M4: Gayle Bradley or Contego?

edit: beat by rycen

CrimsonTideShooter said:
Like I said above you are seeing the natural unfinished look of G10. G10 also has a weave (that's what you are seeing) except its fiberglass. (or some form of glass weave)


I'm in a Life/Health class right now, but I will look for the thread on the breaks.
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Thanks, appreciate the comparison to the Emerson. It doesn't really matter either way, but they looked the same size weave to me, so I was finding it hard to believe :)

edit: rycen beat me to this:

I found some message about it by Sal seemingly purposefully vague that might be what you're talking about. It's on the Sage, but from pictures they look like they have the same CF

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/show...1-is-it-true-about-the-CF&p=757266#post757266

In response to "Product description should say carbon fiber g10 mix."
sal said:
Hi Lock,

Each knife is different and some have changed in the process.

sal
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Maybe some Sages are and some aren't(?)

and from earlier confirming some Spydercos use a CF/G10 mix
http://www.spyderco.com/forums/show...1-is-it-true-about-the-CF&p=755241#post755241
sal said:
Hi Knight,

The answer to your question gets more complicated year by year. When we first began using carbon fiber back in the 90's with the Walker, we used solid carbon fiber that we managed to get from the F1 builders. HP Klotzly made the knives (we made the blades in Golden).

As more and more carbon fiber entered the market, variations abound. Now some of our knives are made with carbon only, some are a mix with G-10, some are not even carbon fiber, but glass fiber with no carbon in the layup.

When we say carbon fiber, we mean that some or all of the handle is carbon fiber, and contains carbon. When we say glass fiber, it means some or all of the handle will be glass fiber, certain combinations work better.

Hope that helps.

sal
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From Sal:

"Some are a mix of G10/carbon fiber."

It's pretty clear which ones are a mix. It's the ones with the distinct line between the CF and the "other" material. When I get home I'll take pics and show this demarcation.

hardheart said:
Does anyone know if it is G10? It isn't clear with the forum posts about changes and not specifying the glass fiber grade. There are other laminates out there, http://plasticwashers.newprocess.com/product/stamping-materials/nema-grade-laminates
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Either way both the GB and the sage is an amazing deal. If you can get the look of CF without having the full cost, why not? :D
 
Here is my vote in picture form.

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Sal also said some changed in the process, and referred to glass fiber as glass fiber, not the specific grade G10. I'm not asking which knives are blends, I'm asking if they are definitely layered with G10. There are glass fiber laminates that do not meet the G10 specifications. Some meet other specs, some meet none. You do not need G10 specifications for knife scales, unless your knife is left in hot deep fryers or as parts of circuit boards. Hell, CS is now advertising knives with 'faux G10'. It makes no practical difference, I just want to know what is the material used.
 
A.Dragg said:
Well said. I am generally a little skeptical about Asian made knives, instruments, etc. However, I've always been pretty impressed with Japanese work and they're kind of the exception for me in most cases. In a lot of cases, they seem to be on par with American built things and are often more consistent and sometimes have better fit and finish. However, this is not the case with Spyderco. Spyderco's very best knives are built in the Taichung factory. They build almost all of their "premium" knives there (the stuff with higher end materials, designs by "special" designers, the best fit and finish stuff, etc.). I'm glad they make the line of knives they do in Golden, CO, because I love their USA knives and I wouldn't want my Para's and Millie's built anywhere else. I'm glad all the Servicemen with those knives are using knives from an American company, built in the USA too. Trust me, I love the Golden stuff. However, the best fit and finish knives Spyderco has to offer, and the only knives that reach perfect or near-perfect fit and finish, are built in Taichung, Taiwan. I can speculate as to why that is, but the truth is they're are the best Spyderco's when it comes to great materials, designs, and fit and finish all-together. They're also some of the best value knives. I have no doubt they could build knives like the GB in Golden just as perfect, but it would cost twice as much. Instead, they train these guys in Taiwan to built the knives with that kind of attention to detail and then they can sell it for much less. $150 is a lot for a Taiwanese knife, but they're still a great price for what they are. The reason it's still that much money when it's built in Taiwan is because they're that high of quality and F&F.

Spyderco has a lot of faith in their Taichung factory and for good reason. Heck, it's even where they're building the Brad Southard flipper and other new high end designs with really high end steels and materials, designed by famous knife makers, like Ed Schemp, Laci Szabo, Marcin Slysz, etc. I would not hesitate to get a Taichung Spyderco. If you haven't yet, then you really haven't experienced how good Spyderco really is. I love my USA Spyderco's too, they're great and tough with classic designs, but the Taichung models are almost like a completely different brand of knife that should normally cost more than twice as much if made in the USA. I will gladly trade the fact that these knives are made in Taiwan for the value and quality you get for the price. I think when most people get a Taichung Spyderco they forget about where it's made right away. Especially with a perfect example like the GB which is such a robust and substantial knife with fit and finish that honestly surpasses many custom knife makers.
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I have to admit, I was one of those that was wary to buy a taiwan knife when there are so many good USA made knives available. Now that I have done it with buying the Gayle Bradley, I do not regret it. It has been said many times before and some people just can't get over the taiwan on the blade but the Gayle Bradley is considerably better than any of the golden made spydercos I have owned. And those Golden made spydercos are pretty damned good. Plus the Blade steel is US made.
 
When he said "glass fiber" he is referring to the Nishijin from Japan that everyone keeps calling CF. :)


I just took his word for it when he said "some are a mix of G10 and carbon fiber." I'm assuming he knows the materials going into them, but of course he could have been making a generalization.


hardheart said:
Sal also said some changed in the process, and referred to glass fiber as glass fiber, not the specific grade G10. I'm not asking which knives are blends, I'm asking if they are definitely layered with G10. There are glass fiber laminates that do not meet the G10 specifications. Some meet other specs, some meet none. You do not need G10 specifications for knife scales, unless your knife is left in hot deep fryers or as parts of circuit boards. Hell, CS is now advertising knives with 'faux G10'. It makes no practical difference, I just want to know what is the material used.
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"When we say carbon fiber, we mean that some or all of the handle is carbon fiber, and contains carbon. "

Sounds like this is the best answer we're going to get. I hadn't heard of this until today.
 
I thought it was common knowledge that most, if not all current CF models were actually G10 with a thin CF laminate on top. CF has a distinct look from the side view and so does G10. I have my Kershaw Tilt and GB in hand right now and the Tilt's CF has the usual wavy grey lines/strands. The GB looks EXACTLY the way G10 looks from the side. I almost feel like I can see the laminate, which seems like a thicker layer on top than the "grain" of the sides would suggest it would be. The face of CF also tends to blend in with the sides, as far as the lines/strands/weave or whatever. The scale of the GB looks outstanding and it does look like a solid piece of CF, not some cheap CF wannabe, but if you look close enough, it does kind of look like a laminate, even though it's very seamless and almost impossible to tell the difference. I know some have said that CF could still look just like G10 from that side view, but I have a knack for these kinds of things and details, and I would confidently bet money that this is laminated. Not that any of that makes me more credible. Still just my opinion. Anyway, it still looks PERFECT, just like everything else about the GB. And if it is G10 under a thin top layer, it's not like it's cheap all of a sudden. G10 isn't a cheap, crap material. It's very good, strong stuff that we all know and love on most high end knives. I love G10 on knives that cost triple what the GB does! It's not like they cheaped out and used some kind of injection molded toy plastic. Still, I understand wanting to know for sure.
 
Contego from a gripping standpoint, the GB for me was a bit to smooth, but as the OP mentioned he'll need to hold both to figure what's right for him, but my vote? it's EASILY the Contego, one heck of a knife, if the grip is a bit too edgy you can smooth it down pretty easily to your tastes. But, while I have other knives, if I wanted one that I didn't have to worry about it slipping/twisting in my hand when using it, it's the Contego without a doubt, just that good of a folder.

810_BM.jpg


810_BM1.jpg


I'd have kept the GB if it wasn't as smooth, as the blade is a real winner there, just too smooth for me...
G2
 
I don't own either of these knives.
I have however handled a Contego and have a personal experience with Spyderco's Taiwan and Carbon Fiber knives.
My opinion is that the Contego is a beautifully made heavy duty folder that feels great in the hand and you can get a great grip on it. Comes super sharp right out of the box. I love the blade shape as well, it's just a great shape for everyday tasks, as well as other heavier usage. I'm really wanting to try one out myself. It's large, well built, and a heavy duty knife, but it's not over built.

My opinion on Spyderco Knives(see my avatar) is that they are excellent, beautiful, well made, and well priced knives. I've never had an issue with a Spyderco knife as far as fit and finish, quality control, or faulty knives. As far as the Taiwan made Spyderco Knives, their fit and finish is beyond anything I've owned in a full production knife. The build, lines, quality, fit and finish, and tolerances are just amazing. I love my Taiwan Spydies. The only reason my favorite one was kicked out of the pocket was because I got a Sebenza. Now that we're on that subject, I always carry 2 knives, a bigger one for the bigger tasks, and a smaller one for the small tasks. My secondary carry is a Spyderco Chaparral(great little knife) made in Taiwan. The quality of it is the same or better as knives I've owned worth double the cost of my Chaparral. The carbon fiber is textured. While of course it's not as coarse or grippy as G-10, but it works. It's enough to get a good grip while still having a smooth and nice feeling and not tearing up your pockets or hands.

I would likely go with the Gayle Bradley because I love Spyderco and the quality is above and beyond. I would also likely end up with the Contego later on as well.

Good luck in your decision!
 
after reading this thread with some interest i examined my GB under magnification. it's from the earlier run, solid liners. also solid CF.
 
Well, I bought the Contego (satin, no serrations) . I had some trepidation given what I've read elsewhere but I really like this knife. The axis lock and the heavy blade work perfectly together. The blade is a thing of beauty and it certainly cuts. I may be crazy but cutting with M4 feels different than cutting with stainless steels. I have strong but soft hands and the material is not too rough for me. I did read somewhere (BM forum?) that after the first run they toned down the G10 and/or jimping (maybe ZT should listen for their terrific 0560 --- heck, I did hear even they are reducing the detent or already have done so; I do wish the jimping was rounded and less square, or completely gone, around the flipper).

Back to the Contego. It doesn't look like any BM I've had before --- less refined looking but more purpose built looking. Maybe BM listened to customer complaints and built a better knife. QC on mine is fine. I definitely recommend the satin over the black for this knife, but that's just me.

The look of the Gayle Bradley didn't do it for me in pictures. I'm sure it looks much better in person. And I've heard great things about their Taiwan knifes. My biggest concern was the lack of grip on the CF according to some. Still, if I bought this knife I'm almost sure I would have kept it. In contrast to the usual, the BM (Contego) goes for less than the Spyderco (GB). Heck, I'd probably prefer it to the Contego! :-)

Two great knives somewhat under the radar screen.

Tx.
 
I'll agree with Brother Zookie that the Gayle Bradley's liner lock is a little too difficult to disengage as it comes from the factory, as there is no relief of the scale to give you access to the liner. As I have noted ad nauseum, the GB is vastly improved with a little mill work that relieves the scale and gives good access to the Spydie hole and liner. It totally transforms the knife. Also, the slickish carbon fiber looks good, but seems a little out of place on what otherwise is a serious work knife (in my view).

I'll just throw in here that I don't view either the Gayle Bradley or the 810 Contego as objectively "better". They are just different. A guy could make it through the day just fine with either. My Contego is back at Benchmade for a warranty replacement of the glass breaker, so I'm itching for its return.

Both knives are at or near the top of my list of favorite EDC knives, and I highly recommend both.

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