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Bradford Knives Guardian 4 Fixed Blade Knife
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Bradford Knives Guardian 4 Fixed Blade Knife
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Product Description
The Guardian 4 is an outdoorsman’s fixed blade made from a hefty chunk of CPM-3V steel—a high-carbon steel made by the Crucible Particle Metallurgy process, which is designed to hold an edge in situations where chipping and breakage are common. On this drop, you can also choose Bohler's M390 steel (+ $15) Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downDaisy_Cutter
1288
Sep 27, 2017
This is a reaaaaaally sexy looking knife. However, I've noticed that the Cold Steel Master Hunter in CPM 3V can be had for around $120 and the Lion Steel M4 in M390 can be had for about $155, both of which are cheaper than the respective 3V and M390 versions on this drop, and they seem to be comparable bushcraft knives.
Anyone care to sell me on the Guardian 4? (Note: I want very much to like it. It looks sooooo goooood)
Anyone care to sell me on the Guardian 4? (Note: I want very much to like it. It looks sooooo goooood)
Daisy_Cutter
1288
Oct 9, 2017
I ultimately went with the G10 on this one. Looked too gorgeous to my eyes to pass up!
The carbon looked interesting too, I can't say I've ever seen carbon fibre done in that particular pattern. Let me know how it pans out!
The carbon looked interesting too, I can't say I've ever seen carbon fibre done in that particular pattern. Let me know how it pans out!
JonasO
197
Sep 26, 2017
I've been drooling over a Guardian 3 or 4 for ages over at BladeHQ. This is by far the best deal I've seen to date. Got in on a M390 version in the black nimbus with micarta option. I don't particularly like the colour of the micarta offered, but that's what ritt is for.
DukeOfVandals87
90
Sep 26, 2017
I'm so damn tempted by this... If we can somehow unlock it at $160, I might just *have* to get it. And it'd instantly be my best knife, by a ridiculously high margin.
Bladenutz
1
Sep 26, 2017
I would love the see the Guardian 6 as well here! How can I setup a poll for this? I‘m not able to find the ‘initiate new poll‘ button...Thanks!
Sling
53
Sep 26, 2017
The Guardian 4 is a great knife, and this is a great price. I just wish they would offer it with a kydex sheath - I have a hard time buying knowing that I'll just throw away the sheath and have to get a custom one.
cnsodom
28
Aug 4, 2017
Does the m390 also get the "lauded Peters heat treat?" The PHT logo in the pictures is missing on the m390 blade I received.
Tigerman
412
Aug 23, 2017
YakkaOverall, very nice!
High point for me is black Nimbus finish with black carbon fibre handle. It's one of the coolest knives I've seen.
Workmanship is very good. It's not easy to make a knife so well. The carbon fibre has no scratchy bits, unlike every other carbon handled knife I've tried. You can feel the care that's gone into it no matter what edge or corner you look at.
The design seems solid, although I haven't had time to use it much. I like that the choil is wide enough to keep your first finger away from the sharp edge. I do find that the handle a bit too hollow under the middle fingers. The ESEE 4 has a swell there which fills the hand better. The 3D scales make up for it a bit though, because they make the handle wider at that point. They make the handle really really round and comfortable. I do think the circular cutout around the lanyard hole looks a slightly clumsy relative to the rest.
Low point for me is the sheath - it's pretty average, although no worse than most other knives, and better than coming with no sheath. If you have ESEE sheaths then you're spoiled.
The carbon fibre handle is not very grippy. I was sort of seduced by it's appearance, and now a part of me regrets giving up the supreme practicality of micarta. But no... it looks so good, I don't look back. The weathered black on black is like some kind of post-apocalyptic dream.
Any negative points are minor, and only relative to the high benchmark set by the rest of the knife. Since I haven't used the knife much yet, it hasn't really passed the most important test of all, but you can rest assured that this knife is has had a lot of good craftsmanship put into it; it's made of good materials; and the shape is so simple and sensible that I don't think it'll go too far wrong when I get to using it.
DukeOfVandals87
90
Sep 26, 2017
TigermanThe black on black has me reaaaally tempted, too. It would absolutely be irresponsible for me to dunk so much with bills due, but damn. It's so beautiful...
chaosmagnet
100
Jul 14, 2017
I own two of these knives in M390 and they're probably the best fixed blades at the price point. I can't figure out why I would need a third one or I'd be in on this drop.
sir_puffs_alot
59
Jul 18, 2017
agree 100 percent, except I would go with 390 for the 3 and 4 but 3v for 5. To me 3 and 4 are edc knives
Tigerman
412
Jul 18, 2017
sir_puffs_alotYeah I also had trouble deciding between the 3 and 4! But I agree that steels like M390 seem especially good for smaller blades.
I have an esee junglas, and I'm really happy it's not made of anything even slightly hard to sharpen!
BoxBlade
279
Jul 13, 2017
I don't see how M390 is an upgrade over CPM 3V in a fixed blade. CPM 3V is the go to steel in fixed blades these days.
anonomous
558
Jul 17, 2017
BoxBladem390 is stainless and great for edge retention in cutting, great for bush crafting as well. if you need something for batooning and chopping etc you will want 3v. 3v has more toughness, for those types of tasks. dont batton or chop with m390, tho it will work if you use light force, it could still have issues if you run into a knot in the wood tho, thats why 3v is preferred in those types of tasks.
silverspurr59
300
Sep 26, 2017
BoxBladeCPM 3V not stainless, I own his Full Flat grind 3 in M390 Nimbus.
Never went back to a folder.
M390 over CPM 3V anytime.
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