Gayle Bradley, Military or Police? Spyderco is ruining me with options.

The Gayle Bradley is about the same size as the PM2 and Manix 2, so if you wanted to go bigger or smaller, there's the Military, or my other suggestion, a PPT (they've been discontinued recently though). Of the two, or even of the 5, I carry the Military the most often. Might also want to think about the Sage series.

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Reminds me that I should have picked up a PPT before they were disco'd
 
The PM 2 has the compression lock and of all lock types it is my favourite so far. The Laci Zabo has that one, but the design is so far out that I really can't think of that. Plus the price.

It is really a shame that the Starmate is also more expensive than the GB, but with the issues discussed both in Bladeforums and Spyderco forum.

The comments about the different lock types has been an eye-opener to me, so thank you gentlemen. I have been corrected in my opinion that liner locks are inherently more unsecure than other lock types. So it seems that you really get what you pay for.

If anyone has comments, please keep them coming. I enjoy this civilized conversion between well informed individuals. What a great forum this is. :)
 
Just a thought. Both on the Police and Military the tip or the blade is quite slender and delicate. Now, what do I use the knife for? Occasional food prep allthough there are kitchen knives for that. Making fuzzy sticks out camping. Slicing whatever there is to cut. Whittling.

Working with wood is where the blade is going to be stressed most. There is a chance that I might need a sturdy tip for making holes or prying something, not anything stupid but these things happen. Do I REALLY need a folder with a blade lenght plus 10 mm? Really, no. Even a god forbid horrible chanse of defensive use can be handled with a smaller knife.

What I these days require from my knives is a sort of gentlemanly looks, just for my enjoyment. A beautifull life is worth living, so demand beauty of the things you use. So the GB it is. Thank you for participation, you helped me make my mind.

Expect pictures :)
 
You will be very happy with the GB. I usually EDC smaller knives. Although I have several high end folders, a Caly 3 Super Blue usually sits in my pocket. However, the GB never leaves my bag. It is an amazing cutting tool. Mr. Bradley and Spyderco really took advantage of the CPM M4 steel. I love a high hollow grind that is thin behind the edge. M4 allows this.
 
timothy.davis.3766 said:
I am a big fan of kershaw. You cannot beat the price for a good knife.
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Your first post and it has nothing to do with the topic. The knives being discussed are well above the price range that Kershaw's are. Ay Carumba.

Anyway, as I said previously, the GB is one hell of a deal. Thats my pick!
 
If you want beefy yet nice looking then the GB has it in spades, enjoy.

Post back re how you feel about the lock.
 
Three of my favorites are the GB, Military and Para2.
The Military is probably my favorite. Big knife in light easy to carry package. It does scare people if used in public places b/c it's big.
The Para2 is a great EDC as well, and while the compression lock is strong, I prefer a liner lock.
The GB is a TON of knife for the price. M4 and built like a tank. It's a bit heavy and I wasn't a fan of the slick scales, so I made my own. I also opened up the non-lock side for better access to the lock bar for closing. I prefer it this way and is my camping folder.

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timothy.davis.3766 said:
I am a big fan of kershaw. You cannot beat the price for a good knife.
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I'm happy for you, but what does that have to do with this topic? I mean, I like tacos but that really isn't relevant here.

As far as the question asked, if it were my money I'd pick the Bradley.
 
The Gayle Bradley is the best as long as you're not planning to do much wood cutting. It has a great wide hollow grind like a large Sebenza but it cuts wood just as well as a Sebenza, not very. Otherwise the Bradley is a fantastic large Edc choice as long as you're not a lefty.

The proud liners can be a little uncomfortable under heavy use but if you just want a large EDC you can't really do too much better for the money. I only sold mine cause the lock wasn't lefty friendly at all.
 
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HFinn said:
I bought some time ago the Paramilitary 2, it was my first high-end Spyderco and first really usefull "tactical" knife. The fit and finish is exceptional, ease of opening and the lock-up really good.

Therefore I have been taking a look at other Spyderco models lately. I am particularly drawn to larger folders, like those I mentioned. The GB is a "large gentleman's knife" (and I dont mean the size of the gentleman), Military is maybe more "tactical" that I care for, but still a choise. Police, on the other hand, in my view sits on the fence, it is undouptedly a tactical knife but still I like the slim lines and the overall shape.

Help me make the choise. Cons and pro's, materials, weight, carrying, lock-up. I also like the Starmate, but some less than favourable reviews make me doupt is it worth the money. GB is about the same size. I like the Starmate profile visually more, but GB resembles it. Police is a classic and I have in mind, if I choose it, to customize it a bit.
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If you are looking to the Police dont miss the Ulize.
And there is also the Szabo.

On the other hand, I see Spyderco as nice folders for lighter tasks but they are not exactly stout knives. For that I would choose an other brand.
Spyderco's are often or leaf shaped or a bit pointy. Or this or that. I still opt for a very robust Stretch. Thicker, meaner, better(more robust) handle and more solid lock than currently available.

The knives that are a bit stouter you can place coments with. Like I dont understand why the Starmate is set on the market with the flaws it has. Its a miss.
The Gayle Bradley is nice but I miss something. Its a bit heavy for what you get. Second you need to cope with M4 steel which is nice but the metal is the kind that is vulnerable for staining etc. But maybe you dont care and even like that. On the other hand it better would have been a flipper with the flipper as a finger protection while using. Would have suit the knife more.

Its al about personal preference, and there it is, you can ask for recommendations in these knives but you are the one that need to be satisfied with it. Its the only thing that really counts, not what others think.
 
Another fan of the Ulize.

My Ulize is a deceptively small and comfortable folder for its size. It has a 4.1" blade and weighs only 4.7 ounces. The curved handle, moderate jimping and bead-blasted G-10 afford a very good grip. Best feature of all is the relatively narrow profile. The hollow ground VG-10 blade is not wide (1.04" at its widest where the hole is), has good cutting abilities and still 0.12" thick.

Here's my Ulize next to my Spyderco Military ComboEdge. It gives you good perspective on relative size plus as you can see the serrated portion of such a large blade still leaves you with plenty of plain edge.

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Ickythump said:
The GB Folder is one of the best folding knives ever, period. M4, w/ CF (laminant), pillar construction. Barely a liner lock, more of a frame lock. Looks like a million bucks, but truly a well thought out, made for hard use folder. The fit and finish is some of the best for any price point...any. Millie and Manix?..nice but, hard use, practical w/ ease of carry...Hand down, Gayle Bradley Folder.

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What is that first knife?! It looks amazing!
 
I still reco the PM2's; love the compression lock, and tons of great steels to choose from. I've had plenty of them, and lots of GB's and Millies also. They are all great knives. I do believe that the GB is too heavy-duty capable and just plain heavy for me. I gave my last one to a son-in-law hunter, who loves it, and I'll agree that the M4 is just plain hard to beat.
I haven't tried the Police, so cannot comment.
I guess you can't go wrong with the GB as long as you can handle the weight. It's just a tiny bit heavier and bulkier than my Umnumzaan.
I have stuck with the Zaan for the last couple of yrs; it's a "compromise" knife that seems to do everything well for me.
 
Welp. There goes the rest of my paycheck. Was planning on just getting a SE Pacific Salt to throw in my tackle box but after doing a little reading I had to go ahead and get the Spyderco GB as well. Hope to be pleased with both purchases and I'm confident I will be. Sucks dropping $225 on a whim but I guess that's pretty good for both if they live up to their reputation which I have no doubt they will. I've never owned a Taichung Spyderco before but heard great things. Anyway I recently quit drinking so I need to find something new to spend all my money on and the way I see it Knives > Booze so it's all good. I'll post pics when they come in. Thanks for draining my wallet yet again, BF. Love ya :D:thumbup:
 
Divo said:
If you are looking to the Police dont miss the Ulize.
And there is also the Szabo.
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Its al about personal preference, and there it is, you can ask for recommendations in these knives but you are the one that need to be satisfied with it. Its the only thing that really counts, not what others think.
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It is about personal preference, but still I like to ask opinions. Quess this is what this forum is for, among other things. Since I made my mind up to get a classier Spyderco it was just a question of asking myself what I need and what I like. Also what I dont need or like. Ulize looks sure nice, though. Maybe on some later time.

I try to take care of my knives just like my bicycle, car and other things I use. Still I dont mind having some "character" like patina on my knives so a non-stainless steel is fine if it makes a superior cutting blade.

Counting, counting.... please mr postman :D
 
I have all three and multiples of the Military and the Police. I would class the GB and Police as dress knives, because they look great in pocket and use. The military probably carries the best of the three and the GB is probably one of the most practical for EDC. The SS Police is in a class of it's own, graceful, sleek and it looks like it means business, especially the serrated version which I highly recommend.

I would probably get the GB first, to experience a 'custom' quality folder, with outstanding steel and design. As mentioned earlier, you will eventually end up with all three.
 
A.P.F. said:
I would class the GB and Police as dress knives, because they look great in pocket and use.
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The SS Police is in a class of it's own, graceful, sleek and it looks like it means business, especially the serrated version which I highly recommend.

I would probably get the GB first, to experience a 'custom' quality folder, with outstanding steel and design. As mentioned earlier, you will eventually end up with all three.
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I have been in to traditional knives lately, but for many reasons have been thinking what I want of knife again. Still, I want to step up the quality of what I use, so a "dress knife" sounds good to me.

And knowing myself, yes, it is propable that I end up having at least the Police or Ulize :D All in good time.
 
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