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I Finally Bit The Bullet - Got A Gayle Bradley

GatorFlash1

GatorFlash1

Joined
May 28, 2012
Messages
3,189
With all the Spyderco knives I have used and collected for some reason the Gayle Bradley escaped me. Well I finally bought it, the carbon fiber scales did the trick. For some reason I was thinking it was more of a gents folder instead of a pure cutting machine made from tool steel and as tough as my wife. Except for the fact that I have to slather a little Breakfree CLP on it every now and then, I'm getting to really enjoy using it around my shop. I like the big knives, Manix XL, etc. and this fits me to a tee. And boy, it really cuts.

I found a good YouTube video by Gayle Bradley himself that you might enjoy as much as I did. It is always fun to see the guy behind the knife discuss his design logic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk0IxU-fuW4
 
Has the knife changed since it's introduction? I found it interesting that the M4 steel was the best steel for use in the knife cutting competitions. Not sure the reason.
 
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Only thing I know that's changed is the first run or so did not have milled out liners, resulting in slightly more weight.

It's a workhorse of a knife. It wouldn't bother me if it had G10 that gave a little more grip than the carbon fiber, but that'd just add to the weight. Don't let its looks deceive you.
 
I found the CF scales to be very slippery, which created less traction while pushing the lock to close it. But yes, it is an excellent slicer.
 
GatorFlash1 said:
Has the knife changed since it's introduction? I found it interesting that the M4 steel was the best steel for use in the knife cutting competitions. Not sure the reason.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking that the M4 used in the competition is a way different animal than the one we have in our GB's though...
 
I would love to see a mini-Gayle Bradley with a 3" blade. I'm crazy over the knife but the grip doesn't fit my hand well, the grip feels beefier than the Pm2 and I can't get use to it. One can dream.
 
GatorFlash1 said:
How so? I know CPM has their powdered version but what would competitors have that is different. It seems to me it would be very difficult to brew your own craft M4.

http://faq.customtacticals.com/steels/carbon_m4.php

A mini GB 3" would be great.
Click to expand...

Different heat treat protocols will make a major difference. So much so that it will make
the same steel perform like two different steels. That's not even taking into account the edge geometry.
 
congrats OP, you won't be dissapointed with the Gayle Bradley folder. it is the folder which sparks all the love for spyderco from me.

uofaengr said:
Only thing I know that's changed is the first run or so did not have milled out liners, resulting in slightly more weight.

It's a workhorse of a knife. It wouldn't bother me if it had G10 that gave a little more grip than the carbon fiber, but that'd just add to the weight. Don't let its looks deceive you.
Click to expand...

you're right. the first run liners' aren't milled and the weight is noticeable.
 
singularity35 said:
Different heat treat protocols will make a major difference. So much so that it will make
the same steel perform like two different steels. That's not even taking into account the edge geometry.
Click to expand...

Got cha. But the basic steel chemistry starts with the same elements, right?

I wonder how competitors temper or grind their knives differently from what Spyderco does.

Maybe someone from Spyderco can educate me.
 
I love this knife, but jobs are done better by other knives IMHO. This knife honestly we be my choice for a pleasure knife. Something I'd whittle and carve with.
I could live with it if its all I had, but I'd wrather leave this at home, and take out a PM2 or my Manix 2 XL
I'd never damage or harm this beauty. I love the steel used and the idea behind it, which is why I'd use a Gayle Bradley for the things I do. But getting it a dirty, even a bit would make me sad.
I personally don't like EDCing anything that isn't made with stainless steel, I'd be more flexible with that rule of mine if I didn't live in such a place I do now, but I would still feel the same, I'd feel uncompfortable carrying anything non-stainless steel
 
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GatorFlash1 said:
Got cha. But the basic steel chemistry starts with the same elements, right?

I wonder how competitors temper or grind their knives differently from what Spyderco does.

Maybe someone from Spyderco can educate me.
Click to expand...

Sure, same basic chemistry. This was discussed in a couple of threads some time ago. I don't remember much from those discussions but they were pretty interesting to me.

Different competitors design their HT to whatever preferences they have. Unit, a member here, participated in bladesports some time ago. Not sure if he still does. I hope he chimes in, that guy has a lot of steel and knife knowledge too.
 
You are going to love it!
Cut through this can and it still shaves paper and hair!! I think M4 is my new favorite steel!!



 
The Gayle Bradley is an awesome knife:thumbup:

The quality, fit and finish is up there with knives like the sebenza!
I even see some similarities of the GB and a Sebbie,
-they both have that "bank vault" feel
-they both use a pivot bushing
-they both have impeccable fit & finish

These knives were meant to work, and work hard! Although the GB falls short with its carbon steel blade, that can be remedied by forcing a patina. With a forced patina, it requires significantly less maintenance IMO.

20141108_100708_zpsgdhmpvam.jpg
 
GatorFlash1 said:
Has the knife changed since it's introduction? I found it interesting that the M4 steel was the best steel for use in the knife cutting competitions. Not sure the reason.
Click to expand...

That is the steel that Gayle Bradley uses on his customs and what he wanted. CPM-M4 is also a very tough steel, which is something you want when you are chopping 2x4s, golf balls, abrasive rope, and need to get a good time without totally losing your edge or breaking the blade. When the Bradley folder was first released it had full steel liners, and some say the very first batch of say 200-500 knives was sold with a much higher Rc blade than the latter runs. the GB trademark was missing as well from a few in the beginning, but added shortly later.

WHen I got my first one about 4 years ago, I put it to work removing old Cat3 and Cat5 cables. I cut through 240+ cables and there was no appreciable edge damage, aside from one small flat spot where the bulk of the cutting occurred.
 
Nice, when I get moved and settle things down a bit I'm getting the gayle bradley.
 
Blues Bender said:
The quality, fit and finish is up there with knives like the sebenza!
Click to expand...

That's what I've been saying! Knife guys scoff sometimes until they actually own a GB. I've beat on all my GB's like they owe me money, taken them apart, etc. and they always end up centered with a solid lock up and they stay hair whittling sharp for a long, long time. I am a HUGE fan of CPM-M4. Especially how Spyderco does it.

I carried mine today (scales courtesy of SPKETCH, a fantastic member on here). The Manix is my dad's. He likes serrations; me, not so much.

PART_1415493925858_20141108_142713_zps7e3b4df3.jpg
 
After using the GB for various yard and shop tasks the one thing that jumps out is the smoothness of the action, very slick.
 
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