Gayle Bradley Air initial thoughts and comparison photos

[spketch]

I've been hemming and hawing over getting an Air since they came out, but with so few reviews online I just wasn't sure. Bladechick's glowing recommendation coupled with a good price on the exchange pushed me over the edge last week. I do not regret this purchase at all!

Having not carried or used the knife at all, I don't have too much to add. I can say that the detent is good and strong. My biggest worry was having this knife open up at the bottom of my pocket, since it lacks a pocket clip. I am now confident that this would never happen unless I'm fiddling with it in there. Very smooth opening and closing. Despite the lack of a choil, the ergonomic handle provides a surprisingly secure grip. I don't foresee slipping onto the blade at all.
This will make an excellent office or low profile knife!

Comparison photos with a Sage 2 and sak pioneer:

 

[gooeytek]

My longest and shortest Spyderco CPM-M4's

Carried the Air today for Christmas.

 

[BladeChick777]

I'm glad you picked one up and that you like it.
The Detent on the little guy is great with no worries of the blade deploying itself and you can't even shake it open. Yet it has a super smooth deployment and closing and the blade will just fly out when flicked. It's smooth as butter.
It sits so well in the pocket, or even the watch pocket that you can't even tell it's there. It's so lightweight that if you didn't know it was in your hand, you'd likely not notice. The CPM-M4 steel is excellent. Sharpens up easy and sports a scary sharp edge that requires little up-keep. It slices like a dream and is overall just a great knife.
I also agree that despite not having a choil it has a great grip and fits well in the hand. Even when you have larger hands like myself.
The Lock Up is rock solid with no play and the titanium liners have a very nice and satisfying thickness to them even though it's a small and thin knife.

It's a rock solid little knife, makes a great slicer/user, and would be great if you needed a people friendly blade. The only comments I've gotten on this one are "Oh that's so cute!" or "Look how pretty!".
I love Spyderco and they definitely did a great job on this one as well.

 

[ranchero26]

are there any going for below $130? i am bummed i missed out on ponchos $107 deal at the beginning of the month

 

[redfeenix]

are there any going for below $130? i am bummed i missed out on ponchos $107 deal at the beginning of the month

I was one of the three who nabbed ponchos deal . I think I got the last one, they sold out in 12 hours.

Here's some comparison pics with a Sage 1, Delica 4, Caly Jr, Chaparral CF and the Air.

 

[ranchero26]

 

[Brules1]

I wished they came with a clip. I still may pick one up if I can find one for a decent price.

 

[Mr. Sogetsu]

I originally wanted the Air more than the Chapparal, but I kinda wanted a lockback and really liked design of the Ti. After seeing the comparison to the Chapparal. I might have to get it. Really don't need another gentleman's knife, but I really like wharncliffes and it is a new steel for me.

redfeenix: Any insight on the Air vs the Chapparal? Which one do you prefer?

Also, that picture comparison makes me REALLY want a calypso Jr!!!!!

 

[redfeenix]

I originally wanted the Air more than the Chapparal, but I kinda wanted a lockback and really liked design of the Ti. After seeing the comparison to the Chapparal. I might have to get it. Really don't need another gentleman's knife, but I really like wharncliffes and it is a new steel for me.

redfeenix: Any insight on the Air vs the Chapparal? Which one do you prefer?

Also, that picture comparison makes me REALLY want a calypso Jr!!!!!

Chaparral: Its been my EDC for 8 months without any rotation, I loved it that much (went back to my 707 for now). The materials and style make it look like a gentlemans folder but quite frankly this is one tough little soldier. It is the BEST Spydie I own, yes even better than the Air.

Pros- Carbon Fiber, FFG, CPM-S30V, Gorgeous, back lock, smooth to open (depending on your luck, there have been 'major' reports of gritty opening), black wire clip, extremely thin width

Cons- sub 3" blade reduces the kind of tasks it can perform, closed construction makes for difficult cleaning, disassembly voids warranty (as with all Spydies)

Air: Upon unboxing it the first time, I felt unworthy to even touch it. The F&F is unbelievable, this blade is so beautiful you will struggle to use it. It is the most beautiful blade I own next to my Rainbow Centofante. And just like you I'm a sucker for wharncliffe blades.

I do not own a Sebenza, but people have said its F&F is similar to the small Sebbie. The bronze washers make the blade open extremely smooth, also due to the lack of a pocket clip Spy made the blade retention extremely strong to avoid it popping open in your pocket.

Pros- Extremely gorgeous, silver twill, M4 steel, unbelievably light weight, open construction

Cons- Too gorgeous to use, M4 steel bumps the price too high, choice of steel on such a knife begs explanation considering this knife was not meant for hard use, too expensive, no pocket clip

I would highly recommend to go with the Chaparral first since it is an extremely versatile knife, and you will be able to use it more.

You can use the Air too but if I'm honest I've not used it because of the lack of a pocket clip and its beauty. Sometimes I'm a scatterbrain and I know at some point I will lose it if I had to EDC this, due to no pocket clip and its light weight.

However, no matter what I say nothing will deter you to buy the Air and rightly so its an amazing knife. But IMO it is not worth $130, you're paying for the materials and tight tolerances.

Let me entice you a little more on the Caly Jr.

Some more comparison pics

With the Caly

With the Centofante (Two wharncliffe superstars)

The Chaparral has a thinner width