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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.
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.
- 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.
The ESEE-4 is just a little bigger and with a kydex sheet, very nice… I’m thinking about this one. Maybe you could make a review on it. The thing with the 3 and 4 is it’s just so similar, it functions pretty much the same.
Victor, yeah man that is a good point, they are very similar. Looking at the specs alone makes it a very tough call. I’d love to pick up the 4 5 and 6 and do a full comparison, but I doubt one will really be any better than the other, it is more a matter of where you live, your style of use, and what generally works for you (in relation to the rest of your gear and skills). Your best bet would be to try them out at a retail store, or buy both and then return one.
But if I had to pick between the two, personally, I’d just go ahead and size up to the ESEE 4. My reasoning is as follows: if you are buying it for outdoor use (ie, not EDC, not some sort of concealed carry) and aren’t super particular about weight, the extra ounce or two isn’t going to be a big factor. You gain almost an inch of blade, and I tend to like a bigger fixed blade when I’m camping and stuff. That’s just me.
I’ve got several Esees, (6, 4, 3, Junglas) and I really like them all. Because they’re designed by guys who use them, they just work. Hard to beat that warrantee, too.
I’ve got and have used both the 4 and the 3 in the field a lot. Both are excellent performers. FWIW, I seem to end up using the 3 more, not really because it’s lighter, but more because the blade is ground from thinner stock. It is a more efficient blade geometry, especially for small work, like making really tiny shavings for fire starting, and for field dressing small game. The geometry really matters.
YMMV, of course. Hard to see how you could go wrong either way.
Hey Bobby, Thanks for taking the time out to comment on your experience with Esees. I have the Candiru, Izula II, 3 and Junglas myself. Chad recently reviewed the 4 and it looks like a real nice knife. I think the thinner geometry is great, because the coating adds some thickness and resistance, and I think the knife needs all the help it can get.
Dan
Great review on the ESEE 3. I am thinking of getting this knife not as a survival knife, but the size and blade shape make it seem like it should be a excellent knife for field dressing/skinning. The sturdy construction is cool too. Just in case your hunting trip turns into a survival situation.
Steve, I have heard people carrying the ESEE 3 for that exact purpose – skinning and field dressing deer. From what I hear, I think it would work well – but I can’t claim I’ve ever tried it myself. If you happen to get the knife and use it for that purpose, I’d love to get your thoughts on it. Thanks for stopping by!
Nice review and man, I love this knife! I got it for the same purposes that Steve mentioned, skinning and field dressing. Although I haven’t used it on a deer or any large game yet, it does hold up well as a filet knife given its slimness. I’ve fileted up several nice rainbows with it.
Thanks Sahil! Glad you are enjoying the knife too!
Dan,
I was wondering if you have put this knife through the ringer yet? Have you used it to baton wood with, if so of what diameter was it effective to? Would you recommend this knife for backpacking?
Thanks for the review.
Hey Robby,
The ESEE 3 is tough as nails, I need to go back and shoot some video of the ESEE 3, the Izula II, and the new Candiru (sp?). The ESEE3 will baton and I think it’s best suited for small logs – 3-4″ in diameter… although if you are skilled it could certainly split larger pieces of wood. It’s more a question of length rather than strength as smaller blades will get lost in a large piece of wood. It’s a very tough knife.
Dan
After a ton of research I had my wife hunt the ESEE 3 knife down for me; $80 later and I still haven’t regret this knife. I always thought carrying a knife like this in the small of the back (tracker style) would be great, but it really is NOT practical in urban settings where I mostly carry mine. I also didn’t like it hanging off my belt. So I settled on putting the belt clip on the outside of the sheath and just carrying it IN my front pocket. It’s still very quick to pull out in a self defense situation. The belt clip also allows me to clip the knife to the inside of my picket while in use….did I mention it disappears from site in my pocket? It is a very outstanding knife and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good fixed blade.
Hey Jason,
Glad to hear you have been enjoying your ESEE 3 and feel that it is a worthwhile purchase. I have really been enjoying mine as well. I do occasionally carry it as you describe, with the boot clip clipped inside the pocket. It’s not the most inconspicuous form of carry but it can work depending on the types of clothing you wear. At the end of the day this is a rock solid fixed blade – everything you need, nothing you don’t – with an amazing warranty.
Best,
Dan
I just received my Esee-3-Mil. The knife is almost impossible to remove from the sheath. I’ve emailed the mfg. to see if the sheath needs to be replaced. The one time I got it out it did look like a quality knife
John,
Have you tried popping it out with your thumb? Grip the knife as you normally would and put your thumb on the back of the sheath and try to pop the knife out with your thumb. That might help loosen it up. Mine is pretty tight, but it sounds like there may very well be a problem with your sheath. I hope it works out.
Dan
Several people have. A couple (with large hands) have been able to pop it loose but most can’t. Mgr is replacing it.
John, Thanks for following up. Sounds like you got a bad sheath there. If you get a chance, let me know what you think of it once you have had a chance to test the knife out with a working sheath. Hope you enjoy it.
Dan
My wife’s Esee 4 was also extremely hard to get out of the sheath. I simply shaved a tiny bit of the plastic bumps that hold the knife on the sheath. 30 seconds and it now is perfect. Just be careful not to take off too much…
I did the same & works fine. Perfect knife for me
They have been very prompt & professional ref this. I’ll follow up. It isn’t a big concern on my part since I plan on using another aftermarket molle sheath with a pouch that should fit this blade.
Excellent, John. Thank you.
Dan
Nice review and man, I love this knife! I got it for the same purposes that Steve mentioned, skinning and field dressing. Although I haven’t used it on a deer or any large game yet, it does hold up well as a filet knife given its slimness. I’ve fileted up several nice rainbows with it.
John, Thanks for following up. Sounds like you got a bad sheath there. If you get a chance, let me know what you think of it once you have had a chance to test the knife out with a working sheath. Hope you enjoy it.