ESEE Imlay Rescue Knife with Injection-Molded Sheath

The ESEE Imlay is a skeletonized fixed-blade rescue knife built on the Izula pattern, designed to mount on a PFD, harness, or belt for swift-water, SAR, and technical canyon work. The 2.25-inch 440C stainless blade carries a stone-washed finish, flat grind, blunted tip, and partial serrations. The ESEE-IMLAY configuration ships with the knife, black injection-molded sheath, black clip plate, secondary retention strap, and paracord. Total system weight is 3.1 ounces including sheath and retention strap.

Built for Wet, High-Stakes Environments

The Imlay's 440C stainless steel resists corrosion in the wet conditions common to swift-water rescue and slot-canyon travel, where a blade may spend extended time submerged or soaked. The stone-washed finish reduces surface reflectivity and helps mask minor field wear. The blunted tip reduces the risk of accidental puncture to a rope, dry suit, or rescue subject during a fast, one-handed draw, a design developed directly from ESEE's SAR and swiftwater field experience.

Secure Grip When It Counts

The skeletonized handle keeps the Imlay compact and light without sacrificing control. Double spine jimping (checkered grooves cut into both sides of the spine) gives a gloved thumb a positive purchase when applying cutting pressure to webbing, rope, or heavy fabric. The partial serrations on the blade edge are positioned to bite into tough synthetic materials that a plain edge can skate across, making the Imlay effective for cutting loaded cordage or harness webbing in an emergency.

Multiple Carry Options, One-Hand Deployment

The injection-molded sheath accepts three attachment methods: clip a small accessory carabiner through the sheath hole to rack it on a gear loop, thread the included paracord through the sheath holes to lace it directly onto a PFD, or seat the clip plate into a compatible PFD knife slot such as the Astral Green Jacket. The secondary retention strap loops over a sheath post and is designed to stay on the knife during use; its long tail allows removal with gloved hands. To draw the knife, pull the retention strap free of the post, then thumb the blade out of the sheath. Note that the clip plate is carbon steel and should be rinsed and dried after wet use to prevent rust.

RAT-SAR Contribution

Ten percent of gross sales from the Imlay Rescue knife supports RAT-SAR, a 501(c)3 all-volunteer search and rescue organization, offsetting its operational costs.

Features

• Blunted tip: reduces accidental puncture risk to ropes and rescue subjects during fast deployment
• 440C stainless steel: corrosion-resistant blade steel suited to wet and swiftwater environments
• Partial serrations: cut through synthetic rope, webbing, and heavy fabric
• Double spine jimping: textured grooves on both spine sides for a secure gloved grip
• Skeletonized design: reduces overall size and weight; O2 slot included
• Multiple sheath attachment methods: carabiner, laced paracord, or clip plate into compatible PFD slot

Specifications

Who This Is For and Isn't

The ESEE Imlay suits swift-water paddlers, canyon rescue teams, technical canyoneers, and SAR volunteers who need a compact, corrosion-resistant blade that mounts securely to a PFD, harness, or belt and can be deployed one-handed with gloves on.

The Imlay is not a general-purpose camp or bushcraft knife. The blunted tip and short 2.25-inch blade are optimized for rope and webbing cutting in rescue scenarios, not food prep, carving, or batoning. The clip plate is carbon steel and will rust if not rinsed after wet use; buyers who cannot commit to that maintenance step should note the limitation before purchase.

Common Questions

What is included with the ESEE Imlay?

The ESEE Imlay ships as a complete system: the knife, a black injection-molded sheath, a black clip plate, an injection-molded secondary retention strap, and paracord for lacing the sheath onto a PFD. No additional purchase is required to mount and carry the knife.

Why does the Imlay have a blunted tip instead of a point?

The ESEE Imlay's dull, blunted tip is an intentional safety feature developed from SAR and swiftwater field use. In a rescue situation, a sharp point risks puncturing a dry suit, inflatable PFD bladder, or a rescue subject's skin when the knife is deployed quickly under tension. The blunted tip lets the blade cut rope and webbing without that risk.

How do I attach the Imlay to a PFD?

The ESEE Imlay sheath supports three attachment methods: thread the included paracord through the sheath holes to lace it directly onto a PFD, clip a small accessory carabiner (not included) through the sheath hole to rack it on a gear loop, or seat the clip plate into a compatible PFD knife slot. ESEE notes the clip plate seats securely in the Astral Green Jacket PFD knife slot.

Is the clip plate rust-resistant?

The clip plate on the ESEE Imlay is carbon steel, not stainless, and will rust if left wet. Rinsing and drying the clip plate after any wet use prevents rust from forming. The blade itself is 440C stainless steel and is corrosion-resistant.

Does the Imlay carry a warranty?

The ESEE Imlay is covered by ESEE's unconditional lifetime guarantee. If the knife breaks, ESEE will repair or replace it. The warranty requires no sales receipt or registration and follows the knife for its entire life regardless of where it is used.