How do you know "it gets the job done" if you've not used it? All three of the knives you've shown, haven't been used.

Great review! You hit it all. And I love the way you set up the sheath and the new handles!!

I use ESEE as my go-to field knifes. I have a 3 with those black/grey 3D scales, an S35vn 4 with TKC extended scales, a stock 6, and a Junglas. ESEE makes a solid product, with good grinds, and an attractive price point.

The ESEE Warranty is definitely way better than the GSM, Cold Steel Warranty. But, I would pick the 3V Cold Steel SRK over the ESEE for the type of purposes you mentioned. I own both and the ESEE 6, too. My ESEE 4 is the CPM-S35VN Model with the ESEE, G-10, Scales, similar to yours. I find, in the Field, the ESEE 4 is great for small and light tasks. But, not so good for larger or more heavy-duty type tasks. Whereas, the SRK can handle batoning and setting up a Fire and Camp Site Shelter much better and easier than the ESEE 4. The ESEE is easier to Scout Carry due to it's diminutive size. And, would take up a little less space in a Pack. But, I wouldn't be concerned about those differences, because I would want to carry my Knife on my hip, in the Wilderness, not in a Backpack, for easy and fast access. Now, if your comparison was between the 1095HC ESEE 6 and the Standard SK5 or San Mai or 3V Cold Steel SRK, that would be a tough decision for me. Why? Because, I absolutely luv my ESEE 6 and have used it in the Wild many times; to me it's a proven "ROCK STAR!!!" And, you just cannot beat the ESEE Warranty. And, it's made in the good old U.S.A., too! To me it's the size you want for light to heavier-duty use. It's a Jack of all Trades. Mine has the Micarta ESEE Scales with the Palm Swell. I absolutely luv it. And, it's an easy hip carry also. But, the 3 and 4 are a bit too small in size for me for setting up a Camp Site and Fire. I use my ESEE 4 for cleaning game, food prep, and small chores. :-) You should give the ESEE 6 a try. I'll bet you'd absolutely luv that one for the reasons I have mentioned. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)

Great discussion, over the years I have ditched many knives but 2 have always stayed with me and I constantly find myself automatically reaching for them...being the Esee 3 and SRK compact, looooove them both.

I just got one. I look at this as it will do 80% of what you need well, 20% ok. In my mind everything is a compromise and I think this is about as flexible as you can get.

Srk is a jack of all but mainly for combat/Survival. Esee is bushcraft. Id def go with the srk not the best for bushcraft tasks but it will do the job. ✝🇺🇸✝

Fill that tin with rolled up ones 👍

Can I ask, is this pouch the same size as the one you can purchase for the Esee 5/6

I prefer the flat scales, helps keep the knife from rolling in your hand

Had 6 SRK blades & all of them had the handle come loose/ rattle after splitting soft kindling. Very common thing with cold steel krayton handles.

If you prefer the Esee 4 but want it a better slicer then try the s35vn version.

6" minimum blade length. That's necessary to span the diameter of dead trees large enough to have dry wood in the center, reach the vitals of a large opponents in a thrust, use with two hands for drawknifing, and other critical tasks. A survival knife should have at least a 6" blade, anything less than that should be a pocketknife. I prefer 8", because that's the maximum length I can EDC without issues, and if I snap the tip off I can regrind it and still have more than 6".

Esee knives are great and their contoured 3D G10 scales are awesome. If you want a knife that you can pry with, try the Esee 5. If I could only have one knife to survive, it would probably be my Esee 6 with the above-mentioned scales. With good jimping and a choil it allows you to choke up on the blade for more control when working on smaller tasks. It's not a fillet, gutting, or skinning knife but if you know what you are doing, it'll work in a pinch. It'll make decent feather sticks and shavings for starting a fire. It's large enough to use as a chopper or even for splitting wood if you haven't got an axe or hatchet handy. It's a quality blade that is able to function well in a variety of situations. Of course, my Frost River tool roll is always in my Rush72 backpack. It has my gutting, skilling & fillet knives as well as my cooking/eating utensils in it. Plus, I always have my folding saw and Hults Bruk Aneby small axe attached to my pack. But, if I was stuck outdoors without my pack, I would at least have my ESEE 6 😁

SRK vs ESEE 4 is not a good match-up - I agree with other commenters. The better match-up would be the ESEE 6, as it has almost exactly the same dimensions. However, I'd still go with the SRK, but the San Mai III version (mainly to match my Trail Master San Mai III!).

The Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110 or 140 are much better knives at a cheaper price. It beats both the SRK and the ESEE 4. Even the steel (80crv2) they use is a crap ton better.

I personally would pick the master hunter in 3v. The srk in sk5 is $35 so to compare it to esee you could get the srk in 3v for the same price as the esee in 1095. I look at the warranty as a gimmick. If a knife im using breaks. Then i don't want another one. I don't abuse my knife so that means its failure was manufacturing. Do i really want to get another one an hope its right this time. So i have no use to pay extra for something that everyone else does without bragging. One last thing my most used knife is a mini pendleton hunter with the mora Garberg a close second. Both are extremely tough.

I Want This Set-Up, What's The Price Of It ???

This guy has a great imagination. He doesn't even have to use his knives!

Looking at all the blades you have reviewed reminds me much of myself 10-12 year’s ago. I can say that if you stay on the path you’re perspectives will change greatly with time and use. Geez, I sound like Confucius...lol

I can't answer that question unless you send me an Esee 4 lol

Where can I get that set up can u send me that

The Esee 4 is my companion blade lol

If anyone has either model SRK; get the other size too so you have both.

The Esee 4 is severely handle heavy and unbalanced … My favorite is the Esee 3…

4 inches is too short. I own both knives. Srk need a pomo.

No!

E4 can't beat it because of price.

I love mine in orange g10 BUT HATE THE CHOIL....there is no reason to choke up on a 4 ish inch blade.....wasted the best part of the edge for power cuts and precision. But what do I know with growing up running trapline and 14 years as a meatcutter and former backpacking guide How I wish the longer handled version came out when I purchased...still a waste of a half inch IMOP but still a better version