Thats a grim realization, but a true one.
Back in 2012, I was hiking through the woods and ended up a little out of place.
So, I set to the task of shaping sticks properly to make stakes for my tarp.
The author reviewed the ESEE Knives PR4 (left) and RB3 (right) on the right. Both have a place in the author’s outdoor equipment.
That was the day I learned that I needed a backup knife.
In most cases, this is a thin blade, or a thick blade with a dependable grind.
Scandi grind works incredibly well and requires littlesharpening, but any knife a user can effectively wield will work.
A scandi grind on the RB3 means that a user can adjust the depth of their cut, even if they have already started cutting.
What these two knives allow for is overlapping use.
They each have a style of camping and craft that is as similar as it is different.
Because of these similarities and differences, their knife designs have gone in different directions.
Reuben Bolieu (left) and Patrick Rawlins (right) are longtime friends and the masterminds behind the RB3 and PR4 knives from ESEE Knives, respectively.
Neither is wrong, just different from one another.
The RB3
I also am a fan of Scandi grind knives for many reasons.
One main reason is you dont need to have some special grind or technique to become proficient.
The RB3 is a unique Scandi edge design that features a large handle and 3” blade, which is often the opposite of marketed “survival” knives.
The RB3 has a 3 1095 steel blade set in a full tang micarta handle.
The handle stands out quite a bit as it has a meaty, round gripping surface.
A continually tapering curve follows down the length of the tang.
The PR4 has a unique look and durable blade that separates it from the crowd.
The handle itself assists with being adaptable to any-sized hand with a firm and steady hold.
Micarta handles grip well in cold and wet conditions, making this an idea knife for a survival situation.
In come the Patrick Rawlins 4 (PR4) workhorse.
The author used the PR4 for simple batoning and prepping small bits of firewood during his field testing.
But the PR4 utilizes a unique design all to itself.
Its stick straight with a small integrated single quillon between the beaver-tail/Kephart tip and rounded grip end.
Its a flat grind blade that really shows off a simple curve with plenty of knife belly to use.
Its almost exactly the opposite of the RB3 but allows for a stronger grip with the fingertips.
This means theres no reason to rely exclusively on the thump and pinky for the majority of leverage.
Both Reuben and Patrick have put a lot of work and focus into their designs.
Each design is proven to be successful in the outdoors.
Employ the two together and it could be the be-all and end-all of knife needs.
Go to forum thread
ESEE KnivesRB3
ESEE KnivesPR4
