Comparing LT Wright and ESEE Knives: Two of Our Top Brands

Two of the top brands on our website are LT Wright and ESEE Knives, both of which are highly respected in the industry for the quality of the tools they make as well as for their customer service. 

Both also specialize in making knives for bushcraft and survival applications, though if you look for it you won’t have to go too far to find an LT Wright or an ESEE in the hands of a hunter, first responder, camper, hiker, or any other outdoorsman. 

This short post will take a closer look at the pair of brands and shed some light on their relative virtues. 

Patterns and Profiles 

Both ESEE and LT Wright Knives vary considerably in terms of product offering. 

LT Wright offers a variety of patterns and profiles like the Forest Trail,  Genesis, and Woods Monkey which are ideal for survival and bushcraft, along with blades like the MUK and Boattail which are ideal for hunters and campers. 

There are even a few folding LT Wright Knives like the Woods Monkey Banana Peel friction folder, which is ideal for those who are interested in handmade quality in a folding EDC knife. 

The backbone of ESEE Knives is a collection of basic drop-point profiles that range in size from the diminutive Candiru and Izula, through the ESEE 3, 4, 5 and 6, all the way to the Junglas, a larger, machete-sized blade. Like LT Wright, most ESEE patterns are fixed blades.

There are other ESEE Knives that are atypical, too, like the Belt Knife and Expat Kukri, as well as the AGK and JG5, both of which are intended to appeal to hunters. 

Blade Steels and Heat Treatment

The main blade steel ESEE Knives leverage is 1095. The vast majority of their catalog, including the Candiru, Izula, ESEE 3, 4, 5, 6, Junglas, and ESEE Laser Strike, are made with this alloy, and the blades are powder coated to protect against corrosion. 

There are special variants of some of these that are made with super steels such as S35VN, and some special models, like the Sencillo, are made with A2 and MagnaCut, but overall, this is the steel used by ESEE. 

It is low-cost and given a middle of the road heat treatment. Most users would agree that ESEE Knives steel is fairly soft and gets dull pretty quickly. As a general rule, you should carry a small stone on you if you carry an ESEE so that you can touch it up in the field as needed. Another big thing about the use of this steel is that it will rust if you let it.

By contrast, there is considerable variety in the blade steels utilized by LT Wright Knives. Many models are made with A2, AEB-L, MagnaCut, and 3V. Some models are also made in 1095, just like ESEE Knives are. 

Handle Scales 

The vast majority of ESEE Knives are outfitted with knife handle scales made of either G10 or micarta. Both of these synthetics are excellent materials for knives that will be used hard because they are extremely physically durable and chemically stable. 

They are non-absorbent, will not rot or rust, will not interact with oil, grease, grime, water or blood, and require no maintenance whatsoever. You don’t need to worry about G10 or micarta falling apart because they are about as bombproof as synthetic knife handle scales get. 

As for LT Wright Knives, many of them are also outfitted with knife handle scales made of G10 and micarta (and well as another synthetic known as Richlite) but many of these handmade knives are also made with natural hardwoods like ironwood, which introduces a new dimension of beauty, despite the fact that wood has more particular care considerations compared to synthetic knife scale materials. 

Price and Value

LT Wright Knives are handmade, and ESEE Knives are hand-finished, so as a result, the former generally command more prestigious prices than the latter. 

Many LT Wright Knives are priced between $100 and $350, whereas most ESEE knives are slightly more affordable, ranging closer to $100 and $150, though there are outliers on both ends of this spectrum. 

Both brands make knives and tools that will not balk at hard work; if you’re in the market for a handmade knife with a little more visual aesthetic and don’t mind the higher price, an LT Wright might be best for you, whereas an ESEE might be better if you are more price sensitive.

Warranty Coverage 

Both ESEE and LT Wright Knives are covered by very generous warranties. LT Wright Knives are covered by a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects, and ESEE Knives are covered by a lifetime warranty, which follows the knife for life and is transferrable between owners. If your ESEE breaks for any reason, you can send it back to them for a replacement. 

Regardless, in both cases, normal wear, tear, use, and rust are not covered, but the warranty coverage for both brands is excellent nonetheless so you can buy with peace of mind. 

Want More Information on Either of These Brands? 

Not sure if an ESEE or an LT Wright is for you? Have questions about either of these brands that we didn’t cover here, or about a specific model? Get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to help you out