I received this particular knife thinking it was the stainless steel version just with a powder coating. Nope. I contacted Esee Knives and they informed me that they do not powder coat their stainless steel models. So, after that was cleared up I ordered the Esee 4 SS g10 orange handle. I love them both. I wanted a Stainless steel esee and I absolutely love the true stainless steel model. I personally like G10 handles better wet or dry they just feel better in hand without gloves. However, the 1095 carbon version is a work horse as well. I feel both are pretty easy to sharpen. Besides, what knife person goes without sharpening their knives on a regular. I know I do. So keeping up with the 440C stainless steel has not been a problem. I gave this knife 4 stars and not 5 because I feel that the stainless steel version with the orange G10 looks nicer in hand, feels better, and I don't have to worry about staining as much. But, both are pretty great knives, very realible steels, and when sharpened with the spyderco fine (red edge/triangle) ceramic rods both are shaving sharp. Thank you.
Fyi- I carry the esee 3p mil as well as the spyderco para 2 as my edc so I will always have a 1095 carbon fixed blade on me and a realiable folder.
