Best Spydie out of these?

R

rtm416

Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
22
Gayle Bradley
ParaMilitary 2
Military

I'm just trying to decide on one for EDC with a good edge retention and a more than stable body.
 
Disregarding sprint runs, the Gayle Bradley with CPM M4 steel will give you the best edge retention out of the bunch and is a great value. You may also find the Military to be a tad too large for regular EDC carry. My personal choice is the Para 2, it has great ergos, a very solid lock, more than enough blade length, and if you want a higher end steel than S30V (which is no slouch, BTW), there are sprint runs. Just be ready to pay more.
 
Unless you specify what would be best for you, they all three amply qualify.
 
I don't think you could go wrong with any of those. They're all great knives. Of the three, the military is probably the least robust (though certainly no wimp) because of the thin tip. The paramilitary is a superb all-round knife, with a great locking mechanism. I don't own a Gayle Bradley, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. M4 steel can and will rust if not properly cared for, which is something to consider.
 
I think the best one of those is the Gayle Bradley because of the M4 steel. But I would choose the Para2 for EDC because it's lighter and thinner.
 
If you disregard the sprints, the Bradley wins hands down. CPM-M4 is far better(but not stainless) than s30v. Plus the knife is built like a tank.
 
Gayle Bradley will give you the best edge retention, but m4 is not stainless, so the knife will have it's own limitations.
S30V is quite good in edge retention as well and most likely will satisfy all needs of 90% of knifenuts and 100% of normal people, even the ones, who use their knives a lot.
 
Yeah, I was planning on the GB but I wanted to double check as the non-stainless steel and heavy build is not a problem for me.
 
I would say you should handle them and buy the one that feels best. The para has a "better" lock (debatable). The GB has better steel and feels a little tougher. However, the military is one of my all time favorite knives.
T
 
Kind of like asking us to choose your favorite ice cream. All of the knives you mention are sweet (no pun intended). You would likely enjoy any of them.
 
There really isn't a best. The great thing about Spyderco is that everything they make is exceptional. You need to review the design, materials and dimensions of each of those knives, and then decide which qualities will meet your needs. Can you legally carry a 4 inch folder where you live? If not, the the Military wouldn't be a good choice. Would you like a knife that has an elegant handle material, and a tough blade that requires some regular maintenance (M4 is not rust resistant)? The Gayle Bradley would be your choice, then. The Para-Military is a scaled down Military that makes for a very nice EDC....maybe that is what would suit you best?

Ask yourself : "what are my needs ?" Do I require a blade that is rust resistant? What size folder am I willing to pack around in my pocket all day?"...and most importantly, "what is my primary intended use....and in what what environment will I typically be using my knife." You are going to appear a gentleman mighty odd if you whip out in the board-room a Spyderco Military with a 4" blade to remove a stray thread off your three-piece suit.

Whichever Spyderco you choose....it will be a very good knife that will excel at it's intended purpose.
 
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Can't really go wrong with any of them. One key element is that the Para 2 is the easiest to carry of the three. I like large, heavy folders, but there are situations and clothing choices that make them an annoyance to carry. At times like that something the size and weight of the Para 2 comes in handy. It can also come in handy to have that very acute tip for precise cuts.
 
I just recently got into Spyderco, and I really can't sing the praises of the paramilitary enough. It is absolutely fantastic. Light weight and unbelievably rugged for not being able to feel pull in your pocket.

That being said, the GB is next on the list probably, along with some tuffcloth to take care of the steel.
 
I have all 3 as well and nothing topples the PM2. I also really like the GB and its part of my rotation and think its a beast, but there are a couple minor flaws with respect to the knife. The Mili I also love, but its a tad too big for EDC every day. Hiking sure, work- not so much. The PM2 regardless of steel is pure perfection. Period.
 
Difference between Millie and Para2 is mainly size of course, but also liner lock versus compression lock, right handed tip down clip only vs. four way clip, smaller lanyard hole on Millie, More pronounced 50/50 choil on the Para2 and of course the higher price on the Military. Both are made in the USA, which is important to some people.

The Gayle Bradley uses more expensive materials than the others, with the Carbon fiber and M4 steel, which I assume is the main reason why it is more expensive. It would probably have been even more expensive though, if it had been made in the USA and not Taiwan. This is of course no big deal at all practically, since excellent knives are made in Taiwan for Spyderco. The Gayle Bradley also has a high hollow grind compared to the FFG of the Millies.

The Gayle Bradley also has a slightly oddly shaped handle, which was the reason I passed on it (and later decided to point my phasers on the Para2). IMO the finger grooves on the handle of the GB look very shallow, increasing the risk for slipping onto the edge with your fingers.

This is just from my observations of pictures of it though. I haven't actually held the knife in my hand, so I don't know how it actually feels in reality. What I do know for sure is that my Para-Military of the second generation is the best folding knife I've ever held in my hand.
 
There is no one best knife out of those three. All of them are top tier knives, and any preferences will be purely personal. I love love love the military, and no longer find it to be "too much" though it is quite large. It helps that I carry it in my waste band, where it nearly disappears completely. In the pocket it takes up more space.

The CPM M4 steel on the Bradley is amazing, and my favorite steel by far. However I'm lucky enough to carry a Military which has the same steel ;)

The PM2 gets rave reviews by most people. It's slightly smaller size is probably agreeable to most, compared to the Military. I don't like the compression lock in use as much as a liner/frame lock, which is just more intuitive to me. Though on a technical level the compression lock is stronger and more reliable.
 
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