DPx Gear HEST Original

Reviewed 09/17/2017 by Trapper John

-Price Paid: $120.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

This is what knife design should be about: What works in the field? Not what looks cool this year. Robert Young Pelton knocked it out of the park with his very first patented design. Simple, tough and innovative. Made by Shon Rowen (the manufacturer behind ESEE knives) and affordable. The idea that this became the folder called the DPx Gear HEAT/F 2.0 is even cooler because it shows that DPx cares about knifes that work and are tough.

Reviewed 02/03/2015 by Cory

-Price Paid: $80.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

This is one of the best designed and constructed knives I have ever owned. This is my "middle of the road knife" between my ESEE 5 and my ESEE Izula. I have the Original made by Ontario, I read a review that the buyer had a bad experience with his, but mine came razor sharp, the finish has held up perfectly and I have yet to find a flaw with this knife. The small pry bar on the end, the bottle opener have all been well used and abused on numerous campouts with no problems. The DeSantis sheath holds the HEST securly and is Molle compatible. The handle scales have hollowed space that I use to keep a small ferro rod a small piece of hacksaw blade and three tinder tabs. I have attached a small washer on the lanyard to be able to remove the scales if a screwdriver isn't handy.

It is small enough for close up delicate work like making feather sticks, but beefy enough to baton with. I carry mine on my backpack shoulder strap horizontally and it has never slipped out of the sheath and is easily accessible. If I was forced to have only one knife this is the one I want.

Reviewed 09/12/2013 by Andy

-Price Paid: $98.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

First of all, there are two different DPx Original knives are available. One is made by Ontario, I bought it over a year ago. It is dull from the box, slippery handle, so-so blade coating. I sold it right away, because it frankly hated it.
Six months later I found out that there is another Original on the market - made by ROWEN. I bought it, I am very happy with it still, six months later.
It is day and night compare to Ontario. Rowen has top quality manufacturing process. Blade is shaving sharp, beautiful blade coating, fit and finish are just great. I am enjoying it all the time.
Rowen's heat treating process is amazing. 1095 steel holds an edge and it's easy to resharpen it.
On another hand, Ontario missed the boat with its quality control. I wouldn't buy any Ontario knives. But I already bought three Rowen made ESEE knives - Izula and 4 and 6. Love them all.
I would rate just Ontario DPx Original knife for no higher than 3-4, Rowen's DPx is easily 9-10. That's my opinion.