ESEEModel 4 with Modified Handle

I purchased this knife, intending on making it my "GO-TO" fixed blade. If I was to go backpacking or car camping, this would be on my belt. If I was enjoying a little bit of whittling at home, this would be the first knife to grab. Go on a day hike, here's my knife. I had been looking for a relatively compact, sturdy, jack-of-all-trades knife that I would NOT worry about beating up. This is the guy I decided on, and I am very happy so far.The ESEE 4hm appears to me as ESEE's emergence into today's hysteria we call "bushcraft". While people debate between "bushcraft vs. survival," the ESEE 4hm takes no heed toward what anyone says. It is a knife that can fill in any niche just fine. ESEE does NOT mess around with their craftsmanship. The edge is hair popping sharp; beveling is perfect; canvas micarda scales are aligned properly, and the blade geometry works! To fill this niche, I knew I wanted a flat grind with a straight edge, to make any tasks possible. I love scandi-grinds, but when it comes to food preparation, skinning, or anything marine related, a scandi-grind ain't helping. The flat grind cuts anything (paper'cardboard to hardwoods) and ESEE's beveling will bite. The drop point is very practical. The point aligns nearly perfectly with the hilt, giving you excellent control and precision. The tip narrows very gradually, while the .188 in thick spine keeps it durable.The shape is awesome. Look at the old French Trade knives, patch knives, skinners, and butcher knives from the 16th - 18th centuries. The ESEE 4hm definitely resembles these tried and tested designs! It works!. This more traditional-styled handle is so comfortable. There are no hot spots. Big hands or little hands, the shape of these handles makes it a very adaptive friendly knife (mainly because you can grip all the way to the blade, or back off a bit to the hilt with ease). I was originally looking at purchasing a Jeff White Bush knife. However, I really did want a one knife fits all, so I wanted something just a tad bit thicker than 1/8 inch stock. I could have gone with the Jeff White HD (great and beautiful knives), but we're talking an extra $65+ and then you still have to buy a sheath. The ESEE 4hm is strong, high carbon steel, traditional blade design that comes with a sheath AND the best warranty in the business. . .all for less than $100.When it comes to steal selection, I don't want to make that a huge factor. While 1095 is a bare bones high carbon steal, it is very effective. With the ROWEN heat treatment, this becomes a beast. It holds an edge, SOOO easy to sharpen, and I personally like the security of the anti-corrosion coating. If you want to strike flint or a ferrero rod on the spine, just take a sander to the back of the blade. No big deal.For all the "bushcraft" knives on the market today, I am finding that this one actually fits all the requirements, without all the hype. If you like ESEE knives, and want that everything blade (and do it in comfort), this is the blade for you.

I’ll let the thousands of other happy buyers rant and rave about the field and long term use. Looking at it new, it’s a tank. I’ve got a half dozen Bark River knives here and this compares with their build quality for half the price. Of course this is with a basic steel...but the 1095 as treated by Rowen has THE best reputation for durability and ease of sharpening. Good ol’ 1095 field steel. It’s what Randall Made Knives does...slightly soft steel to be super durable and easy to sharpen so GI’s could always get a good combat edge. You need to be responsible with it...like any tool you want in good working order. The modified handle is a dream come true. I have an XXL size hand and it works fine for me. I wanted the black leather sheath and finally found it. The tip top of the handle rides exactly even to the top of the belt. Perfection. No poking me and no snagging the occasional limb, etc. Just remember that it’s not a pry bar or an axe. Almost got the esee 3 but glad I didn’t. I have lots of smaller, thin bladed knives. This is between those and my collection of Golocks and Malaysian or Thai/Hawaiian Parangs. Those are the choppers. Very, very pleased all things considered.

I bought this knife for use everyday, or camping, hiking, just being outside, that kind of thing. I didn't find the handle as grippy as most people say it is, and the lack of finger choil is just a personal thing for me. I thought I wouldn't mind but after having this knife for a couple weeks I have found that I really like something to stop my finger. I died micarta black ordered a kydex sheath for it (not a fan of esees pancake style sheaths) I also found a couple pits when I stripped the blade. (See pics). Which isn't a big deal because it's a solid cosmetic issue, I think this knife should cost a bit less, but it is for sure in the "close to $100" range in quality. I'd recommend it for bushcrafting and small camp tasks. I'm also not a fan of lanyards and when I removed the lanyard from this knife I noticed a small hot spot where the handles are cut to accept the lanyard. Just personal size issue because I have Shrek hands. The chubby part of my palm tries to fill in that hole where the lanyard goes and it doesn't feel comfortable. Other than that totally fine knife. I'll be keeping it for a loaner or a beat-up knife.

The first thing you will notice about this knife is how heavy duty it is. The knife has some weight to it due to the thick stock the blade is made from as well as the thick Micarta scales used for the handle. It came very sharp from the factory with a nice black leather sheath. I oiled the sheath and rubbed it down with the blade in it to help form the sheath. Overall, I like the knife however, if weight is your deal, this might not be the knife for you. This will be a good camp knife as well as general purpose knife which I carry around with me in my car. This should be good for hunting as well and should have no issues field dressing your game. For backpacking, I will choose something a lot lighter which is no big deal since I have about 20 knives to choose from (like I needed another knife in the first place). I would guess that you could baton with it since it has a nice wedge shaped blade with a thick spine however, I don't use a knife to process wood, I use a small camp axe for that purpose. Peace, PCD

Another great knife by Esee! I prefer this over the original esee 4. Fits the hand better, love the micarta scales on this one. Can get a good grip and feels very secure in the hand. Tough knife, has held up to every thing I've thrown at it. Good size too. Good for wood work, camping or hiking. Not to big or heavy but solid and robust to know you can count on it. I have almost the whole stable of esee knives and this one is one of my favorites. Im a kydex sheath guy but it does come with a decent leather sheath that has good retention.Cant go wrong with esee. Rowen heat treat and one of the best warranties in the business.

Das messer ist okay hat einen tolen grif und ein Okay gute Verarbeitung (z.B. bei meinem Model kein perfekter über gang von den Griffschalen zum Stahl).Ich Persönlich hab es Zurückgeschickt weil der Klingenrücken nicht scharf ist was sehr schwach gür ein Outdoor Bushcraft messer ist. Und fpr anfünger beim schnitzen ist es wegen dem fehlenden Pariersteg nicht Perfekt.

Das ESEE modell 4 HM ist ein gutes Outdoor- / Camp- bzw. Bushcraft-Messer das ich mir vor Kurzem gegönnt habe, tatsächlich hat es eine gute Klinge mit einer sehr funktionalen Klingenform.Der Griff ist sehr angenehm und Griffig und bei meinem Messer auch sehr gut verarbeitet.Die Lederscheide ist gut verarbeitet, wirkt recht robust und rustikal, ist aber von der Trageweise limitiert da die Schlaufe keine Verstellmöglichkeit hat und die Scheide hat auch keine Kunststoffeinlage zum Schutz der Scheide vor der Klinge.In Relation zur mittelgrossen Klinge ist die Klinge sehr dick, das führt dazu das das Messer kein überragender Slicer ist, dafür aber recht robust.Im Fazit vergebe ich hier 3 Sterne, 1 Stern ziehe ich ab, da die Scheide einfach zu limitiert ist und 1 Stern da das Messer doch recht teuer für den einfachen Stahl ist, trotzdem mag ich das Messer und werde es mit Freuden benutzen.