GayleBradley-Should I Keep It

The GB is built as a tough working knife with design elements that look nice as well. It's quirky, I agree. Many will not like the difficulty of releasing the lock one-handed but that's actually a benefit for someone using the knife hard who could inadvertently press the release and cause the blade to unlock. If you're opening and closing your knife constantly while working with it you really ought to consider a fixed blade instead of a folder. It's not a flipper or a knife to play around with while watching TV. It's heavy. Supposed to be a hard-working knife so it's overbuilt. Not ZT 0200 overbuilt but tough enough. It's also smooth in operation, looks nice, feels well balanced and cuts like a monster. Probably not a daily carry knife for the average guy who wants something lighter and easier to operate for light chores. But I love the thing. It's one of the top two or three best knives I've ever owned.
 
I think the Gayle Bradley is a beautiful knife and one of the best values, period, in the knife world. However, I've sold all duplicates I had of the knife and gifted the one that I slightly used to a friend that would really appreciate it.

Several months ago I said to myself if I sold off every Spyderco and only kept one, it'd be a GB. Funny how things change. It is beautiful and refined with excellent steel and an excellent grind that cuts amazingly with acute edge angles and holds them well. It's buttery smooth, and nothing but the utmost of quality all the way around.

But as all our tastes change, we figure what does and doesn't work for us. Even after getting a deep carry clip for it, I felt it carried too thick in pocket for me and that it was too bulky for an EDC. If I were to use it as a work knife, I wasn't a fan of the proud liners and carbon fiber smoothness. I like the grippiness of G10. To be honest, I don't care for carbon fiber on anything now with maybe exception of small gent's folders. The ergos never really worked for me, and the lock release was always a pain (literally). I also sweat a good bit and am in a very humid climate, and the blade needs a little care and attention to avoid rust issues.

So in short, it just didn't have a place for me which leaves me with 3 Spydies, a short, medium, and large in my ZDP Delica, PM2, and Military, all classics and great knives for a huge variety of uses. I'm excited to see what the Gayle Bradley 2 has to offer.
 
I think I'm going to own one of these, but here's what happened. The lock on mine wasn't just hard to release, it was sticking pretty bad. You would have to exert even more force than usual, and then it would break loose with a click. From my experience when the angles between the liner lock and blade are wrong (front to back and side to side as these were) it will never break in. I sent it back and ordered yet another hoping it will be right.
 
28gauge said:
I think I'm going to own one of these, but here's what happened. The lock on mine wasn't just hard to release, it was sticking pretty bad. You would have to exert even more force than usual, and then it would break loose with a click. From my experience when the angles between the liner lock and blade are wrong (front to back and side to side as these were) it will never break in. I sent it back and ordered yet another hoping it will be right.
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I'm thinking you some how got a factory second, but am surprised Spyderco would release a GB with a lock that wasn't properly made. If Mr. Gayle Bradley knew about a defective knife he would probably be greatly PO'd.

When your new GB arrives give it a couple squirts of Break Free CLP, a great Cleaner-Lube-Protective coating for steel objects, knives, guns, etc.

My GB was very slick right from the box but because of the tool steel, and who knows what else that might corrode, I give all my knives a rub down with Break Free. You can get it at most sporting goods and gun stores. It is not expensive.

http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html

The Walker designed liner lock is a different animal and just takes some use to get good with it. For me releasing a frame lock or liner lock is 6 of one, half dozen of the other, just not an issue and they are great locks, IMHO.

I use my GB in place of some fixed blades I used to carry when hunting, camping. I like the original handle scales and it fits my large hands well. For folks with smaller hands maybe a Kershaw Leek Combo D2 blade would be a better EDC choice.
 
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Gayle Bradley likes: Beautiful; smooth as silk opening/closing; screams quality f&f; classy carbon fiber scales; great steel; great blade shape; weight – on the heavier side – I like the substantial heft. Exudes quality, strength and confidence.
Gayle Bradley dislike: Only this…I’m left handed and it’s too hard and I’m too clumsy to manipulate the lock to close as easily as I would want (it's difficult for me!). This one dislike sadly puts this knife in my dislike column.

If I were right handed, this fine knife would be in my rotation.

Disclosure: This is my opinion which I’m sure will vary with each person who has an opinion. To those who disagree with my opinion, I also disagree with your opinion.:rolleyes:
Noun: opinion - A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty.
“Levity keeps a smile on the face.”
 
Update: Since the first lock had a sticking action I sent it back and received the replacement today. All is beautiful about the knife but this lock sticks a bit too. What I mean is that when you release the liner lock it takes some extra presure and it clicks off the blade as it breaks loose. It's as if the liner is galling against the blade. I've seen this before. It's more typical with titanium against steel. It might "break in" but it might not. I'm not real happy with it.
 
GB is a greatest Spyderco ever ,can't wait for the GB 2 to come out!
Not my pic.
 
GB is my favorite Spydie and it's priced too low relative to peers. I like look, the smooth action and most of all the cutting performance and edge holding. It has a custom feel to it, is comfortable in the hand and the hollow grind is very efficient.
I'm doubtful that I'll prefer the GB2 whatever form it takes. I heard that it will have titanium liners which I view as a negative because of faster wear and stickiness. Also I'm sure the price will be quite a bit higher! Get yourself a GB and a backup!
 
That stinks you have been having so many issues with your lock. They really are great knives and cutting machines. The lock on mine is stiff but smooth.
 
28gauge said:
Update: Since the first lock had a sticking action I sent it back and received the replacement today. All is beautiful about the knife but this lock sticks a bit too. What I mean is that when you release the liner lock it takes some extra presure and it clicks off the blade as it breaks loose. It's as if the liner is galling against the blade. I've seen this before. It's more typical with titanium against steel. It might "break in" but it might not. I'm not real happy with it.
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i doubt that two GB's in a row have sticky locks, considering the quality of mine and a few others I've handled. If any pressure at all is being applied to the blade when disengaging the lock, one might interpret that as a sticky lock, almost like some first time frame lock users experience, when touching the lock bar, while opening the knife. Try it while ensuring that absolutely no pressure is brought to bear on the blade while disengaging the lock. Hope this helps you.
There's definitely a trick to using the GB's liner lock, as others have mentioned. The angle of engagement is critical. It's kind of like the thumb studs on the Kershaw Blur. I've heard people say that it tears up their thumb because of the sharp edges, but once you learn the process, nothing could be simpler - and you'll wonder why it was ever a problem, in the first place.
 
The blur actually requires some break in about 100 opening and closing at least the one that I have. It did tear thumbs until it broke in.
 
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Bringing up an old GB thread, just 'cause I love 'em.

My GB lock was also very difficult and had that same strong "click" before release. A couple of weeks later and a thousand openings and closings and it's now very smooth.....needed a lot of break in, I'm a happy camper today!
 
28gauge said:
Well put. I have bought so many knives as "users" that were never used. However, lately I'm trying to use more of these fine tools and works of art. Free them from the safe and enjoy them rather than just fondling them while watching TV. The best survival knife is the one you have on you in a survival situation. I've been doing a lot of Delica myself. It appears the faux carbon fiber is more of an issue than I thought it was. I'd prefer to have 100% of either material but as long as the laminate holds up I don't have a problem with it.
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I've communicated with spketch (another good Arizona dood) about doing some nice desert ironwood scales on my GB.....I'm going to go for it when I raise some dough selling lemonade or something.

I think the CF/G10 laminate will likely outlast me as far as durability goes, but figured (as much as I love this knife) why not personalize it for not TOO much cash, and make it how I want it......
 
I bought two when the GB first came out. Approx $125.00 each.

One of the best values I've seen. Liner lock. CF. M4.

However I found it a bit heavy for me and thick as well. I just never took to the knife.

If you don't like it, sell it and move on.

I carry a PM2 or a Manix 2 CF 90V most of the time.

These are both lighter, thinner and less obtrusive in the pocket.

YMMV.
 
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