There’s more than one ESEE knife that has a wide fanbase. Take the Laser Strike, beloved by bushcrafters, or the Junglas, which fills the role of a small machete. Then there’s the ESEE 3 for EDC for a mid-sized fixed blade.
But ESEE knives make some small options that hit hard, and the best of them is the ESEE Izula.
Named after an infamous South American species of bullet ant with a punishing sting, the ESEE Izula is a killer in its category. According to ESEE, over 100,000 have been made, and it’s earned a reputation as one of the stoutest of the tiny fixed blades in the industry.
Here’s a primer on this feisty little fixed blade.
Enter the Izula
The ESEE Izula is a tiny knife, only 6.25” overall with a 2.63” blade that’s just .156” thick. The standard models are made with powder-coated 1095 steel and weigh just about 2 ounces without the sheath.
Despite its diminutive stature, the Izula, when equipped with scales (note on that below) feels quite full in the grip, even for those with relatively large hands. It features a graceful drop point with sharply ridged jimping right in front of the handle on the spine.
This aids in control and handling, and a full, flat grind makes the Izula quite the slicing machine. However, despite its small size, it’s also great as a chisel, for short draw cuts, and yes, even for batoning. Few knives of this size could say the same.
Most models are made with powder coated 1095 steel; it’s available in several powder coat finishes and colors, depending on where you buy, including black, OD green, FDE, desert tan, gray, purple, blaze orange, venom green, and red. There is also a stonewashed version, as well as versions made with 440 stainless steel and a special variant with S35VN.
In terms of general toughness, there’s hardly a match for the Izula. If you need a small knife that packs and conceals easily and can be carried just as comfortably as a neck knife as it’s used for batoning rounds on the trail, this is for you. There’s nothing else in the price class that genuinely competes.
A Note Before Buying
Just be aware, most sellers of the Izula sell it with a MOLLE-compatible thermoplastic sheath and a clip plate. It is generally sold without handle scales. If you want a model with scales be sure it includes them before buying, otherwise your knife will come without them. Many sellers also sell the scales separately, and versions are available in canvas Micarta and black G10.
Why ESEE Knives?
The Izula is an excellent small ESEE knife but there are other reasons besides what’s covered here to get one that have more to do with the brand than the model.
For one, ESEE knives are proudly made in the United States, and they have one of the best warranties in the industry, period. Actually, they have one of the best warranties in any industry.
ESEE warranties their knives against failure, for the life of the knife, and the warranty is transferable between owners. If you have an ESEE and break it, send it back and they will either repair it or send you a new one.
If that alone isn’t a reason to get one, we don’t know what is.
Where Can You Learn More About This ESEE Knife?
Want to get one of these ESEE knives for yourself? Start your search online at White Mountain Knives. They carry many ESEE knives, including the Izula (with Micarta scales). Check out their catalog to learn more and contact them at WhiteMountainKnives@gmail.com if you have any questions.
