Opinions on Guardian 4 vs 5 and Kabar Harpoon?

[Harko]

Hi all,

I'm eyeballing the Guardian 4 and 5 to use as a general utility knife while camping. My knife experience is pretty limited, the only knife I've brought with me camping in the past is a cheapo Smith & Wesson dagger made from some budget Chinese steel that I carried while deployed and a Kabar I had for about 2 years. I was camping recently and needed to do some light wood chopping (not batonning!), cord cutting, trimming some stakes, stuff like that, dagger wasn't up to it.

So, I wanted to ask if anyone has opinions on 2 things. First, is the 4 a competent utility blade for chopping and utility work, or is it more suited to precision work? Is chopping and utility work really more the realm of the 5? If the 4 is competent in that role, are there opinions (ha!) on the N690 vs 3V for these purposes? Is the 690 going to be up to it? I only ask this last because I will most likely ask for either knife as a gift and the Guardian 4 in 690 is about $100 cheaper than the 3V version of either the 4 or 5.

The other cheaper option I was looking at was Kabar Harpoon. Kind of the same questions there.

Thanks for any input!.

Last thing I forgot to add, I did have a chance to hold a Guardian 3 and found it too small, so I am specifically looking for a bit bigger of a knife. Having a bit of analysis paralysis in wondering whether or not the 5 is slightly too large. My dagger is firmly in between the 4 and 5 and is a comfy size.

 

[shane45-1911]

I have the Kabar/Becker BK18, but I do not own a Guardian.

The BK18 is a very versatile blade. The high handle relative to the blade center line allows it to be a good food processor and slicer/chopper. The generous belly makes it a great skinner as well.

Heat treatment is very good on this knife, and provides a good balance of edge retention and toughness in this 1095 steel.

The handle is very ergonomic and comfortable.

The blade itself has a relatively high saber grind, and that in combination with relatively thin blade stock (.188") makes it great for finer work and fine slices. It has a nice pointy tip, good for light stabbing or awl-type work, if desired.

Here's mine - third from the right:

 

[Hashishiin]

I know that 3V is nice, but N690 is used in many popular fixed blades and I have heard people say good things. I'd imagine it's a good steel, just not as good as 3V. Look it up and compare the toughness - my bet is that it isn't quite as tough, while having some more edge retention and sharpenability, but I do not own N690, so I'm speaking from remembrances. You are not batoning, I am sure there is going to be nothing wrong with the N690.

 

[Harko]

I have the Kabar/Becker BK7, but I do not own a Guardian.

The BK7 is a very versatile blade. The high handle relative to the blade center line allows it to be a good food processor and slicer/chopper. The generous belly makes it a great skinner as well.

Heat treatment is very good on this knife, and provides a good balance of edge retention and toughness in this 1095 steel.

The handle is very ergonomic and comfortable. The blade itself has a relatively high saber grind, and that in combination with relatively thin blade stock (.188") makes it great for finer work and fine slices.

Here's mine - third from the right:

It's a handsome blade! I really like the styling of it. My *only* reservation with the Kabar is the 1095, my old Kabar did rust pretty regularly from ambient humidity. I landed on the Guardian after searching for some kind of stainless or corrosion-resistant steel type. But, I had that Kabar a number of years ago, so I don't know if the metal manufacturing has changed to add some corrosion resistance.

 

[Harko]

I know that 3V is nice, but N690 is used in many popular fixed blades and I have heard people say good things. I'd imagine it's a good steel, just not as good as 3V. Look it up and compare the toughness - my bet is that it isn't quite as tough, while having some more edge retention and sharpenability, but I do not own N690, so I'm speaking from remembrances. You are not batoning, I am sure there is going to be nothing wrong with the N690.

Yeah that's been my thought process today, that I'll more than likely be fine with the N690. Instead of working at my desk today I read the knifesteelnerds analysis of toughness. The 3V comes in at a 9 and the N690 at a 3.5. Those numbers seem dramatic, but honestly I don't know what that number means in real-world application. Maybe my light chopping only requires a 2.5 toughness...

 

[shane45-1911]

My *only* reservation with the Kabar is the 1095, my old Kabar did rust pretty regularly from ambient humidity.

Unfortunately, 1095 hasn't changed much (and won't due to its composition) with regards to rust resistance. That being said, I love 1095 and have never had any issues at all if you remember to wipe it down with a light oil after use.

 

[LostCause]

I have bad personal experience with N690 (it was brittle) and it's like step up from 440C.

I'd personally go with 3V Guardian 5 (or 4).

And if 3V is too expensive to you then just go with KaBar harpoon.

Out of these - N690 would be my last option.

 

[Dadpool]

First, is the 4 a competent utility blade for chopping and utility work, or is it more suited to precision work?

I own (and love) a Guardian 5.5, but I can't see using it -- or the smaller 4 -- for serious chopping. I'm sure it can chop stuff, but I'd really want a heavier blade; I just use a hatchet for chopping. It's solidly a general task knife, and the handle is perfect for my larger hands.

 

[rizza32]

Last camping trip a couple weeks ago I had to chop some wood for the fire. Know what I used....a friggin axe. Your into the guardian great knife, get the 4 so u can also edc. Get a nice axe or hatchet to chop wood.

 

[Chronovore]

I like N690 in pocket knives. I have a Guardian 3.5 in N690 and that's good too. I never tried it in a larger knife. The toughness is relatively low, on par with M390. I've never had an issue with it but I also don't do a lot of hard chopping or batoning with knives. Like others here, I'd rather use a hatchet or axe and can usually work one into the plan. In the meantime, N690 gives me decent edge retention and I don't even think about rust.

 

[Bob Denman]

I've got some 690 here with a Scandi grind, and it's holding up very well...

 

[Harko]

Last camping trip a couple weeks ago I had to chop some wood for the fire. Know what I used....a friggin axe. Your into the guardian great knife, get the 4 so u can also edc. Get a nice axe or hatchet to chop wood.

I've got my Fiskars hatchet, I love that thing! I guess when I say "chopping" I mean lighter duty than I'd pull the hatchet out for, like knocking some thin branches off a piece of wood, knocking bark off, etc

 

[ChrisB507]

The Becker Harpoon is the BK18; I've found it a very capable slicer, believe it or not. It's my light duty yard knife and cardboard slicer blade--mainly because I like the ergos. The harpoon tip (the unsharpened top edge) would work well for knocking off branches and bark without damaging the edge. Though it doesn't have a lot of heft to it at .45 lbs per Ka-bar.

The coating mitigates rusting somewhat, but you do need to keep an eye on the edge.

 

[kafolarbear]

I had a single great experience with their customer service when I was quite new to knives, I called them up with some questions and the lady on the phone basically explained the different steel offerings, grinds and coatings they had available for their g3 model and basically pointed be in the direction of a full flat grind g3 in M390 with a nimbus coating, it is a beautiful and quite slicey little knife that I am proud to own. They also pointed me towards a coupon and promo code I could enter, and packed some extra goodies in the box (ie. an extra leather sheath even though I ordered a kydex) which they absolutely did not have to do. Whereas most my interactions with manufacturers and people in the knife industry as whole (with the exception of winkler) have kind of felt like I was somehow inconveniencing them with my questions, or I could hear in their voice over the phone as if I'm wasting their time, they make accusatory comments towards me if I say I've had X and Y issues with their product, or they act like I'm somehow attacking their product by asking questions, the interaction I had with the folks at bradford means I would 110% recommend their products to anyone looking for a solid user knife with good people behind the product.

 

[Bob Denman]

Regarding Customer Service:
I've had excellent discussions with the folks at Chris Reeve and Busse.
With Hinderer, Spyderco and Benchmade close behind them.