Bradford guardian 5.5 vs fiddleback Duke

[saylorbrand]

Looking at getting a knife in the 5-5.5” range. I like the blade shape and handle shape of both of these. I have blades in both 3V and S35VN steels. I like both steels but wonder if anyone has a take on these two knives.

 

[gazz98]

You can't go wrong with either knife.

I'd go Bradford.
1. After a quick google search, they seen to be a little cheaper.
2. I'd pick 3V over S35VN.
3. Handle is .86 thick. I have a big hand and like a beefy handle. I haven't seen a handle thickness on a Duke. Even if the Duke was thicker, points 1 and 2 are enough to choose the Bradford.

Good luck

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Both are good knives, but I go way back with Fiddleback Forge. I'd trust my life to one of Andy's knives/designs. You can't go wrong with either

 

[chiral.grolim]

Looking at getting a knife in the 5-5.5” range. I like the blade shape and handle shape of both of these. I have blades in both 3V and S35VN steels. I like both steels but wonder if anyone has a take on these two knives.

My experience with a Guardian 4 is that the leather sheath sucked so you may want to factor a replacement into the price unless you plan to go kydex. My personal preference is for the design of the Bradford - just looks more appealing and like it has a better handle for my uses. The blade is also more forward of the handle with less of a protruding guard. The only selling point on the Fiddleback for me is the lack of any choil notch to snag during certain types of cutting, but nearly all of my knives have a notch if not a full finger-groove and I do just fine with those, so... Between those 2, I'd go Guardian and plan on getting a different sheath.

 

[number9]

Well, the knives are shaped similarly. But I guess that makes sense, since you are considering both of them. I've been to Fiddleback for an open house. Andy seems like a good fella and knows what he's doing. I stop and speak to Brad and Nicole every year at the Blade Show. Great people; one of my favorite stops at the show.

This really doesn't help at all.

 

[saylorbrand]

My experience with a Guardian 4 is that the leather sheath sucked so you may want to factor a replacement into the price unless you plan to go kydex. My personal preference is for the design of the Bradford - just looks more appealing and like it has a better handle for my uses. The blade is also more forward of the handle with less of a protruding guard. The only selling point on the Fiddleback for me is the lack of any choil notch to snag during certain types of cutting, but nearly all of my knives have a notch if not a full finger-groove and I do just fine with those, so... Between those 2, I'd go Guardian and plan on getting a different sheath.

Thanks for the opinion. I would be getting a different sheath for sure.

 

[saylorbrand]

Well, the knives are shaped similarly. But I guess that makes sense, since you are considering both of them. I've been to Fiddleback for an open house. Andy seems like a good fella and knows what he's doing. I stop and speak to Brad and Nicole every year at the Blade Show. Great people; one of my favorite stops at the show.

This really doesn't help at all.

Haha. Not a lot of help. I guess it’s good to know that both makers are good people. Thanks.

 

[saylorbrand]

You can't go wrong with either knife.

I'd go Bradford.
1. After a quick google search, they seen to be a little cheaper.
2. I'd pick 3V over S35VN.
3. Handle is .86 thick. I have a big hand and like a beefy handle. I haven't seen a handle thickness on a Duke. Even if the Duke was thicker, points 1 and 2 are enough to choose the Bradford.

Good luck

Handle thickness is virtually the same. Also seems like the quality of craftsmanship slightly favors fiddleback. Thanks for the thoughts.