Recommendation? Battle of the small, deep choil, fixed blades! BG 3.5 vs WRK&T Backpacker/Caper

[Deinos]

Looking to pick one of these up in the near future, and I am unsure which way to go. Very similar shape and size with some differences (blade steel, included sheath, scales, price... more so if you go backpacker instead of caper).

Currently have a Guardian 3 in 3v with the 3d scales and a White River Knucklehead. Love them both. Had excellent customer service experience with both. Great fit and finish on both...

Would be general edc along with backup / light use when camping.

Thoughts? Anyone have both?

 

[Spikediesel]

I have no experience with the Bradford but it looks like a great knife and is very similar in specs. The Bradford offers more steel choices but of course this comes at a price. As you know I own a Backpacker Pro and find it perfect for EDC in every way, including a perfect factory Kydex sheath. The Bradford sheath looks to be geared more toward cross draw and I think I’d find it bulky for pocket carry. In my opinion if you want M390 get the Bradford. If you can live with the incredibly well done S35VN, perfect sheath and $115 price tag get the White River. This may be slightly biased

 

[Deinos]

I have no experience with the Bradford but it looks like a great knife and is very similar in specs. The Bradford offers more steel choices but of course this comes at a price. As you know I own a Backpacker Pro and find it perfect for EDC in every way, including a perfect factory Kydex sheath. The Bradford sheath looks to be geared more toward cross draw and I think I’d find it bulky for pocket carry. In my opinion if you want M390 get the Bradford. If you can live with the incredibly well done S35VN, perfect sheath and $115 price tag get the White River. This may be slightly biased

While I do like Bradford’s leather, cross-draw sheath... I opted for the kydex as well. So, valid consideration. Just not sure if I need m390...

 

[Spikediesel]

Some size comps for your consideration, because pictures are always good...

Backpacker and small Sebenza

Backpacker and PM2

Backpacker and SAK Pioneer

I like it so much it just kicked my PM2 outta my pocket for the rest of the day, and that’s saying a lot!

 

[myowngod]

You guys suck. I just ordered one because of this thread. (White River backpacker pro).

 

[halden.doerge]

I’ve handled both and I think the Bradford’s are far superior. Materials are better (M390 over S35VN), fit and finish and options are better as well. Ergos are definitely better, especially on the 3.5.

I may still get a WRK caper at some point though. I love it’s slightly smaller size and small kydex sheath.

But... I have three Bradford’s. And so yeah, they get my vote.

 

[Deinos]

Just nabbed the BG 3.5 with 3D scales in M390 to give it a try. Will probably end up getting the base backpacker with wrapped scales (so cost effective I might as well...) with my leftover points to see what it is all about. Then I can always pick up the extra scales or have some micarta made for it if I love it. Figured I like my BG3/3v so much, I can't go wrong with the 3.5, and I ended up getting it on sale from BladeHQ today (hint, hint... Bradfords on sale at BladeHQ...... GO BUY ONE NOW!!!)

Side Note: Trying REALLY hard not to add a Bradford 4.5 to that order...

 

[22-rimfire]

The Bradford knives are so well thought of, and yeah, I would prefer M390 too. Hope you enjoy it. I have the Backpacker Pro and definitely prefer it over a wrapped handle. I know I would hardly ever use a cord wrapped handle knife.... been down this road before. Handle or nothing for me....

The Backpacker Pro is a small knife. It has become one of my general woods knives. I think it's a little small, but I hardly ever use a fixed blade in the woods. So, it's there for emergencies or harder use applications.

 

[22-rimfire]

You guys suck. I just ordered one because of this thread. (White River backpacker pro).

That is precisely what happened to me after participating in another thread on the Backpacker Pro. Think it was Madcapmagician who gave it such a glowing recommendation. As long as you're comfortable with the size, it is a great little knife!

 

[madcap_magician]

I’ve handled both and I think the Bradford’s are far superior. Materials are better (M390 over S35VN), fit and finish and options are better as well. Ergos are definitely better, especially on the 3.5.

I may still get a WRK caper at some point though. I love it’s slightly smaller size and small kydex sheath.

But... I have three Bradford’s. And so yeah, they get my vote.

I really want to try a Bradford. But I have a hard time imagining better fit and finish than White River. Mine is absolutely flawless.

As good? Sure, several companies. But better? I don't know...

Ergos vary. I personally like the thinner White River handles than the thicker Bradfords, but I really want to try a Bradford anyway.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have been tempted many times to give a Bradford a try myself.

 

[halden.doerge]

Just nabbed the BG 3.5 with 3D scales in M390 to give it a try. Will probably end up getting the base backpacker with wrapped scales (so cost effective I might as well...) with my leftover points to see what it is all about. Then I can always pick up the extra scales or have some micarta made for it if I love it. Figured I like my BG3/3v so much, I can't go wrong with the 3.5, and I ended up getting it on sale from BladeHQ today (hint, hint... Bradfords on sale at BladeHQ...... GO BUY ONE NOW!!!)

Side Note: Trying REALLY hard not to add a Bradford 4.5 to that order...

I am now sitting on a Bradford G3, a G3 Sheepsfoot, and a G3.5, all with 3D micarta handles. And I'm lusting for a G4.5 really, really hard.

 

[BBW]

I have a G5 for camping/backpacking and love it. 3v and built to be beaten

 

[Riz!]

The backpacker + removable handle scales is a great little knive. I love mine. The sheathes used to suck, but now they have upgraded them too.

 

[QAJAQ]

For me, the salient difference between these two is blade thickness. At 0.13", the White River Caper is more than stout enough to handle anything I would do while backpacking. The Bradford 3 (still available at Blade HQ?) seems, at 0.15", way too thick -- & the Bradford 3.5 is too thick and (for me) too long.

 

[Eagle Scout]

Bias toward Bradford, it's not a fair comparison IMO. Better steels, removable and replacement scales, aftermarket sheaths, scale-able kit...G3.5,G4,5,6, multiple blade grinds and finishes. The Guardian line is simply more robust, offering many more options.

The G3 in full flat is a great slicer. The 3D scales fill the hand and allow for multiple carving/cutting grips. I've stopped looking for fixed blades after these two.

 

[olywa]

Got 'em both and love 'em both. The White River is a jewel and carries well in the stock sheath as an EDC. The Guardian 3.5 is noticeably stouter for when you need that. I picked up an Armatus sheath for it and prefer that to the stock leather. Can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Lapedog]

Spyderco Streetbeat dude!

Seriously though they are both great knifes. Seems like the backpacker is a more compact knife+sheath package though. With an edc fixed blade I like a knife that I can’t even feel its there.

 

[Deinos]

Got the 3.5 today. Definitely heftier in hand and on the belt than the 3 by a fair amount. Liking it so far (for what little I have messed with it). Will definitely need a new sheath. Retention on this one is not the best and the leather finish is pretty scuffed up for NiB. My old 3 sheath definitely came in better shape. Thinking I am going to go ahead and order a Backpacker and see what I think. Can never have enough small fixed blades!

 

[ddarker]

Got the 3.5 today. Definitely heftier in hand and on the belt than the 3 by a fair amount. Liking it so far (for what little I have messed with it). Will definitely need a new sheath. Retention on this one is not the best and the leather finish is pretty scuffed up for NiB. My old 3 sheath definitely came in better shape. Thinking I am going to go ahead and order a Backpacker and see what I think. Can never have enough small fixed blades!

Niceeeee
Which one feels better in the hand in your opinion?
i got the guardian3 with carbon handles and it feels a little too slim in my opinion.. would like to know how the 3.5 handles feels in comparison..
is the 3.5 feels better in the hand?