Feedback on White River Knives GTI 3" fixed blade

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maximus83

Joined
Nov 7, 2011
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I'm looking for another 3" EDC fixed blade option, already have a Spyderco Street Beat, it's great in some ways for a super light EDC, but I'm looking for a second fixed EDC blade that's a little heavier, for cases when I want that profile.

Key attributes I'm looking for:
  • Thicker blade stock than the Street Beat (which is 0.156).
  • Length. Blade: 3" to 3.5" max. OAL: 6.5" to 7". Handle: at least 3.5" for my larger hands.
  • Quality micarta or G10 grips. I don't prefer a lot of the current EDC fixed designs that have no grips or use paracord.
  • A drop point, leaf, or spear point blade profile (versus clip point--for more strength).
  • A high-flat grind that I can easily maintain, and that provides enough strength for light splitting work if needed.
  • A premium stainless steel. I'm less enamored with VG10 than I used to be.
  • Not concerned about the included sheath, I'll get a custom one made regardless.
There are two knives that come pretty darn close to what I'm looking for. Bradford Guardian 3 in M390 (I recently ordered a G4 for backpacking and really like their knives). Or a White River GTI 3. I really like the looks of the GTI, even more than the Bradford, in this size.

White River GTI 3 specs:

  • S35vn steel, 3/16" stock, drop point profile.
  • Sabre grind.
  • 3" blade; 3.5" handle; 6.5" OAL.
  • Love the shape of the grips, for a small fixed blade.
WRGTI3_large.jpg


Any feedback on the White River GTI 3? Has anybody tried it, or just have comments on the specs?
 
I've been interested in their GTI 4.5 for a few years now, but the rocky mountain tread pattern on the handle scales is a nonstarter for me. You need gloved hands to use that knife, and I simply refuse to use gloves. Maybe TKC can make some aftermarket scales for the GTI. :p
 
I'm a big fan of my Bradford G3 M390 3D (sheepsfoot blade). No experience with the GTI, but I really don't care for deep cut-outs in the scales.
 
My Bradford Guardian 3 M390 (with 3D GWood scales) is sitting on my belt while I type this. It has been a very solid, useful blade for me, handling food prep, amazon boxes, fire prep (even batoning small branches and chunks of wood), first aid, and anything else I've asked of it at home, camping, and on a long road trip.

I recommend it if you live in an area that allows you to legally carry it and are ready for the <gasps>, looks, and questions that can pop up when you carry and use a fixed blade.

Here it is being used a while back.... Unfortunately, I don't have anything more recent.
View media item 1124
Enjoy
 
Puleio said:
My Bradford Guardian 3 M390 (with 3D GWood scales) is sitting on my belt while I type this. It has been a very solid, useful blade for me, handling food prep, amazon boxes, fire prep (even batoning small branches and chunks of wood), first aid, and anything else I've asked of it at home, camping, and on a long road trip.

I recommend it if you live in an area that allows you to legally carry it and are ready for the <gasps>, looks, and questions that can pop up when you carry and use a fixed blade.

Here it is being used a while back.... Unfortunately, I don't have anything more recent.
View media item 1124
Enjoy
Click to expand...

Thx for post/pic. Yep the Bradfords are cool, I think my 4 is arriving with the sheath this week.

On the thing about the gasps and looks, oh, totally. It's off-topic from my own thread, but dang, I get SO weary of people just freaking out and being such wussies when they see you with an open belt knife or open-carried pistol IN THE OUTDOORS, IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. I mean, it seems like these tools are totally appropriate for self-defense, backpacking, and survival purposes in the woods, and people will STILL freak out about it. I'm not one of the dudes that has a psychological need to open-carry my weapons and go marching through the midst of a large city, stirring up a rukus almost on purpose. But in the outdoors, I like my tools to be readily available, and it's a huge beef with me that some folks make such a big deal out of it. This is why I increasingly go to more remote areas where most of the city folk don't like to go. When you get way out there in Mt Baker national forest, and leave early in the morning, you never even see the folks that object to your knife and pistol. :)
 
IMG_2201.JPG IMG_2202.JPG I'll cast another vote for the Guardian 3. Mine is in 3v and that little guy punches WAY above his weight!
Also, Brad at Guardian is one of the best dudes to deal with.
I also love the horizontal sheath. Very comfy and invisible under a T shirt.
Joe
 
palonej said:
Also, Brad at Guardian is one of the best dudes to deal with.
Joe
Click to expand...

Agree, friendly and service was prompt and fantastic. That's part of the equation in buying a blade from somebody that you can only see online not in person, and it really helps they will talk to you and answer a couple questions.
 
You won't go wrong with either of these, I suspect.

Get the one that you like the best, and come back here and tell us what you think of your choice.
 
How true Max!!
I was looking for a 3 in the config you see in that pic....no one had it in stock.
E mailed Guardian on a Saturday afternoon and got a response from Brad in bout half an hour.
He put one together for me that day and shipped it out that Monday. He even threw in some cool swag and e mailed me a few times afterwards to see how I liked it.
Pretty good CS from the owner of the company!!
Great guy who sells great knives.....I'm a customer for the future!
Joe

maximus83 said:
Agree, friendly and service was prompt and fantastic. That's part of the equation in buying a blade from somebody that you can only see online not in person, and it really helps they will talk to you and answer a couple questions.
Click to expand...
 
I also really like Bradford. Have two G3, two G4, and my favorite, a G5.

I have a blue scale G3 drop point and an amazing G3 Nimbus Wharncliffe.

The other small fixed blades I'd compare are my Dpx HEST 2
Woodsman and my Benchmade Hidden Canyon (wood handle version).

The Tops Blue Otter is also great. If you want something a little different look at the Felony Stop. That said, the Tops knives are nowhere as nice as the Bradfords.
 
theJman said:
I've been interested in their GTI 4.5 for a few years now, but the rocky mountain tread pattern on the handle scales is a nonstarter for me. You need gloved hands to use that knife, and I simply refuse to use gloves. Maybe TKC can make some aftermarket scales for the GTI. :p
Click to expand...
You guy's with these sensitive hands, makes me laugh!!😂😂 You'll really appreciate the rocky M. when your hands are wet or blood soaked!! I guess I'm just one of those knife guys whom like too feel with every nerve in my fingers and hands. Over time your hands become rough, like you are wearing gloves!!🔥💪 NO GLOVE CLUB!!
 
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