a no questions asked lifetime warranty so if anything happens to the knife (besides rust) ESEE will replace it. Some will argue these knives are expensive. I think in this case you get what you pay for.

Finally, if I could go back in time and pick between the Izula and Izula II again I would stick with my Izula II. I like the standard micarta handle scales, and greatly appreciate the slightly larger handle of the Izula II. That said, if you are looking to make your own handle scales, have smaller hands, or want to keep the weight down then the regular Izula is probably your best option.

ESEE Knives Izula-II Fixed Blade Knife, Micarta Handle, Molded Sheath, Clip Plate (Black)

Overall Length: 6.75″
Blade Length: 2.63″
Steel: 1095 High Carbon, 55-57 Rc.
Weight: 3.2 Oz. w/o Sheath
Molded Sheath & Clip Plate

I recommend purchasing the Izula II at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

ESEE-3 Review

by Dan Jackson 22 Comments

Last Updated: July 14, 2019
ESEE Knives specializes in outdoor fixed blade knives designed to take a beating and perform in a number of environments. Something special about ESEE knives is their no questions asked warranty that covers everything but rust. If anything happens to your knife through use or misuse, ESEE will replace it – no questions asked. This is great for a hard use tool because these knives aren’t cheap.

Buy the ESEE-3 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The ESEE-3 is one of ESEE’s smaller knives designed for anything from general field and utility work, to use as a full on survival knife or bug out bag blade. These knives (like all of ESEE’s offerings) have been proven in their jungle survival training courses. If you are looking for a smaller survival knife, or simply want to add a versatile fixed blade to your system, the ESEE-3 could be an excellent choice.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The ESEE-3 has a total length of 8.31″, a 3.88″ blade and a weight of 5.2 ounces without the sheath (9.3 ounces with the sheath). This is a great all purpose size and a lightweight carry for such a strong knife. Could see the ESEE-3 doing great in a variety of scenarios, from a day hike to life on a ranch.

The ESEE-3 is of full tang construction and comes powder coated in black or desert tan. This makes the knife both strong and durable. The blade is a drop point shape and features a full flat grind, excellent for slicing, and batoning. The point is reinforced on which is almost critical for use as a survival blade but it also serves well in defensive scenarios. I looked at the plain edge version although ESEE offers this knife in a combo edge as well.

The ESEE-3 is made of 1095 high carbon steel. 1095 is a durable tool steel that is very good choice for survival knives because it is easy to sharpen, holds a good edge, and doesn’t chip under hard use. It’s a high carbon steel, not a stainless steel, so one issue with 1095 is that it will rust if you aren’t careful. You must oil this knife. Something as simple as WD-40 will be adequate although some prefer specialized knife and gun oils.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle scales on the ESEE-3 are made of micarta. They are fixed onto the tang with 3 allen bolts. The handle scales are nicely milled and rounded. They provide good grip and the knife feels good in the hand with no noticible “hot spots” after use. The level of fit and finish on ESEE knives is very high, and one way to confirm that is by examining how the handle and the tang meet together. Examining the handle and tang on the ESEE-3 reveals that everything is flush with no edges or gaps. This is a nod to the high quality control and production values ESEE adheres to. The overall length of the handle is very adequate, even for larger hands. For a knife that is meant to be used, a large and comfortable handle is very important and ESEE did a great job with the handle on the ESEE-3.

The pommel (butt) of the ESEE-3 is pointed and can be used as a glass-breaker. This is a cool little addition that I may never need but like to have. Naturally, it’s good for breaking glass but it is also as a potentially non lethal way to use the knife (although I think there is still great potential to seriously injure someone with it – be careful). There is also a lanyard hole drilled into the pommel which is essential for heavy chopping and other hard use tasks.

Sheath

The sheath on the ESEE-3 is also very well done. The standard sheath is made of molded kydex and has a boot clip. An optional MOLLE adapter is made of cordura and provides the option to mount the sheath with a MOLLE system. When you secure the knife in the sheath there is a nice snap as it fits together. There is a retention strap and a elastic cover which is used if you want to mount the sheath for upside down carry. There is a small drain hole at the base of the sheath which helps keep your blade dry (especially important with that 1095 steel).

ESEE-3 Review – Final Thoughts

The ESEE-3 is a very heavy duty and high quality fixed blade knife. If you are looking for something on the smaller side, I think the “3” combines a light weight with a lot of utility. That blade has a lot of belly and the full flat grind is always nice. I could see the ESEE-3 performing well as an EDC knife (if you can swing carrying a fixed blade), a tactical knife, a camp knife, a hunting knife or as part of your gear for bushcraft and wilderness survival.

I love how the ESEE-3 has been built in the USA to very high tolerances and is backed by one of the best warranties in the industry. I’m not sure I can say this knife is an outstanding bargain, but you will definitely get what you pay for. As long as you don’t lose the knife, or leave it in a bucket of salt water, the RC-3 will serve you well for the rest of your life.

ESEE Knives ESEE-3MIL-P Military Plain Black Edge / w Green Canvas Micarta Handles

Overall Length: 8.31", Blade Length: 3.875"
Blade Material: 1095 Carbon Steel
Handle Material: Canvas Micarta
Sheath: Olive Drab Molded Polymer
Made in USA

I recommend purchasing the ESEE-3 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.