gayle bradley 2 vs. 1

nick21 said:
They seem to me to be 2 very different knives, with different roles.

Honestly it might have been better to give it an entirely new name, since calling it the GB2 implies that it's an upgrade when it's really more of a sidegrade.
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That occurred while the original was discontinued. :grumpy:
 
Wow you guys are hard to please...

The most complaints about the GB1 from you guys were:

1. it was too heavy even after they skeletonized the liners. The liner was overkill thick

2. The lock bar was way too stiff to unlock.

The GB2 addressed both and guess what? It's lighter and more user (flicker) friendly, how's that not an upgrade? It even cuts better with thinner grind behind 2ndary bevel.

Now it looks and feel too ordinary? Duh

How about show me a cutting task that GB1 can and GB2 can't perform?
 
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i just like the thick liners. heavy knife never bothered me personally. i have zero interest in flicking open knives. that is never a benefit in my use. too each their own though.

that's why we need a version 3. the 2 version longer blade and handle design shape with the thick and heavy liners.:)
 
wiredbeans said:
Wow you guys are hard to please...

The most complaints about the GB1 from you guys were:

1. it was too heavy even after they skeletonized the liners. The liner was overkill thick

2. The lock bar was way too stiff to unlock.

The GB2 addressed both and guess what? It's lighter and more user (flicker) friendly, how's that not an upgrade? It even cuts better with thinner grind behind 2ndary bevel.

Now it looks and feel too ordinary? Duh

How about show me a cutting task that GB1 can and GB2 can't perform?
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Basically this, but with the caveat that there are different groups of people liking or not liking the GB1, and same for the GB2. I don't think we can generalize too much further. The discontinuation of the GB1 (and naming it the GB2) sets them up for comparison, unfairly or otherwise.

At the same time, from Spyderco's perspective, the GB1 has been out for a long time and it was probably determined that there was no longer a business case to keep it in production. The GB2, measured on its own merits, has a wider base of appeal. Everyone who was likely to keep a GB1 probably already has multiples. Now people who liked most aspects of the GB1 but had some difficulties with the carryability get a chance to experience a Bradley folder.

GB1 lovers don't really need another GB; they already have what is perfect for them.


jbmonkey said:
that's why we need a version 3. the 2 version longer blade and handle design shape with the thick and heavy liners.:)
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My vision for a GB3 would be a slimmer 3" build (similar length and thickness dimensions to a Caly3 or Chaparral) but with the GB2 shape and same CF/G-10 over proud liners build.
 
I was able to play around with the GB 2 over the weekend. Not use involved just flicking and general fondling.

I'll stick with my GB 1.
 
I own neither, but continue to be amazed at the amount of value some people place on the "flickability" of a knife. At least there are many choices and offerings from Spyderco.
 
this_is_nascar said:
I own neither, but continue to be amazed at the amount of value some people place on the "flickability" of a knife. At least there are many choices and offerings from Spyderco.
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I'm one of those that definitely likes to flick and play with my knives.

There are many different types of knife owners/collectors. Not everyone goes out in the woods and uses their knives for hard tasks. I personally collect knives because I appreciate the beauty and workmanship that goes into them, much like why I collect manual watches. They are like little machines. I edc a knife everyday, but aside from opening a package every now and then "usually another knife", or cutting a random hanging string on clothing, my knives generally don't see much use. I like having one with me but it's more of a article of clothing or accessory for me, which I assume there are many people out there that are in the same boat. Even if I had a hard task to do I wouldn't take one of my beautiful Spyderco or benchmade knives out in the yard and beat on them. I have cheaper knives that I would use for that. Same goes for the guns I have. I see guys take their high end AR-15 out to a tactical course and beat the hell out of it in the mud and scraping it up all day. I'm just not like that. I would shed a tear if one of my $3000 AR's was laying in a pool of mud and scratched up. I guess I just take care of my stuff and like to keep the things I work hard to buy looking as nice as possible for as long as possible. Different strokes for different folks.
 
Anyone have a GB2 and Sebenza? I'd be more interested to hear about those comparisons since they're quite similar on paper.
 
I have owned a GB1 for quite a while - love it! I ordered a GB2 as soon as they were available - tried to love it for a few days (granted, without carrying it or cutting with it) and just couldn't warm up to it. Sold it on the Exchange.

Still love my GB1! Definitely a keeper.
 
I finally found my way out from under the rock and thanks to a friend out west, :) he is letting my try out his GB2. I had the GB1 for a while and my main concern was the lack of the guard, for me at least. The thicker liners really felt good on that and when the GB2 showed up I was surprised at the thinness of the liner and also how crisp the lockbar was, as others have mentioned it is a bit of a pain to move to close the knife. While making the lock less likely to open on it's own is great, I've always agreed with my friend Tim Wright, the only sharp part on a knife should be the edge and this has a fairly sharp lockbar which I'll work on to soften up a little bit.

SO, for me, overall I do like the GB2 but will still long for those thicker scales, I would think they might have been able to use thinner scales to allow the thicker liners and still keep the knife a little narrower for the pocket. Also one other thing that I like a lot is the end standoff is far enough away from the blade's edge that I can tie my bobtail fob onto that and it doesn't add any thickness to the handle, a plus...for me at least :)

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

and my old GB1

IMG_0973.jpg



IMG_0978.jpg


G2
 
I have had both.
Two GB2's and two GB1's

I kept the best one.
GB1.
Sold the others.

Now the test to come will be with the
Stretch 2 V-TOKU2.
GB1 or Stretch 2, who will win?
 
For me as I remember, it was the smoothness of the handle scales and lack of a good guard that made the GB1 depart, one false slip and that razor edge would do me a lot of harm, just chicken I guess but I'm funny about blood, I prefer to keep it inside :)

GB1 has a closeup choil area but doesn't function as a proper guard;

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

while the GB2 has a more pronounced guard, but you do lose some edge, compromise of sorts, also I think the GB2 has a pointier tip? I don't have both at hand to lay them side by side...

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2

edited to add this video that is direct comparison of the two;

 
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The 2 is a fine knife.

The only knock I have on it is that it comes up short in comparison to it's progenitor, the 1.

The 2 is overbuilt compared to most liner locks, but it seems lightweight compared to its daddy.

Some Spyderco model progressions remind me of Sylvester Stallone movies...

The original is almost always better than the sequel.
 
Beauty! thanks!!! I much prefer the GB2 blade profile as well as the better guard area too.

Smaller hole, smaller hump, lets it ride in the pocket better also.

G2
 
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