I always wanted a Bradford just never got there chasing everything else!!!!!! I have my ESEE 4 that I have loved for years I would like to get a Bradford they are soooo good!!!!!!! Thanks bud
Bradford Guardian, Lionsteel M4 or B41, LT Wright Genesis Flat grind , Becker BK16, all are way better than the Esee 4 and in some cases, cheaper too! That would be a great upgrade, what ever you choose.
I agree,I think it’s better than the ESEE 4 in every possible way..I have the Guardian 3,Guardian 4 and Guardian 4.5 and I love all 3.they are 3 of my favorite fixed blades..they are right up there with my Bark River knives and my L.T. Wright GNS
3 years later and the S35VN doesn't perform as well as the 1095. It's no wonder most fixed blade outdoor knives are made from 1095. The steel bends but doest break. I guess you can argue it by saying S35VN steel has better edge retention which I'll agree with as I have a couple folders in S35VN but it's harder to sharpen on the go. The Esee 4 S35VN is a good knife but it won't hold up to abuse as well as the 1095.
@@ATOMSKI_MRAV the 4 is a full flat, thin blade, it's impressive what it can do in 1095 given the size but if you want a knife to abuse you should really go for the 5. I think the 4 is small and thin enough to be effective in a harder steel, since the design is obviously not meant for abuse. That's why they only made the 3 and the 4 in S35VN (my guess). With that said, an ESEE 5 in CPM 3V or 14C28N would be an indestructible tank and should thoroughly outperform the 1095 on all fronts, but I digress.
@@OhioBladeandCutlery I used to be too - I have the ESEE 6, ESEE 3 in S35VN with TKC handles (which I love), Xancudo (w/ solid handle) and an ESEE Gibson axe....and just ordered my first Bradford today (4.5 in CPM 3V) over an ESEE 4. Had the ESEE 4 S35VN in the cart and decided to look at a few other knives before checking out.....then promptly added the Bradford and dumped the ESEE, which wasn't a difficult decision as I've been wanting something in 3V. ESEE will be about 10 years behind (and still complaining about their production schedule) still using 1095 while other companies leapfrog them. Once Bradford starts making these in Magnacut, there is literally no reason to get anything else, other than aesthetics. I mean I love the ergos of my ESEE's, but they really need to get with it in regard to better steels.....and from what they've said, there's basically no interest currently on their part to do so. Fortunately, there are other companies willing to invest in technology/upgrades, the beauty of a free market.
Great review/comparison! I look at the Bradfords on IG and drool, but I'm an Esee guy I guess (so for me that's a no, I mean...I could buy myself TWO Esee's for ish about what one Bradford would cost, plus as much as I dig that leather sheath, not holding the knife as well means I'd likely loose my double the cost investment, though I'm digging the premium steel and hoestly the Bradford is beautiful...perhaps too pretty for me, I might would not even wanna use it, LOL, yeah...I'd still go Esee, and take the other c note and buy a hat, shirt, pouch, survival tin to fill up.....) 😜 Liked and Shared as always, I hope you and yours are doing well and are safe, brother, wishing y'all a merry Christmas/happy holidays and a great start to '21 😊✌ (lets just hope 2021 didn't just look at 2020 and say "Ah, that's nothin...hold my sippy cup and watch this!" 🤣)
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Agree, I’d rather pay for an ESEE and have the extra hundred bucks. The Bradford is great, and I love the look. Just not worth it to me to spend the extra.
Andy I thought about a Bradford but the smallest blade length they have is 3.5” even though it’s called the Guardian 3,if they could lose that 1/2” I would get one,thanks for the review.
I highly recommend the Guardian 3 and Guardian 3.5,they are 2 of the best EDC fixed blades on the market IMO..they have a decent leather sheath for scout carry/horizontal carry.unless your shirt is tucked in nobody would ever know it was there plus it’s very comfortable too,so much so you will almost forget it’s there..they are 2 of my personal favorite EDC fixed blades along with the S35VN ESEE Izula and the White River Backpacker..you can’t go wrong with any of these 4 knives for an EDC fixed blade
@@OhioBladeandCutlery Esee is low quality steel. Awful coating which wears fast, it doesn't hold an edge well or cut well. Even the makers say they don't really use it for a survival knife. Again, shell out more money and get something better, not a rust magnet crowbar
Esees are way too thick behind the edge, also the handle ergos are far behind the Braford Guardian handle ergos. Steel is better, all are 2 times better,that's why it is 2 times more expensive. You get what you pay for. PS Even Ka-Bars are thinner behind the edge that the overated Esees. Only pros the Esees have, is the Guarantee and tht, IF you live in the USA, if you live any where else, good luck with shupping costs ,waiting etc. BK16 is the closest knife to compare to the Esee 4, which again there is no comparison, BK16, is way thinner behind the edge and has 3 times better handle ergos. There are much better options at the price of the Esee, BK16, Brisa knives, Lionsteel M4 with M390 steel and many many more, way better knives, that in many cases, cost LESS money. TRC South Pole would be a good head to head, with the Bradford Guardian in M390. I would spent a bit more and go for an LT Wright Genesis Flat.
Personally I have loved ESEE knives. With the full flat grind, I don’t think they are too thick. I actually like that they are more beefy. Shadow tech knives are too thick IMO, and it hurts the performance. However, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to knives. I respect your opinion and appreciate the feedback and comment! 👊
@@OhioBladeandCutlery When it comes to knives, what works better (cut/slice) is what makes a knife good or bad. General blade geometry and thicknes behin the edge, is what makes a knife cut, then it's the heat treatment and lastly is the steel. Unfortunately, marketing has envolved a lot these days, and people get knives, the other way around, they first look for the marketing hype, then for the steel, then the heat treatment, and most of the times, overlook, the geometry of the blade, which as I said, is what makes a knife a good tool or not. Of course we all have opinions, nothing is perfect and we are all different! Thank you too!
I agree,way too thick behind the edge.I bought the ESEE 4 and was highly disappointed..I like my Guardian 4 and Guardian 4.5 much better..with that being said,I do like the ESEE Izula,ESEE 3,ESEE 6 and ESEE Junglas..the ESEE 6 and Junglas are both as thick as the 4 but they both have wider blades so they are thinner behind the edge..my Izula and ESEE 3 are in S35VN,the blade stock is thinner and there is no blade coating so they are far better slicers than the 4..the 4 just doesn’t do it for me.I personally didn’t feel like the ESEE 4 was good at anything.its too thick behind the edge for slicing,carving,feather sticks,food prep..it’s pretty decent for batoning but with just a 4” blade you are limited on the size of wood you can baton(I’m personally not big on batoning anyway,I would rather use an axe or hatchet personally)..I would like the ESEE 4 much better if the blade was a bit wider so it could be a bit thinner behind the edge..the Becker BK2 has an even thicker blade stock than the ESEE 4 does but the blade is a good bit wider so even the BK2 is a better slicer...with all that being said,we all have our different taste and we all like what we like.what works best for me may not work best for the next man
Yeah, I’d still rather pay for an ESEE and keep the change. The Bradford is great, just too much when there are other really nice options at a lower price.
You don't trust the big stump with your good knives, do you? 🤣 I don't have a Bradford, but N690 is one of my favorite steels. I've had great experience with edge retention and toughness for a stainless steel in the knives I own in it. Stay well.
Ha, I had a bunch more small pieces of wood to baton piled up in another spot with the smaller stump. I’ve only has one other knife in N690, so I’m glad to hear how well it holds up! Thanks for the comment!
The Esee 4 is one of the worst and most over hyped knives for bushcraft, It has terrible ergonomics and fills the hand with hot spots and blisters with even short duration wood working. Its all hype and not suited for anything serious.
I always wanted a Bradford just never got there chasing everything else!!!!!! I have my ESEE 4 that I have loved for years I would like to get a Bradford they are soooo good!!!!!!! Thanks bud
Yeah this is my first Bradford, and it is very good. Still love my ESEE though! Thanks for watching brother!
Bradford Guardian, Lionsteel M4 or B41, LT Wright Genesis Flat grind , Becker BK16, all are way better than the Esee 4 and in some cases, cheaper too! That would be a great upgrade, what ever you choose.
ive got a bradford 4.5 in cpm 3v its incredible
I agree,I think it’s better than the ESEE 4 in every possible way..I have the Guardian 3,Guardian 4 and Guardian 4.5 and I love all 3.they are 3 of my favorite fixed blades..they are right up there with my Bark River knives and my L.T. Wright GNS
I'm thinking the upcoming ESEE 4 in S35VN might be the ideal middle ground for me. Appreciate the comparison!
Yep, sounds like good middle ground to me. Thanks for watching!
3 years later and the S35VN doesn't perform as well as the 1095. It's no wonder most fixed blade outdoor knives are made from 1095. The steel bends but doest break. I guess you can argue it by saying S35VN steel has better edge retention which I'll agree with as I have a couple folders in S35VN but it's harder to sharpen on the go. The Esee 4 S35VN is a good knife but it won't hold up to abuse as well as the 1095.
@@ATOMSKI_MRAV the 4 is a full flat, thin blade, it's impressive what it can do in 1095 given the size but if you want a knife to abuse you should really go for the 5. I think the 4 is small and thin enough to be effective in a harder steel, since the design is obviously not meant for abuse. That's why they only made the 3 and the 4 in S35VN (my guess). With that said, an ESEE 5 in CPM 3V or 14C28N would be an indestructible tank and should thoroughly outperform the 1095 on all fronts, but I digress.
I have both, I like the Bradford better, to me it holds a better edge. The sheath is snug you just got to make sure it’s in all the way
Thanks for the comment. I’m terribly biased toward ESEE because I’ve carried them for so long.
@@OhioBladeandCutlery I used to be too - I have the ESEE 6, ESEE 3 in S35VN with TKC handles (which I love), Xancudo (w/ solid handle) and an ESEE Gibson axe....and just ordered my first Bradford today (4.5 in CPM 3V) over an ESEE 4. Had the ESEE 4 S35VN in the cart and decided to look at a few other knives before checking out.....then promptly added the Bradford and dumped the ESEE, which wasn't a difficult decision as I've been wanting something in 3V. ESEE will be about 10 years behind (and still complaining about their production schedule) still using 1095 while other companies leapfrog them. Once Bradford starts making these in Magnacut, there is literally no reason to get anything else, other than aesthetics. I mean I love the ergos of my ESEE's, but they really need to get with it in regard to better steels.....and from what they've said, there's basically no interest currently on their part to do so. Fortunately, there are other companies willing to invest in technology/upgrades, the beauty of a free market.
My girlfriend bought me an ESEE 4 for Xmas, been dying to get my hands on it and put it to work.
You won’t be disappointed. ESEE 4’s are spectacular
I really like 1095 or D2 for fixed blade knives
Me too.
Great review/comparison! I look at the Bradfords on IG and drool, but I'm an Esee guy I guess (so for me that's a no, I mean...I could buy myself TWO Esee's for ish about what one Bradford would cost, plus as much as I dig that leather sheath, not holding the knife as well means I'd likely loose my double the cost investment, though I'm digging the premium steel and hoestly the Bradford is beautiful...perhaps too pretty for me, I might would not even wanna use it, LOL, yeah...I'd still go Esee, and take the other c note and buy a hat, shirt, pouch, survival tin to fill up.....) 😜 Liked and Shared as always, I hope you and yours are doing well and are safe, brother, wishing y'all a merry Christmas/happy holidays and a great start to '21 😊✌ (lets just hope 2021 didn't just look at 2020 and say "Ah, that's nothin...hold my sippy cup and watch this!" 🤣)
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Agree, I’d rather pay for an ESEE and have the extra hundred bucks. The Bradford is great, and I love the look. Just not worth it to me to spend the extra.
Andy I thought about a Bradford but the smallest blade length they have is 3.5” even though it’s called the Guardian 3,if they could lose that 1/2” I would get one,thanks for the review.
Yeah they really should offer a 3”. Pretty standard size.
That is measured from the scales and includes the choil area. On the Guardian3 the actual cutting edge is 3 inches, Same deal with the 4, 5 and 6.
I highly recommend the Guardian 3 and Guardian 3.5,they are 2 of the best EDC fixed blades on the market IMO..they have a decent leather sheath for scout carry/horizontal carry.unless your shirt is tucked in nobody would ever know it was there plus it’s very comfortable too,so much so you will almost forget it’s there..they are 2 of my personal favorite EDC fixed blades along with the S35VN ESEE Izula and the White River Backpacker..you can’t go wrong with any of these 4 knives for an EDC fixed blade
Bradford offers kydex sheaths for their knives too
Just about anything is going to be better than Esee. They are a sharpened crowbar that's it.
I have to disagree. I love my ESEE knives!
@@OhioBladeandCutlery Esee is low quality steel. Awful coating which wears fast, it doesn't hold an edge well or cut well. Even the makers say they don't really use it for a survival knife. Again, shell out more money and get something better, not a rust magnet crowbar
Esees are way too thick behind the edge, also the handle ergos are far behind the Braford Guardian handle ergos. Steel is better, all are 2 times better,that's why it is 2 times more expensive. You get what you pay for. PS Even Ka-Bars are thinner behind the edge that the overated Esees. Only pros the Esees have, is the Guarantee and tht, IF you live in the USA, if you live any where else, good luck with shupping costs ,waiting etc. BK16 is the closest knife to compare to the Esee 4, which again there is no comparison, BK16, is way thinner behind the edge and has 3 times better handle ergos. There are much better options at the price of the Esee, BK16, Brisa knives, Lionsteel M4 with M390 steel and many many more, way better knives, that in many cases, cost LESS money. TRC South Pole would be a good head to head, with the Bradford Guardian in M390. I would spent a bit more and go for an LT Wright Genesis Flat.
Personally I have loved ESEE knives. With the full flat grind, I don’t think they are too thick. I actually like that they are more beefy. Shadow tech knives are too thick IMO, and it hurts the performance. However, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to knives. I respect your opinion and appreciate the feedback and comment! 👊
@@OhioBladeandCutlery When it comes to knives, what works better (cut/slice) is what makes a knife good or bad. General blade geometry and thicknes behin the edge, is what makes a knife cut, then it's the heat treatment and lastly is the steel. Unfortunately, marketing has envolved a lot these days, and people get knives, the other way around, they first look for the marketing hype, then for the steel, then the heat treatment, and most of the times, overlook, the geometry of the blade, which as I said, is what makes a knife a good tool or not. Of course we all have opinions, nothing is perfect and we are all different! Thank you too!
I agree,way too thick behind the edge.I bought the ESEE 4 and was highly disappointed..I like my Guardian 4 and Guardian 4.5 much better..with that being said,I do like the ESEE Izula,ESEE 3,ESEE 6 and ESEE Junglas..the ESEE 6 and Junglas are both as thick as the 4 but they both have wider blades so they are thinner behind the edge..my Izula and ESEE 3 are in S35VN,the blade stock is thinner and there is no blade coating so they are far better slicers than the 4..the 4 just doesn’t do it for me.I personally didn’t feel like the ESEE 4 was good at anything.its too thick behind the edge for slicing,carving,feather sticks,food prep..it’s pretty decent for batoning but with just a 4” blade you are limited on the size of wood you can baton(I’m personally not big on batoning anyway,I would rather use an axe or hatchet personally)..I would like the ESEE 4 much better if the blade was a bit wider so it could be a bit thinner behind the edge..the Becker BK2 has an even thicker blade stock than the ESEE 4 does but the blade is a good bit wider so even the BK2 is a better slicer...with all that being said,we all have our different taste and we all like what we like.what works best for me may not work best for the next man
Bradfords are just a little too expensive for what they are. I can get a Papa Bear Knives blade for the same price and have the handcrafted quality
Yeah, I’d still rather pay for an ESEE and keep the change. The Bradford is great, just too much when there are other really nice options at a lower price.
Iron Claw makes great knives too. Love mine.
You don't trust the big stump with your good knives, do you? 🤣 I don't have a Bradford, but N690 is one of my favorite steels. I've had great experience with edge retention and toughness for a stainless steel in the knives I own in it. Stay well.
Ha, I had a bunch more small pieces of wood to baton piled up in another spot with the smaller stump. I’ve only has one other knife in N690, so I’m glad to hear how well it holds up! Thanks for the comment!
The Esee 4 is one of the worst and most over hyped knives for bushcraft, It has terrible ergonomics and fills the hand with hot spots and blisters with even short duration wood working. Its all hype and not suited for anything serious.
Different strokes for different folks
esee 4 hm has the best handle for all field work