Gayle Bradley vs Stretch 2 CF...

EBHM4

EBHM4

Joined
Nov 22, 2010
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Ladies and gentlemen I have a tough choice. I'm looking for a nice CF handled Spyderco to kick off my Spydie collection and I'm trying to decide between the Stretch 2 in CF with the ZDP189 steel or the Gayle Bradley in CF with the CPM M4 steel. Honestly I like the lockback design better on the Stretch than I like the liner lock on the GB, but is CPM M4 steel better than ZDP189? I like the look of both knives and they're similarly priced but each has a small doubt bugging me. On the Stretch it's the blade steel and on the GB it's the lockup. Any help?
 
Got a couple of cf Stretches - but only because I think it is one of the best knives Spyderco have made

Would like a Bradley - and similarly went through the decisions - second Stretch or a Bradley

The lockback and the fantastic grip sealed it :)
 
Both are great.
The Gayle Bradley was intended to be a hard use work knife.
Stretch is a bit more EDC friendly - smaller/thinner.

All I have to say is the GB is easily the best work knife I've ever had or used.
I spent a pretty penny in the last year+ looking for my ideal folder and I've decided I'm satisfied with the GB.
It kicks ass so much that I just ordered 2 more of 'em last night, just so I'm set for this life.

Nothing wrong with Stretch in the least.

The CPM M4 is freaky strong and has superior edge retention to ZDP189, but rusts much easier.
The GB lockup is smooth as snot and appears to be quite solid.
If size is an issue just remember that the GB definitely is more substantial.

me - 2 cents
 
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I like M4 more than ZDP-189 and Spyderco does a good job with M4.

So, I say go with the Gayle Bradley.
 
If you prefer the lock on the Stretch then you should be well satisfied with that knife. Blade steel should not be a doubt, as ZDP-189 is outstanding. One could buy both the Stretch and GB, a mile of rope, and start cutting to try to determine which is superior. I suspect that some sort of permanent fore arm pain is a more likely result than establishing conclusive results as to which has better edge retention. M4 and ZDP are both incredible.
 
I have both and the stretch gets carried more. Both are great knives but I like the back lock better. I also really like the ZDP but the M4 is right there with it but it will stain more easy. It doesn't rust really but it stains and feels rough when you run your finger over it which makes me question if I like a patina. The GB is a more heavy duty knife as everything is a little thicker than the stretch but the stretch is a better EDC blade IMO.

Not to make things more confusing but the S90V/cf paramilitary just started shipping and is going to be an awesome knife. If you search this coming week you can probably find one and its a Sprint run so won't be available again except on the secondary market and probably at a higher price. Good luck deciding.
 
The CF Stretch has recently been discontinued so they will be drying up in the not too distant future. I would go with that. Mine was my EDC until the CF Shabaria kicked it out of my pocket for the time being.

P.S. Check out the Shabaria too, make your decision even more difficult. :eek:
 
The CF Stretch was NOT discontinued it was the blue FRN with ZDP and the serrated and combo models in VG10. Just trying to clarify things. Which reminds me I want one of those blue stretch as well as a Chinook 3 that was discontinued.
 
You might want to consider how the knife will fit in your hand. I like everything about the Stretch CF but how narrow the profile of the knife is. It does not fit my hand as well as the Bradley. The Bradley is also great and I carry mine more than my Stretch CF due to the comfort of the thicker profile.

Preferences vary due to a user's hand size and shape. If possible, see if you can physically handle one of each before making your choice.
 
I just received a GB after a long wait, and it was worth it.

That said, for EDC purposes, the CF Stretch can't be beat in my mind. It's got great ergonomics (better than the GB) and is considerably thinner. To me, the CF Stretch fits my hand better than any other knife I own. The blade came very sharp (and it got it used). I was able to touch it up very easily on my Sharpmaker.

None of this is to say that the GB is a bad knife. It has amazing fit and finish, among, if not, the best I've ever seen. Very sharp and very comfortable to use, just a bit bulkier. The lock up on it seems to be very strong.

In the end, I'd say get both. How's that for helpful? Actually, as others suggested below, see if you can go handle them. One of them will undoubtedly impress you more than the other. Good luck.
 
The GB is a very strong hard use working blade with great steel that holds an edge extremely well. Fit and Finish are excellent for a production knife, best I have seen yet. The knife fits well in hand, well I have big hands and tend to like bigger knives but it fits me great.

The only thing is that M4 isn't stainless, but that's not really that big a deal if you keep a very light coat of oil on the blade. Just put oil on it and wipe it off, that is enough.
 
Okay I just saw the CF Paramilitary 2 in S90V on Knifecenter and I hate those of you who posted that. This thread hasn't done anything but make my itch to buy all 3 that much worse! Damn you Spyder fans!!!
 
The lock on the GB is probably the best liner lock I've seen. The high hollow grind cuts incredibly well. And the steel holds an edge well.
The handle of the GB is much thicker than the Stretch. So IWB carry is not as comfortable. Although thin, the Stretch's handle is wide with a nice palm-filling contour.
I've found the ZDP on my stretch to be a little chippy. It also came sharpened at a too steep angle and reprofiling it took a long time. It now cuts like a demon.
You need both of these knives.
 
I just ordered the Paramilitary 2 CF S90V from Knifecenter. You guys are killing me!
 
EBHM4 said:
I just ordered the Paramilitary 2 CF S90V from Knifecenter. You guys are killing me!
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id try to find one from another dealer, knifecenter tends to have knives on preorder forever, and let a bagillion people preorder, then they only send out like 150 to the top ppl. most ppl who have got theirs from KC have preodered in like october...

but yeah..i wanted to get a CF stretch too...i ordered a para 2 CF though.

Spyderco tends to eat much of my time and hard earned cash...i may have the bug.
 
Well that's not good, I already gave them 180 bucks. What happens if they don't ship it do I just lose that?
 
EBHM4 said:
Well that's not good, I already gave them 180 bucks. What happens if they don't ship it do I just lose that?
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They don't charge your card until it ships. If it never ships, you won't be charged. That probably doesn't apply to a PayPal transfer, though, if that's how you paid.
 
No it was a credit card transaction. That's good to hear, thanks for clearing that up.
 
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