Let's talk about the Gayle Bradley folder

Surfingringo

Surfingringo

Joined
May 25, 2013
Messages
3,700
Well, I am going to be in the u.s. next week and there's a box waiting for me there with a Gayle Bradley in it! I'm really excited about this knife! I just have a feeling this is going to be a great knife for me. I really appreciate quality f&f, but I'm not into delicate little "safe queens". I like a well made knife that's made to be used! From everything I've read and watched, this is what I'm getting in the GB. This will be my fifth spyderco and I'm thinking to give it a rest for awhile if I really like this one. Seriously, I mean it! Hehehe. Anyway, I just wanted to hear some more of your experiences before I get my new knife. Friday seems really far away! ;).

Right now my four spydies are...
1. Dragonfly salt- love it!
2. Pacific salt- love it!
3. Paramilitary 2- love it!
4. Manix 2 lightweight- meh...(anybody wanna trade something for this one while I'm home?)
 
If i remember correctly you live near an ocean. The steel is not very corrosion resistant. You will want some kind of anti corrosion measure.
 
The GB is really a great knife. Years ago Tim Wenger of Blade Tech did the same blade shape. Love that one, love the Gb too. It is a fantastic blade, super sturdy knife. As stated above, M4 IS rust prone. I carried mine clipped inside my board shorts here in Las Vegas, and sweating did induce rust spots on the Spydie hole in only a day. Nothing major, a little 1000 grit handled it, but just an FYI. I would recommend the Marine Tuf Cloth to protect the blade. Otherwise, I love mine. M4 is in my top 3-4 favorite steels right now.
 
Personally, GB is the best non-flipper Spyderco and an uber-cutter. M4 cuts all day but needs a little care against rust. I live a few miles from Pacific Ocean so you need to rinse, dry and lube. Look closely for rust spots and use Flitz. It's a good-sized folder with a great grip. a tad on the heavy side but that's relatively when compared to PM2.

Do check out this thread: Photos - Gayle Bradley Hard Use
 
Vegas Blade said:
The GB is really a great knife. Years ago Tim Wenger of Blade Tech did the same blade shape. Love that one, love the Gb too. It is a fantastic blade, super sturdy knife. As stated above, M4 IS rust prone. I carried mine clipped inside my board shorts here in Las Vegas, and sweating did induce rust spots on the Spydie hole in only a day. Nothing major, a little 1000 grit handled it, but just an FYI. I would recommend the Marine Tuf Cloth to protect the blade. Otherwise, I love mine. M4 is in my top 3-4 favorite steels right now.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm aware of the corrosion potential. I've actually been reading about that and trying to decide the best solution. Was thinking to force a patina right off the bat...stick it in a potato or mango or something. Supposedly establishing a patina is supposed to help keep the red rust at bay, but opinions vary. Then I was reading about something called "tuff glide". I read where a couple of folks tried to force a patina after applying tough glide and were not able to start any patina, even after trying to wash off the tuff glide with soap and water! So that's an option. What is a marine tuff cloth?

Right now I'm thinking to either...
A. Force a patina then apply tough glide
B. Apply tough glide right out of the box
C. Just use it and maintain it and let nature take its course

Any advice or recommendations on what's the best plan?

Edit: I'm about to buy some stuff online today. I'm thinking to get the marine tough cloth and a 4oz spray bottle of marine tuff glide. I had never heard of these products before today, so wanted to ask if those are the right ones to get?

Thanks
 
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Surfingringo said:
Right now I'm thinking to either...
A. Force a patina then apply tough glide
B. Apply tough glide right out of the box
Click to expand...

These two options. Decide based on:
-If you don't mind disassembly, then disassemble, force a patina (try a cold gun blue even), then Tuff Glide and reassemble.
-If you want the shiny look and not screwing with disassembly, then just Tuff Glide the hell out of it right off the bat. Soak that stuff right in till it drips out. Then dry with a cloth (a silicone impregnated cloth maybe). Reapply Tuff Glide on a periodic basis. Works quite well. :thumbup:
 
I just got one and put a STR lowrider clip on it. Feels better riding lower in the pocket since it is a little heavy. I haven't done anything to the blade, but I'd consider forcing a patina. I'm also considering grinding out a little liner/scale around the spyder hole so the lock bar is easier to get into.

Question about Tuff Glide: is it food safe? What other options are there?
 
The Gayle Bradley is amazing. When I'm looking through my knives for a tough one that's comfortable in hand and slices like a mofo, I pick the GB. The edge holding is fantastic as well.

Excuse me, I'm gonna go pull out my Gayle Bradley and admire it for awhile.
 
Tuf-Cloth and Tuf-Glide are not food safe. I use Marine Tuf-Cloth and it does dry well so I don't worry much about infrequent food contact. For blades with frequent food contact I use Froglube which is food safe.
 
As above, I was thinking Marine Tuf-Glide. As much as you use your knives, I don't think rust will be an issue on the blade, rather the hidden pivot area that won't dry as quickly.
 
nickites said:
I just got one and put a STR lowrider clip on it. Feels better riding lower in the pocket since it is a little heavy. I haven't done anything to the blade, but I'd consider forcing a patina. I'm also considering grinding out a little liner/scale around the spyder hole so the lock bar is easier to get into.

Question about Tuff Glide: is it food safe? What other options are there?
Click to expand...
I use mineral oil(food safe) few bucks at almost any store.No rust issues here,rinse,dry,lube works well for me.
 
I have had my first for a couple weeks and a camping trip, this knife is about as good as it gets for me now I won't leave home without it. Comfortable in hand ,no hotspots and great for cutting hotdog sticks. LOL Spydie did a great job, looking for a backup if that says anything!
 
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I live in a pretty humid area and just use a rod & reel silicon cloth on mine to great effect. For the pivot area, I use Otis Special Forces Dry Lube - the same stuff I use on my carry pistol. It leaves a protective residue while keeping the pivot slick. Gunzilla will do the same thing and is probably more food safe.

I love my GB. Fit and finish are perfect, it fits my hand very well, and cuts forever. It's a real heavy-user.
 
Gayle lives somewhat close to me and I've had the pleasure of speaking with him at length on a couple of occasions; if you don't know, he's BIG into cutting performance, and his customs are totally works of art. That said, we've discussed his Spyderco models and his focus was on bringing the slicing ability of his big competition knives, and steel choices to the folders. The Spydie GB carries well, it's light, and it cuts very very well.

I would definitely clean with acetone, force a patina, maybe using apple cider vinegar...then recoat in TuffGlide and swipe it with a silicon rag before taking it fishing. I agree the pivot should be the spo to keep an eye on.

I think you're in for a treat.
 
i live near the ocean and pretty humid area. I carried GB exclusively for almost 5 months. at the first week of use, the steel starts to show rust spots clipped in my sweaty jeans pocket. I am sweating a lot. but after 1 month of caring it, removing rusts almost everynight, the patina develops and it is less prone to rust now. btw I am not using oils or any 'rust inhibitor', I use my knives around foods also.

bet you gonna like it. the knife is a real workhorse.
 
To anyone who's forced a patina: did you disassemble and do the whole blade (did you protect the pivot and detent area) or did you just dip it as far as you could into an acidic substance?
 
762cal said:
i live near the ocean and pretty humid area. I carried GB exclusively for almost 5 months. at the first week of use, the steel starts to show rust spots clipped in my sweaty jeans pocket. I am sweating a lot. but after 1 month of caring it, removing rusts almost everynight, the patina develops and it is less prone to rust now. btw I am not using oils or any 'rust inhibitor', I use my knives around foods also.

bet you gonna like it. the knife is a real workhorse.
Click to expand...

Good info, thanks. What did you use for removing the rust?
 
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