Gayle Bradley vs Southard

firefighterguy

firefighterguy

Joined
Sep 30, 2014
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596
Guys I need help picking out my next knife!

I should probably add the sage 2 on the list as well.

I've never handled any of these in person but I want to get a really nice spyderco. My budget is $200. I plan on buying off here when I find the right deal.

I really want the Southard. My first knife was a Cryo so I have a sweet spot for flippers. But I love spydies now. However, most of the YouTube videos and reviews on the Southard are less than stellar.

I recently read good stuff on the gayle Bradley but I'm not a huge liner lock fan and the aesthetics aren't my faves. But I'm a firefighter so I want a hard use knife.

The sage has always been on the top of my list but it fills a different role. I prefer 3"+ blades.

Help me guys! What should I do?!

Any others I should consider?
 
I think you would be hard pressed to find a knife more hard use than the Gayle Bradley. With the construction and thickness of the liners it rivals any R.I.L I have seen. I also love the Sage 2 but like you said it is in somewhat of a different class as to what role it would fill in my carry options. Some other you may consider are the Starmate, big beefy knife. You might be able to find a deal on a Slysz Bowie as well.
 
I'm not sure what people are saying about the Southard that would be negative. Is there a particular comment or two that has you concerned?

The Southard's steel is CTS 204p, which is Carpenter's version of CPM M390—which has some of the best edge retention in the stainless supersteel category. The Ti framelock is carburized (heat-hardened) so it shouldn't wear too much. For me, the handle was a little short and the ergos were strange for my hand. The OEM clip is rather pointy, and can be hard on your hand. But there're plenty of aftermarket deep carry clips available.

The GB's construction is incredibly solid, but it's a heavier knife. The M4 blade is going to perform as well as 204p, but it has significantly less corrosion resistance and may need more care. The tip on the GB is stronger than the Southard due purely to blade geometry. The ergos on the GB are great, and the handle is large enough to fill out gloved hands.

Honestly, it'd probably come down to your personal preference. If you can, I'd try to handle both.
 
Since you're a firefighter, I would be especially cognizant of the lack of corrosion resistance with the GB. It's certainly not a deal breaker, but you'll want to make sure the blade is oiled often.
 
I've owned both and gave up on the GB pretty quickly. Unlike the Friar I hated the ergos of the GB. TO ME - it was too big to carry as an EDC and the handle shape did not fit, and I didn't care for the blade shape either - so there :grumpy:. The Southard on the other hand was a favorite EDC for the better part of a year. BUT - to many I think this feels too small. I liked the sleekness of it. I thought it was a very great looking knife. The blade shape suited my purposes beautifully and I wanted to love the flipper (I do really like a liner lock flipper) but in the case of my Southard the flip was more of a flop. I think this was my knife and/or my technique. The blade deployed easily using the spydie hole but just never flew open as others have described with their Southards. Some have reported that the black version is better in this regard than the brown version. I gave up on the Southard finally and purchased an Andre Thorburn - holy smokes :eek: - that is a flipper!

In the final analysis I quote the Friar - "Honestly, it'd probably come down to your personal preference. If you can, I'd try to handle both." Good advice that.
 
You anywhere near Michigan? I'd gladly let you use either of mine for a better feel on what you'd prefer...


But... Here's my opinion - if your budget is $200, then get a new Gayle Bradley 1 for about $130, and you'll have a hard use knife with M4. Then spend the remaining $70 on a Pacific Salt SE for your carrying needs in full on wet sloppy conditions.

And there you go - Bases covered, budget retained.

WAY more practical than a Southard alone for about 180-200... even saying that, I do enjoy the Southard...


(I know you say you don't enjoy the GB's looks, but it was not designed necessarily with that intention. Give it some use and more than likely it will not want to leave your hand.)



If you like larger blades, and need to deploy wearing gloves, also take a look at the Military.
 
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I just retired after 35 years on the job. In that time, I tried many different knives including many different
Spydercos. Are you wanting this knife for your bunker gear pockets or for use with your uniform? If you want it for your bunker gear, I found that nothing really works for one hand opening while wearing gloves. Thumb studs seemed to be a little bit easier than the spyder hole. The last 5 or 6 years I used an Emerson CQC 7, and I used it hard. Remember that you might need to decontaminate it, I don't know how easily a carbon handle can be decontaminated. For using when just in your uniform the possibilities are endless, and here is where Spyderco knives really shine. Since retiring a Bradley is my go to knife for work around the yard. It is a super hard working knife. Look closely at how and for what purpose you will be using the knife. I suspect that you will be abusing it more than you realize on calls. Stay safe.
 
Check out the military! Easy to open and close with me without gloves and just about perfect all the way around.
 
I never handled the Southard, but the Gale Bradley is a true working knife! I though that It was a pain to sharpen at first, but I got the hang of it after a few try. It won't disapoint. It has some of the best fit and finish there is!

ps: the sage 2 is awesome, get that one too :)
 
FriarPhenn said:
I'm not sure what people are saying about the Southard that would be negative. Is there a particular comment or two that has you concerned?

The Southard's steel is CTS 204p, which is Carpenter's version of CPM M390—which has some of the best edge retention in the stainless supersteel category. The Ti framelock is carburized (heat-hardened) so it shouldn't wear too much. For me, the handle was a little short and the ergos were strange for my hand. The OEM clip is rather pointy, and can be hard on your hand. But there're plenty of aftermarket deep carry clips available.

The GB's construction is incredibly solid, but it's a heavier knife. The M4 blade is going to perform as well as 204p, but it has significantly less corrosion resistance and may need more care. The tip on the GB is stronger than the Southard due purely to blade geometry. The ergos on the GB are great, and the handle is large enough to fill out gloved hands.

Honestly, it'd probably come down to your personal preference. If you can, I'd try to handle both.
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The biggest complaints I've seen are the pocket clip, how the g10 makes one side thicker than the other and also the grip. The cutouts in the g10 for the spydie hole.

The clip thing isn't a big deal for me, I'll get a new one. I think my biggest worry is about how it will feel in hand. I just don't know where to get my hands on one or the Bradley.
 
rozzi said:
I just retired after 35 years on the job. In that time, I tried many different knives including many different
Spydercos. Are you wanting this knife for your bunker gear pockets or for use with your uniform? If you want it for your bunker gear, I found that nothing really works for one hand opening while wearing gloves. Thumb studs seemed to be a little bit easier than the spyder hole. The last 5 or 6 years I used an Emerson CQC 7, and I used it hard. Remember that you might need to decontaminate it, I don't know how easily a carbon handle can be decontaminated. For using when just in your uniform the possibilities are endless, and here is where Spyderco knives really shine. Since retiring a Bradley is my go to knife for work around the yard. It is a super hard working knife. Look closely at how and for what purpose you will be using the knife. I suspect that you will be abusing it more than you realize on calls. Stay safe.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the long career. This is purely for my station pants. I don't want an expensive knife in my bunker pants. I don't necessarily have plans to hard use it. But there are times when it can be needed for hard use.

It would also see time in my pockets outside of work. My wife got me a pm2 for my bday. I just have to wait a couple more weeks to get it. I'm just itching for another :)
 
firefighterguy said:
I think my biggest worry is about how it will feel in hand. I just don't know where to get my hands on one or the Bradley.
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Because the shallow choil and lack of a liner cutout are pretty polarizing, you should definitely try to get your hands on the Bradley before making your decision so you know where you fall on those.

Personally, I like the Southard well enough. It's visually striking and very nicely made. But when it comes to actual use, it's hard to beat the Bradley, especially at what it retails for.

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Not that it matters but the frame lock on the Southard is not treated in any way. Not carburized as per Spyderco.
 
One thing I didn't see mentioned is the liner lock of the GB isn't easy to access and I imagine almost impossible with gloves. That said- I love it! It's a great knife. Have a Southard coming tomorrow, look forward to checking it out.

I second the idea for a Military, another great design and easy to manage with gloves on. You could also wait for the GB 2- that knife looks full of win!
 
firefighterguy said:
Guys I need help picking out my next knife!

I should probably add the sage 2 on the list as well.

I've never handled any of these in person but I want to get a really nice spyderco. My budget is $200. I plan on buying off here when I find the right deal.

I really want the Southard. My first knife was a Cryo so I have a sweet spot for flippers. But I love spydies now. However, most of the YouTube videos and reviews on the Southard are less than stellar.

I recently read good stuff on the gayle Bradley but I'm not a huge liner lock fan and the aesthetics aren't my faves. But I'm a firefighter so I want a hard use knife.

The sage has always been on the top of my list but it fills a different role. I prefer 3"+ blades.

Help me guys! What should I do?!

Any others I should consider?
Click to expand...

For hard use if function is you primary concern go with the Gayle Bradley. The carbon steel M4 blade will be tougher than the 204P of the Southard. The Gayle Bradley will fit the hand well with gloves on. You might not be happy with that ball bearing pivot on the Southard once you get it wet and dirty and have to take it apart to clean the races and ball cage. Another knife to look at is the Spydeco Stretch with the brown G10 scales. It is a very solid knife and very simple by design,and easy to keep clean. Good luck with your search!
 
rpn said:
One thing I didn't see mentioned is the liner lock of the GB isn't easy to access and I imagine almost impossible with gloves. That said- I love it! It's a great knife. Have a Southard coming tomorrow, look forward to checking it out.

I second the idea for a Military, another great design and easy to manage with gloves on. You could also wait for the GB 2- that knife looks full of win!
Click to expand...

What's the difference in the GB 2?

I don't really anticipate using the knife with gloves.
 
Griptilian said:
For hard use if function is you primary concern go with the Gayle Bradley. The carbon steel M4 blade will be tougher than the 204P of the Southard. The Gayle Bradley will fit the hand well with gloves on. You might not be happy with that ball bearing pivot on the Southard once you get it wet and dirty and have to take it apart to clean the races and ball cage. Another knife to look at is the Spydeco Stretch with the brown G10 scales. It is a very solid knife and very simple by design,and easy to keep clean. Good luck with your search!
Click to expand...

Can the ball bearing pivot be taken fully apart and cleaned? This is not something I had considered.
 
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