Getting rid of my PM2, replace with Spyderco Gayle Bradly or Benchmade Rift, or ?

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bofe954

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Jan 10, 2013
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Loved the PM2 when I bought it, carried for a few months now. Used it for a pocket knife, haven't used it "hard" in my estimation. Looking at the blade I can already see some nicks, a tiny part of tip has broken off. They are tiny and could be sharpened away like nothing, but I don't feel real confident in the knife long term and want something a little tougher.

I have a Adamas, it is a little big and heavy to carry all the time, I carry it if I am hitting the woods.

I like the size/weight of the PM2, but could go a little heavier, bigger and not care.

I really like the Gayle Bradley, but it bugs me that it isn't american made. I have read enough reviews that I am sure the quality is fine, it just bugs me, and I try and buy american made stuff when I can.

So I looked at benchmade, I like the rift. Handle may be a little fat for everyday. I will miss the spidey hole. Not sure about the steel...

I feel like the benchmade will be a little bigger than I want, look a little scarier than I want. The bradley will be closer to what I want, but I have to stomach the Taiwan thing whenever I touch it.

Any suggestions?
 
A small BM Bone Collector or maybe one of the hole-equipped Griptillians?
 
Do you just have the regular version of the PM2? There's sprint and exclusive runs that use different steels that you may feel more confident with if you can find (and afford) them. I got one off the exchange here with CTS-204P and I absolutely love it.

As far as the Spydies made in Taiwan, Japan, or elsewhere; they may be made overseas, but Spyderco still oversees the QC, and it's my understanding that the latest ones to come from there like the Domino are absolutely phenomenal. I don't have one myself, but I would like to. I've heard nothing but good things about them so far.
 
I have a GB made in Taiwan and the F&F is as good as anything I have seen. It lacks nothing. As far as being made in Taiwan, it's a U.S. company that you support by purchasing their products. If Spyderco made the Gayle Bradley here in the U.S. and some other blade off shore, just because you purchased a GB does not mean that the $ you spent would not be invested offshore anyway.

Go get a Gayle Bradley and stop worrying about where you think you are sending your money.
 
I can't recommend the Rift highly enough.

The ergo's are fantastic (at least for me) and it's one of the smoothest opening knives I've had. Great blade design. The reverse tanto design offers a lot of utility for various tasks. The tip is reinforced and the big belly makes it a great slicer. Really a great knife on many levels.

One of BM's better offering's IMO.

Best of luck!
 
All Spyderco knives made in Taiwan use american materials, if that makes you feel any better. The Gayle Bradley is the best knife for the money IMO.
 
The tip is already tougher since you broke the fine tip off. Resharpen at a slightly higher angle and the edge shouldn't be any less though than on other folders..

It is a good excuse to get a Bradley though;)
 
I'm in the same boat as you... . Paramilitary is THE ultimate knife, but eventually you get this craving for something a little bit sturdier.

The following will satisfy this issue:
Benchmade Contego
Spyderco southard
Spyderco loin spy
Spyderco tuff

And if you really feel like being a smart ass
Hinderer xm18 spanto. .

Notice all spyderco I mentioned are from out sources. I have not owned a gayle Bradley yet. But agree with other users that you can't go wrong there. . . Its famous like Micheal Jackson bro!!!

Otherwise a titanium frame lock military will make you feel more manly if you need.
 
Technically the GB is made in America and "assembled" in Taiwan. Or so I tell myself anyway...
Honestly though it's a sturdy, tough, workhorse of a folder that takes an amazing edge and stays sharp. My Kershaw Blur couldn't hold a candle to the GB as far as staying tough with everyday tasks.
 
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The BM M4 710 (recently back in stock at a certain retailer) is the best bang-for-the-buck "robust" folder. It sports great reach, an excellent recurve for slicing, slim pocket carry, and a very powerful lock at an incredible price. Watch BM's 710 test video; the lock strength is identical to the 810, which is a larger handled knife with about the same size blade.

I own the Gayle Bradley, 710, PM 2, Adamas, and Contego. The 710 is the best balanced knife out of those, and the lock is leaps ahead of the Gayle Bradley in terms of deployment speed and ease of use.
 
The GB is a fantastic knife. I don't care if it's made in Timbucktoo. It is an amazing knife, fit and finish are top shelf. Carbon Fiber and CPM M4, what else could you need??:thumbup:
 
I thought about the 710, I like thin knives, and I kind of like the more classic look. I'm knocking it out due the same tip strength issues and the standoff issue.

I do also like the spidey hole.

I need tip up, so military is out. If they come up with a military that an be carried tip up, I'm buying.

I think it will end up gayle bradley.
 
The Rift has a really comfy handle and an excellent blade design. It's one of the nicer combinations of form and function meeting that I've seen at its' price point.
 
If you like the compression lock, the SuperLeaf might be worth checking out. It's similar to the PM2 in length, but it's got a wider and thicker blade and handle.

PM2_Superleaf_2_800x404.jpg
 
The Gayle Bradley is very similar in size to the PM2 but it's a very strong uber-cutter. CPM M4 is a tough steel.
 
After using both the GB and the Rift, I passed on the GB. The Rift handle felt more comfortable in my hand, I like the "reverse tanto" design that Warren Osborne uses in the Rift (and the 940, and the 810 Congeto). I also prefer the Axis lock. The one thing the GB has over the standard production Rift is the blade steel. CPM-M4 over 154CM. If you can find a M4 version of the Rift -- they are out there -- then that advantage goes away.

I sold my Rift to get a Contego, but I will be picking up another Rift -- hopefully by the time I save up the money they will decide to release it in M390, either as a limited edition or as the new regular production steel (hey, I can hope, right?).
 
Oakengroves said:
The BM M4 710 (recently back in stock at a certain retailer) is the best bang-for-the-buck "robust" folder. It sports great reach, an excellent recurve for slicing, slim pocket carry, and a very powerful lock at an incredible price. Watch BM's 710 test video; the lock strength is identical to the 810, which is a larger handled knife with about the same size blade.

I own the Gayle Bradley, 710, PM 2, Adamas, and Contego. The 710 is the best balanced knife out of those, and the lock is leaps ahead of the Gayle Bradley in terms of deployment speed and ease of use.
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probably stronger too. The gb always seemed like it would have bad hotspots for hard cutting too because of the proud liners. The fairly flat handle the 710 has lends itself really well to harder cuts I find since the contact in a hammer grip is pretty large. It never feels like its jabbing into my hand lime a lot of heavily curved spyderco handles tend to do.
 
flarp said:
If you like the compression lock, the SuperLeaf might be worth checking out. It's similar to the PM2 in length, but it's got a wider and thicker blade and handle.

PM2_Superleaf_2_800x404.jpg
Click to expand...
I'd stay away from the superleaf. A lot of them have blades that go too far in and can hit your finger if you flick it closed like you would the para2 or yojimbo. There's a good reason they discontinued it.
 
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