kydex

ESEE Laser Strike Review

Alright, I’ll admit it – I’m a huge fan of ESEE Knives. I own a Candiru, Izula-2, and JG3, and I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing an exquisite PR4. So, when the opportunity to sample their Laser Strike model landed in my inbox, you can guess the speed of my reply.

Buy the ESEE Laser Strike at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

While I’m hardly alone in this enthusiasm, much of the halo surrounding ESEE comes from inside the blade-enthusiast bubble. Their American-made pedigree and bulletproof warranty are great for nerds like me, but what about the regular folks who buy their camp knives at Walmart? Tell them you spent $115 on an outdoor blade, and they’ll shoot you some pretty strange looks.

I know this, because it’s exactly what I did. After a few weekends racing around the yard, the Laser Strike’s final lap came on an overnight trip to Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin. A few of my friends were testing their camping kits, and they invited me along for the ride. We had a wonderful evening exchanging questionable decisions: Me, teaching them how to baton through logs and them introducing me to, well…

Don’t drink and play with knives, kids. Now, onward before that stuff kicks in.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

In a brand known for its rugged offerings, the Laser Strike stands out as a damage-duty champ. You’re looking at 10-inches of full tang 1095 carbon steel, with a blade nearly as thick as three US quarters stacked together (0.188-inches).

The blade length is a rangy 4.75-inches, 4.5 of which are sharpened. Its flat grind features ESEE’s rugged “Black Textured Powder Coat” over a 1.38-inch width, broken only by the maker’s marks. The knife’s total weight is 9.5-ounces, which is around half as much as a youth-sized aluminum baseball bat.

Now, let me be clear about the provenance of this particular tool. ESEE was kind enough to send it to notorious Youtuber and (I’m directly quoting him here) “big piece of doo doo” Advanced Knife Bro, who agreed to send it my way after mercilessly pummeling it.

As expected, the blade arrived in need of some love. But, that’s one of the beauties of 1095 – It’s easy to whip back into shape. A quick cleaning and Sharpmaker session were all it took to bring the edge back to shaving sharp. But, with a pile of firewood in the garage and a camping trip on the horizon, it didn’t stay that way for long.

So, how did it do with fire prep? Come on – It’s an ESEE. It powered through a half-dozen camp logs without so much as a hiccup. What really shocked me was its prowess at the picnic table. Our menu on this mosquito-rich evening featured ribeye steaks and flame-grilled veggies. I was recruited to help slice onions, peppers, and mushrooms on a small cutting board, which was probably just as thick as the ESEE’s blade. Here’s how things turned out:

Surprised? I certainly was. While it’s certainly no santoku, the Laser Strike turned out to be a more than adequate prep tool. And this was after I’d batoned through several pieces of damp firewood. You won’t be producing translucent onion slices, but for rustic fare like this, the ESEE is surprisingly adept.

Handle and Ergonomics

I love the way that ESEE’s tend to hold my hand. Is that creepy? Too bad, the statement stands. The company’s canvas micarta is on point, and the forward choil fits my index finger perfectly. I also enjoyed the widely spaced jimping, positioned at the step-down transition from blade to handle. It provides excellent traction for my thumb without any discernable discomfort.

A quick aside, for the sake of comparison: I took several knives on this camping trip, including my beloved L.T. Wright GNS and the Condor Swamp Romper (which I gave away to a buddy who didn’t know any better). I encouraged my friends to handle each blade, and the Laser Strike’s scales were the runaway favorite. This could be considered anecdotal, sure, but it was interesting to get some perspective from folks who’re just getting into the knife hobby.

Now, let’s take a moment to discuss the stuff inside the handle. See that metal washer hanging from the base of the sheath? Well, it’s not just for show. This metal disc acts as a flathead driver, allowing you to remove the handle scales. Stowed within are a fire steel and a couple tinder pellets, all included as part of the overall package.

This further pushes the Laser Strike’s “Survival Knife” image, though I do have a few qualms. While certainly serviceable, this small fire steel is pretty difficult to spark. And, given the powder coat, the only available striking surface is (shudder) the blade edge. Sure, the sharpening choil might work, but I’d need to be in a real-life “Fire or I perish” sort of situation before doing that much damage to the cutting surface.

The Laser Strike has another option built in. See that divot on the right handle scale? That’s for a bow drill, allowing you to make fire in an even more bushcraft-friendly fashion. Inefficient? Sure, but 100% cool.

Sheath

The Laser Strike ships with a black Kydex sheath setup, including an ambidextrous clip plate and the aforementioned lanyard/washer combo. It’s a far cry from the leather of the Camp Lore knives I’ve been testing, falling more into the ESEE’s number-knife family (3, 4, 5, etc.).

Retention on the Kydex is good, though it’s absolutely possible to shake 9.5 ounces of knife out of its grip with enough downward thrust. Tension can be adjusted using the sliding screw and washer above the choil area, so you can tighten things up if you feel the need. I like ride height, despite my usual preference for leather danglers. It also manages to be fairly slim, making the knife carry much easier than one would expect from a blade of this heft.

ESEE Laser Strike Review – Final Thoughts

Going into this review, I had no doubts about the Laser Strike’s capabilities as a field-first tool. But it impressed me in every application, from batoning to carving to cooking. Expectations aside, part of the joy of this particular test came from the look on my friends’ faces as they watched me hammer it through our firewood, and the smiles when I handed it over and said “Give it a shot.” Being able to follow up with “You’re not going to break it” and watching them realize it was true – Man, that was a neat moment.

Sufficed to say, I’m completely sold on the Laser Strike as a heavy-duty hacker. It’s not going to replace your smaller blades for ultralight outings and day hikes, but it’s a super-solid addition to a hard-use loadout or car camping kit.

Thanks again to ESEE Knives and Advanced Knife Bro for allowing me to check it out.

Sale

Laser Strike Knife, Black Blade, Micarta Handles, Kydex Sheath

Made in: USA
Category name: knives
Made in USA or imported

Editor: I recommend purchasing the ESEE Laser Strike at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying 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.

TRC Knives K-1 Review

by Andrew Gene Leave a Comment

The K-1 is from TRC Knives, a company out of Lithuania. It is run by Andrius Tricius who is also the maker. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing another one of Andrius’ knives, the Apocalypse-L which has helped to give me a little more insight into his work.

Buy the TRC Knives K-1 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

As with the Apocalypse, this knife leaves an immediate impression of quality. There aren’t any rough surfaces or inconsistencies in the symmetry from side to side. The sheath is cleanly made without damage or marks from thermo-forming and all of the surfaces are well finished, edges chamfered and holes carefully countersunk. From first glance the knife seems to have been CNC made by a high end manufacturer. On closer inspection it is much nicer with the subtle attention to details only a highly skilled craftsman will ensure are tightly buttoned up.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The TRC K-1 has an overall length of 9.25″ (235 mm), a 4.52″ (115mm) blade, weighs 6.95 oz (197g) and 10.01 ounces (286g) with the sheath. This knife is made in Lithuania. The knife is best described as a camp knife or large fixed blade utility knife. With a 4.5″ blade, it isn’t going to work as a daily carry for most people.

The blade on the knife is made from Böhler Uddeholm’s Elmax. This steel falls into the category of powder metallurgy (P.M.) steels and offers exceptional performance. By performance I’m referring to its ability to take and maintain a keen edge and its corrosion resistance. As a P.M. steel it enjoys a healthy mix of some otherwise tricky to alloy materials (in high amounts) such as carbon, chromium and vanadium. The exact composition is as follows:

Carbon	Silicon	Manganese	Chromium	Molybdenum	Vanadium
1.7	0.8	0.3	18	1.0	3.0

There has been a bit of a buzz surrounding Elmax as being overrated. The heat treat is often speculated as being the culprit. Personally I’ve had a positive experience with this knife and Elmax in general. It is somewhat tougher to sharpen than what most people are used to and perhaps this is partly where Elmax looses some points. If you let your knives get very dull and aren’t an experienced sharpener than a lower hardness or less tough steel may be a better choice.

The blade profile is reminiscent of the classic Bob Loveless drop point. It has a good amount of straight working edge followed by some belly toward the end. The spine drops down to meet the tip (hence the name) creating a better point for penetrating cuts, adding to the versatility. The grind is a high flat that is sharpened with a secondary bevel.

The spine of the knife is “capped” meaning that it’s rounded. This detail resolves the shape nicely while making it more comfortable in use when bearing down on the back of the blade with your thumb or other hand. This K-1 has a satin finish but the model can also can be had in a stone-wash. The flats have a coarse texture that contrasts the smoothly finished bevels adding an attractive detail. At the plunge there is a deep choil for sharpening. TRC knives is etched on one side of the blade with K-1 on the other and Elmax on the handle spine.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle is a full tang construction meaning that the supporting handle material travels out to the edges of the scales and is visible. The tang on the K1 actually protrudes a little further and is rounded off for comfort. Having this extra steel around the edges helps to both protect the scales and allow the pommel to be used as an impact tool.

The scales are thick Olive Micarta. Micarta uses organic materials like paper, linen or in this case Canvas as a reinforcement in a resin matrix. Unlike other similar materials such as G10 (also called FR4) or carbon fiber that use glass fibers, Micarta has a natural look and feel. On its outermost surface it also slightly absorbent. Even when wet, Micarta has excellent traction making it a solid choice for an all-weather grip. For fasteners the knife has flat topped bolts that require a three pronged driver. While the bolts give the knife a modernizing look and add to the design interest, you’ll need a special tool if you ever have to re-tighten them or want to take down the knife.

Ergonomically the K-1 checks all the boxes. The handle has a great thickness and as mentioned, the Micarta provides excellent traction. All of the corners have been skillfully chamfered preventing hot spots and supporting prolonged use. The blade has a short front guard followed by a finger groove to keep your hand firmly in place without worry of slipping onto the edge. The groove is complimented by some deep jimping on the spine for thumb placement that adds control and feedback.

At about 4.75” long the handle should fit most medium to large hands with or without gloves. Both the inner and outer edges gently curve and resulting in a natural grip. They terminate at a slightly flared pommel that helps to prevent slipping off the handle. There is a lanyard hole where you can add a wrist lanyard to further secure you to the handle.

Sheath

For carry the K-1 comes with a Kydex sheath. It has a two piece, sandwich construction with the halves being held by black eyelets. The eyelets are spaced for modular attachment points using fasteners like Tek-Loks or other M.O.L.L.E. type rigging. A nylon belt comes standard with the sheath and can be removed if desired. At the bottom there is a small drainage hole for aeration.

The retention is good while still allowing the knife to draw easily. Removing the K1 is helped along by a flared out corner at the mouth of the sheath. This allows you to quickly push it away with your thumb. Overall the sheath is well executed, uncomplicated and versatile.

TRC Knives K-1 Review – Final Thoughts

To sum it up, there isn’t anything I dislike about the TRC Knives K-1. It is an excellent fixed blade. I think that the overall dimensions and weight fit perfectly into my outdoor knife preferences. It has enough size and brawn to make it capable of handling some harder tasks but isn’t over-built.

If you are looking for a higher end, medium sized handmade fixed blade than this may just be it. If not, TRC makes other models on the larger and smaller end of the spectrum that I’m sure will be equally well made, function flawlessly and last a lifetime.

TRC Knives K-1s Fixed Blade Elmax Steel Knife, Black G10 Handle, Kydex Sheath EDC/Hunting/Bushcraft Knife

It is the compact version of our best selling model K-1.It feels great in the hand and features classic drop point blade profile.With its razor sharp edge, it is large enough to tackle any chore.
The spine is rounded with elegant jumping cut into it providing control and confident operation.
The scales are made of indestructible sandblasted G-10 to provide excellent traction.
Elmax steel 60-61 HRC (heat/cryo-treated) 3.7 mm/ 0.14 in thick Overall length: 215 mm/ 8.46 in Blade length from the tip to handle : 100 mm/ 3.93 in Handle: Black G-10, Comes with Kydex sheath, Weight: 145 g / 5.1 oz
Created by a legendary Lithuanian Master Knife Maker Andrius Tricius. Made in Europe.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the TRC Knives K-1 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying 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.

Additional Specifications:

Overall Length 9.25″ (235 mm)
Weight 6.95 oz (197g)
Weight With Sheath 10.1 oz (286g)

Blade:

Length: 4.52″ (115mm)
Thickness: .189″ (4.8 mm)
Steel: ELMAX 59-60 HRC (heat/cryo-treated)
Satin blade or stone washed blade

Handle:

Green Canvas Micarta (also available in black)

Sheath:

Kydex with detachable belt loop

Made in Lithuania

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.

Buy the Junglas at BladeHQ
Buy on Amazon

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.