Bradford KnivesGuardian3 Sheepsfoot Fixed Blade Knife - BRAD3SF113

If you want the kind of quality and fit and finish that you get from a custom knife in a less expensive, production package, Bradford makes the knives for you. This model is my first, as I was looking far and wide for a small EDC sheepsfoot fixed blade, but it probably won't be my last. The Guardian 3 series are just on the verge of being too small for my taste, but not quite. The handle seems small, but the 3D type handle swells enough toward the pommel that, combined with gripping the forefinger in the blade choil as it's designed to be, the handhold is very solid and comfortable. The blade has a flat grind, and the blade stock doesn't start out very thick, so the cutting edge is extremely fine. I'd be a little concerned about this in a bigger blade, but this one is very clearly geared for finer work and not for chopping or hacking things. It cuts, carves and slices very well. If you reserve a small blade for things like food prep, kindling and other camp chores, this is a great option. A better all-arounder including food prep than a small scandi-edged bushcraft knife, which doesn't slice food as well.The blade steel on mine is N690, and it arrived insanely sharp. After whittling a bunch it still shaves hair very well. It may not be easy to sharpen unless you keep it in good shape and use a diamond stone. As long as you don't let it become very dull (which would take a long time with this RC60 or so steel hardness) it should be easy to keep shaving sharp.The sheath is a little different. It's a scout-carry leather deal which envelops the knife quite well, with no risk of falling out. As a leftie I always find right-handed sheaths a little disappointing, and wish more makers would design ambidextrous sheaths, but it's not terrible and something I'm used to anyway. Left-handed options are available on Bradford's website for a very generous $10, which is awesome. They also make excellent kydex sheaths which are pricier.Bradford makes knives which go on up from here in size. I'm definitely considering a Guardian 4 for a more full-sized woods knife. The quality of these blades makes the asking price seem like a bargain, especially since a lot of similarly priced knives are 1095 steel, which you will need to oil and sharpen a lot more often than the super steels which Bradford offers.