CF Stretch/Gayle Bradley

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poco47

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Mar 26, 2009
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Since bitten by the Spydie in March of last year, I've been on a quest to find the perfect EDC to replace my weary Kershaw liner lock. The search has been fun and has led me from the J. D. Smith, to the Chokwe, on to the Millie then the Para and now the Gayle Bradley. All of these are great knives each with much to commend them and, for me at least, each with at least one characteristic that, if I had my "druthers," I would prefer to be different. (Sound familiar?)

At this point, the Bradley comes pretty close to being perfect and I'm sorely tempted to order a second to put into reserve. However, having read such glowing reviews of the Stretch II, I'm wondering whether or not I should have a look. The CF Stretch at present is more expensive, which allows me to relish what a great value I've found in the Bradley and argues against the need to take one more bite of the apple. What do you think? Other than having the opportunity to try out another cool Spyderco, does one have any advantage over the other. Are these two mutually exclusive or complimentary? Any comparative feedback would be appreciated. The fate of my wallet hangs on your response!:D
 
Stretch II is my favorite Spyderco/EDC. The CF on it is really grippy and it's very, very thin. Carries really well in pocket, you can't hardly notice it. Especially since you already have a Bradley, I say go for the Stretch. After I bought the Stretch, other Spyderco's left my pocket for an EDC.

Canis
 
I have both the GB and Stretch II. Without getting into the relative merits
of ZDP-189 vs M4, they are both wonderful knives but very different in the
way they carry, the way they cut and in my opinion their optimal application.

The CF on the Stretch is Peel Ply which has a different texture
and somewhat grippier than the weaved texture on the GB.
The Stretch is also a much thinner and flatter carrying knife not to mention
almost a full ounce lighter. But I think it's the "flatness" that I notice more
than anything else.

The blade shape may have the same familial resemblance in their profiles but
the Stretch is refined slicer. The thin FFG has a scalpel like quality to it,
whereas the grind on the GB is more like "sculptured muscle". It's an absolute
thing of beauty!

They are both very high build quality knives with perhaps the edge going
to the GB, which in my opinion nudges into the custom folder envelope.
The CF Stretch is more typical of the higher end stuff coming out of Seki City.

I've only had the GB a couple of weeks so it has not seen a lot of real world
use yet but between the two, the CF Stretch usually goes in my back pocket
when I wear a suit and the GB is something that goes into my back pocket
with jeans. They seem to carry well that way for me.

If you really appreciate the "hand filling" quality of the GB then note
that the CF Stretch fills your hand very differently. Both have excellent
ergo's but not in the same way.

I am very glad to have both and I think what you really need is both the CF
Stretch AND a backup GB:):)

Hope this helps,

Michael-
 
If you don't want to put out the scratch for CF, the FRN version (ZDP-189 or VG-10) will let you experience all that Stretchy goodness on the cheap ;)

You can even get the rare winning combination of VG-10, full flat grind, and serrations.
 
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Agreed. Just try one of them, maybe even an example of my beloved CE variety, since you don't seem to mention anything with teeth in your Spydie list, or in FRN, for that matter (but great choices anyway). Maybe, you won't need the fancier one anymore after trying that one :)

CIMG9044.jpg


Dennis
 
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Stretch all the way for me. On a practial level, I prefer its more structured grip, full flat grind, larger Spyderhole, non-handed lock, and the fact it offers a bit more blade in a slightly more compact package. From an esthetic standpoint, I prefer the clean uncluttered look of its blade.

Paul
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The CF Stretch can still be had for a very good price from a well-known online dealer (PM for info). It is a fantastic knife and ergonomically speaking it is probably the perfect pocket knife.

While slim it is also robust, the carbon fiber is both attractive and exceptionally grippy, fit and finish is superb and there are several little details that really make it special.

Remember this knife was designed by a Spyderco person (was it Sal or Eric?) for themselves. They were looking to create the ideal all-round pocket knife and I believe they succeeded. And that is taking the Para-Millie into consideration.

I have the three ultimate CF Spydies - Manix II, S90V Millie and the Stretch - and the Stretch holds its own against the two giants.

And its a fearsome cutter to boot!
 
Stretch is my vote. I have an Endura also, Its Ok, But the Stretch has been my #1 EDC. Looks, Feel and overall Laser like sharpness. Love it.........:thumbup:
 
I carried a CF Stretch for a couple of months last Fall and lately I've been EDCing the Gayle Bradley folder.

The Stretch's blade is actually a tiny bit longer than the Bradley's, but it's a much smaller knife overall; the handle is shorter and a lot thinner. The size of the Stretch makes back pocket carry easier and it even fits pretty well in a watch pocket.

Everyone raves about the Stretch's ergos, and they are some of the best, but the Bradley feels comfortable to me too. I prefer the carbon fiber on the Bradley's handle; it's smoother and still has a great texture. The Stretch's scales were a bit too rough for me, so I lightly sanded them down.

IMG_0545.jpg


The two knives are different enough from each other that you could probably own both and not feel like it's redundant. I think the Gayle Bradley is a better value and has a cooler look, but the Stretch might be more practical as an EDC.
 
Really appreciate the feed back. The pictures posted have been very helpful as well.

Looks like I'm just going to have to scratch this nagging itch.

One more thing I will add here is that, for me, along with fit and finish, one of the the endearing qualities of the Bradley is its' "heft." This knife feels substantial both in hand and pocket. Because of this, it intuitively inspires confidence in its' capability.

At one time I got caught up in the whirl of trying to acquire a firearm to meet every need, real or imagined. Finally, weened my self from that line of thought. 'Course I could only do it because I had reached the point where I pretty well had a firearm for every need and the gun safe was full to brimming with such, many of which I hadn't shot in years. A self-induced attitude adjustment has had me slimming down the inventory for the past few years. (I'm still hanging on to my 3" field piece 'cause you never know when you might need artillery. :D)

Still, it would indeed be nice to have a folder for both the RFP of my Levi's and my dress slacks. I'm thinking the Bradley and the Stretch will meet this "need." Now all I have to do is figure out how to explain this to the spousal unit. ;)
 
Poco,
I don't have a GB.... yet, but I have always praised the Stretch II. For me, it is the perfect edc blade. It carries well, offers the most blade length in the shortest package, has great ergos, great blade steel, and the full flat ground blade is an absolute laser. Mine has seen quite a few "miles" and still does the job as good as any...... Sal hit it out of the park with this one! Regards, Steve
 
Buffalohump said:
... Remember this knife was designed by a Spyderco person (was it Sal or Eric?) for themselves. They were looking to create the ideal all-round pocket knife and I believe they succeeded. And that is taking the Para-Millie into consideration....
Click to expand...

Sal designed it for himself. The "SAL" logo was on the original Stretch I with the Stainless Steel and Kraton inserts.

Good luck on your choice poco.

Canis
 
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