Bradford Guardian 3 with 3v

KBA

KBA

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Apr 27, 2014
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Has anyone used Bradfords 3v on the Guardian 3 yet? Are there any reviews on it?

I noticed the RC is slightly higher at 61 and do not know enough on 3v yet to determine if that is good or not. Also, does 3v on such a small knife make sense?

Not looking to buy. Im just looking for a bit of education. Any links would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
I have not used the guardian 3 , but I have used 3v at a few different hardnesses.

3v at 61 rc will have damn good edge retention vastly superior to simple carbon steels and maintain toughness about twice that of 1095. So 3v in a smaller knife is just fine in my opinion.

I too am interested in the guardian 3 and am debating the m390 vs 3v, I do have a folder with m390 that I've used pretty extensively and I REALLY like m390, It is more rust resistant than many other stainless steels and has some of the best edge retention out there. It is pretty tough from my experience with it as well, I've pried, scraped and more with it without any issues.

Tough choice. hope this helps.
KBA said:
Has anyone used Bradfords 3v on the Guardian 3 yet? Are there any reviews on it?

I noticed the RC is slightly higher at 61 and do not know enough on 3v yet to determine if that is good or not. Also, does 3v on such a small knife make sense?

Not looking to buy. Im just looking for a bit of education. Any links would be appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
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I didn't know they did one in 3v but they do indeed! I don't know how they do it. I do have on in M390 and it is a pocket lazer. One of the best small fixed blades I have used.

I don't know how much sense 3v makes on a small EDC style blade. I mean, are you going to use it hard enough to get the benefit of the 3v toughness? I would think edge retention would be more important. And to competely contradict what I just said, I have BRKT Bravo Necker 2 in the 3v that I also like. I think if you like 3v enough you will like it in any knife.
 
check out Gary Grayley's posts.he's been writing about the g3's for awhile now, and i believe he recently stated that he's been carrying his g3 in 3v almost exclusively for some time and quite likes it.
 
Thanks for the post and info. I appreciate it. :thumbup:

Im really just curious and enjoying learning about different steels. No interest in buying one. Ive just always pictured 3v as a chopper type steel and became interested after I ran across the G3 w/ it.
 
KBA said:
Thanks for the post and info. I appreciate it. :thumbup:

Im really just curious and enjoying learning about different steels. No interest in buying one. Ive just always pictured 3v as a chopper type steel and became interested after I ran across the G3 w/ it.
Click to expand...

Bark River also does a lot of smaller thinner knives with it.
 
craytab said:
Bark River also does a lot of smaller thinner knives with it.
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That is the other variable that sparked my curiosity bc/ BRK has a lower Rc score on their 3v. I didn't know if there would be much difference between the 2 bc/ of this.
 
Drew of DCL fame was running small pocket fix blades at 61-62hrc. I have used one pretty extensively for over r a year and it holds an edge quite well. I have only pulled a few ignorant stunts with it but it still looks almost like new. There is a thread somewhere about high hardness 3v and it was a pretty positive spin.
That being said, my two favorite smaller fix blades are m390 from big Chris.
Russ
 
You can look at it various ways- a small knife cannot be subjected to the same kind of chopping stresses that a big knife can, but OTOH if it is an EDC knife with thin blade, it CAN be subjected to significant lateral stresses just being used as a utility knife so a tougher steel may allow it to survive better in doing whatever it might need to do on a day to day basis.

I thought it was interesting that Bark River makes some of their models in variants with thinner blades, and they use 3V in those blades to retain toughness in the thinner blades.

I have a Spyderco Military in Cruwear and I thought that was an appropriate steel considering how thin the blade is near the tip.

I had a thin cheap utility blade in some kind of basic carbon steel. I broke the blade while cutting a thin cardboard box, and trying to cut a straight line not getting fancy or crazy with it, so small utility knives with thin blades have a need for good toughness.
 
I recently got a Guardian 3 and after some debate, I went with M390. I picked edge retention over toughness. I just think it makes more sense for my use, and EDC blade. I am no expert by far though. I do have a Bark River Northstar EDC in 3v and really have no complaints.
 
I cannot buy a fixed blade if it doesn't have a kydex sheath.. From the looks of the actual knife, it looks like a nice edc blade.
 
Just noticed this thread and wanted to offer a quick comment regarding our selection of 3V for the Guardian3.

This idea really came from the customers, not just one, but many requests after the launch of the G5 and G6 in 3V. People were reporting incredible results with our heat treat process on the larger 3V blades. We decided to make a limited run of 3V in the Guardian3 and the results have been phenomenal. Excellent edge retention at this hardness, good toughess, overall a very nice material for more of your serious EDC tasks. The M390 may excel in a warehouse environment, but this special run of 3V might just be perfect for the outdoor carry.

1446516788136.jpg

*Note: 3V is still prone to mild corrosion and should be lightly oiled after being outdoors and exposed to moisture
 
bdmicarta said:
You can look at it various ways- a small knife cannot be subjected to the same kind of chopping stresses that a big knife can, but OTOH if it is an EDC knife with thin blade, it CAN be subjected to significant lateral stresses just being used as a utility knife so a tougher steel may allow it to survive better in doing whatever it might need to do on a day to day basis.

I thought it was interesting that Bark River makes some of their models in variants with thinner blades, and they use 3V in those blades to retain toughness in the thinner blades.

I have a Spyderco Military in Cruwear and I thought that was an appropriate steel considering how thin the blade is near the tip.

I had a thin cheap utility blade in some kind of basic carbon steel. I broke the blade while cutting a thin cardboard box, and trying to cut a straight line not getting fancy or crazy with it, so small utility knives with thin blades have a need for good toughness.
Click to expand...

Great points. :thumbup: Thank you for the perspective.


Bradford said:
Just noticed this thread and wanted to offer a quick comment regarding our selection of 3V for the Guardian3.

This idea really came from the customers, not just one, but many requests after the launch of the G5 and G6 in 3V. People were reporting incredible results with our heat treat process on the larger 3V blades. We decided to make a limited run of 3V in the Guardian3 and the results have been phenomenal. Excellent edge retention at this hardness, good toughess, overall a very nice material for more of your serious EDC tasks. The M390 may excel in a warehouse environment, but this special run of 3V might just be perfect for the outdoor carry.

View attachment 592030

*Note: 3V is still prone to mild corrosion and should be lightly oiled after being outdoors and exposed to moisture
Click to expand...

Thank you for posting. I really appreciate the info. They are great looking knives. :thumbup:
 
Just recieved mine (3v)this afternoon . I did get one in m390 first and think that either one makes for a great Edc if you're looking for a fixed blade for that roll. Knives the small with its intended use the 3v may not be an advantage however I got one anyway . I really like these tools and may order a 4 tomorrow based on a sneak peak I've seen .
 
craytab said:
I didn't know they did one in 3v but they do indeed! I don't know how they do it. I do have on in M390 and it is a pocket lazer. One of the best small fixed blades I have used.

I don't know how much sense 3v makes on a small EDC style blade. I mean, are you going to use it hard enough to get the benefit of the 3v toughness? I would think edge retention would be more important. And to competely contradict what I just said, I have BRKT Bravo Necker 2 in the 3v that I also like. I think if you like 3v enough you will like it in any knife.
Click to expand...

I have one in M390 too, and I've used it quite a lot over the last few months and I like it quite a lot. I would imagine the 3V is just as good.
 
Thanks again everyone for the feedback and knowledge. I may just have to add it to the short list. :D
 
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