EDC a 4-inch Fixed Blade (e.g., Bradford Guardian 4)? How to Carry Comfortably?

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Eliesti

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Oct 25, 2018
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I am deciding between a Bradford Guardian 3 and 4. This will be my first fixed blade, and I intend to use it for EDC. I tend to favor larger knives and handles (3.5-4.5 inch blades on folding knives; anything smaller than a Benchmade 940 is usually too small for me; I tend to favor the Endura over the Delica, the Crooked River over the Mini Crooked River, etc.).

However, I recognize that a fixed blade is quite large, especially in the 4-inch blade range, and it is harder to EDC for that reason. I also tend to be in more business-casual to business-business environments most of the time and have to often wear a tucked-in shirt, which would not be a problem except that I live in Houston, which tends to be too hot for jackets most of the year.

With all this in mind, I am also wondering whether I should buy a Guardian 3 or 4, and, if so, which carry options you would recommend for my situation (e.g., horizontal carry, static line, IWB with belt clip, etc.). I am open to either the kydex or leather sheath as I have minimal experience with fixed blades.

I appreciate any input provided.
 
It would be extremely tough to get away with carrying a fixed blade in a business setting. Id love to, but mostly can't. I live in Houston as well and usually carry a folder.

I do carry fixed blades occasionally, but only if they fit all the way down in my pocket. Believe it or not, I carry a Tops Street Scalpel like this and it works fine.

If nobody you work with would raise a stink, I'd say strong side vertical is most comfy for me. If you have to hide it and can't wear your shirt untucked, you might be SOL.
 
Heh, heh, hello, from Galveston!:D I have to confess, I rarely carry a fixed blade larger than ~5" OAL down here, for all the reasons you're acquainted with. I do have a Daniel Prentice and CS R1 that have IWB kydex sheaths, and I have carried them, but usually under a Hawaiian shirt.

My first thoughts would be, in my order of preference:
1) buying some nice Panama or similar square-cut shirts, and carrying kydex IWB, unless that is totally out of order, in your business. (I wear slacks and either wild Hawaiian, or more conservative Panamas, as a nurse).

2) Static line, using a neutral/conservative color lanyard.

3) A vertical carry, garter-style, lower-leg carry.

4) (Not terribly EDC friendly, but depending on your reasons for carry...) A tuckable kydex IWB. Raven Concealment J hooks readily adapt to many sheaths for this, or you could request them from a custom maker.

My EDCs are Emerson ZTs or the 0452, or occasionally a Protech Emerson G9 CQC7, indulging in the joys of auto-carry.:cool:
 
i favor the iwb above the right front pocket. just a t-shirt untucked will keep it hidden. can be worn at work. does not get in the way when sitting.
 
^ Agree with AntDog AntDog , hard to get away with that knife in that environment and also not sure what the point is... ? Why not a smaller fixed-blade or a folder? There are lots of 'gentlemanly' fixed and folder options out there...

Regarding the Guardian 3 and 4, I did a quick review of the G4 here: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...knives-guardian-series.1515806/#post-17402564
My main advice in this regard is that the sculpted scales will be more comfortable in use but also have a larger footprint for however you carry and slim-scales might be preferred for better comfort in concealment. Second, the kydex sheath is quite wide, you'd likely prefer the leather sheath and perhaps slip the knife into your pocket or have it dangle into your pocket on a length of cord from your belt.
 
For the record, the difference between a Guardian 3 vs a Guardian 4 is a lot more than you might expect; and that difference is reflected in their carry. The G3 comes with a fairly subtle horizontal sheath, while the G4 has a vertical pouch sheath. Obviously, the options expand with custom sheathing; so make the decision based on your likes.
I have both - the G3 handle is small, requiring the forefinger to ride in the choil (which took some getting used to, for me). I also didn't like the flat scales; so until the 3D handle option, my G3 sat unused.
Before I say anything about the G4, let me find the picture...
***edited to add:
prTSJsV.jpg


The G4 handle still wants your forefinger in the choil, by design. To be honest, I rarely carry the G4 due to the handle and the sheath. Here it is, with an Esee4 and Ratmandu.
H1YXBgM.jpg
 
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hhmoore said:
For the record, the difference between a Guardian 3 vs a Guardian 4 is a lot more than you might expect; and that difference is reflected in their carry. The G3 comes with a fairly subtle horizontal sheath, while the G4 has a vertical pouch sheath. Obviously, the options expand with custom sheathing; so make the decision based on your likes.
I have both - the G3 handle is small, requiring the forefinger to ride in the choil (which took some getting used to, for me). I also didn't like the flat scales; so until the 3D handle option, my G3 sat unused.
Before I say anything about the G4, let me find the picture...
***edited to add:
prTSJsV.jpg


The G4 handle still wants your forefinger in the choil, by design. To be honest, I rarely carry the G4 due to the handle and the sheath. Here it is, with an Esee4 and Ratmandu.
H1YXBgM.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for the info. It is very helpful. Do you find yourself carrying the ESEE 4 a lot?
 
If you are right handed and not lacking for resources, you can have an upside-down suede shoulder system made. Carry a vertical knife under your left armpit over a white t-shirt. Like a small gun, it works well because men's button-down dress shirts have the buttons on the right, so you can undo a button and reach it quite rapidly. This works well for an extremely conceable defensive knife, but A) does not work well for a blade used for utility purposes and B) requires careful shirt selection because thin, single-color shirts may allow someone to see the strap system.
 
Not really. I use the Esee more as a camp knife.
For day to day day carry, I tend toward smaller blades that are more easily concealed...or I jump to larger (generally inverted carry, unless I'm doing yardwork).
I'm more likely to pocket carry my bark river Fox River LT than strap on the Esee or Guardian 4, due to a combination of convenience and aesthetics. (I prefer satin or patina over coated blades)
 
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Rob72 said:
I would add that I pretty routinely carry a Street Beat in a Primal Options pocket sheath. For comparison:
20287060_1503672006321189_4213655337862063602_o_zpstl9cqbvx.jpg
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Thanks! Primal seems to have a lot of great options for sheaths. I never knew so many options exited for carry.
 
madcap_magician said:
If you are right handed and not lacking for resources, you can have an upside-down suede shoulder system made. Carry a vertical knife under your left armpit over a white t-shirt. Like a small gun, it works well because men's button-down dress shirts have the buttons on the right, so you can undo a button and reach it quite rapidly. This works well for an extremely conceable defensive knife, but A) does not work well for a blade used for utility purposes and B) requires careful shirt selection because thin, single-color shirts may allow someone to see the strap system.
Click to expand...
This is a great idea. I carry a folder too for utility. Due to the fact that my wife is deathly afraid of guns, I cannot own or carry a gun (there is no convincing her on this issue). I therefore want to carry a defensive knife I can also use for harder use utility tasks (yes, I am aware there of the perils of using a knife for defensive purposes, but I don't really have another option). Hence, why I want to EDC a fixed blade.
115Italian said:
cqHzcqR.jpg
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What knife is this and what size is it? It will help me reference.
 
The G3 will be much easier to EDC. Spend the extra $10 and get the G3 in full flat, it's worth it IMO, and the Architect Sheath with a small tek lok works well. The G4 is in a BuyBrown with Sagewood Gear belt loop adapter.

BG1.jpg

BG2.jpg

BG3.jpg
 
The knife is a spartan phrike if you're curious. Very flat but very versatile blade. I turned to fixed blades and almost never carry a folder anymore.

Good luck :thumbsup:
 
Eliesti said:
This is a great idea. I carry a folder too for utility. Due to the fact that my wife is deathly afraid of guns, I cannot own or carry a gun (there is no convincing her on this issue). I therefore want to carry a defensive knife I can also use for harder use utility tasks (yes, I am aware there of the perils of using a knife for defensive purposes, but I don't really have another option). Hence, why I want to EDC a fixed blade.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good solution for you then. I can't use that solution because I undress at work every day during my lunch hour in the work gym locker room, and a large concealed fixed blade in a shoulder harness would be hard to explain there.

If you go that route, be sure to get one that doesn't have the support side strap using a clip to the belt. A 4"-7" bladed knife is small enough and light enough that the sort of butterfly shoulder harness that works for a J-frame revolver would work just as well for a knife. I believe Galco even makes a shoulder holster sheath system, but the Galco rig is a little bulky to be worn under a dress shirt.

I pocket carry a GiantMouse GMFE-1 fixed blade, which is a bit over 5" long.
 
Eagle Scout said:
The G3 will be much easier to EDC. Spend the extra $10 and get the G3 in full flat, it's worth it IMO, and the Architect Sheath with a small tek lok works well. The G4 is in a BuyBrown with Sagewood Gear belt loop adapter.

View attachment 1009511

View attachment 1009512

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Click to expand...
Thanks. This is really helpful. How do you like the 3D micarta handles? I am deciding between the ghost G-10 and the 3D micarta in OD Green (either with a nimbus finish).
 
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