Bohler N690 or M390 for the Bradford guardian 3

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sethbradb

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Is the m390 really worth the extra money or will N690 be perfectly fine?

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I've only owned one N690 knife. It reminded me a lot of CPM-154CM, which is fine steel that I love very much. Easy peasy to sharpen incredibly keen, holds it well, good all around, yada yada. HOWEVER, M390/CPM-20CV have this aggressive cutting quality about them, and they really are special steels. I use my knives, though I'm no heavy user/tester by any means, and haven't ever used M390 enough to let it dull, so you'll have to let others speak to sharpenability. But I love love love M390, just got my first 20CV knife yesterday and it has pretty much the same spirit. It's worth it to me to pay the little extra (should only be $20-ish for a steel upgrade in the same knife?)

Having said all that about the steels in general - I've owned a Bradford in M390. It was great. Everything I read about Bradford's M390 suggests they do it very well. I don't see anywhere that you can get a G3 in N690, though...? Would need to be a special order maybe? And right now, they still have full flat grind (FFG) M390 G3s available, which is probably the best that you can get.

Update - just checked out the newnew Bradford site - The only steels they're using are M390 and 3V on the Guardian 3s, there's a little S30V left for G4s, and then 390 and 3V otherwise.
 
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I was looking on Blade HQ and they show N690 versions of the G3.

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traumkommode said:
I've only owned one N690 knife. It reminded me a lot of CPM-154CM, which is fine steel that I love very much. Easy peasy to sharpen incredibly keen, holds it well, good all around, yada yada. HOWEVER, M390/CPM-20CV have this aggressive cutting quality about them, and they really are special steels. I use my knives, though I'm no heavy user/tester by any means, and haven't ever used M390 enough to let it dull, so you'll have to let others speak to sharpenability. But I love love love M390, just got my first 20CV knife yesterday and it has pretty much the same spirit. It's worth it to me to pay the little extra (should only be $20-ish for a steel upgrade in the same knife?)

Having said all that about the steels in general - I've owned a Bradford in M390. It was great. Everything I read about Bradford's M390 suggests they do it very well. I don't see anywhere that you can get a G3 in N690, though...? Would need to be a special order maybe? And right now, they still have full flat grind (FFG) M390 G3s available, which is probably the best that you can get.

Update - just checked out the newnew Bradford site - The only steels they're using are M390 and 3V on the Guardian 3s, there's a little S30V left for G4s, and then 390 and 3V otherwise.
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They make it in N690, and for the price difference I think it's a great option. I'd probably go with N690 myself, but I'm not a steel snob and I know that for the vast majority of actual use N690 would be fine.
 
evilgreg said:
They make it in N690, and for the price difference I think it's a great option. I'd probably go with N690 myself, but I'm not a steel snob and I know that for the vast majority of actual use N690 would be fine.
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Yeah, For me I think N690 would be fine. I've been carrying the Original Izula for about a year now, and I like it but for the work I do outside around the house I tend to get into some wet material. So a stainless steel upgrade would be great. Plus the G3 looks so good

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Personally I think there is a reason he stopped making them in N690.. M390 is that much better (personally).

But if you could snag on in cpm3v that would be even better. Either way the Guardian 3 is a great knife and you'll love it.
 
evilgreg said:
They make it in N690, and for the price difference I think it's a great option. I'd probably go with N690 myself, but I'm not a steel snob and I know that for the vast majority of actual use N690 would be fine.
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sethbradb said:
I was looking on Blade HQ and they show N690 versions of the G3.

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I see that now. That's a considerable price difference, actually, and probably worth your while. I'm not really into saber grinds, so I'm biased, notwithstanding my love for M390.
 
My izula has been a great EDC fixed blade but it's pretty humid where I live. Plus with the work I do around the house and if I'm out in the woods cutting firewood. It's always around mud and water. So a good stainless steel upgrade would be great. And I've always loved the look of the G3.

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sethbradb said:
My izula has been a great EDC fixed blade but it's pretty humid where I live. Plus with the work I do around the house and if I'm out in the woods cutting firewood. It's always around mud and water. So a good stainless steel upgrade would be great. And I've always loved the look of the G3.

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For corrosion resistance M390 is the way to go. If you're cutting firewood, I personally would get a bigger size than the 3. I do and have split firewood with the 3 but would rather have the 5.. The 3 is a perfect edc fixed blade
 
True, usually when I do cut wood with it. It's usually small pieces of kindling. But for me a stainless upgrade would be preferred.

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I just bought a Guardian 6 from his website. You can choose the options you want there. I got mine for cheaper than a store. He has 3V versions of the G3's there too.
I have used my G6 a lot already, great knife!! Has a snow storm here, so lots of downed trees to chop. Chopped up 30 bamboo trees, sectioned them into thirds, and a bunch of hardwoods. Knife did very well! Good knife, definitely a keeper!

As for the steel. M390/20CV are my favorite stainless steels for small blades, great all around small blade steel!! N690 would be a tougher stainless steel though. Just depends what you want, max edge retention, tougher yet stainless, or even tougher and non stainless, but decent corrosion resistance for a carbon steel. Honestly, they are all great choices! If it is going to be EDC, and not overly abusive tasks, I would go with M390, M390 all the way. Tough choice though! Good luck!
 
I have an Extreme Ratio in N690 and some ZT and BM in M390 and M390 has my preference



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Yes. It is worth the extra money. To mitigate that extra cost you could look at buying the m390 version on the exchange.
 
M390 or 3v. I have a 3 with 3v and can't say enough about the knife, the company or the steel! Just an awesome fixed EDC!!
The sheath it comes with isn't bad either.....love cross draw!
Good luck!
Joe
 
palonej said:
M390 or 3v. I have a 3 with 3v and can't say enough about the knife, the company or the steel! Just an awesome fixed EDC!!
The sheath it comes with isn't bad either.....love cross draw!
Good luck!
Joe
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Good advice. If it goes into wood processing I'd look at the 3v version. It is plenty stain resistant enough, much more than 1095, and it will be far more tough than m390 but still hold a great edge.
 
I would say the premium steel is more than worth the price. The 3V and the m390 are better steels that hold a better edge. Brad does a great job of getting his knives heat treated so his steels perform very well.

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I know brad and carry his sprint run ano g3 flipper btw
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Thanks for everyone's input and information. I've decided to go with the M390 version. I'll be purchasing it within the next week. I'll let you all know how I like it.

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sethbradb said:
Thanks for everyone's input and information. I've decided to go with the M390 version. I'll be purchasing it within the next week. I'll let you all know how I like it.

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A most EXCELLENT decision Seth!!!
Believe me, you are going to LOVE that sexy little bitch!!!
It is truly a workhorse!! And Brad does an amazing job with the higher end steels!
Joe
 
Wait a sec!! No pics of a 3 yet?? We can't have that!!
And Impulse!! Spoke to Brad a few times. I couldn't find the version I wanted so I e mailed them off the web site. He called back, on a Saturday night. We shot the shit for a few minutes and told me he'd put one together for me.
I had the knife on the following Tuesday! What a cool dude!! He even texted me a few days later to see how I liked it!!
That is a guy I want to buy from!! Great dude with a wicked sense of humor!

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