When you’re trekking the great outdoors, you never know what can happen. You could find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no sense of where you ought to go. You might stumble across a baby bear and her protective mother. Or perhaps Mother Nature turns and you’re caught in a heavy storm with wild winds and a severe temperature change. It happens. Or you may very well injure yourself, rendering you near incapable of returning to civilization. Anything can happen when you’re in the wild, so it’s important that you think of every possibility before you venture off.
When I pack for my own expeditions, I always consider the environment, the wildlife, the weather, the connection (or lack there of) to the human world, and I pack accordingly. Sometimes you get lost. And other times you’re forced to the brink of survival, to where you must fashion a brace or a shelter to survive. In these situations, there are quite a few items that are invaluable, like rope, a first aid kit, a knife, etcetera. Personally, I never head anywhere without a proper, high quality blade.
Having a strong and capable knife can be as life saving as any other gear item, if not more, because you never know exactly when you will need it most. A solid knife can be your weapon, your defense, your tool, and your food provider, so why not make sure it’s a knife worth relying upon. Whenever someone asks of the best brands or my favorite blade recommendations, I typically rattle off a few favored brands, but the truth is that it all comes down to the quality of the craftsmanship and material that went into the blade.
Having a strong and capable knife can be as life saving as any other gear item, if not more, because you never know exactly when you will need it most. A solid knife can be your weapon, your defense, your tool, and your food provider, so why not make sure it’s a knife worth relying upon. Whenever someone asks of the best brands or my favorite blade recommendations, I typically rattle off a few favored brands, but the truth is that it all comes down to the quality of the craftsmanship and material that went into the blade.
Some knife companies create one or two really solid knives, along with a slew of pretender blades, and sure, there are a few rare ones who demand the level of excellence that I do as well. First and foremost, touch the blade, see how it feels to you. Do you think you can skin an animal with it? Or whittle? Or fight to survive? Will it handle high impact? Will the blade stay sharp after long use? These are all questions you must address when selecting the best blade for whatever travel style or lifestyle you lead. The choice can be somewhat subjective, but that is why I’m here, writing this article. I wanted to focus on the reasons to invest in a remarkable knife, prior to simply reviewing one that I myself suggest. So if you’re overwhelmed with choices, feel free to test out the following blade, because I seriously doubt you will be disappointed.
Recently, the fine folks over at ESEE Knives sent me one of their hybrid blades for review, and upon initial testing I was struck by how strong and well made it was. ESEE’s blades are made in the USA and each carry their ‘No Questions Asked Warranty;’ so no matter what happens, even if you break it, they will repair or replace the blade. How cool (and rare) is that?! The CM6 blade by ESEE Knives is a sort of hybrid knife that is both tactical and practical, making this blade valuable for home use, practical for defense use, and dynamite for survival use. Not only is the CM6 a powerful and well-built blade, it won’t add a lot of extra weight to your gear: weighing in at a low 10 ounces. But just because it’s lighter than most its size (overall length: 11.13”; blade length: 5.88”), doesn’t mean it can’t overcome the hardest task.
The blade is made of 1095 carbon steel, with a thickness of 1.38”, and is sharped on both sides of the point, allowing for penetration. It keeps its sharpness well through use and is powerful enough to handle larger projects in the wilderness, which is a must for me. The size of the blade is perfect for small to larger projects, making it a perfect size for most travelers, campers and backwoodsmen. While I love the carbon steel blade, I think it’s the full-sized canvas Micarta handle that puts this knife over the top. Not only does it fit with an impressive sense of ergonomics, it provides the user with a secure and stable grip. I found the handle to be comfortable and sleek, and even though it’s not leather or wood, I think ESEE chose best, because the canvas feel adds friction and allows the user to wield the blade with precision and confidence.
ESEE’s CM6 knife comes with a hard black Kydex sheath with clip plate, finishing the package nicely. The sheath is very thick and near impossible to harm, which should be reassuring to all, as it properly protects the blade from harm, as well as protecting you from hurting yourself inadvertently. All in all, I came away very impressed with the CM6 and ESEE’s craftsmanship. I found the CM6 to be a superior blade, perfect for campers, backpackers, survivalists, hunters, and for tactical use. Good luck out there adventurers; be respectful of Nature and always plan to overcome the worst.
If you would like to find out more about ESEE Knives, click here.
Also! Follow ESSE on their social media accounts: Instagram – Facebook – YouTube
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
Recently, the fine folks over at ESEE Knives sent me one of their hybrid blades for review, and upon initial testing I was struck by how strong and well made it was. ESEE’s blades are made in the USA and each carry their ‘No Questions Asked Warranty;’ so no matter what happens, even if you break it, they will repair or replace the blade. How cool (and rare) is that?! The CM6 blade by ESEE Knives is a sort of hybrid knife that is both tactical and practical, making this blade valuable for home use, practical for defense use, and dynamite for survival use. Not only is the CM6 a powerful and well-built blade, it won’t add a lot of extra weight to your gear: weighing in at a low 10 ounces. But just because it’s lighter than most its size (overall length: 11.13”; blade length: 5.88”), doesn’t mean it can’t overcome the hardest task.
The blade is made of 1095 carbon steel, with a thickness of 1.38”, and is sharped on both sides of the point, allowing for penetration. It keeps its sharpness well through use and is powerful enough to handle larger projects in the wilderness, which is a must for me. The size of the blade is perfect for small to larger projects, making it a perfect size for most travelers, campers and backwoodsmen. While I love the carbon steel blade, I think it’s the full-sized canvas Micarta handle that puts this knife over the top. Not only does it fit with an impressive sense of ergonomics, it provides the user with a secure and stable grip. I found the handle to be comfortable and sleek, and even though it’s not leather or wood, I think ESEE chose best, because the canvas feel adds friction and allows the user to wield the blade with precision and confidence.
ESEE’s CM6 knife comes with a hard black Kydex sheath with clip plate, finishing the package nicely. The sheath is very thick and near impossible to harm, which should be reassuring to all, as it properly protects the blade from harm, as well as protecting you from hurting yourself inadvertently. All in all, I came away very impressed with the CM6 and ESEE’s craftsmanship. I found the CM6 to be a superior blade, perfect for campers, backpackers, survivalists, hunters, and for tactical use. Good luck out there adventurers; be respectful of Nature and always plan to overcome the worst.
If you would like to find out more about ESEE Knives, click here.
Also! Follow ESSE on their social media accounts: Instagram – Facebook – YouTube
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
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