Hello All,
First, I would like to say that I have zero affiliation with ESEE or Extrema Ratio. I was talking with a buddy about EDC carry knives, and I was griping about how Ohio does not really allow me to carry my all time favorite knife - The Izula - because it is a fixed blade, though a small one. I figured this forum would be a good place to offer it as an EDC option that won't break the bank but performs like it would need a mortgage to pay for.
I purchased an ESEE Izula 2 about 2 or 3 years ago because I was home on leave in the New York City area, and their knife laws are strange. Essentially, I needed something that was not a "gravity knife" and was 3 inches or less in blade length. A few friends of mine had ESEE's and loved them, so I figured why not - it fit the criteria of a simple carry knife and it was about 70 bucks.
Fast forward, and I have to say it is one of, if not the favorite in my ridiculous collection. I am beyond impressed with how well this knife has held up under the abuse I have put it through. Everything from digging to chopping to opening half-inch thick card board shipping boxes like it was printer paper. I originally intended to keep it as a stateside EDC, but as soon as I got my hands on it and watched how well it performed for damn near any task, I knew this was one that was going with me everywhere. I have yet to give it a real sharpening, yet just now it cut through a thick cardboard box like it was a razor blade. The one thing I am not in love with is their molded sheath. The audible set and release of the knife in place is great, but the loop is either totally useless, or I am too dumb to use it the right way. Possibly both.
Knife laws around the country are strange, and I know that carrying a legal knife can be tricky, so I wanted to offer this as a personal favorite because, for me, it is beyond reliable, it is small ( and thus can be argued it is not intended as a weapon), and because of the ergonomics and material, it punches far, far above it's weight class. When I go to a state that does not allow fixed blades to be carried, I switch over to my Extrema Ratio M1a1 because that is a "multi-tool" and I like their blades material / edge retention. You can pick an Izula 2 with the detachable handles for about 70 bucks, or a Skeleton Paracord-yourself Izula 1 for about 50 from Amazon. Amazon.com : ESEE OD Izula Knife with Sheath, Black : Fixed Blade Camping Knives : Sports & Outdoors
Picture below for reference. I included a quarter for size reference for civilians, and a beer bottle for size reference for Vets/Military.
Speaking of Extrema Ratio, I know many people either do not know of them or are put off by their price and crazy styling. I was not in love with them at first, but I found myself in possession of a Fulcrum C. It's a thick beast, much like what no girlfriend has ever said about my Johnson, and it quickly took the place of my smaller Ka-Bar on my tactical belt when I was still in. I have hacked off the tops of Chef Boy-R-Dee (the master) cans with ease, and once we hammered it into a tree and stood on it, because we needed a step up to attach a rope to an out of reach branch. Didn't even scratch the coating or dull the edge. I'm sure there are others that do just as good if not better of a job, but I have been beyond impressed with this knife as well. It's a hefty knife, and I would trust it to rip a man in half if need be. These are similarly priced to Strider Knives, and I know that those are beloved, but perhaps because of the reputation of them being so highly regarded, I would feel guilty hammering a Strider into a tree.
For reference, I own numerous Benchmades, ESEE, Gerbers, Kabars, Extrema Ratios, Wegner, Leathermans, CRKTs, SpyderCos, SOGs, and just about everything else. I have yet to own a Strider, but if I ever rejoin I may trade some of my lesser used knives for one.
First, I would like to say that I have zero affiliation with ESEE or Extrema Ratio. I was talking with a buddy about EDC carry knives, and I was griping about how Ohio does not really allow me to carry my all time favorite knife - The Izula - because it is a fixed blade, though a small one. I figured this forum would be a good place to offer it as an EDC option that won't break the bank but performs like it would need a mortgage to pay for.
I purchased an ESEE Izula 2 about 2 or 3 years ago because I was home on leave in the New York City area, and their knife laws are strange. Essentially, I needed something that was not a "gravity knife" and was 3 inches or less in blade length. A few friends of mine had ESEE's and loved them, so I figured why not - it fit the criteria of a simple carry knife and it was about 70 bucks.
Fast forward, and I have to say it is one of, if not the favorite in my ridiculous collection. I am beyond impressed with how well this knife has held up under the abuse I have put it through. Everything from digging to chopping to opening half-inch thick card board shipping boxes like it was printer paper. I originally intended to keep it as a stateside EDC, but as soon as I got my hands on it and watched how well it performed for damn near any task, I knew this was one that was going with me everywhere. I have yet to give it a real sharpening, yet just now it cut through a thick cardboard box like it was a razor blade. The one thing I am not in love with is their molded sheath. The audible set and release of the knife in place is great, but the loop is either totally useless, or I am too dumb to use it the right way. Possibly both.
Knife laws around the country are strange, and I know that carrying a legal knife can be tricky, so I wanted to offer this as a personal favorite because, for me, it is beyond reliable, it is small ( and thus can be argued it is not intended as a weapon), and because of the ergonomics and material, it punches far, far above it's weight class. When I go to a state that does not allow fixed blades to be carried, I switch over to my Extrema Ratio M1a1 because that is a "multi-tool" and I like their blades material / edge retention. You can pick an Izula 2 with the detachable handles for about 70 bucks, or a Skeleton Paracord-yourself Izula 1 for about 50 from Amazon. Amazon.com : ESEE OD Izula Knife with Sheath, Black : Fixed Blade Camping Knives : Sports & Outdoors
Picture below for reference. I included a quarter for size reference for civilians, and a beer bottle for size reference for Vets/Military.
Speaking of Extrema Ratio, I know many people either do not know of them or are put off by their price and crazy styling. I was not in love with them at first, but I found myself in possession of a Fulcrum C. It's a thick beast, much like what no girlfriend has ever said about my Johnson, and it quickly took the place of my smaller Ka-Bar on my tactical belt when I was still in. I have hacked off the tops of Chef Boy-R-Dee (the master) cans with ease, and once we hammered it into a tree and stood on it, because we needed a step up to attach a rope to an out of reach branch. Didn't even scratch the coating or dull the edge. I'm sure there are others that do just as good if not better of a job, but I have been beyond impressed with this knife as well. It's a hefty knife, and I would trust it to rip a man in half if need be. These are similarly priced to Strider Knives, and I know that those are beloved, but perhaps because of the reputation of them being so highly regarded, I would feel guilty hammering a Strider into a tree.
For reference, I own numerous Benchmades, ESEE, Gerbers, Kabars, Extrema Ratios, Wegner, Leathermans, CRKTs, SpyderCos, SOGs, and just about everything else. I have yet to own a Strider, but if I ever rejoin I may trade some of my lesser used knives for one.
