Gayle Bradley liner observation

kniferbro

kniferbro

Joined
Jan 22, 2011
Messages
3,193
So while taking my GB apart to put a patina on the blade I made an interesting observation...

1hv2x1.jpg


It seems like the insides of the liners (facing the blade) are left "rough" while the outsides are satin finished. Wouldn't it make more sense to polish the insides as to provide a smoother action? Is this a mistake at the Taichung plant? Is there a reasoning behind this that I am naive to? Thoughts?

This doesn't keep me from loving my GB and I can just polish the pivot area myself with a little elbow grease ;)

PS: My GB was born in December of 2012
 
I'd think you'd want the side touching the G10 polished so that, in the event water gets between them, they maintain a greater resistance to rust.
 
senorsquare said:
I think polishing the bronze washers would improve the action. I don't think polishing the liners would make much difference.
Click to expand...

Im not dissatisfied with the action on my GB but any folder can be made to be smoother.

Polishing the liners in the pivot area, and blade tang, does affect the smoothness of a folder quite a bit. Numerous members here and videos on youtube can attest to that.

It seems like a mishap at the factory to me because polishing the scale side of the liners serves no purpose that I can think of.
 
If you don't polish the outside of the liners then the scales don't fit as cleanly. Polishing the inside of the liners doesn't change the fit.
 
kniferbro said:
Im not dissatisfied with the action on my GB but any folder can be made to be smoother.

Polishing the liners in the pivot area, and blade tang, does affect the smoothness of a folder quite a bit. Numerous members here and videos on youtube can attest to that.

It seems like a mishap at the factory to me because polishing the scale side of the liners serves no purpose that I can think of.
Click to expand...

It's not that the scale side is polished. The liners appear to be stamped sheet steel then the inside is finished and fitted with hardware. It's just not polished afterward because it's not "really" necessary. Sure the blade may open smoother after a polish but as far as my preferences my Bradley operates really well right out of the box.
And in reality there are only a handful of folks on this forum that can positively attest to the how and why as to manufacturing processes at Spyderco. Hopefully one of them can jump in and give us the definitive answers but it's probably proprietary manufacturing knowledge that should be kept close to the vest.
 
Maybe.... just thinking aloud.

From the picture I can't tell how bad it is. There is obviously light reflecting but how rough is the surface? I feel it's fine to put a handle or washer on that surface. Where parts meet it looks really smooth. So, why one side ground? It is probably done to get the thickness tolerances. And that side "looks better" so it was designed to be on the presentation side....

Opine
 
Barman1 said:
It's not that the scale side is polished. The liners appear to be stamped sheet steel then the inside is finished and fitted with hardware. It's just not polished afterward because it's not "really" necessary. Sure the blade may open smoother after a polish but as far as my preferences my Bradley operates really well right out of the box.
And in reality there are only a handful of folks on this forum that can positively attest to the how and why as to manufacturing processes at Spyderco. Hopefully one of them can jump in and give us the definitive answers but it's probably proprietary manufacturing knowledge that should be kept close to the vest.
Click to expand...


Ah, I see. It never appeared to me that the "rougher" looking side of the scale was actually the side that had been worked on. Thanks Barman :thumbup:
 
no one remembered that the liners on the bradley are proud of the scales ?

i doubt they would gain much time polishing only the visible part.
 
I have a couple Bradley folders from 2010, the liners are solid (no lightening holes) and both are high satin polish inside. I love this knife.
 
The blade moves on the washer. The washer is stationary, against the liner. The finish of the liner shouldn't make a difference.
 
Barman1 said:
It's not that the scale side is polished. The liners appear to be stamped sheet steel then the inside is finished and fitted with hardware. It's just not polished afterward because it's not "really" necessary. Sure the blade may open smoother after a polish but as far as my preferences my Bradley operates really well right out of the box.
And in reality there are only a handful of folks on this forum that can positively attest to the how and why as to manufacturing processes at Spyderco. Hopefully one of them can jump in and give us the definitive answers but it's probably proprietary manufacturing knowledge that should be kept close to the vest.
Click to expand...

Just looking at the picture and knowing what I do about stamping/metal production I was planning on explaining that so I'll just have to agree with you. I also think you said it better than I could have explained, easy to comprehend. Thank you.
 
Looks like the inside of the liner has been milled and is therefore actually flat; the outside looks like it has had a trip to the belt sander to deburr and clean up and may not be actually flat. Only a bit of time with a decent steel rule and a facing plate will give the real answer.
Phil
 
I would think that you would polish or tumble BOTH sides of each liner. Finishing the steel surface is one of the methods used to reduce corrosion.
 
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