Can someone identify this knife?

[Otokoyama]

I’ve had this knife for ten years or so. Since I don’t like blades that reflect, I bead blasted this. Unfortunately, that also removed the maker’s information.

It’s a comfortable small blade with thin G10 scales. It stays in my go bag, thus has seen little use.

Any ideas who the maker might be?

Thank you.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/LVLAHYKadd9wJ7RR6

 

[lieferung]

Strongly resembles a Bradford Guardian 3. I wonder if he made custom knives before he started his production company?

 

[Otokoyama]

I believe you’ve nailed it. The overall knife profile is nearly identical, though some style changes to the scales and no false edge at the top of blade. The sheath style is identical.

My recollection is that this was a semi-custom by an individual maker, rather inexpensive at the time.

Thank you!!

 

[Otokoyama]

I had an email exchange with Brad at Bradford Knives. He said that he thought it appeared to be a Marbles Trailmate designed by Steve Kelly at skknives.com. The Trailmate is almost identical though with different scales but an identical sheath marked “Marbles”, though my recollection is I purchased this directly from the maker. I have an email out to Steve to see if he recognizes it.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/marbles-trailmate-hunting-knife-amber-56815958

Just found that Steve also designed a Trailmate made by Lone Wolf Knives.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/LWXC24400/lone-wolf-knives-steve-kelly-trailmate

And just found what is probably my version, but this site won’t let me link to it.

Anyway, thanks for the help I’m identifying this knife!

 

[Otokoyama]

Strongly resembles a Bradford Guardian 3. I wonder if he made custom knives before he started his production company?

Thanks to your tip on Bradford Knives, I was able to track down that my knife was in fact custom made by Steve Kelly before Marbles then Lone Wolf Knives licensed the design, which is now made in various versions by Bradford. Since my goal was to acquire another, I put in an order with Bradford for a version with my preferred full flat grind plus DLC coating.

 

[lieferung]

Thanks to your tip on Bradford Knives, I was able to track down that my knife was in fact custom made by Steve Kelly before Marbles then Lone Wolf Knives licensed the design, which is now made in various versions by Bradford. Since my goal was to acquire another, I put in an order with Bradford for a version with my preferred full flat grind plus DLC coating.

Wow, so it is in fact the same design? That's so cool, I didn't know about the origin of the design I thought Bradford made it himself. I wouldn't have guessed it, except I spent many a month eyeballing the different G3s before deciding I wanted a different kind of fixed blade. You should post pics when you get your new knife!

 

[Otokoyama]

Wow, so it is in fact the same design? That's so cool, I didn't know about the origin of the design I thought Bradford made it himself. I wouldn't have guessed it, except I spent many a month eyeballing the different G3s before deciding I wanted a different kind of fixed blade. You should post pics when you get your new knife!

Yes, same design. You’ve got a great eye!

I’ve added a photo from the Bradford Knives site to the photos area linked in my original post which represents what my new Trailmate / Guardian 3 should look like.