Here’s what I know about knives:
They’re used to cut things and they’re supposed to stay sharp.
The end.
I do know about quality and American craftsmanship though and that’s why I’m a big fan of the ESEE JG5 fixed blade.
Designed by James Gibson, the JG5 was inspired by the “Nessmuk” knife carried by adventurer, writer, and early conservationist, George Washington Sears, who wrote under the pen name of “Nessmuk.”
The JG5 features a black oxide finish, 1095 carbon steel blade that measures 4.875″, a 4.75″ brown sculpted micarta handle, and comes with a stitched brown leather “pouch” sheath with belt loop. The knife has an overall length of 9.625″ and weighs just over 5 ounces. The JG5 is an exclusive to Smoky Mountain Knife Works (SMKW) and only available through SMKW and their dealers and distributors.
Its designer, James Gibson, was born and raised in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and has studied and practiced bushcraft skills most of his life. He has been a flintknapper for 22 years and is the co-host of the Clinch River Knap-in. He obtained his Journeymen Smith Rating with the American Bladesmith Society (A.B.S.) in 2003. James is the lead bushcraft instructor for Randall’s Adventure & Training and also has his own school in Tennessee.
Again, I know pretty much nothing about knives but found the JG5 to be a great blade. I’ve carried it around the house and afield for the past month and found it to be a great tool. The blade is as sharp as the day I got the knife despite my using it to cut everything from wood and cardboard to meat and rope.
Yeah. Those are four rather random objects but that’s the life I lead.
The handle fits perfectly in my hand and is easy to grip. The knife as a whole is quality and pretty to boot. And at just under $200 a darn good buy and a damn nice knife.
See, I guess I did know something about knives after all.
JG5 stats
- Blade Length: 4.875″
- Handle Length: 4.75″
- Overall Length: 9.625″
- Blade Material: 1095 Carbon Steel
- Blade Thickness: 0.125″
- Blade Hardness: 55-57 HRC
- Blade Style: Nessmuk
- Blade Grind: Flat
- Blade Finish: Stone Washed Black Oxide
- Handle Material: Micarta
- Sheath: Leather
- Weight: 5.3 oz.
- Designer: James Gibson
- Made in the U.S.A.
Author Gayne C. Young has contributed to Sporting Classics for more than 20 years. He is the author of And Monkeys Threw Crap At Me: Adventures in Hunting, Fishing, and Writing, Texas Safari: The Game Hunters Guide To Texas, The Tunnel, Bug Hunt, Teddy Roosevelt: Sasquatch Hunter, Vikings: The Bigfoot Saga, and more. In January 2011, Gayne C. Young became the first American outdoor writer to interview Russian Prime Minister, and former Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Visit Gayne at his Amazon page.