Free Shipping
Made In USA
ESEE-3
The ESEE 3 is the all-arounder in the ESEE lineup and the knife the brand was founded on. Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin brought it over from their earlier RAT-3 design when they launched ESEE Knives in 2009, and it remains the model the brand recommends first to buyers who want one blade to cover bushcraft, hunting, backpacking, and daily carry. DLT stocks the ESEE 3 in three configurations: standard 1095, CPM-S35VN stainless, and the 3HM modified handle variant.
Blade Geometry and Intended Use
The ESEE 3 runs a 3.88-inch drop point at 0.125-inch stock thickness, half the thickness of the ESEE 5. The thinner blade and full flat grind slice cleanly through feather sticks, field dressing, food prep, and rope work where the thicker ESEE 5 and Junglas would struggle. At 5.2 ounces it's light enough for backpacking and actual EDC without giving up the full-tang construction and 1095 toughness that let it take heavy batoning when needed.
1095 Carbon vs CPM-S35VN Steel Options
The standard ESEE 3 runs 1095 high-carbon at 55 to 57 HRC with a textured powder coat. 1095 sharpens easily on any abrasive and holds a working edge through hard use, but needs basic oil maintenance to prevent surface rust. The S35VN variant runs premium powder stainless at 59 to 60 HRC with a stonewashed finish and contoured 3D G10 handles, trading some ease of sharpening for substantially better edge retention and corrosion resistance. ESEE notes the S35VN runs harder and is not intended for the same abuse as the 1095. Pick 1095 for hard-use bushcraft. Pick S35VN for humid climates and lower-maintenance carry.
ESEE 3HM Modified Handle for Bushcraft
The 3HM is the bushcraft-oriented variant. HM stands for Handle Modified. It drops the forward choil some users found caught during long cuts, removes the spine jimping, and replaces the flatter original scales with wider, rounder canvas Micarta. Blade steel, thickness, and profile match the standard ESEE 3. The 3HM ships with a traditional leather belt sheath rather than the molded polymer sheath on the standard model. This is the variant for users who want a classic bushcraft feel over a tactical profile.
Sheath Compatibility and Lifetime Warranty
The standard ESEE 3 and S35VN share the same molded polymer sheath system, so Molle backs, clip plates, and replacement sheaths work across both. The 3HM uses the leather sheath exclusively. Every ESEE 3 carries the brand's unconditional lifetime warranty covering blade breakage regardless of cause, transferable to any subsequent owner with no receipt required. Made in the USA with 1095 supplied and heat-treated by Rowen Manufacturing.