Bradford Guardian 3 on the way...

C

c7m2p3

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2018
Messages
813
I have a Bradford Guardian 3 on the way after many weeks going back and forth on it. My concern is the sheath that it comes with I have seen many mixed reviews on the durability and functionality of the leather stock sheath. My question is: is the sheath bad enough to warrant ordering a new sheath now so I can get it on the way as well? If so, does anyone have experience with some aftermarket Guardian 3 sheaths or are the kydex versions from Bradford directly worth the $30-$40 he is charging for them? (I prefer to carry smaller fixed blades in scout carry if that helps)
 
Nothing wrong with Bradford's G3 sheath. I don't particularly like horizontal carry, personally; but I use the stock G3 sheath on a few other fixed blades (a couple didn't come with sheaths, the others came with sheaths I didn't like).
Why judge it before you try it?
Did you get the flat textured scales or the smooth 3D scales? The difference is significant, IMO.
 
Last edited:
Nice choice! I can't comment on the sheath, I don't own one but I love the look of the Guardian 5. Admittedly out of my price range and since I don't camp or hike much anymore, I just don't need another fixed blade.

What blade steel and handle material/color combo did you get?
 
EkiKC4q.jpg
Gary W. Graley Gary W. Graley makes an adapter that makes the horizontal cross draw into a regular vertical sheath.
 
hhmoore said:
Nothing wrong with Bradford's G3 sheath. I don't particularly like horizontal carry, personally; but I use the stock G3 sheath on a few other fixed blades (a couple didn't come with sheaths, the others came with sheaths I didn't like).
Why judge it before you try it?
Did you get the flat textured scales or the smooth 3D scales? The difference is significant, IMO.
Click to expand...
I went with the 3D Black Micarta scales. Ive been on a micarta kick recently and have larger size hands so I figured the extra $ on contoured handles would pay off.
 
gazz98 said:
Nice choice! I can't comment on the sheath, I don't own one but I love the look of the Guardian 5. Admittedly out of my price range and since I don't camp or hike much anymore, I just don't need another fixed blade.

What blade steel and handle material/color combo did you get?
Click to expand...

Went with Black 3d Micarta scales and N690 steel. Almost upgraded to the M390 but I wanted something a little easier to touch up since the folder that I carry is usually already in a super steel.
 
I just got my 3.5 a few days ago. I ordered both the leather sheath and the kydex that Bradford sells «just in case», but I would have been fine with just the leather. But an additional kydex sheath was 10-15 dollar, so if you are worried, you could just order it along with the knife and have a back up
 
Pr3inar said:
I just got my 3.5 a few days ago. I ordered both the leather sheath and the kydex that Bradford sells «just in case», but I would have been fine with just the leather. But an additional kydex sheath was 10-15 dollar, so if you are worried, you could just order it along with the knife and have a back up
Click to expand...
Where did you find a kydex sheath for 10-15 bucks? Im looking on the Bradford site and seeing them going for $35-$40 not including attachment points for the belt.
 
c7m2p3 said:
Where did you find a kydex sheath for 10-15 bucks? Im looking on the Bradford site and seeing them going for $35-$40 not including attachment points for the belt.
Click to expand...
Yup. My bad, I remembered the price for an additional leather sheath.. it was 35 dollars for the taco kydex sheath..
 
Great I guess I will give it some trial runs with the leather stock sheath at first but I suspect I will go to the kydex shortly after. Thanks all.
 
My suspicion was correct. The leather sheath wasn't as bad as I thought but there are some issues that forced me to pull the trigger on kydex. The belt loop is pretty tight. Thicker belts with reinforcement (which are my preference) are a real pain to thread through that tight loop. That combined with basically needing to take the belt off entirely to get the sheath off is pretty inconvenient. I went with a Covenant Design Works kydex job with a Tek Lok which should be here soon.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, I just got mine yesterday. Stonewash D2 sabre flat grind.

Love the knife. wicked sharp. Accidentally touched the edge the wrong way very lightly and got through the epidermis. Goes through cardboard like it's not there, though my Para3 just edges it out.

Leather sheath, I like the design. Implementation is a bit less impressive. Welting is real close to the blade and definitely cut it. Loop's too tight to put my belt through it.

I'll also look for alternatives to the sheath.
 
calyth said:
Yeah, I just got mine yesterday. Stonewash D2 sabre flat grind.

Love the knife. wicked sharp. Accidentally touched the edge the wrong way very lightly and got through the epidermis. Goes through cardboard like it's not there, though my Para3 just edges it out.

Leather sheath, I like the design. Implementation is a bit less impressive. Welting is real close to the blade and definitely cut it. Loop's too tight to put my belt through it.

I'll also look for alternatives to the sheath.
Click to expand...

The Covenant Design Works sheath just came in the other day. It is kind of a friction job not a positive "click" when inserting the knife. Still secure though and I could shake it upside down without getting the blade to come out. I went with the black with Red trim though you can get a variety on their site if you want to go this route rather than the Kydex ones directly from Bradford's site.

https://imgur.com/emoOmEF

https://imgur.com/ctPnPfj

https://imgur.com/DzO1t3S
 
I know this is an older thread, but I'm super happy with my Oak City Leather Supply pocket sheath V2 for a Guardian 3.
 
The leather horizontal carry sheath is fine and should stand up to a lot of use. I cut mine apart, worked in a couple coats of SnowSeal and re-stitched it. It works great for pocket carry, although I don't care for the horizontal aspect. I'm making a vertical sheath (second try :rolleyes: ) in latigo leather and will post pix once I manage to get it done to my satisfaction. Mine has the textured grip in Magnacut -- cuts like a screaming witch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top