Guardian Tactical: One Of The Best Nobody's Heard Of?

Czechnologist

Czechnologist

Joined
Nov 17, 2018
Messages
92
Let me tell you how I learned about Guardian Tactical. I went looking to buy a lightly-used MT Mini Socom Elite a few weeks ago and after gagging when I saw the asking-prices, my search led me to Guardian Tactical. Never heard of 'em. I wasn't sure why that search engine suggested GT (past association with MT?) but, I was curious and checked them out.

YNjTRMg.jpg


I'm not sure what happened at Microtech five years ago that resulted in the creation of two outstanding knife manufacturers but, whatever was responsible, Andrew Buerk (former MT designer/engineer) started-up Guardian Tactical with another MT staffer and Anthony Marfione Jr. started-up Heretic Knives (I want a Wraith soooooooo baaaaad). Details are sketchy but, apparently there was some type of falling-out(?) at MT and I'm not sure if I should send a thank-you note to Anthony Marfione Sr. or to Microsoft for Bing recommending Guardian Tactical to me in their search results?

So7w59A.jpg


The Helix Nano is a great knife in so many ways, I really don't know where to begin. I've been carrying it daily and my only complaint is that the pocket clip could be 'better' (meaning, it could ride deeper in my pocket) but it does work extremely well as designed. The rest of it is pretty damn nice and the funny part is that I've shown it off to a couple of friends who are both knife-geeks and both have ordered Helix Nanos for themselves after playing with mine. That's the first time that's ever happened.

What really slays me, though, is that Guardian Tactical has been around since 2013. Are Buerk's designs so unusual and off-putting that people just don't like them or is this an indication that the company desperately needs to develop a marketing department? I don't know. I'll probably keep buying them as long as they keep building them, though.
 
Last edited:
It feels nice when you find something that you really want, at a price that doesn't make you cry. Good score!

You can definitely see the Microtech design heritage. I mean, I can.

As for GT flying under the radar? I think (free opinions!) that people look at them and if they're not into Microtech, they don't give them a second look. If they are fans of Microtech, maybe they don't give Guardian the same credit, because they're not the original article?
 
Shorttime said:
It feels nice when you find something that you really want, at a price that doesn't make you cry. Good score!

You can definitely see the Microtech design heritage. I mean, I can.

As for GT flying under the radar? I think (free opinions!) that people look at them and if they're not into Microtech, they don't give them a second look. If they are fans of Microtech, maybe they don't give Guardian the same credit, because they're not the original article?
Click to expand...

I only have a Socom Elite to base the comparison on but, the Helix Nano seems every bit as well-built and just as ridiculously smooth. What I seem to like best is that it has both thumb studs and a flipper tab. I'm also getting better with the spidey-flick on the center hole in the blade. I think multiple ways to deploy the blade is always a good thing.

What you say makes sense, though. If you're not into funky/tactical/different, I could see how GT knives don't have a lot of appeal. If you're an MT fan like me, GT deserves your consideration.
 
I had a helix and a helix nano. The nano cut terribly, thanks to the thick edge, 4mm blade stock, and more obtuse cutting geometry than the full sized helix.

The helix came with a misground and horribly warped tip, so I sent it in to their warranty department for repair. After hearing nothing back from them for weeks and weeks, they sent it back with the same blade, only it was literally bent back into shape (still unevenly ground and the same edge and markings, so it was clearly not replaced). Extremely disappointing for an otherwise cool knife.
 
marrenmiller said:
I had a helix and a helix nano. The nano cut terribly, thanks to the thick edge, 4mm blade stock, and more obtuse cutting geometry than the full sized helix.

The helix came with a misground and horribly warped tip, so I sent it in to their warranty department for repair. After hearing nothing back from them for weeks and weeks, they sent it back with the same blade, only it was literally bent back into shape (still unevenly ground and the same edge and markings, so it was clearly not replaced). Extremely disappointing for an otherwise cool knife.
Click to expand...

Wow! Yeah that would just about do it for me, too. Don't blame you one bit! How long ago was that? The only reason I ask is because mine is flawless and one of the sharpest knives I've ever seen straight out of the box. It passed thru denim like hot butter when I trimmed the frayed edge on the bottom of pants leg. I also used it to cut thru a tangled mess of old ethernet cable, no problem.
 
Czechnologist said:
Wow! Yeah that would just about do it for me, too. Don't blame you one bit! How long ago was that? The only reason I ask is because mine is flawless and one of the sharpest knives I've ever seen straight out of the box. It passed thru denim like hot butter when I trimmed the frayed edge on the bottom of pants leg. I also used it to cut thru a tangled mess of old ethernet cable, no problem.
Click to expand...

This was 6 months ago.
 
I am with the others I have the nano in cf w/ two tone blade and can only say it is one of the nicest in my collection---smooth,light,fast deployment,perfect complex grind --wht else can I say it is badass.
 
You just must be unlucky--it seems every post I have seen you make on the forum is negative.Maybe knives just arent for you.I saw your posts in the 20cv thread and you talked about chipping that none of the expert knife guys have ever seen from only cutting cardboard.
 
js1badsti said:
You just must be unlucky--it seems every post I have seen you make on the forum is negative.Maybe knives just arent for you.I saw your posts in the 20cv thread and you talked about chipping that none of the expert knife guys have ever seen from only cutting cardboard.
Click to expand...

Lol. Okay then.
 
I like the materials and style/theme they go for, but the shape (particularly the hump that looks like a hunchback to me) just doesn't do it for me.
 
I've heard of them, but never handled them. These days, they almost seem like a knife company that is a touch behind the times as far as materials and pricing goes. That's just an impression though.

The similarities to Microtech knives was a little offputting to me when I saw them initially, but I do appreciate that they don't slap proprietary hardware on their models (with the exception of the pivot, which looks like you'd need an ultra-wide and ultra-thin bladed screwdriver to adjust)

For the prices and materials listed, I'd probably just opt for a Hogue knife instead.
 
b00n said:
I like the materials and style/theme they go for, but the shape (particularly the hump that looks like a hunchback to me) just doesn't do it for me.
Click to expand...

Optical illusion exaggerated by the pic. It's actually not a 'hump' but some milling that makes it appear that way. It's much flatter than it looks.
 
Czechnologist said:
Optical illusion exaggerated by the pic. It's actually not a 'hump' but some milling that makes it appear that way. It's much flatter than it looks.
Click to expand...

Maybe it is, it's one of those knives I'd have to hold in hand to see if i like it, they are about 550$ here for a Helix, so it's not something I'd pick up on a whim just to see if I like it, especially given that there doesn't seem to be a huge market in case I want to sell it off if I don't like it.
 
the ergos are actually pretty good and the flipping action is just fantastic.But as has been said the clip coild be a little nicer and let the knife sit a little deeper in the pocket.
 
I used to want one. But... It's just too tacticool. Great action, materials etc. Just not the look I'm looking for these days. Plus they cost alot. Great if your into the gun market thing, of which I'm not. If I ever find a cheap cf deltrix, I may make an impulse buy else just not my thing anymore.
 
The only GT I currently own, is the 035 Recon OTF.
Smoothest deployment of an OTF I have ever handled. Love that knife.
 
b00n said:
Maybe it is, it's one of those knives I'd have to hold in hand to see if i like it, they are about 550$ here for a Helix, so it's not something I'd pick up on a whim just to see if I like it, especially given that there doesn't seem to be a huge market in case I want to sell it off if I don't like it.
Click to expand...

It has one of the nicest carbon fiber handles I've ever felt on a knife. The milling and contouring makes it very comfortable to grip. If you don't care for the way GT does carbon fiber, most, if not all, of their products are also offered with G10. That'll save you a few $ on the price, too. ​

Mo2 said:
I used to want one. But... It's just too tacticool. Great action, materials etc. Just not the look I'm looking for these days. Plus they cost alot. Great if your into the gun market thing, of which I'm not. If I ever find a cheap cf deltrix, I may make an impulse buy else just not my thing anymore.
Click to expand...

I totally understand that. I wasn't a big fan of tactical folders, either, until recently and GT appealed to me because of its non-traditional look if that makes any sense. ;)
 
I recently purchased both Guardian Helix Combat and Nano flippers. I purchased the aluminum scaled models. Paid slightly over $250 each which includes taxes with free shipping. These are a couple beautiful knives right up there with ZT in my opinion. The opening/closing action, material quality, fit and finish, and unique design are great. The Combat is quite large, about the same size as a Microtech Socom Elite (which I also own), and slightly smaller than the ZT 0452cf (own that one too). They come with a glass breaker and larger frame and clip screws, which I like. These knives are built like tanks, maybe even more so than ZT. The Nano is the perfect size edc in my opinion. However, I have three complaints with these GT Helix. First, they require a $35 pivot tool to unscrew the pivot. Damn sure don’t like that! Next, they red loctited the pivot and clip screws. This creates a real risk of screw stripping if you try to disassemble the knife in case your blade comes off centered (which my Combat did). Finally, take a close look at the flipper tab on both models. It is quite small, and in the case of the Nano, it came a bit sharp causing a small cut on my index finger. Those tabs need to be larger and smoother in my opinion. (I had to actually smooth my Nano’s tab out with my Sharpmaker rods). All in all, and in spite of my gripes mentioned above, I still give this knife a 4.5 rating and put them up in a class with my ZT’s.

Follow up: After two weeks of flipping the Helix Nano, I have decided it has the smoothest action of any flipper I own. I contacted National Guardian to see if I could order a carbon fiber Nano and was advised their company no longer manufactures any Helix models. Too bad, this is the finest small knife around. Glad I bought my Nano and it’s big brother.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top