Gayle Bradley Hard Use

Let's put it this way, I got my GB and my PM2 the same day. In terms of being impressed - it's a tie. I'd say that's pretty good praise.
 
Popsickle said:
for anyone hesitating on buying a Spyderco Gayle Bradley.

I have handled a lot of custom and high end production knives since introduced to this hobby 2 years ago. I continuously come back to the gayle Bradley folder as my main EDC. the lock can feel a tiny bit awkward at first but you get used to it quickly. the rust resistance of M4 is not an issue(I also leave at the beach).... my recommendation is to get some frog lube and your good to go(especially if you do food prep with yours). its more smooth than most customs ive handled, and for a production knife that is absolutely awesome. for the price its the best bang for your buck in a production knife!
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Completely agree with Popsickle here.
I am accumulating a lot of nice knives, some worth way more than this and I am still over the moon with mine, she really stacks up on the quality side.
Like I said, a great looking knife that screams USE!
Cheers
 
nccole said:
Just put my first edge on the Gayle Bradley (micro bevel really, Sharpmaker only so far), and man does it get screaming sharp easily. On par if not better than VG-10 on ease of getting crazy sharp. Very pleased!
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M4 seems to get a really stinking sharp edge with a surprisingly small amount of work. :thumbup:

I want some replacement scales, though. I don't like the quilted surface. :(
 
JNewell said:
I don't like the quilted surface. :(
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I have never understood slicky carbon fiber scales on a "hard use" knife, especially where there is no thumb ramp with jimping and no choil to keep your hand in place. I love the knife, and love this thread, but imagine a Gayle Bradley with some traction. Oy!
 
JNewell said:
M4 seems to get a really stinking sharp edge with a surprisingly small amount of work. :thumbup:

I want some replacement scales, though. I don't like the quilted surface. :(
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It was a bear to grind out a tiny roll though:D I was d-limbing some tree branches with it and came down on my metal cart I pull behind my mower and got a nice little roll on the edge. I know M4 is pretty tough, but not mythical tough I guess. I wasn't surprised or upset, I whacked it pretty good. Back to good now, had it back out in the yard tonight!
 
JNewell said:
M4 seems to get a really stinking sharp edge with a surprisingly small amount of work. :thumbup:

I want some replacement scales, though. I don't like the quilted surface. :(
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powernoodle said:
I have never understood slicky carbon fiber scales on a "hard use" knife, especially where there is no thumb ramp with jimping and no choil to keep your hand in place. I love the knife, and love this thread, but imagine a Gayle Bradley with some traction. Oy!
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But it is a tough scale material. I've carried my Sage I as much as any knife I've ever had and the scales look new (same material as GB).
 
powernoodle said:
I have never understood slicky carbon fiber scales on a "hard use" knife, especially where there is no thumb ramp with jimping and no choil to keep your hand in place. I love the knife, and love this thread, but imagine a Gayle Bradley with some traction. Oy!
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I've processed a deer with mine, and various other animals. Have yet to slip or cut myself.
 
powernoodle said:
I have never understood slicky carbon fiber scales on a "hard use" knife, especially where there is no thumb ramp with jimping and no choil to keep your hand in place. I love the knife, and love this thread, but imagine a Gayle Bradley with some traction. Oy!
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If I recall correctly you modified your GB for a little extra liner access. Doesn't that provide enough purchase along with the weaved surface?

I've been so happy with mine it's completed halted my ascent up the knife nobility ladder. I've given some thought to splurging on the Sebenza but just can't get past the lack of perceived additional bang for the more than 200 bucks.
 
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powernoodle said:
I have never understood slicky carbon fiber scales on a "hard use" knife, especially where there is no thumb ramp with jimping and no choil to keep your hand in place. I love the knife, and love this thread, but imagine a Gayle Bradley with some traction. Oy!
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The GB is so close to perfect for me.

If it had a deeper choil with some jimping, I would be fine with the carbon fiber, but as it is it's just a tad too overbuilt to not have a deeper choil, more jimping, or scales with better traction.
 
harleyguy02 said:
I am a GB fan.. I have owned 20+ Sebenzas, zaans over the past 3 years..

CRK's S30v, S35v doesn't hold a candle to the GB M4!!

And the GB is only 300+ dollars cheaper.

I get the whole CRK quality thing.. But really.. Come on.. I wanna knife where I don't have to run the the sharp maker every other day...cause I opened 3 boxes and 10 envelopes:)

Oh.. But I get to send to CRK for a SPA once in awhile.. Meanwhile my carbon fiber GB scales look like new after 2 years of use..

I loved every CRK I owned for the beauty.. But at 57-58 RC the whole experience was a joke..

Just calling it like it is..
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100% agree
 
nccole said:
It was a bear to grind out a tiny roll though:D I was d-limbing some tree branches with it and came down on my metal cart I pull behind my mower and got a nice little roll on the edge. I know M4 is pretty tough, but not mythical tough I guess. I wasn't surprised or upset, I whacked it pretty good. Back to good now, had it back out in the yard tonight!
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I agree! I just got one second hand, and it had a chip (yes, a chip) on the belly portion of the edge. It took me FOREVER to work that chip out. I had to go to the belt sander eventually, just to speed the process up a bit. Now it's fine, a really blazing sharp convex edge. Can't wait to put it through the paces.
 
Spyderco Gayle Bradley best knife spyderco ever made period.As far as comparing it to semi customs and customs GB stands firmly.Amazing piece of cutlery in every aspect.Bought mine brand new with full liners for 115 and put it through paces , you just cant stop this cutting machine.Fit,finish,looks,ergos,steel,this knife is here to stay.:)
 
powernoodle said:
I have never understood slicky carbon fiber scales on a "hard use" knife, especially where there is no thumb ramp with jimping and no choil to keep your hand in place. I love the knife, and love this thread, but imagine a Gayle Bradley with some traction. Oy!
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It's not the CF you're thinking of. It's a surface weave pattern on top of G10, and it has good texture and is not slippery at all. The thumb ramp does have jimping, and a slight choil built into the handle. If you can get your hands on one, you'll see what I mean.
 
The CF used on the Gayle Bradley and Sage I is my favorite scale material of all time. Beautiful, functional, durable - it is outstanding.
 
I ended up deciding that I don't prefer the quilted carbon fiber found on the Gayle Bradley.... at all.... it lacks the "warmth" and fine texturing (stickiness) of G10 or peel ply carbon fiber. Aesthetically it's great stuff - but I'm function over aesthetics, so now it's in someone else's pocket.

Everything else about the knife is spot on..... lot of thought went into the design. Hard use? Absolutely.... tool steels and Spyderco's heat treat means you don't really need a 5mm thick blade to be considered "hard use."
 
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