Recommendation? Good Fixed Blades in 3V/Z-Tuff?

R

Razehound

Joined
Nov 9, 2020
Messages
13
Hey all,

So I've been looking for a great fixed blade for camping. Prefer larger blade sizes, 4+". What are some options for 3V/Z-Tuff? I know there is a BM Leuku, but I've heard it doesn't perform very well.
I've been looking at a Bradford Guardian4, anybody have experience with those? Is it worth the $250?

Thanks
 
I 3rd the carothers, but I would add a couple more to the list. Survive gso 4.7 in 3v would go on my list too. Fiddleback forge, bark river also do a 3V.
 
I'd vote carothers. But their price point is a bit higher and they aren't something you can just buy off the shelf. Good company and good people. If you don't like it, you can easily get your $ out of it on the secondary market as long as it isnt trashed

On a side note, 3v knives aren't going to be cheap. Especially from a reputable maker. I really prefer smaller shops with an established reputation. These makers often put far far more effort into quality heat treats, performance oriented design, and other little things that make their slightly higher price, wait times, etc worth it.
 
Razehound said:
I've been looking at a Bradford Guardian4, anybody have experience with those? Is it worth the $250?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I've had a bunch of Bradford knives, down to one G3 cross-carry of Vanadis 4E...a great carbon steel blade.
I reco their knives highly.
An alternative, just as good, is Survive Knives GSO series...wonderful...,...but buy on the Exchange here in used condition...which is often "as new."
 
The Cold Steel Master Hunter comes in 3V and has a 4 inch blade. Made in Italy. Mine work great. There are other 3V cold steels, but I haven’t tried them.
 
Bradford Guardian 4.5 and Carothers FK1 or 2 come to mind. If your willing to bump the budget up a bit more Guinea Hog Forge's Stock removal knives are generally in 3V and are really nice. The Silverbird/Blackbird and Rover are all in the size your looking for.
 
I've only got the Bradford Guardian 3 & 4; but have no reason to think the 5 or 6 wouldn't be just as good. (IMO, the 3D scales are the only way to go - I didn't care for the textured flat scales).
Is the Guardian 4 the right knife for you? Depends on what you plan to do with it.
 
Cold steel Warcraft Tanto is awesome! Freeman knives had an awesome 3v fixed blade too. Super quality for the price.
 
My BM Puukko 200 in 3V takes a fantastic edge; the BM Leuku is a larger version in the same steel, so I don't know why it wouldn't perform just as well.
 
Another vote for CPK, maybe on the expensive side, but certainly is great value in terms of performance and all things considered. Here is a FK2 just for reference:

xB68d8J.jpg


LongBomber said:
I 3rd the carothers, but I would add a couple more to the list. Survive gso 4.7 in 3v would go on my list too. Fiddleback forge, bark river also do a 3V.
Click to expand...
I have collected a few Survive knives in the past, but at this moment in time, I would actually advise against it. The delivery schedule is totally unpredictable, and paying in full while potentially waiting for year(s) for a knife or two is totally ridiculous.
 
Razehound said:
Hey all,

So I've been looking for a great fixed blade for camping. Prefer larger blade sizes, 4+". What are some options for 3V/Z-Tuff? I know there is a BM Leuku, but I've heard it doesn't perform very well.
I've been looking at a Bradford Guardian4, anybody have experience with those? Is it worth the $250?

Thanks
Click to expand...

There are lots of 3V choices, for one see comment above. Have a FEK2, great knife. Run a google search for "knife 3v 4 inch". you will then have lots to consider. I am not a fan of choils so the Guardian 4 is not one for me. In my view the hnadle is for your hand and the blade is for cutting. Bradford does smaller and larger models that I like. I have a 3 inch model, talked with the maker at Blade Show west and asked if he had the sheath in a different color for sale, he just pull one out of a box and gave it to me! Cool maker and nice knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top