Who is into fixed blades?

[TomAiello]

The scales on your mule are beautiful!! Did you make them?

Yes. And thank you. They're Wenge and Spalted Maple, with a G-10 stripe between the woods and a black liner. It was one of my early attempts, and I've never been entirely happy with them.

[TkoK83Spy]

I know you love the stormtrooper look like I do! :D

BladeHQ did a run of Guardian 3s in Nitro-V and my favorite teroruf a few months ago - I'm still not sure why I passed on those! DLT has a bunch now with Cru-wear and micarta, though, and even sheepsfoot blades. I've been very tempted by those, but other more expensive purchases kinda got in the way!

It's been pretty hard to narrow down my decision, that's for sure. I see a couple in M390 and Cruwear that interest me, but I'm thinking I'm going to give 3V a try, which narrows down my options. Seems like anything with a V has always impressed me :p Though there is nothing wrong with the other two, I've never tried 3V.

I'm leaning towards this one... https://www.gpknives.com/bradford-guard ... blade.html

I don't really WANT an all black knife, but it also doesn't bother me much. I like that it comes with the black sheath, is full flat grind, and in micarta. It's not flashy, so I'd feel safer using it at work. The photo's Tom posted of his in Cruwear, look like the color of the micarta is quite a bit different than the DLC blade. So far, those other reasons are winning me over for this one.

This one has caught my attention a few times too! I like that sheepsfoot. The worn in finish on the blade with those handles eventually looking worn in as well, I think it would be awesome!

https://www.dlttrading.com/bradford-gua ... bus-finish

[JuPaul]

I know you love the stormtrooper look like I do! :D

BladeHQ did a run of Guardian 3s in Nitro-V and my favorite teroruf a few months ago - I'm still not sure why I passed on those! DLT has a bunch now with Cru-wear and micarta, though, and even sheepsfoot blades. I've been very tempted by those, but other more expensive purchases kinda got in the way!

It's been pretty hard to narrow down my decision, that's for sure. I see a couple in M390 and Cruwear that interest me, but I'm thinking I'm going to give 3V a try, which narrows down my options. Seems like anything with a V has always impressed me :p Though there is nothing wrong with the other two, I've never tried 3V.

I'm leaning towards this one... https://www.gpknives.com/bradford-guard ... blade.html

I don't really WANT an all black knife, but it also doesn't bother me much. I like that it comes with the black sheath, is full flat grind, and in micarta. It's not flashy, so I'd feel safer using it at work. The photo's Tom posted of his in Cruwear, look like the color of the micarta is quite a bit different than the DLC blade. So far, those other reasons are winning me over for this one.

This one has caught my attention a few times too! I like that sheepsfoot. The worn in finish on the blade with those handles eventually looking worn in as well, I think it would be awesome!

https://www.dlttrading.com/bradford-gua ... bus-finish

Personally I'd choose the DLT one, just to try the sheepsfoot blade. But of course either would be a great choice. You could darken that tan leather sheath a lot with some tinted leather treatment.

[benben]

Anyone here have any experience with Forge and Foundry out of Wilmington, NC?

https://forgeandfoundryknives.com/

[mikey177]

I know you love the stormtrooper look like I do! :D

BladeHQ did a run of Guardian 3s in Nitro-V and my favorite teroruf a few months ago - I'm still not sure why I passed on those! DLT has a bunch now with Cru-wear and micarta, though, and even sheepsfoot blades. I've been very tempted by those, but other more expensive purchases kinda got in the way!

It's been pretty hard to narrow down my decision, that's for sure. I see a couple in M390 and Cruwear that interest me, but I'm thinking I'm going to give 3V a try, which narrows down my options. Seems like anything with a V has always impressed me :p Though there is nothing wrong with the other two, I've never tried 3V.

I'm leaning towards this one... https://www.gpknives.com/bradford-guard ... blade.html

I don't really WANT an all black knife, but it also doesn't bother me much. I like that it comes with the black sheath, is full flat grind, and in micarta. It's not flashy, so I'd feel safer using it at work. The photo's Tom posted of his in Cruwear, look like the color of the micarta is quite a bit different than the DLC blade. So far, those other reasons are winning me over for this one.

This one has caught my attention a few times too! I like that sheepsfoot. The worn in finish on the blade with those handles eventually looking worn in as well, I think it would be awesome!

https://www.dlttrading.com/bradford-gua ... bus-finish

I got a similar sheepsfoot, but with DLC. It's still pointy enough for stabbing things. Can't go wrong with either of your choices.

[TkoK83Spy]

Does anybody with the Guardian 3 know if the scales are interchangeable between the 3d version and textured G10 versions?

[JRinFL]

Does anybody with the Guardian 3 know if the scales are interchangeable between the 3d version and textured G10 versions?

Yes they are interchangeable. Bradford also sells scale sets by themselves for user conversion. Beware that the kydex sheaths are scale type specific.

[ladybug93]

does anyone here have experience with the esee xancudo? i really love the folder and figure the fixed version must be a great edc knife.

[mikey177]

does anyone here have experience with the esee xancudo? i really love the folder and figure the fixed version must be a great edc knife.

I like the Xancudo. My only nitpick is that the handle isn't as hand-filling as that of the Izula 2, as it is both thinner and less tall than the latter. Still, it's a good EDC option and their S35VN seems to be done well. Plus, it comes with the excellent Esee warranty.

[ladybug93]

does anyone here have experience with the esee xancudo? i really love the folder and figure the fixed version must be a great edc knife.

I like the Xancudo. My only nitpick is that the handle isn't as hand-filling as that of the Izula 2, as it is both thinner and less tall than the latter. Still, it's a good EDC option and their S35VN seems to be done well. Plus, it comes with the excellent Esee warranty.

wow. thanks for the quick response and pictures. that looks like a dream for me. like i said, i really like the zancudo folder, so the palm swells in this one look like a dream. i'm also a big fan of the izula (i have two), but a longer and thinner blade is probably more useful for edc. i'm gonna need to just get one. :)

[mikey177]

You're welcome. I hope you like it.

[M Sea]

These are the edc fixed blades. The Lionsteel M4 is a little bit big for that but the others work fine. Even the ESEE 3’s slide right down into my cargo shorts pocket with the clip off the sheath. Also have a few larger fixed blades but they are at the hunting camp, an ESEE 5 and a few others in 1095.

[VashHash]

[TkoK83Spy]

As I STILL sit here debating which freakin Guardian 3 that I want! Would LOVE a ffg, 3V, DLC, natural micarta with a black sheath but of course that combination doesn't exist.

[JRinFL]

As I STILL sit here debating which freakin Guardian 3 that I want! Would LOVE a ffg, 3V, DLC, natural micarta with a black sheath but of course that combination doesn't exist.

It is worth emailing Bradford directly. He responds pretty quickly to questions in my experience.

[TomAiello]

Get natural micarta scales and add them?

I have 3v, FFG, DLC in G-10. The scales are removable.

[TkoK83Spy]

As I STILL sit here debating which freakin Guardian 3 that I want! Would LOVE a ffg, 3V, DLC, natural micarta with a black sheath but of course that combination doesn't exist.

It is worth emailing Bradford directly. He responds pretty quickly to questions in my experience.

I did so, and Brad just got back to me. Another batch of my desired knife is actually in the making and will be about 4-6 weeks out. I guess I'll have to remain patient, though we all know spontaneous purchases around here happen pretty frequently haha!

[JRinFL]

As I STILL sit here debating which freakin Guardian 3 that I want! Would LOVE a ffg, 3V, DLC, natural micarta with a black sheath but of course that combination doesn't exist.

It is worth emailing Bradford directly. He responds pretty quickly to questions in my experience.

I did so, and Brad just got back to me. Another batch of my desired knife is actually in the making and will be about 4-6 weeks out. I guess I'll have to remain patient, though we all know spontaneous purchases around here happen pretty frequently haha!

Good! Brad is one of the good guys.

On the spontaneous purchase issue, I cannot help as I swear off them daily, but often succumb to the siren's call.

[TkoK83Spy]

Hey Tom, I see you have the Wharnie version of the Guardian 3. Did you have to alter the kydex sheath it came with for scout carry or did it come like that?

[TomAiello]

I altered it. I honestly can't remember how it came, but I can look. I basically just wrapped elastic bands around mine and attached them through the grommets with t-nuts. I want to say that it came set up for the g-clip or tek lock and I didn't like the extra bulk of those.