Greetings,
I'm new to Blade Forums. I used to use Knife Forums, but alas...
Hope this is the right wall for my comment.
This is a comment regarding a knife maker named Bradford Larkin, and his company - Bradford USA.
Some background info about me first:
My name is Troy Johnson.
I am 48 years old and live in Las Vegas, NV. with my family.
I've been a lover of sharp, pointy implements my entire life.
It all started with a 'Trim' brand fingernail knife when I was 8 years old... and evolved from there.
So, after 40 years of owning and carrying too many knives/brands/models to name;
my current EDC (a Moki banff) has become too thin of a profile for my hands anymore.
You see, as I have gotten older, my hands have begun to twinge here and there, throw in a slight grip issue and you got motivation to acquire a larger handled EDC which is the origination of this particular quest.
(well, that and I'm nuts for a good piece of sharp, pointy steel), anyway...
Since I was looking for a larger EDC and wanted something in about a 4 inch, I went to the web to explore.
My brother, a retired U.S. Army Staff Sargeant and bigger knife nut than me, told me about a knife company called Bradford USA out of Kent, WA. and, since I PREFER U.S.A. made stuff, I checked it out.
I immediately liked the style, profile and everything about the blades Bradford makes/offers.
Funny thing is, I was really interested in the Guardian 3 but, it just sounded too small for my hand... and,I was trying to go a little bigger, so I set my mind on the Guardian 4.
Through the process of investigation, I happened upon a Bradford Guardian 4 on Amazon for less than the Bradford site was selling them (not to mention, I could use my wife's Amazon card... heheheh) but, it was only in N690 steel.
Unfamiliar with this steel, I did some quick research of N690;
consensus is that it's similar to VG-10. I like VG-10, my Moki is VG-10 and so, I went for it. Felt different than VG-10, kinda brittle-ish.
I then carried the Guardian 4 around in a kydex sheath iwb for a couple of weeks and used it mostly at work to open boxes or cut food.
Now, it is an awesome midsize knife! I love the palm swell and choil and the quality and construction are solid as can be.
However, I came to the conclusion it was just too big for an EDC for me.
And to be honest, I simply did not like the steel... can't explain it, just a feeling.
Did not have any issues with the steel, just wasn't happy with it.
-And, here is the reason for this comment...
I contacted Bradford USA and inquired of the possibility of an exchange for the smaller knife, Guardian 3.
On his site he has a 7 day policy on unused items purchased from his site... Uh oh - my G4 was used, a little scratched and not purchased from his site.
...I humbly sent him an email in detail regarding my purchase, use (and feelings) of the knife with the simple inquiry of an exchange...
Do you know what he told me to do with the knife?
He told me to send it back to him and he would 'make it right'... (?)
He did just what he said - he made it right.
If he is willing to stand behind his product like this, I have the utmost confidence in purchasing more of his product in the future.
That, my friends, is quality of character you can't buy and Customer Service you can't beat.
I now have the Guardian 3, and it is perfect in the hand and for a front pocket EDC.
The handle has nice swells on it without being chunky and the M390 feels... different, better. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm gonna.
I recommend Bradford USA for your next knife purchase. (He also offers larger blades in CPM3V).
You should check out the site -
www.bradfordknives.com
Just one man's opinion, wanted to share it. I feel Bradford USA is worthy of attention.
Thank you for your time,
Troy
I'm new to Blade Forums. I used to use Knife Forums, but alas...
Hope this is the right wall for my comment.
This is a comment regarding a knife maker named Bradford Larkin, and his company - Bradford USA.
Some background info about me first:
My name is Troy Johnson.
I am 48 years old and live in Las Vegas, NV. with my family.
I've been a lover of sharp, pointy implements my entire life.
It all started with a 'Trim' brand fingernail knife when I was 8 years old... and evolved from there.
So, after 40 years of owning and carrying too many knives/brands/models to name;
my current EDC (a Moki banff) has become too thin of a profile for my hands anymore.
You see, as I have gotten older, my hands have begun to twinge here and there, throw in a slight grip issue and you got motivation to acquire a larger handled EDC which is the origination of this particular quest.
(well, that and I'm nuts for a good piece of sharp, pointy steel), anyway...
Since I was looking for a larger EDC and wanted something in about a 4 inch, I went to the web to explore.
My brother, a retired U.S. Army Staff Sargeant and bigger knife nut than me, told me about a knife company called Bradford USA out of Kent, WA. and, since I PREFER U.S.A. made stuff, I checked it out.
I immediately liked the style, profile and everything about the blades Bradford makes/offers.
Funny thing is, I was really interested in the Guardian 3 but, it just sounded too small for my hand... and,I was trying to go a little bigger, so I set my mind on the Guardian 4.
Through the process of investigation, I happened upon a Bradford Guardian 4 on Amazon for less than the Bradford site was selling them (not to mention, I could use my wife's Amazon card... heheheh) but, it was only in N690 steel.
Unfamiliar with this steel, I did some quick research of N690;
consensus is that it's similar to VG-10. I like VG-10, my Moki is VG-10 and so, I went for it. Felt different than VG-10, kinda brittle-ish.
I then carried the Guardian 4 around in a kydex sheath iwb for a couple of weeks and used it mostly at work to open boxes or cut food.
Now, it is an awesome midsize knife! I love the palm swell and choil and the quality and construction are solid as can be.
However, I came to the conclusion it was just too big for an EDC for me.
And to be honest, I simply did not like the steel... can't explain it, just a feeling.
Did not have any issues with the steel, just wasn't happy with it.
-And, here is the reason for this comment...
I contacted Bradford USA and inquired of the possibility of an exchange for the smaller knife, Guardian 3.
On his site he has a 7 day policy on unused items purchased from his site... Uh oh - my G4 was used, a little scratched and not purchased from his site.
...I humbly sent him an email in detail regarding my purchase, use (and feelings) of the knife with the simple inquiry of an exchange...
Do you know what he told me to do with the knife?
He told me to send it back to him and he would 'make it right'... (?)
He did just what he said - he made it right.
If he is willing to stand behind his product like this, I have the utmost confidence in purchasing more of his product in the future.
That, my friends, is quality of character you can't buy and Customer Service you can't beat.
I now have the Guardian 3, and it is perfect in the hand and for a front pocket EDC.
The handle has nice swells on it without being chunky and the M390 feels... different, better. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm gonna.
I recommend Bradford USA for your next knife purchase. (He also offers larger blades in CPM3V).
You should check out the site -
www.bradfordknives.com
Just one man's opinion, wanted to share it. I feel Bradford USA is worthy of attention.
Thank you for your time,
Troy
