Luckily, with knives we're really good at inventing needs. I need this, I'll figure out why later.

That size comparison is actually really useful. The fact that it's the same length as the delica fully open and blade length that's similar to the pm2. I've been eyeballing on this knife for my first fixed blade to try out!

I've owned a Guardian 3 with g10 scales and m390 steel for several years. It's a great EDC fixed blade. I really like the leather sheath it came with.

Bradford Guardian knife series has been a favorite of mine for a few years now. I have a Guardian 3 in M390 that serves as my range day/weekend belt carry-state legal companion. It cuts cord, pries staples, cuts backer board for targets and opens blister packs very well. I understand it is not a pocket knife for everyone, but it really shines in environs where frequent washing is required and sand would binds actions. Great review as usual.

Love the guardian 3....i have a full flat 3v version I run in a front pocket sheath from oak city leather and I find myself carrying that over a folder most days.

I've got one of these guys in Cru Wear and its a wicked little knife! Way more usable than you might think, and super comfortable.

I have knives up to $750 and I finally bought one of these in magnacut and the sheath is scout carry I absolutely love it! This is my EDC along with a Benchmade barrage. Awesome!

I have the 3 in v3 and I absolutely love it and even with heavy use, the lanyard hole doesn’t bother me at all and as a matter of fact, it provides a better grip in a weird way. Great review as always, Love you Nick!

Agree about those 4 points by the lanyard hole, especially if you have big hands. Knocking those corners down with a dremel makes it so much better.

I have several of Bradford knives and I love the Guardian 3, and the other sizes also. They just do nice work and they all feel good to me in my hand.

the stock sheath is a leather one and i wish more came with a nice kydex sheath.

This man Nick really said "yeet". Phenomenal review as always. Love the fact that you give fair reviews even outside of your comfort zone.

Fantastic knives from Bradford. Add an Armatus Carry sheath and you’ve got a wonderful combination.

the pm2's blade with the delicas handle size sounds like a dream

Nick awesome review. I've had the Guardian on a "gotta get list" for a year. Never pulled the trigger, primarily I seldom EDC a fixed blade. Thanks again, stay safe, stay sharp!! 👍🇺🇸👍🔪

Great review Nick. I have the Guardian3 myself, same blade geometry and finish in 3V. I carry it in an Armatus architect kydex sheath. As for the handle fasteners, I believe if you buy a set of scales they send a bit to change it out. Thanks

Totally agree about lanyards other than choppers, or working over water, above ground, etc. I have only ever found them to attract animal matter when dressing game, food when prepping, etc.

James is awesome, I’ve purchased a half dozen knives from him over the past couple years, either for myself or my dad. Always great choices at fair prices.

I recently picked up my "first" fixed blade that has stuck around longer than trying it on my belt once. It's a Bradford 3.5, 3D G-wood, 3V, Full-Flat. I have the leather sheath for a smaller carry profile, Kydex with the tek-lock for rougher use, or grab and go. I am thoroughly impressed. It's such a great cutting tool. Hair-whittling sharp straight from Bradford, and stays that way after a few passes down my strop progression (6, 3, 1, 0.5). Without the forward finger choil you lose some of that choke up feel in the grip, but the way the 3D scales round out, they fill the swell of your palm perfectly, and it's forward enough, (for my large size glove hands, anyway) to not get poked by the way too deep, completely unnecessary, useless, lanyard cut out. This Guardian 3.5 small fixie can tackle the precision tasks and take a beating like a champ. Definitely glad I chose this over the 3. Hope someone finds this useful in conjunction with Mr. Shabazz's review if looking to purchase. EDIT: I do wish they did do some forward jimping like the Giant Mouse(?) designs for that precision work, but the jimping that is here, is functional and just well done. P.S. It must be noted, their customer service is phenomenal. It's like talking to human beings while being treated like a human being. Definitely a "great" in my book.

Just got a G3 Wharnie with Vanadis 4E steel, DLC coated with 3D natural micarta scales a couple weeks ago...it has kicked a majority of my Spyderco folders out of my pocket ever since!

The blade shape and size is spot on for an actual working knife, but one actually needs to go for either 3.5 or 4 to get a full size handle. I would love to see the 3 with a 4-sized handle. With handle this small I would wish for a little shorter and thinner blade and could call it EDC/urban fixed blade. The design is very interesting.

I have a Guardian 4 and I smoothed the area around the lanyard hole due to the same hotspots. Now it's great.

I love edc fixies. You should get yourself a Murray Carter neck knife. They can make a belt sheath if you’re not into neck carry. They are beautiful blades. Another great review Nick! Thanks man.

I like your unique voice… you could do a lot of voice acting for video games… like for npc venders, quest givers, open world monologue etc.

Hi. Probably nobody will read this, but for me it is actually easier to EDC a fixed blade than a folder. And the reason is pocket space, which comes at a premium in my pants. So in one pocket I have my keys (don't wanna carry a knife there, it restricts access to the keys at the bottom of the pocket and could scratch the knife). In the other I have my phone, so I definitely don't wanna carry a hardened steel object there). I also don't wanna carry my knife in my back pocket, because sitting is something I like to do from time to time... So the only option is my belt. And since I like nice leather belts, I don't wanna put my knife clip all over that... And since I kind of have to carry a knife sheath anyway, might as well carry a fixed blade in there and save myself the hassle of taking it out of the sheath AND THEN opening it. Just my two cents on the topic and something to consider when choosing between a fixed blade and a folder. Thanks for your videos Nick, they always pi** me off when you find some absolutely beautiful gem that I can't afford... yet ;)

Thanks Nick! That answered some questions for me.

Great video please keep doing fix blade reviews I like the perspective.

Funny. In Europe it's the other way around. At least in Germany. You can carry fixed blades. Also concealed. But no folders. Just slip joints...

I have two G3s, one in Wharncliffe and one in Sheepsfoot. I got the Armatus Carry sheath for both, and that looks like what you got with your review knife. Excellent little knives.

YES I’ve been waiting for this for so long!!!

I kinda like that Braford knives will occasionally use unusual steels for their blades. I have my eye out for one of the Vanadis 4E blades.

I do love a small camping knife or outdoors knife. I tend to take a folding saw or axe with me so I don’t tend to want a big chopper but more of a bush crafting, working knife when I go out in the woods for a few days, so that design is quite tempting.

Saw this year's ago thought about it may get one and bam you posted a vid about it yesterday! Good timing

Great review. Much love from Switzerland

I have bought several knives from Action Concept, including a couple Sebenzas… I love Bradford knives. Had a Guardian 5 which I sold and bought the 4 in 3V. Now I’m waiting on this model (Guardian 3) in Magnacut from James 💪🏻💪🏻

Love Bradford Knives. Gave a guardian 3 to my father for a hunting trip, and he said that he was able to fully skin out 3 deer before it needed any edge repair. I have another one on my survival kit, and plan to get another one later on. Oh, and the non 3d scales don't have those pointy bits near the lanyard hole. Much better.

According to Bradford website if I understand correctly, I think the knife handle was designed that way as to use it as a bottle opener 🤷🏾‍♂️ if that is the case, IMO that's pretty cool

Great review Nick. I've been curious about the Bradfords for a while now. I absolutely LOVE the M2 in my older Benchmades so I'm strongly tempted to try a Guardian 3.5 or larger in M4 or 3V but I can't decide. Love DLC as well, wasn't aware the Nimbus was possibly a modified version of it. I've watched more than a few reviewers say much the same thing about the lanyard hole cut out. Seems like Bradford should offer scales without the cutout, either at time of order or as an optional accessory purchase. Maybe Flytanium could be persuaded to work on it.

I like the idea of the Guardian 3 and other small fixed blade knives but, like you, they don't really fit into what I come up against on a daily basis. Good review!

I have one of these in N690 that went for around 120 on Amazon. I love it! Just ordered micarta scales and a kydex sheath for it

The difference between the X and X.5 (3 and 3.5, 4 and 4.5, etc) is the handle, not the blade length. The .5 models don't have the handle with the forward finger choil. The Guardian 3 is 3" as in it is less than 4". I do agree that the name is confusing to someone who has not looked at the entire line and my first thought when I first saw the knives was that the 3 was 3" and 3.5 was 3.5".

That lanyard area is the only reason I returned mine when I got it in. Just unfortunate for all of the good I had heard about it. Ended up with the MBK Field Trekker instead

I've gotten some nice deals from action concepts. Great to see them represented here.

I EDC the Guardian 3 in Cruwear regularly. It’s excellent

These type of knives are good for EDC when doing messy tasks.

my favorite part of a fix blade is speed of opening.

I got this in Micarta and leather sheith and n690 and I’ve enjoyed mine a lot but I mostly use it in the kitchen

I've owned several of Bradford's knives including 2x Guardian 4s that have the same handle scales as this one just slightly bigger. I have larger hands and the first one gave me hot spots that I had to smooth down with abrasive paper. The second one I got about 18 months later didn't have the hot spots for some reason.

My guardian 4 just arrived last week. The first thing I had to do was file those 4 corners down on the handle by the lanyard hole

Nick Shabazz " first off in the name of full disclosure I haven't purchased a knife with my own money since 2013"

When I got my guardian 3 I took my dremal to the sharp edges on the back near the lanyard hole and a rounded the finger choil a mil or two and she was good to go

Good review. Just picked up one of these in MagnaCut. Ergos and size are perfect for an EDC (3D handle).... but the leather sheath it comes with is a waste. Definitely grab one of the kydex sheaths with your purchase to avoid shipping cost like I did. Looking forward to carrying this... it's stellar.

If knife handle is too small for Nick Shabazz, you should consider yourself warned ...

The kydex sheath is also great for neck carry.

The biggest downside of folding knives is that nearly all of them are illegal to carry here so a small fixed blade is the way go for me.

I must have missed the disassembley video.

Thanks for the warning about ebay scammers, Nick! Just wish it was a few weeks earlier. Lol 🤣

For a smaller fixed blade I would go with a White River Backpacker Pro with G10 scales. The sheath is slim and there are no wacky ergos.

I had a 3 and got rid of it. Now I have a 3.5 in Nitro V and I love it.

I was close to buying one of these, but a sheepsfoot in m390. I went with a Viper Durus 2 instead, and don’t regret it. But I still contemplate getting one of these at some point in the future. I’m with you on folding knives being easier to carry, especially with laws... I make sure to wear mine with a work uniform in a place where it cannot be concealed, which sounds like a hassle, but always has it easily accessible. It’s a great little work knife.

Looks like a perfect front pocket knife

Thanks Nick. This (I think) would be a good one to send to Australia for some knife lab testing- g-day m8.

I wish these came with the choice of an included leather or kydex sheath, rather than just the leather one. It sucks to have to pay extra for the kydex sheath and TecLock.

Like you said it depends on how you live and where you live. For me the only downfall is that the spine won't work for a fire steel

I cant stop thinking this guy sounds like Sol Rosenberg from Jerky Boys. Lol

Go Nick! Reviewing fixed blades! I thought you didn’t enjoy them as much but, people are always allowed to change their opinion.

I have the N690 version wooden scales. Nice knife.

I feel like the first 20 minutes of every video of a just leading up to the closing pun.

I find myself in agreement.. I've never got one because of the way the handle is at the lanyard..they have slab scales and handle broom but that lanyard hole looks like a problem on all of them you don't need a lanyard on a 3-4" bladed knife..nice review

Bought my knives from Action Concepts always! 😉

Got the 3v with the leather sheath tiger g10 140$ great knife

I think I'd buy some custom scales to delete the lanyard hole. Love the Bradford Guardian 3.

Love this knife at 3.5, and I have large hands. Worthy of a kydex sheath.

Cool knife, Thanks for the review.

Hey Nick, check out Toor Knives in California. Next time it’s time for a fixed blade. Appreciate your reviews.

The lanyard mafia has had another win here. Funny.

These are currently on sale on eBay for less than $180!

Had no clue this variant existed. Pretty sweet. Little pricey so ill probably opt for a different one for my first, but I do plan to get one asap.

Speaking of small fixed blades, any interest in the MKM Mikro?

Gotta love oregon. I can walk around with a broadsword as long as I dont attempt to conceal it.

Got guardian 3 knives like it but sheath don't like it , could u sent me a kydex sheath instead. Thanks

For a small cheap fixed blade check out the Rainier Fastpak. I think it’s a better knife for what the size is going for.

What do knife makers have against steel color steel?

Odd this blade has been out for years and was looking at it few days ogo now I really want it 😫

Do we get a disassembly video? ;-)

I've bought from action concepts before A plus seller

I love small fixed blades but I can’t justify a Bradford at that price. On the other hand I love me some L.T. Wright knives!

how are you gonna kvetch about a lanyard hole when there is actually no clip digging into your palm! also, the deep well at the end of the sheath is so that you can secure the knife against the side of your leg or hip (wherever you happen to have it clipped in fact) and your skin has some space to press into the sheath that isn't knife.

Everybody that loves edc fixed blades should check out AZWelke Sheaths!!!

I’m surprised at your criticisms especially a as a self professed non fixed blade guy. I agree with the compactness and convenience of carry a folder affords but sometimes the trade offs are worth their differences. Your lack of understanding why while being called a Guardian 3 sports a 3.5” blade is a lack of research on your part, not mislabeling. Can’t argue it being moderately over priced but that argument could be made for most of the USA made main line manufacturers. Fact is quality comes at a premium. While I own one and hold it in high regard it’s not my favorite in that size category. Still looking for the perfect knife, both folder and fixed blade. Do expect I’ll ever find either, but then if I did, I’d be terribly disappointed to have to give up the search.

Have this knife and I hate the lanyard hole/handle debacle.

Snake Bite Grits are actually very delicious! 😂😂😂

Price is 125 on ebay now

love to see more of these maybe bark rivers if, youd be interested i have a handful id love to send for ur review

Hey Shabzz checkout the Tops model Cat and the Saw model.

A small fixed-blade always makes... ..some laws do not!

No disassembly? ;-P

What part of Austin TX is that business card background image from?

I love the style, but it's just too thick for me.

I've got a black jack neck knife I carry on the river fishing. Love the magnetic leather sheath. Thinking about this knife for belt carry. Anybody that can recommend this or another belt knife hit me up with a comment