Review_swinkels_E4 2010

It’s evident that in today’s modern world related
to the hunting fraternity, the term Traditionalist is
an ongoing topic for discussion, and sometimes
a heated one at that. Particularly within the Traditional Archery and Bowhunting disciplines,
where the age old argument will always remain;
that if a Traditional Bow contains modern materials, should it therefore be regarded as
‘Traditional’? So should this question now also
apply to our personal tools, clothing or even kit
in general when we perceive ourselves as Traditionalists? Well, I’m not here to engage the
readers on what may be right or wrong, but for
the direction of this review, let’s associate it with
a Modern Traditional Bowhunter. Let’s begin.
For those readers that have come across the
term Kydex, you will probably already know of
how versatile this product can be in just about
any application it is applied. Kydex (or thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride alloy) has been
used extensively within various industries for
years, even as far back as 1965 where it was
used within the aircraft industry for cockpits and
the like. These days, it is very much utilized
within the shooting, hunting and general outdoors arena.
It has been molded to house an infinite list of
items, with arguably one of the most popular
applications being sheaths for knives. Kydex in
its rigid state, can easily be heated, formed and
shaped and with a bit of imagination and technical know-how, constructed into a piece of equipment that will last for years. This is largely due
to its superior rigidity and formability, outstanding toughness and chemical resistance. So
now that the short history lesson is out of the
way, lets take a closer look where this super
product is applied to one of the most important
tools to the hunter; the knife.
Having been involved with various outdoor and
bushcraft related internet forums for quite some
time, I am always coming across new products
and information and more recently, came across
a post that led to a Youtube video. Set in the
Scottish highlands, the presenter was giving a
brief of a weekend in the woods, canoeing, fishing and practicing typical outdoor skills. During
the video, he gave a short review of a custom
made Kydex sheath from a ‘plastic bender’ (as
they are commonly referred) by the name of
Martin Swinkels. Martin is based in the Netherlands and I was impressed with his workmanship (of what I could ascertain from the well
made video).
Modern Traditionalist? Gear Review: Swinkels Technical Kydex sheath / ESEE Knives E-4
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Author: Guy Curtis | Dec 2010
Having owned kydex products from most of the
top suppliers both here and abroad, I was keen
to give Martin a project and to see his work first
hand. A couple of emails later, and a short wait
for the postman to do his thing, I found myself
unwrapping a well packaged box. Martin said
that he was going to get straight on to my order
and he was not joking! It was here in no time.
Supervivencia (School of Survival), Escape and
Evasion). The company also uses the term
ESEE for “Education of Survival, Escape and
Evasion”.
Removing the bubble wrap, I was immediately
impressed by the clean and well finished edges
where the front and back of the sheath joined.
This was a fold-over type sheath and was held
solidly in place by eyelets along one side. These
eyelets could be utilized for attaching belt loops,
pouches, a fire steel loop (as in this version) and
a myriad of other gizmos and gadgets – I was in
heaven! The sheath was rock solid with a great
feel of quality about it. Again, I was very impressed!
Before I go into too much detail on the sheath, I
should point out that Martin holds many production and mid-tech custom knives in his own personal stock. So if you’re the proud owner of one
of the many popular brands there should be no
need to send your knife across as he uses this
stock for the very purpose of saving you the additional shipping. The knife I had chosen, of
which I will go into more detail later, was an offering by a USA based outdoor, bushcraft and
survival company known as ESEE (Escuela de
Modern Traditionalist? Gear Review: Swinkels Technical Kydex sheath / ESEE Knives E-4
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Author: Guy Curtis | Dec 2010
The model was an ESEE-4 or previously known
to most as an RC-4. This knife is the perfect
size for both a bushcraft and hunting knife, being of drop point design, reasonable thickness
and great material; 1095 carbon steel. Martin
has near all of ESEE’s product line in stock, so
the exercise was easy. Now back to the sheath
system. I had Martin include some optional extras on this order; a Maxpedition single storage
pouch, a leather belt loop, a fire steel loop with
steel and a ‘Teklok’ attachment that would suit
any sized belt (useful for horizontal carry when
the standard belt loop was removed – one of my
most favored ways to carry a knife in the field).
The overall package was one stout and very
good looking piece of kit. I retrieved my ESEE-4
from its factory sheath and ‘clicked’ it into Martin’s version where it made a solid ‘snap’. No
movement whatsoever and the knife could be
easily extracted with a simple push off the
thumb rest.
“...the quality would surpass expectations
from the most stringent and fussiest of knife
folk out there – its simply excellent”
Martin offers Kydex in various colors and being
a fan of Olive Drab, I had to go with that option.
It makes for a noticeable combination with the
blaze orange color of the ESEE-4’s G10 handle
scales (other handle colors/materials are available). The Maxpedition pocket is of high quality
and can store various items such as a multi-tool,
Para cord, compass or sharpening stone and if
well packaged; all of the above. A complete kit
ready for any situation you may find yourself in
whilst hunting. The fire steel loop is a simple yet
effective design and without doubt, the best I
have come across – keeping things simple has
worked a treat in this instance. It holds a ‘Light
my Fire’ (LMF) Army version fire steel very well.
Now having found one of the most versatile and
well made sheath systems I had ever seen, I
was keen to put this bit of kit to use. Since this
article is being themed around the Modern Traditional Bowhunter, the Trad-tech Titan was a
must have to accompany Martin’s sheath system and the ESEE-4 for the field review; Now
onto the knife.
The ESEE brand has been around for quite
some time (previously marketed under the parent company Randall’s Adventure & Training, or
RAT) and have always supplied an excellent
product and more importantly, excellent customer service (from what I have read). Recent
times has seen RAT (or ESEE) move their production to Rowen Manufacturing based in the
USA, and having owned nearly all of ESEE’s
product range, the quality would surpass expectations from the most stringent and fussiest of
knife folk out there – its simply excellent.
Modern Traditionalist? Gear Review: Swinkels Technical Kydex sheath / ESEE Knives E-4
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Author: Guy Curtis | Dec 2010
Like many others, the E-4 is my favorite of the
line due to its ‘all rounder’ capabilities. The
specifications are as follows;
O.A Length: 9.0"
Cutting Edge length: 4.06"
O.A. Blade Length: 4.5"
Maximum thickness: 3/16"
Blade Width: 1.25"
Weight: 7.4 ounces (knife only)
1095 Steel - 57 Rc
Amongst the first thing I noticed using the E-4 in
the field, was how sharp it was right out of the
box. I find that a lot of knives these days arrive
quite dull and need work to get them sharp
enough to be safe. Not the case with ESEE/
Rowen. Every ESEE product I have had delivered has been hair popping sharp! The E-4
completed a myriad of cutting tests with ease
and would also serve well as a tool for food
preparation. It made for creating fuzzy sticks
and easy task.
I am yet to use the knife for skinning, but I am
sure it would work well due to its blade geometry and high grind. Because of its thickness, it
would also make easy work of separating vertebrae/leg joints when butchering game.
I am not a fan of battening knives when splitting
wood for the fire, and prefer to leave such tasks
for larger tools like a Camp Knife or Axe, but the
E-4 performed well. I dare say the task would
have been more enjoyable if I had of been wearing gloves. I found the handle on the E-4 was a
little too short for me during this exercise and if I
had to criticize anything about the knife, it would
be that the handle is approximately 3/4” too
short. Still, this tool is not designed as a chopper
and for general purpose camp chores, it performs extremely well.
Modern Traditionalist? Gear Review: Swinkels Technical Kydex sheath / ESEE Knives E-4
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Author: Guy Curtis | Dec 2010
The knife has performed well for the two to three
months I have had it now. It has become one of
my most prized possessions and when coupled
with one of Martin’s sheath systems, I give you
my word; you will not find a better knife and
sheath combination in this modernistic design.
For further details on Martin Swinkels Sheath
Systems and Esee Knives, visit their respective
websites as listed below. You’ll be glad you did!
Martin Swinkels Sheath Systems:
www.martinsheaths.blogspot.com
ESEE Knife & Gear Site:
www.eseeknives.com
Modern Traditionalist? Gear Review: Swinkels Technical Kydex sheath / ESEE Knives E-4
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Author: Guy Curtis | Dec 2010