I'm going to buy a Spyderco

C

cutter17

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May 16, 2006
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This will be my first Spyderco in a very long time. There are 3 that I'm interested in atm, so suggesting another Spyderco is not what I'm really looking for. The three are;

1- Gayle Bradley

2- Perrin PPT

3- Titanium Military


I like for a folder to have a very solid feel in my had and this usually requires a little more weight to acheive. The lightest knife I edc is my Kershaw Volt, which weighs right at 5 ounces. The above three knives all weigh over the 5 ounce barrier.

I like the GB simply because I've yet to read anything negative about it. The Perrin PPT is just a very nice looking design, and I love the foldover deep carry clip it has. The titanium Military is the only one I really have a question about. Did I, or did I not, read that the titanium Military had to undergo a redesign due to something about the lock? It seems I read about a ss insert being the fix.

Those are really the only questions I have as I've researched the three, well obviously not the ti Military as well as I should have, but it is one of those three I'm going to purchase.

Any info on the titanium Military would be greatly appreciated!:thumbup::)
 
I just ordered a PPT and it should be here shortly, but I did own a Gayle Bradley and its deceivingly heavy (feels lighter than it is), but extremely well built. Its bordering on frame-lock with its liner-lock size and its just over-built all over. That CPM M4 steel is a marvel of its own and will hold an edge for a super long time.

I want to say that both the Perrin and Ti Millie are S30v blades, but you can find an S90v version of either the Millie or Para Millie - that is some seriously over-the-top material to build a blade out of (for a folder). Very good stuff.

The Perrin is a heavy knife because of the combo of a hybrid frame-lock and another scale on that side (as well as the stainless back-spacer). Its a good knife, and being a hybrid and more of a frame-lock than a liner lock, its actually got a better locking mechanism than both the Bradley and Millie (which is also a liner-lock I believe). The Millie has the thinnest liner-lock of the three, but is a tough knife none the less.

Keep in mind that your needs of size/shape, and blade-length/shape are also a factor in what you EDC. The Perrin has a choil - which I'm a fan of, and a completely different blade-shape than the other two. The Millie would have the "pointiest" blade, where as the Gayle Bradley has an almost obtuse angle at the tip (the PPT having a modified Wharncliffe blade shape would be in the middle, but the edge is different on all three as well).

The Gayle Bradley is the only one of the three with a hollow grind - keep that in mind as well. They all come with good clips (the PPT's clip isn't reversable).

The PPT (when closed) has the base of the tang sticking out of the top of the handle - which is odd for a Spyderco, but I find that forgivable if the knife is as ergonomic as I think it is and as high-quality as my other Taiwan-made Spydercos were (the Gayle Bradley being one of them).


Good luck - if you want a big knife, I'd go with the Gayle Bradley or the Ti Millie (depending on what blade shape you prefer). If you want a smaller knife, I'd look at either the Para Military or the Perrin PPT (or if you want a 3" blade, possibly a Sage 2 - Ti Framelock, but its pretty lightweight).
 
Oh crap - disregard my stuff about the Millie being a liner-lock - I forgot the Ti version was a frame-lock, so its probably a thicker lock-bar than the Perrin (I've never held one, but from Youtube videos, it appears to be thicker). I guess it sort of has a Choil as well (it is tiny though).

One more thing to consider is jimping - the Gayle Bradley has almost no jimping on it (I believe only on the locking mechanism).
 
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I have a PPT, a M4/Ti milli and the Gayle Bradley -- I wholeheartedly rec the Gayle Bradley based on your criteria. The only caveat would be if you have issues with a non-stainless blade.
That being said, all three are great choices and all favorites of mine.
 
Hey guy's, thanks for the information. I have no problems with the non-stainless M4. But I'm still trying to figure out the thing with the titanium lock on the Ti Military. I guess it's research time!!

The PPT is really a neat looking design and it may just be the frontrunner at the moment.:thumbup::)
 
The m4/ti milli has the stainless steel insert -- it is being rolled out to all the ti milli models. The ideal behind it is threefold:

1. It acts as a overtravel stop for the lockbar
2. In theory in lengthens the lock life as it won't wear like Ti
3. It is replaceable

All the new Ti millis are starting to be released with the insert. I am sure you can request it from your dealer should they also have older stock.

Hope that helps.
 
If you can, get to a knife shop, or a knife/gun show dealer. I handled the PPT and Gayle Bradley at a shop last year. I had different expectations of both, from seeing them online, I was pleasantly surprised. I don't own either one though.

Also, see if Bladeforums is doing a passaround on these models.


The GB is a more utility design than the PPT. I wasn't a big fan of the feel in hand of the PPT. I liked the GB more. Just my opinions, both looked like great knives.

I have not checked out the Ti Military, but have had several Military models. The first run of anything always has to work out the kinks, but I have been thinking about getting a Ti model.
 
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One other thought - I really like the PPT but I do have large hands and the grip is a bit cramped in them. The Bradley and Milli each fit like a glove.
PPT blade shape is very functional and I am very fond of its low ride clip.
 
i got a GB and immediately sold it...no jimping, just doesnt have that rugged "im a user" look to it. go with the mili.
 
Popsickle said:
i got a GB and immediately sold it...no jimping, just doesnt have that rugged "im a user" look to it. go with the mili.
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That's precisely why I like it so much-- it *looks* refined but is built like a tank and can take as much, if not more abuse than a milli :) To each their own though...
 
My main EDC since last summer has been a PPT. It carries really well and makes a great user.

The Bradley is an awesome knife, but I ended up selling mine. I never quite warmed to its ergos and the proud liners. I like the CF Stretch more for something with a similar size and blade shape.

I’ll probably end up buying a Ti Military eventually just because it’s so cool, but I’ve been carrying smaller knives over the last few years and the Military seems huge to me now.
 
singularity35 said:
Please refer to this part of the OP.
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Well I think his first spyderco should be one of the best !!! If he wants the best steel spyderco makes find a xhp manix 2 ,if he wants the most comfortable in and out of pocket with great edge retention get the cf stretch . They are both within the price limit of the ti milie . For me cpmS30v just doesn't do it for me anymore . If you only use your blade sparingly then get milie. If u want a blade that puts your index finger at risk and you have to treat to prevent rust get bradley . Never had ppt so I would say watch some vids on youtube alot of complaints on that knife. But if you still can't make up your mind post a vote thread of the three wait a week and buy the winner.
 
^Agreed with above. PPT and GB are close but I prefer the ergos, smaller size, handles and structured grip of the PPT; the greater ambidexterity and far superior steel of the GB are its plus points. (Greater doesn't mean perfect, just that less of the hole is covered)
 
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