Knife Review: ESEE Ashley Game Knife or AGK

Do you even bushcraft bro? While I have not seriously been asked that question, I have thought about what I would do in a situation needing those skills. ESEE Knives are synonymous with bushcraft and survival, so last year I contacted Shane Adams, Director of Marketing at ESEE to learn a bit more about what I should be looking into knife wise. Not only did I get some tips, he and I talked hunting and bushcraft before recommending the ESEE Ashley Game Knife or AGK.

Disclaimer: I am no survivalist or bushcrafter. I am a hunter through-and-through, but I do make my own fires and shelters from time to time.

Made in the USA, the ESEE AGK comes in a leather sheath that holds the knife well. It is a solid case, but also allows you to extract the knife easily when needed.

My Attempt at Featherstick Creation

Sharp right out of the box, I started my “bushcrafting” field tests by attempting to make feathersticks, shaving bark, splitting wood and making a fire. I was optimistic for the ESEE AGK for these skills due to ESEE being the company it is. While the AGK had a low profile handle, it allowed for better control in making a featherstick. Smooth, even strokes and a perfect blade angle gave me the best outcome. To be honest, it was so enjoyable I made three feathersticks in all with the AGK. Agreed, they are not the greatest, but I’m learning.

Shaving Bark

Shaving bark with the Ashley Game Knife took less control than making a feather stick. Processing the stick into shaved bits took little time and was therapeutic. By placing my thumb on the thick tang, I could simply extend my arm and repeat the process without getting tired too quickly.

Splitting wood

Splitting small logs was a new experience for me. After a few strikes, failed strikes and direct hits I quickly understood my assignment. The ESEE AGK was easy to hold, strike and split small logs. They cut through wood like butter and made it fun. I felt as if I could strike the back of the knife hard and not do any damage to the knife. In fact, I tried the break it and it held fast.

Starting a Fire

The ESEE AGK did not have any additional equipment, but combined with a Ferro rod worked well and allowed to start a fire. It took a brief amount of time to get the angle just right, but the spine has a nice edge and you can press your thumb against the side of the blade to get solid pressure, knife to Ferro rod.

(I failed to capture a photo of me starting a fire due to my frustration in getting a spark.)

Processing Game

The ESEE Ashley Game Knife was designed to process game, hence the name. I did not give the AGK a new edge going into this test. I could have, but I wanted to see how sharp it would remain through the process. The blade was showing slight rust spots due to the 1095 steel and a simple bit of oil and some #00 steel wool removed it. With deer down, I needed to see how the AGK would work. I used each knife to field dress, skin, debone, then trim, and cut each section of the deer. I worked especially hard at punishing the AGK by hitting bone, trimming silver skin and then grinding it into the cutting board. With Game Knife in the name, I wanted to see if it held up and I wanted results.

Processing a deer with the AGK forced me to slow down and be sure not to cut myself. Surprisingly, the ESEE AGK remained quite sharp after hacking wood to bits.

Field Dressing

Sharp, easy to control, and the orange grip is highly visible, especially when setting the knife down in the dark.

Skinning

The small handle caused my wrist to ache and forced more strokes.  The blade was sharp, but the grip was thinner than I am used to, so I had to take more breaks. Skinning the deer with the AGK was not fun for me and I switched to a thicker handled knife.

Quartering the Deer

The ESEE AGK was a perfect boning knife. Easy to manipulate and get into crevices made it a pleasure to debone the deer. It felt like an extension of my hand and the process was enjoyable. 

Cutting up the Meat (Trimming, Silver skin removal, Cutting to size)

Before I started in on cutting and packaging the venison, I gave the AGK a tune-up. The edge came back quickly as the angle of the blade was easy to follow. As I cut the meat, I found myself digging into the cutting board a few more times than normal. The AGK, while it worked well and was comfortable, didn’t stay as sharp as I had hoped. Plus, I think the AGK is great for processing an animal up to the point it hits the cutting board.

Months of testing the ESEE Ashley Game Knife have given me an appreciation for the knife and the brand. So yes, the hunting knife can be also be used as a bushcraft tool. One of the best parts, the ESEE Ashley Game Knife is listed at a reasonable $166.00 and most hunters I know can handle that. You can wear it on your belt or keep it in your pack. Either way, an addition of an ESEE Ashley Game Knife in your hunt kit will be well worth the investment.