Guardian Tactical Exilis!

slavia631

slavia631

Joined
Oct 27, 2014
Messages
74
Has anybody else placed an order for the Guardian Tactical Exilis? Mine's scheduled for delivery on Friday. I can only find about 5 photos of the knife on the entire internet but it looks very cool. Reminds me of a mini DOC. If anybody has one yet, I'd love to see some detail pics. Otherwise I'll be sure to post some photos and impressions after Friday.

10817665_681136921984654_1425523675_n.jpg
 
I have only seen one guy on Instagram post pictures up so far. I know that this knife contains a patent pending adjustable linerlock; perhaps they were hesitant to post too many pictures until that patent is well under way?

Looking forwarding to your photos and impressions!
 
Wow, that looks really good. I can't wait to see your pictures when you post them. Also some sort of review will be warrented as well. :thumbup:
 
Nice!

I've got a Guardian Patron that I bought from a great member here on the exchange. I love the knife. Congrats. (Bad pic, but the only one I currently have.)

paD4fel.jpg
 
Exilis seems to be more like the MicroTech Mini Matrix with aluminum handles, subframe lock and flipper.
 
Man, I am seriously getting into these knives. I've never been much of a Microtech guy, and I know Guardian's pedigree, but these designs speak to me.
 
My first thought upon opening the box was that the knife is smaller than I expected. It is a very compact knife and the handle to blade ratio is nearly 1:1. Even in my small-average size hands, my pinky hangs off the end when gripping it comfortably, and the forward "choil" is not big enough to really use. Build quality is excellent. Comparable to Microtech, I would say. The machining is very precise, lockup is perfect, closes dead-straight, and being on bearings it flips well.

Bottomline: It is a highly functional thing of beauty but I wish it were a tad bigger or at least had a lanyard loop to help with handling.
 
There was a thread on here that had to do with tactical knives being priced high without offering much blah blah blah. It was a fun thread. I feel like this knife is a great example of something unique, fresh, and different coming out tactical. Very cool knife.
 
slavia631 said:
My first thought upon opening the box was that the knife is smaller than I expected. It is a very compact knife and the handle to blade ratio is nearly 1:1. Even in my small-average size hands, my pinky hangs off the end when gripping it comfortably, and the forward "choil" is not big enough to really use. Build quality is excellent. Comparable to Microtech, I would say. The machining is very precise, lockup is perfect, closes dead-straight, and being on bearings it flips well.

Bottomline: It is a highly functional thing of beauty but I wish it were a tad bigger or at least had a lanyard loop to help with handling.
Click to expand...

Well, no offense intended, but it is sold as a "Mini Flipper". From their web site:

Introducing our New Manual Folder- The EXILIS! A Mini Flipper with even more Advanced Features: first ever Adjustable Lockbar, Patent Pending!, made with Titanium, and our Ceramic Ball Bearing System.
Click to expand...

So, I would expect it to be a bit smaller than the rest of their offerings. Still, if you can get used to using a smaller knife, you just may find that there are some significant advantages to a smaller size. I find myself carrying my smaller knives more often than the bigger, heavier, knives in my collection. They just seem to carry better due to size and weight.

Give it time. I bet it "grows" (pun intended :D ) on you the more you use it.

Very, very nice knife.
 
I know what you mean. I carry my small Sebenza more than anything. And the size is dead-on based on their stated specs, but it still just feels smaller in hand than I expected. It is significantly smaller than their other offerings. IMO it could use just another half-inch on the handle...like their mini Helix. In fact I think the Mini Helix would be perfect except that I don't prefer autos.

I just wish it at least had a lanyard point like every other knife they make, since it is ironically probably the knife that would benefit most from having one.
 
slavia631 said:
I know what you mean. I carry my small Sebenza more than anything. And the size is dead-on based on their stated specs, but it still just feels smaller in hand than I expected. It is significantly smaller than their other offerings. IMO it could use just another half-inch on the handle...like their mini Helix. In fact I think the Mini Helix would be perfect except that I don't prefer autos.

I just wish it at least had a lanyard point like every other knife they make, since it is ironically probably the knife that would benefit most from having one.
Click to expand...

I hear you. The Mini-Helix which I own is the perfect edc size imo. I had hoped for manual Helix in the same size, or a flipper Patron in that size. Alas, it wasn't so..
 
Does the Exilis use a proprietary pivot?

Does it require another overpriced proprietary tool?
 
flash900 said:
Does the Exilis use a proprietary pivot?

Does it require another overpriced proprietary tool?
Click to expand...

Yes and no. Disassembley of the knife voids the warranty so you don't really want to take it apart. They also use red loctite (I assume) on their pivots so pivot adjustment and take-down are not necessary. I haven't needed to do anything with my two Guardian Tacticals since receiving them, and they get flipped and used a lot. I never seen them even offer a pivot tool for sale, although I've never asked.
 
austonh said:
Yes and no. Disassembley of the knife voids the warranty so you don't really want to take it apart. They also use red loctite (I assume) on their pivots so pivot adjustment and take-down are not necessary. I haven't needed to do anything with my two Guardian Tacticals since receiving them, and they get flipped and used a lot. I never seen them even offer a pivot tool for sale, although I've never asked.
Click to expand...
Hmmm.....so a proprietary pivot without any tool for when it eventually needs adjusting.
 
This thing overrides my logic circuits completely. Normally would never like something this size as a buck Vantage small, stockman pattern, delica, small sebenza can fit in this size role without being over the top. That said, this is a really good looking knife. Kinda blinded by the bling, lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top