Bradford Guardian: Better than a Tactical Folder?

The approach for the Guardian from Bradford Knives is to make a small, tough fixed blade option for the tactical folder. I think they succeeded. This is a well made good looking knife as well The Guardian should carry pretty comfortably due to its short overall length and horizontal carry (kidney). These versions are made of Bohler M390 steel but others feature N690 and CPM 3V, all good. We will look at several other options, all fixed blades, that fill the same role and talk about another high quality US made knife that is reasonably priced.
Nutnfancy LIkability Scale: 3 Stars
Bradford Guardian 4 black N690 steel, $116 only! amzn.to/1OcpG1Z
Bradford Guardian 3 black N690 steel: amzn.to/1mcLiVC
Bradford Guardian 3 in Coyote, N690:amzn.to/1mcLoMM
Bradford Guardian 3 in OD, N690: amzn.to/1mcLpQX
Very cool Guardian in black/blue G10 : amzn.to/1NtFm3E
Knives of Alaska ELK HUNTER (awesome EDC blade too): amzn.to/1OdqG5V
Knives of Alaska Alpha Wolf combo set for cheap: amzn.to/1ZgOIFm
Nutn preferred version of Mora Bushcraft in Orange, no Firesteel, only $35!: amzn.to/1OdqJPk
Knives BUSHCRAFTin orange with Firestell included: amzn.to/1OdqK5T
Kershaw Skyline Fixed Blade, black G10: amzn.to/1OdqKml
Cold Steel Pendleton Lite: amzn.to/1OdqO5t
Cutleryshoppe Gryphon M10, now only $100: www.cutleryshoppe.com/gryphonk...
Bark River Highland Bocote wood: amzn.to/1OdqOCE
Cold Steel TriAd Lock CODE 4 in XHP (totally awesome knife): amzn.to/1ZgONIU
Knives of Alaska ELK HUNTER (awesome EDC blade too): amzn.to/1OdqG5V
Knives of Alaska Alpha Wolf combo set for cheap: amzn.to/1ZgOIFm
Nutnfancy preferred version of Mora Bushcraft in Orange, no Firesteel, only $35!: amzn.to/1OdqJPk
Knives BUSHCRAFTin orange with Firestell included: amzn.to/1OdqK5T
Kershaw Skyline Fixed Blade, black G10: amzn.to/1OdqKml
Cold Steel Pendleton Lite: amzn.to/1OdqO5t
Bark River Highland Bocote wood: amzn.to/1OdqOCE
Cold Steel TriAd Lock CODE 4 in XHP (totally awesome knife): amzn.to/1ZgONIU
Also Guardian all versions at BHQ too incl. M390 version

[@patrickculpepper9847]

I've been carrying the TOPS mini scandi for a little over a year now. It was my first adventure into a fixed blade edc ... And I gotta say I love it... Def gonna be hard going back to a folder. Thank you guys for just being awesome

[@scski44]

Before I watch this video i just want to say. I ordered this knife about 2 days ago. It is fated that you just put up this video. I have been waiting for this review for such a long time. Thank you so much... now to actually watch it.

[@fredsunio6456]

I've had my CF handle, black bladed Guardian 3 for a couple of months. I'm really happy with it - thanks nutn, another good vid!

[@RFord2]

Love the whole package this knife brings. Blade shape, Eros and sheath. Can't wait to pick one up.

[@556MSL]

I just wanted to bring to your attention the thing I like most about leather sheaths and that is silence smooth and supple like the living being it comes from leather is the stress free option. In most situations falling in the water is no big deal. In the situations I train for falling in is lethal. If you know your getting wet stow your sheath. If it's raining find shelter. If you are getting wet without a plan.... your sheath is the least of your worries. Anyway I like leather but I expect to change sheaths more often then knives. A leather sheath is not a 3 generation family heirloom. One of those sweet babies from Escanaba can go the distance. Thanks for the video and your well reasoned review.

[@opichocal]

I carried my ZT 160 today inverted. The looks I get when using it are priceless!

[@ProjectDarkHound]

Dude, you don't know how long I've been waiting for this video and at this point I'm guaranteed to get this within the next year.

[@spkuse]

I swap carry a fixed blade with me all of the time. I use a mixture of either the Bradford Guardian 3, ESEE Izula, and the Spyderco Aqua. I also carry two folders in my front pockets. The Bradford knife I have been carrying for over 6 months and I love the product.

[@jliu919]

Awesomely timed review nutn, I've been looking at the knife for a month or so now. Would love to see one of the guardians tested in the future, thinking about grabbing one for some camp uses. Rock on

[@chuckhunt8817]

I have carried a Old Timer Sharp Finger since the late 80's. I recently got a Condor Mini Bushlore and love it. My work and lifestyle makes a fixed blade more practical

[@hugh9622]

hi to everyone at tnp. I just finished watching this video and was shocked that you do not find many tnpers carrying an edc fixed blade. I actually added my bk-2 into my edc back pack which I have equipped for a 24 to 48 hour emergency survival in an urban environment as I live and work in a big city here in the UK. I also have a spare swiss army cadet I think it is in my pack and carry in my pocket the kershaw 1555ti cryogenic which I bought because of my limited budget and the tnp review. I think no matter what environment you are in you should have a fixed blade to do those hard jobs and I find the bk-2 to be perfect for me at least for now. have to be careful what I do carry though due to UK knife laws. well love all your tnp vids keep it up man...cheers

[@argyle1812]

Been looking at this knife for a while. Thanks for the solid review.

[@bruechel]

My knife edges are never dull nutn'. Not since you convinced me to but the Edge Pro Apex. Dang I love that thing!

[@Player_Review]

I EDC a Guardian3 at home over the past month (m390, black dlc, orange g10 and black leather), and take it with me sometimes in the rotation. I haven't abused it yet, but it does all the things I want it to and wears well. My colleague got a 3 and a 4 and he's modified the hot spots off the Guardian3.

[@nicknavarro8170]

Nutn, loving the rapid fire KRBs!!! It's reminding me of the old days of TNP! Please keep it up!

[@spockthejock]

Another great vid; thank you! I like the KOA option. I love to carry my KOA Yukon belt knife on a regular basis. Thanks again.

[@thelasthuntsmanoutdoors]

I've been EDCing a fixed blade for years now, actually I suggested you doing a EDC fixed blade video when you did your folding EDC video. I mainly EDC the Esee 4 but also carry my Blackjack Tac Ops 4 occasionally as well. Nice video Nutn.

[@wookie_wagen]

I EDC a Ka-bar bk11 and love it! Pretty light and not noticeable

[@christopherherinckx7133]

DAMN, i have been eyeing this (not naming which one) for 6 months and was gonna buy after Christmas.....now they will be sold out.....thanks nutn ;) still love your videos

[@christopherherinckx7133]

+Christopher Herinckx well i guess its about time, sorry wallet. now i have a reason to hide behind when the wife gets mad lol

[@MrBigcountry1861]

I carry two knives daily. A mini Griptilian and Buck 119 and sometimes swap in a kabar. I have a small landscape company in Florida so the fixed blade comes in handy.

[@ColdSpyderBuck]

I like carrying small fixed blades. Been EDCing a CS Super Edge for years. Thanks for the great review, I like this knife a lot but probably not enough to pony up for one. Also, nice Endura! I got a Delica in HAP40!

[@dane5896]

I went back and watched your video at Blade HQ, this was one of the knives that you highlighted.

[@gstrader73]

I carry my FFG (limited edition) Guardian 3 with the kydex sheath almost daily. Love it!

[@morbidminister6669]

yes! excited to watch this, been thinking about getting one of these bad boys for awhile now.

[@Kendye346]

Really cool knife, had to check out their website. They have a lot of great finishes and colors, very impressive. Great KRVs last couple days.

[@TheMadMedek]

this is on my buy list. I wanna start carrying horizontal small of back and it is the right set up. I just wish the Guardian 4 had same sheath.

[@rideenjoi480]

i carry a esee izula everyday on the belt horizontal. I took a niteize 360 degree rotating belt clip off a flash light holster i had and put it on the sheath the izula came with i love it. very versatile. i have it for defensive use i have a SOG multi tool that i use for basic cutting tasks.

[@Daynaleo1]

I occasionally carry a Schrade (US made) Sharpfinger fixed blade. This is my choice for EDC when I know I will be barbecuing or cooking for a crowd. Love that little fixed blade.

[@vilarenso7832]

love my fixed blades, I have been eyeballing the guardian for months now. I carry folder and a fixed blade on the daily. Generally my Strider SNGCC is my rut knife and a Benchmade 140 Nimravus for the fixed.

[@MrJeepinZeke]

Awesome! Never thought of the horizontal carry for a EDC fix blade.... Hmmm.... A contender for me!

[@plamen2110]

You're awesome! Thank you for all the hard work you do!

[@Someone-tl1xm]

I've had the guardian 4 for about 5 months now, awesome wilderness blade

[@slizzledngf]

I edc a Coleman camp knife, nylon sheath in the pocket with button snaps removed. Kind of big for edc, but I love it, best ten dollar knife money can buy.

[@dubjspecialk]

I carry the Guardian 3 (3V variant) every day 👍 love it.

[@OcSpeed]

This is actually one of my favorite hunting knives.

[@dustinnop]

love when you have alot of knives around !

[@precisionmarksman5084]

I love revolvers, particularly short barrel, big bore like the Ruger Super RedHawk Alaskan 2.5" .454, and the S&W 4" (actually 3.2" compensated) 500 magnum. I shot both these revolvers from 25yards using D/A standing, both 5 round groups measured 3.5"! I've also accomplished similar groups from 25yards using D/A from other short snub revolvers. Point being all of them are super accurate regardless of barrel length.

[@ethanhooten1433]

love to see the KRV's Nutn, so much good info

[@stompnu1]

I do daily. I carry either an izulu 2 or a spoken street scalpel by TOPS. I love this carry much easy to get out and back.

[@andrewdesouza3907]

I always carry my Chris Reeve professional soldier appendix inside the waste and. Works great and it is slim enough to barely ever feel it on my body and it frees up pocket space!

[@doluseb]

didn't see the smaller barke river knife in the desc. Any online retailers runnin deals on that?

[@86keen]

I always rock my g19 but when I got outside my small town I carry a benchmark adamas fixed blade.

[@Falconguygaming]

love the tnp patches.... curious to see If doodle will turn anymore of his doodles into patches

[@276merc]

I've been carrying my Hogue EX03 with the hawk bill style, and i've really been loving it. The sheath that has the belt loop thing on could use some work but other than that its really cool. I've been using it as my tactical blade but it does get some edc use as well. You should check it out nutn!

[@nutnfancy]

The Guardian is a pretty cool, compact, and strong EDC alternative....ahhh, we like choices! -nutnfancy

[@kakishi8]

+nutnfancy i carry the cold steel spike bowie every day. Use it as a neck knife

[@weilki451]

no esee izula or izula 2 ?? we need more esee reviews I know you done one on the 3 and 4 but it's old needs updated. I have seen you bring some on other reviews but they don't have stand alone ones. the Bradford looks awesome i will probably pick one up! ps love the knife show I can't ever get enough tnpknifeshow

[@convex7456]

sb

[@jalcomics]

I agree with the last guy. Can't believe you skipped out on the Izula. Maybe it doesn't count because of its skeletonized handle? If any knife deserves a review...

[@weilki451]

+jason12085 what happened at shot show I guess I missed out on that?

[@MTknives]

Sweet, Brad is an awesome guy to work with as well! I cringed when the other knife at the end bumped the edge of the Guardian 3 😨 will need a little touch up on that edge 🔪 Great video

[@newcoyote]

I EDC a fixed blade and have for years. I have probably mentioned it somewhere, sometime on a TNP vid. I do for work and because it is a habit at work, it carries over to my off time too. Currently a Spyderco Perrin Bowie. I would probably carry this but not as a replacement for a fixed blade role. Maybe a bigger version. I always carry a folder too.

[@MoreAmerican]

I gather the movie Psycho really had a big impact on your systems lol. Great video nutn!

[@ArizonaTengu]

I'm getting back into fixed blade knives for carry. I can never find what I'm looking for as a sheath so might as well make one. Got two fixed Karambits that I'm waiting on so I can EDC. In the past I carried a 7" Ka-bar, TOPS Ranger, and a couple of lesser named fixed blades that I can't remember.

[@scottb8907]

What makes this better than Izula for a small edc fixed blade?

[@toosioux]

Didn't see this review coming. There are a lot of paratroopers in Alaska carrying this knife everyday. I bought mine about six months ago from a small shop in Anchorage. Stopped carrying it after I cut my finger a few times due to the lack of finger choil. I found the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter a worthy alternative.

[@AFDoc00]

I had my fixie EDC at the Layton gathering: a small Scott Gossman design. Carry a fixed blade as an EDC 30-40% of the time.

[@fablejeff]

I carry fixed blades often. I've also been debating the g3 the past few weeks; is it too small though? I have a few 3 inch blades already, lol.

[@ilgattogrande]

Given the large price difference, what's better with the M390 version?

[@irwin7]

Any chance of an updated review of the Becker BK9 now that KA-BAR is producing it?

[@wyatthurst3820]

I edc a gerber ghoststrike fixed blade, and I love it

[@rubbers3]

I EDC one, sometimes two, fixed blade knives and one folder. On a sunny day - Mora 511, on a wet day - Mora 546. And aal the time - a cheap old knife that my grandma gave to me a couple of years back.

[@spikekrossa]

Would like to see a review of the White river backpacker/Caper series, great little EDC's. The guardian 3 is going to be my next purchase.

[@rasiabsgamingcorner2258]

My edc knife is a smaller version of a kbar fighting knife I find it works well for most of my daily tasks

[@guysgarage2650]

crkt dragon fixed blade the sheath and knife are super thin and light inside the waist band on my right side as a backup for my s&w shield on my left also iwb

[@AlphaKilo6]

I was really interested before it was priced. Not that I cheap out on my blades but for what it is I'd stick with my esee izula. I edc that all the time and love it!

[@florianju5638]

I definitely remeber a guy you gear checked with a fixed blade. I think it was in front of a gun store, it was a younger fella. circa 3-4 Years ago :) He carried it inside the waistband on his back side. :)

[@crazeycat9]

We love the steel conversations!

[@Boflexkicksurass]

I carry a cold steel SRK nutn cant carry a gun in Cali but can carry a fixed blade its pretty ironic cant wait to get out of this state keep up the good work nutn @nutnfancy

[@franciscoroman5171]

I carry a spyderco street beat I forget I have it on me I wish you would bring it out on a video I was hoping to see it mentioned in this one

[@whiskeynaught2112]

Have you ever done a review on the black label brand knives?

[@grobenbaren5561]

KaBar TDI small or large, horizontal carry in a NSR Tactical Sheath.I want a TDI Hellfire knife

[@saniterra6020]

Hey, Nutn take a look at the new Spyderco Fred Perrin Street Beat FRN. It's a smaller version of the Perrin Street Bowie you liked so much. VG10 vs. M390 but the ergos of the Spyderco are much, much better. Comes with the thermoplastic sheath with the C-clip, again the smaller version of the Street Bowie. Excellent retention.

[@desertghost3056]

Great looking knife. Might need to replace the Timberline mini pit bull with one of these.

[@Daniel-ur6nj]

What about the rectangular TNP patches?

[@hairfarmer07]

I absolutely love fixies. Love love love love love fixed blades. Of all shapes and sizes. My personal opinion the best fixed blade knife on the planet is gough custom knives. I absolutely love the look love the designs the materials the attention to detail and all the different styles. And I honestly feel it's one of the strongest if not the strongest. Bad to the bone. The guy is a genius and he is great at whatever you does on top of that he is a great guy with a wonderful heart. So my personal opinion I think gough custom knives are the worlds best. All around knifes. ONE LOVE.

[@donavan1021]

Hey TNPers, what are some of your favorite Bark River knives as an alternative to this? And also, for any of you who own this, what size do you have, and how would you compare to bark river?

[@BenPC2013]

I believe there are replacement handle scales available through Bradford that don't have the sharp edges.

[@deramuskyle1]

Ive been thinking of carrying a fixed blade. In Cali you can open carry a fixed blade and I dont have the $300 for a concealled carry permit

[@TheTerr1bleOneAZ]

Another great video dude.

[@bubbalove765]

I carry my fix blade around the neck. thank you for the great review. this is one of your calling bubbalove

[@davidaranda9066]

CS Mini tac is so sick!

[@4HI-4LOW]

I EDC a buck Gen 5 everyday, great smaller knife. Have edcd it for about 4 years now. Probably heavier than those though.

[@Oistintonk]

guy came in the grocery store I work at with a short kbar in a belt sheath... first person I've seen other than myself

[@dcovert23]

I don't carry one but I really want to so this video is great I'm still watching it. your awesome by the way lol

[@RevelationMedia777]

where can i get those cool TNP badges?

[@triggertalk7755]

hey Nutn! how bout a push- dagger review/ comparison?

[@torpilo]

Why is no ESEE Izula in this comparison ?

[@darthvaper6745]

100% agree..csk code 4 2015 cts xhp or go home. the steel will fail before the lock does and its pretty damn good steel!

[@warpfire037]

I have been thinking of getting a fixed blade for escaping but I haven't yet.

[@sarinhighwind]

I carry my seal pup often, but not everyday. Usually during hunting season or when i'm on longer trips.

[@reptilianresearchredux5887]

I sure would carry that but i really like my para military 2 i just got 2 days ago, saw it on tnp first. never been into spyderco but i'm diggin it.

[@kurt9894]

How about a Fred Perrin Bowie. Thinking about buying one.

[@deanwinchester7179]

I guess I'm an oddball, I carry an Endura 4 SS ComboEdge. It's 5.6 oz but feels great to me.

[@MarkAndrewEdwards]

Hiking or hunting I carry a fixed blade but Seattle is not fixed-friendly. I usually go Delica, because they're awesome.

[@pappy451]

it does look nice , i like the size and shape too .,needs to lose the jimping . love the sheath . that hunter looks good too the Kershaw is a nice little one . never cared for a tanto blade ,don't know why i just never did . now that Gryphon is a real nice knife . the bark river is beautiful , and the fit and finish is better,scales are better . all in all, a whole lot of great knives , and great info . always gain knowledge from your videos . thanks Nutn . 697

[@dylnade9328]

awesome video!

[@13noman1]

I don't know if you've ever looked at it, but it seems the TOPS scandi trekker would be strong competition for the Guardian 3 (and an alternative to a tactical folder IMO).

[@johnjames218]

nice sheath on the guardian edc SCHF16

[@letstalkpocketknives267]

I edc a fixed blade around 5 days a week so i guess its not edc... But they are just better than folders IMO and in a lot of places an open carried fixed blade while it may turn some heads, is usually no nonsense legal.

[@reptilianresearchredux5887]

I love the desert owl patches, very handsome.

[@markbreidenbaugh6033]

Spyderco Aqua Salt IWB opposite side to my CCW pistol.

[@Steveykeith]

Man, really surprised no mention of any esee knives.

[@1976smb]

The BG03 in Coyote perfectly matches the sheath.

[@willykzoo]

How about the schrade ot152