Gayle Bradley relief "mod"

B

blueblur

Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
330
I've never been a big fan of liner locks but was browsing the Bradley Hard Use thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ley-Hard-Use?highlight=gayle+bradley+hard+use last week and with all the positive things that were being said about this knife, I figured I'd get one while I still can. Being impressed would be an understatement. There are so many things I fell in love with but I could not get used to the lack of access to the lock release. Really, the only downside with this blade IMO. So I remember coming across a couple posts where guys were fixing this and figured I'd try it out myself.

So with nothing more than a dremel and some sand paper I gave it a shot. I started it yesterday and made a little difference but I wanted a little more access. So I broke it down again and here is the end product. It's not perfect but I'm very happy with it and can't wait to put it to use.

Thanks to powernoodle and paulhilborn for posting your pics in that thread. Without them I don't think I would have tried this but I'm glad I did. What a great blade!

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That's really VERY nice. I have a GB2 sitting on my desk right now... it's just waiting for me to get moving a bit...and do something very similar.
Love the M4.
 
I've never really understood people not being able to engage the lockbar without the relief. Maybe it's cause I have smaller hands, so my fingers have an easier time getting in the space. Either way looks like you did a very nice job, and if it adds function for you then that's all that matters.

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Maybe some are harder to unlock than others? No problem with mine and really like the added protection from unlocking accidentally, although never had it happen on any knife. Good looking mod!
 
Well done!
I've done something like that as well.
I have small hands, IMPOSSIBLE to reach lock lug without it.
You don't need added protection against unlocking as long as you know which side of the blade the cutting edge is on.:)
 
I have small hands and have difficulty jamming a finger (thumb) tip into either the GB1 or GB2 to disengage the lock. The other challenge is the splits and skin damage I always get in winter makes it painful to operate the lock at all. No issues with my Milis or other liner locks, just the GBs. I love the GBs but this one thing reduces their use (too many trouble-free choices). I am definitely heading towards a mod like this, so appreciate the post. btw, I've never had an accidental release of any of my spyderco liner locks. Just lucky I guess ;)
 
nice going on the mod!it came out looking grate,i have been temped to take a dremel tool to one of mine!but i really don't have any problems unlocking the GB 1)and figured mr.gayle bradley made it this way for good reason! as this knife excel's at cutting with gloves on,so i didn't mess with it.:o
 
What I quickly found out is the liner was catching my thumb when trying to release the lock and it felt like I was scraping my thumb too much. I could get away without the relief cut if I was just using it once in a while but I was playing with it too much and figured I'd give it a try. With the size of these liners and the pressure needed to disengage the lock I'm not worried about accidently hitting releasing it.

If you want an easier release and are up to the task I recommend giving it a shot.
 
After reading this thread and deciding I'd prefer just a bit of clearance on the GB2, I modified my knives (I liked the result so much on the GB2 I went ahead and did it to the GB as well). Nothing against the original design, which was done the way it was as a design intent, these now are immensely more usable to me.

For those considering doing this, full disclosure... I have some experience modifying knives and all sorts of mechanical things, and some machining and related experience - but this DIY was extremely easy. I'd say the first knife took me 40 minutes because it's the first time I'd ever taken apart a Spyderco of any sort. I went slowly and made sure I had all the parts organized. Plus I gave it a good cleaning and polished the washers going back together. The second knife took 20 minutes, tops

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It just takes guts, determination, initiative and a bit of spare time to do this. I haven't done mine...yet. :)
Very nice job.
 
I've got a couple of GB1s. One is stock, the other was modded for more clearance before it came to me. Having them side-by-side I'd say that I slightly prefer the modded one but not enough to pursue getting the other one modded. Regardless, the GB1 is a great knife.

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