Why the ESEE 5 Is One of the Best Knife Designs, Ever

The ESEE 5 is one of the brand’s most popular models, and not to oversell it, but it is one of the best knife designs in history.

Is it designed to win pageants? Certainly not. And in fact, it’s relatively plain, with a ho-hum drop point blade and a fairly generic steel.

But you know what? It works. And it does so in lots of ways. 

Besides, “best knife” is a heck of a title. So let’s get into the substance of defending that claim. 

Where the ESEE 5 Wins

First, the standard ESEE 5 with 3D scales is an 11” knife with a 5.25” blade (hence the name) that weighs 17 ounces without the sheath. 

The blade is of 1095, like most other ESEE knives, and in the ESEE 5 it is not a full-flat grind as it is in other models like the 3, 4 and Izula. It’s more of a flat-flat like the Candiru. 

Like other ESEE knives made with 1095, there is a powder coat on the blade and tang that only exposes the steel at the edge and logo. This helps insulate the blade against rust and corrosion. 

There is jimping along the spine and a pointed section exposed at the pommel which can be used for striking. There’s also a hole through it for adding a lanyard. 

The 3D scales are made of dense G10 in contrasting color patterns and are gently swollen at the palm. This makes the scales very comfortable in the grip. They index well, offer solid traction no matter the conditions, and require effectively no maintenance.

The ESEE 5 comes with a thermoplastic sheath that offers an excellent friction fit, and which is perforated along the margin so that it can be rigged for scout carry, pack carry, cross draw, and pretty much any other carry configuration that you want to practice. 

It’s also available in a partially serrated version that has serrations at the base of the edge near the scales. That version even has a bow drill socket in the scales so you can use it to start a fire with a bow drill. Of course that takes a lot of practice but it is a nice feature nonetheless. 

That pretty much covers the specifications of the ESEE 5, so what is it that makes it such an effective knife? 

Let’s go down the list. 

First, the steel. The 1095 is not a super steel and it’s actually pretty soft, so you can expect it to get dull fast. With that said, it’s very easy to resharpen, and even though it dulls quickly, can take a very sharp edge. 

Also, even though 1095 rusts very easily, the powder coat does a reasonably job of protecting the blade, so even though you do need to mind the blade against rust, it’s not in a bad spot.

On top of that, what 1095 lacks in corrosion resistance (which is pretty much anything and everything) it easily makes up for in downright toughness. This is a very tough tool steel and ESEE knives like this one can take a heck of a lot of abuse. 

That’s another thing though it is not exclusive to the ESEE 5. ESEE’s warranty is one of the best, period. Not just in the knife industry, but one of the best warranties out there. If you break an ESEE knife and send it back to them, they will replace it for you, no questions asked. 

The size is another thing. With more than a 5 inch blade, there really isn’t much the ESEE 5 can’t do. It’s nearly large enough to serve as a chopper or a camp knife, and it is large enough to baton wood rounds. 

Otherwise, there are no tasks too small for an ESEE 5 and very few that are too large. With it you could process whole small trees, clean harvests, prepare food, carve camp furniture, strike a fire, and much more. 

On top of that, the exposed pommel is pretty practical as a striking implement, too. 

Also, the profile of the knife, though it’s basic, is a winner. Yes, a cleaver will have a stouter, more breakage resistant tip, and yes, a skinner will be better for making long, arcing cuts. But the drop point is a do-all generalist that really does pretty much anything reasonably well. 

Regardless of what you need a solid knife for, there are few better options, objectively, than an ESEE 5, particularly if you need a generalist. 

These are, in a nutshell, why this is one of the best knives ever produced. 

Are There Any Misses? 

In the spirit of fairness, the ESEE 5 is not perfect, so let’s talk about a few things that limit its design in one way or other. 

• If you need a specialized pattern like a skinner or a stiletto, this is not the knife for you. It is a generalist.
• The 1095 steel will rust very easily if you are not careful.
• There are better steels that will hold an edge longer. 
• This is not an ultralight knife, by any means. In fact it is downright heavy. If you’re really concerned about the weight of your loadout, there are other, better, lighter knives. Some of them are even from ESEE. For instance, the Izula and Candiru are much better options if you need something very small and  light. 
• On the same note, this is not a very discreet knife. 

But that pretty much covers it. Except for what’s mentioned here, this is a really solid all-around knife.

Trick Out Your ESEE 5 with New Scales from The Knife Connection 

Whether you don’t have an ESEE 5 yet and are planning on getting one now or just need to trick out your current 5 with some new knife handle scales, we have you covered. Check out our collection and if you have any questions about specifications or scale fit or compatibility, get in touch with us and we’ll be more than happy to help.