ESEE

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends ESEE

14 mentions from real owners

• #1Nov 4, 2025

  I have to spend $150 at amazon this week

  Leatherman multitool, esee knife, 

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• #2Jun 2, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  Probably going to be super niche but the 2 things I couldn't do my job without and will immediately replace if they're ever lost. - Iwamoto hand lens (loupe) I've already spent more than the price of one by replacing cheaper ones that fall apart and get lost in the field (the screws back out). Plus it's way easier to see through even the 20x. - Esee knives Pretty self explanatory. Almost indestructible, easy to sharpen and touch up in the field.

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• #3May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  I own both. ESEE is fine. As are my Winklers and several others. Crk are heirloom grade tools

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• #4May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  ESEE is definitely superior BIFL than Chris Reeve

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• #5Mar 9, 2025

  Spyderco Knives, take your pick for BIFL

  Yeah, I’ve heard esee is very good, they have transferable warranty too so if you give the knife away or find an esee knife they’ll still honor the warranty

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• #6Dec 5, 2015

  Redditors, what do you regret?

  I read your post, thought "Hah. This reminds me of me and my Sage 2." Then I clicked on the link and sure enough, you have the same knife. I use $5 box cutters with replaceable blades when I'm at work and leave the spyderco at home for opening mail and carrying on my day off... On the other hand, a high quality fixed blade, like the ESEE 3 I take camping, feels best after you've beaten it up a little.

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• #7Dec 3, 2015

  BIFL : Commander by Emerson Knives the only knife you can completely take apart and the warranty is still good

  Kershaw/ZT and Spyderco both have knives with the wave feature now, so what you are saying about other knives not having it is untrue. Emerson knives were great in the 90s when everything was a backlock or a liner lock. Since then, a lot has changed in the knife world and there are higher quality knives with better steel and materials, and better fit and finish for less money. Also, if you know you will be out in the boonies why would you want to rely on a folding knife as your only knife? Fixed blades under most circumstances are going to be stronger, and require far less maintenance. A good Esee, Ontario, or Becker will do way more and tolerate abuse far beyond what any folding knife would be able to endure if you really had to push it. And they are way cheaper. If you are stuck on having a folder, then I would argue that Kershaw/ZT, Benchmade and Spyderco all make knives with large handles that are way stronger than the Emerson (Kershaw Knockout, ZT0550... Hell ANYTHING ZT makes, Benchmade Adamas, and Spyderco Tuff all come to mind) and can be had at the same or less of a pricepoint. The Emerson isnt a bad knife, but its way too expensive for what you get... Which is why a lot of people are giving you flack over this recommendation. It may be BIFL, but there is much better stuff out there for the $ that is also Made in 'Murica (ZT and Benchmade are all made in America these days). If you would like to learn more about knives come visit us over in /r/knifeclub . We have a good community over there that loves to discuss knives in a friendly way.

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• #8Dec 3, 2015

  BIFL: tactical knife under $50?

  Personally I don't consider new CKRT ls to be overly durable. I agree with many here that multi-tools are somthing he would probably have the most benefit from although they are outside your budget if bought new. Leathermans are good I have several, i would also consider a SOG power assist if you go the multi tool route. I find for heavier jobs the pliers with sogs compounding feature works wonders. I don't have a multi tool suggestion fot under $50 For strictly knives, fixed blades are going to inherently more durable. I have a suggestion alrhought again its closer to $100 new. Esee 4. Esee knives have a lifetime warranty, including if you snap the blade. The warranty is even transferable. (only applicable to their carbon blades) Under 50 look at Mora for fixed knifes, simple, plain, but amazing camping knives. The value is astounding. ontario rat (folder) is worth looking at, you can find it for under 50, doesnt look fancy but its a sturdy knive.

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• #9Dec 3, 2015

  BIFL : Commander by Emerson Knives the only knife you can completely take apart and the warranty is still good

  I haven't had to put in a warranty claim on my ESEE 4 but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't give a shit if I had disassembled it aka pulled the scales off.

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• #10Dec 2, 2015

  BIFL : Commander by Emerson Knives the only knife you can completely take apart and the warranty is still good

  I'd probably get an ESEE 1095 for its [warranty](http://eseeknives.com/warranty.htm) alone. /r/knifeclub is a good place to figure it out. Just anticipate that you're opening boxes with a knife most of the time, not doing CQC.

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• #11Dec 2, 2015

  BIFL: tactical knife under $50?

  **ESEE Izula-II Knife with Sheath, Black** |||| --:|:--|:-- Current|$69.99|Amazon (3rd Party New) High|$74.28|Amazon (3rd Party New) Low|$61.98|Amazon (3rd Party New) |Average|$64.60|30 Day [Price History Chart and Sales Rank](http://i.imgur.com/MdgvAAV.png) | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/PriceZombie/wiki/index)

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• #12Dec 2, 2015

  BIFL: tactical knife under $50?

  Second this. I bring my Izula 2 with me everywhere. Its more than 50 bucks but its worth it. http://www.amazon.com/ESEE-Izula-II-Knife-Sheath-Black/dp/B004GHYI10/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1449020288&sr=8-3&keywords=esee+izula+2

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• #13Dec 2, 2015

  BIFL: tactical knife under $50?

  50 bucks isn't much for a knife that your life may depend on. You could get an Esee izula for close to that. I'd suggest an esee fixed blade or a spyderco pm2 if you want a folder. I wouldn't trust any cheap brand like gerber, sharade, smithwesson.

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• #14Dec 1, 2015

  [BIFL Request] High-carbon hunting knife for hunter/cowboy/diesel mechanic.

  ESEE is known for making some of the best carbon steel knives, they used 1095 carbon steel. In particular, I would recommend a ESEE Izula or ESEE-3. They're the perfect size for a hunting knife. They also have a crazy lifetime warranty, you can literally saw the knife in half and they will replace it for free.

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