New Bradford Guardian 4.5?

Deinos

Deinos

Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
1,605
Just saw this announcement via email. Looks like it answers the main gripe people have had (namely, the choil). Comes in 3v, various finishes, and saber or ffg. So, who is picking on up? Strongly considering it myself. I love my BG 3/3v/saber. FFG 4.5 might be just what the doctor ordered...
 
Yes, it's quickly jumped to my short list :) Just wish it wasn't over 200.

Have you noticed the 3.5 guardian in nitro-v from md? It's only 120. I just don't know about nitro-v... never used it yet.
 
Looks sweet, but I picked up a 3D CF Guardian 4 two weeks ago when they were 30% off. Came out to be $174. I'm gonna stick with that. Heck of a deal.
 
Just saw this new design and wondered if anyone has picked one up yet?
 
Would like to see the tang w/o scales on this model, curious if the tang is cutout (skeletonized) as their other models or not.
 
Been using my Guardian 4.5 quite a bit. I have a Guardian 4, and it is a little thin behind the edge for hard use. The 4.5 is perfect for harder use. Handle is very comfortable, good HT, blade geometry, ergos, good materials. All around a good fixed blade. Hopefully a stainless version is coming. Only down side is the spanner bit handle hardware. Wish they were torx, but other than that, awesome knife.
 
ATJ999 said:
Been using my Guardian 4.5 quite a bit. I have a Guardian 4, and it is a little thin behind the edge for hard use. The 4.5 is perfect for harder use. Handle is very comfortable, good HT, blade geometry, ergos, good materials. All around a good fixed blade. Hopefully a stainless version is coming. Only down side is the spanner bit handle hardware. Wish they were torx, but other than that, awesome knife.
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Since you've had both 4 and 4.5: Can you give details on how the grip and ergos differ between these two when you use them for real-world tasks? I have a 4 that I like, but interested to hear if the 4.5's approach to losing the finger choil and giving you more handle, is actually preferable for grip, control, stability, and comfort.
 
maximus83 said:
Since you've had both 4 and 4.5: Can you give details on how the grip and ergos differ between these two when you use them for real-world tasks? I have a 4 that I like, but interested to hear if the 4.5's approach to losing the finger choil and giving you more handle, is actually preferable for grip, control, stability, and comfort.
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Sure. So for me, the G4 handle seemed crowded, unless I use the the finger choil. The 4.5 is MUCH different! I would say the handle is a little long, but very comfortable, so you have plenty of handle. You can choke up or choke back and it is comfortable. Reverse grip does not feel very good to me on the G4, but does on the G4.5.
I have a hard time describing handle comfort, but I will say I prefer the 4.5. It has more of the all around woods/bush knife handle. Similar, but not the same as, Survive GSO 4.1, CPK Field knife, and maybe a little bit like a Bark Rive Bravo 1 LT, but more like the other two. I do prefer the GSO 4.1 and CPK Field knife handles more, but it is up there with them with comfort. It doesn't fill the hand quite as good, but is comfortable, to me.
Also, I usually don't like jimping, but really like the jimping on it. It is the same as the G4.
 
ATJ999 said:
Sure. So for me, the G4 handle seemed crowded, unless I use the the finger choil. The 4.5 is MUCH different! I would say the handle is a little long, but very comfortable, so you have plenty of handle. You can choke up or choke back and it is comfortable. Reverse grip does not feel very good to me on the G4, but does on the G4.5.
I have a hard time describing handle comfort, but I will say I prefer the 4.5. It has more of the all around woods/bush knife handle. Similar, but not the same as, Survive GSO 4.1, CPK Field knife, and maybe a little bit like a Bark Rive Bravo 1 LT, but more like the other two. I do prefer the GSO 4.1 and CPK Field knife handles more, but it is up there with them with comfort. It doesn't fill the hand quite as good, but is comfortable, to me.
Also, I usually don't like jimping, but really like the jimping on it. It is the same as the G4.
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Good summary. Of all 4" to 5" fixed blades you own (and I know you have a few, from past convos), it sounds like you like the GSO 4.1 handle the best, true? Can you summarize why? I'm looking for a fixed blade with a better handle in this size range, and not quite sure that the 4.5 is yet. I used to never pay as much attention to handles, but the past few years I realized that grip, handle ergos, etc. are at least as important to me as the steel and blade geometry.
 
maximus83 said:
Good summary. Of all 4" to 5" fixed blades you own (and I know you have a few, from past convos), it sounds like you like the GSO 4.1 handle the best, true? Can you summarize why? I'm looking for a fixed blade with a better handle in this size range, and not quite sure that the 4.5 is yet. I used to never pay as much attention to handles, but the past few years I realized that grip, handle ergos, etc. are at least as important to me as the steel and blade geometry.
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Actually I like the Carothers Field knife handle the best, then the GSO 4.1 and 4.7, and the guardian 4.5 right behind them. I prefer the GSO 4.1/4.7 blade geometry to the CPK FK though, but it is pretty damn good too. The field knife has a long enough handle, so you can grip back to the end of the handle, or choke up, and it is amazingly comfy! The guardian 4.5 feels a little odd to me when I choke way up on the handle, but it is not uncomfortable AT ALL, just feels like they could have left a little bit more handle, slightly less contouring, if that makes sense. The GSO 4.1 is borderline like that too, with me, but it isn't. If they contoured the gso 4.1 any more it would be. BUT, every hand is different, and the guardian 4.5 is an awesome overall knife. Good handle and blade geometry.
 
Just got this and thought folks may like to see some picks. BladeHQ had a great sale on these so I jumped on it- been curious about 3V and this knife.

A few comparison picks with common folders and a Swamp Rat Howling Rat...

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A couple of knife peoples favorite activities...batoning and cutting a feather stick ;)

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It survived! :D

And in hand...

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I agree with ATJ999...it's a little long in the handle for me. Overall a nice knife though and has to be one of the better buys in this price range assuming the 3V is everything people say it is.
 
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