Gerber Guardian VS Camillus boot knife

S

Stiletto Raggio

Joined
Jan 29, 2000
Messages
546
Bayou LaForche has the Guardian on sale for 30 bucks, but the normal price for the Camillus is only 24. Both have hard sheaths, althoguh the gerber look a bit more sophisitcated. The Gerber is slightly laonger, but does not have a guard. What do these models weigh? Any input on the knives or the sheaths is much appreciated. I am in the mood for a buy, and these are affordable.
 
I used to have the Gerber Guardian. I bought it on a whim before I knew anything about knives. This knife has a couple of problems as a defensive blade. First, the handle is very small and thin. Although it's pretty grippy, I could never get a strong grip on it and I have small/medium sized hands. Secondly, although the blade is secure in the sheath (the tension on the knife is adjustable), the tip of the blade rattles around in the sheath and makes a fair amount of noise - enough to attract attention.

You probably realize this, but the Guardian is a pure self-defense blade, and has absolutely no value as a utility knife.

If I had a limited amount of cash to spend, I'd think about something like the Columbia River Kasper Companion (about $35). The blade looks stronger than the Guardian's, the handle looks a lot more secure, and it probably will work as a utility blade as well.

miguel
 
I know it is just a defense knife, but I have always been partial to tiny, double edged jobs. Any opinions on the Camillus?
 
I had the "western" version from Camillus. Same knife, leather sheath and wood handle. I had the smaller one. The dagger grind was flat and wide. Would take an edge and could actually cut too. I really like it and the leather sheath was great. I adjusted the tension tight and had it hang inverted in my motorcycle jacket. Excellent knife for the money. I gave mine to "lifter4Him" a long time ago. I would definately recommend them.
 
I have both and strongly recommend the Camillus/Western for an all around knife. As was noted, the blade is thin and wide, takes an edge, and is a good slicer as well as sticker. I carry mine almost every day and use it to cut feedsacks, rope, baling twine, the ocassional thistle growing in the field, and whatever else. The Guardian just isn't shaped for that type of work. Let us know what you decide, and why you picked the one you did.
 
Can you give me a description of the sheath? I though it was just a run of the mill leather sheath, but if it ahs adjustable tension screws, I could definetely see it as a good CC piece.

That was another thing that drew me towards the Camillus: they actaully say what steel they use. It distrubs me that more often than not, Gerber leaves theri steel anonymous. At least I know what to expect with Camillus.
 
Can you give me a description of the sheath? I though it was just a run of the mill leather sheath, but if it ahs adjustable tension screws, I could definetely see it as a good CC piece.

That was another thing that drew me towards the Camillus: they actaully say what steel they use. It distrubs me that more often than not, Gerber leaves theri steel anonymous. At least I know what to expect with Camillus.
 
I have both, and prefer the Camillus. It has a leather sheath. The plastic sheath for the Guardian is noisy, but can be made for inverted carry. I don't like plastic sheaths.
 
I have the Western version and it has a black leather sheath. There is a strip of spring metal (appears to be stainless steel) about a half an inch wide that is riveted crossways along the top of the leather at the opening of the sheath. It has a bend or dip in the center which puts pressure on the leather in that area, and that in turn serves to hold the knife in the sheath -- not as easily adjustable as the Guardian, but it's worked well for me. If you're thinking purely self defense, maybe the Guardian (except for that stupid noisy sheath) might be a better choice. I'm not hot for rubber handles, but they do tend to be "grippy" when wet with slippery body juices, unlike plastics and stablized wood. Hey, get them both. They're fun knives.
 
Yeah, the little metal piece. I just hit it with a hammer or squeezed with pliers. It held the blade fine. I hooked it upside down on a special made holder in my jacket. This was years ago, before kydex and I never heard of a neck knife. I was worried it would fall, but worked great. I really miss that knife, I would get the larger now and appreciate it more. The other Camillus has a different handle and I think kydex or other plastic sheath. I will just say IMHO I raelly, really liked it for the price. Double edge, full tang, fixed blade. You know what it's for.....and what should be done with it when you are done.....right? That makes a cheaper, quality knife important. If you need a utility knife...I have A CRKT Carson F4 for you.........
 
What are the differences in handle style betweent he leather and kydex sheather models? I am going to get the smaller one, probably witht he black finish, just because I figure that if I am going to use it, light reflection could be a concern. Will the leather sheath hold up to exposure to the elements? And will is stop me from getting accidnetally impaled? I won't be pulling airborne ops or anything with this, but the concern is still there.
 
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