Manix 2 or Gayle Bradley? Help!

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wongKI

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Jul 9, 2009
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Hi all! As the thread title says I'm lost between a new working folder-I've narrowed it down to the Manix 2 and Gayle Bradley. So what questions I have are:

How much of a problem is corrosion with CPM M4? I live in the tropics, so do bear that in mind. I'd like to hear from anyone who's used M4 in the tropics.

How hard is it to unlock the Gayle Bradley's liner lock as a lefty? I can do the Military's liner lock effortlessly, but the Gayle Bradley looks a little harder.

And lastly, how would M4 compare to 154CM in their respective applications?

I much prefer the look and feel of the M2 to the GB, but CPM M4 and carbon fiber are what's swaying me. An M4 Manix2 would be ultimate!
 
M4 should have much better edge holding and superior toughness to 154CM, but the latter is still a very good steel. If you've used VG10 it's similar to that in most respects. M4 does have very poor corrosion resistance from what I've read.

I know the M2 can be switched for left handed carry and the lock is fully ambidextrous.

Can only say good things about the Manix 2. Carries very well for how beefy and rugged it is. Very well.

Have not handled the Bradley but the materials do look particularly nice.
 
I myself wouldn't want M4 in the tropics.

S30V is a great steel in many areas. One being very corrosion resistant, tough, holds edge, and is fairly easy to sharpen.

I might suggest a original mini manix. Same size as manix2, but with S30V. Its a real looker as well since it doesn't have all the jimping, and has a much better looking lock.
 
M4 is much more corrosion resitant than you woul think, it will rust but only about as fast as D2. Performance will be night and day with M4 in almost all areas except rust resistance. If you don't mind taking care of your blade and want the best performance then go with M4.
 
Steels on the same level of M4 would be: S90V, ZDP-189, and INFI, wear resistance of the first two with the toughness of the later. S30V is still very good plus its stainless but its just not on the same level as M4. M4 is about as good as it gets when it comes to a steel with a good balance of everything.
 
I really like the looks of the GB folder but I'm not so sure that it might be marketed wrong. It just doesn't strike me as a workhorse. I have not held it or even seen it up close so I could be wrong but it just doesn't scream tank to me. On the other hand neither does the Caly III but it's a tough little knife.

I would think that the Manix would take a beating and ask for more. It also is an open frame construction which would make for easy clean up.
 
Ken44 said:
I might suggest a original mini manix. Same size as manix2, but with S30V. Its a real looker as well since it doesn't have all the jimping, and has a much better looking lock.
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I don't understand what looks bad about the M2's lock?
 
Hmmm. Currently I'm stuck between Manix2 plus Etched Cricket, Gayle Bradley or Large Manix (assuming I can find that for below 150)

That etched Cricket is tipping the balance, I can tell you!
 
There's no contest, get the Gayle Bradley, it's worth every extra penny. You'll regret it if you don't. You can get the Cricket later if that fancies you.
 
Vivi said:
I don't understand what looks bad about the M2's lock?
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Well it wouldn't be any fun if we were all the same, and liked the same stuff would it?

To me that clearish polymer(plastic) thingy on the side of a knife just looks like total crap:barf:

See, its OK to differ:D


BTW- Spyderco gives us more options than several knife companys put together. With all that versatility there will be many some love that others will not. Gotta love Spyderco:thumbup:
 
I agree with you on your first and last points for sure :)

Had my good friend that's also into Spydercos make the same comment about the lock. Just don't see it myself. Never looked ugly or cheap to me, and it serves a purpose so meh.

I'm pretty strict on function before form anyways. I'm sure anyone that's seen some of my reprofiled Spydercos will know that I am not lying. :D
 
Liveitloud said:
I really like the looks of the GB folder but I'm not so sure that it might be marketed wrong. It just doesn't strike me as a workhorse. I have not held it or even seen it up close so I could be wrong but it just doesn't scream tank to me. On the other hand neither does the Caly III but it's a tough little knife.

I would think that the Manix would take a beating and ask for more. It also is an open frame construction which would make for easy clean up.
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I haven't received my production Bradley yet but I held a proto and while it did not feel like a tank in the way an SNG does, it felt like a classy serious work knife in the genre of a Sebenza.
 
fishface5 said:
I haven't received my production Bradley yet but I held a proto and while it did not feel like a tank in the way an SNG does, it felt like a classy serious work knife in the genre of a Sebenza.
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Thanks for the clarification fishface. Just looking at it, it "appears" to have a more gentleman folder look. Looks can be deceiving I guess. ;)
 
wongKI said:
Damn! Indecision once more!

Any lefties care to speak on the GB?
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I'll let you know later today. I found the Khuk easy to unlock with my left hand and I *think* the GB folder is going to be similar - but I won't know until I can try one today.

I find the Manix 2 caged ball lock a PITA to use one-handed unless I let gravity drop the blade, which I prefer not to do. To control the blade's closing with one finger (index) while using the thumb and middle finger to unlock the knife is awkward and requires a big hand. It's a great mechanism with so-so ergonomics. It needs a Gen3 revision, IMO.
 
wongKI said:
Damn! Indecision once more!

Any lefties care to speak on the GB?
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I am a southpaw, and my GB is on the way. I will let you know, but from what I see, there is no big cutout, so it should be no problem. I generally do not go to liner locks, because of my terminal leftyness, but in this case, it is too good to pass up. :)
 
That was my feeling exactly. I'm trying to negotiate a deal on a FG manix-if that falls through it'll probably be the GB, if you and JNewell report favourably
 
How hard is it to unlock the Gayle Bradley's liner lock as a lefty? I can do the Military's liner lock effortlessly, but the Gayle Bradley looks a little harder.
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I have had a chance to handle one now and I would say that it works just fine. As I suspected, it is very similar to the Barong or Khukuri in terms of ease of use. I found those easy to unlock left-handed, so you can use those as a sort of proxy for testing. If anything, the Bradley might be a tad easier because the lockbar has some light jimping on the top surface that makes it a little easier to apply sidewise force on the locking leaf.

I will do a quick video and post a link for your interest.

This is one solid piece of work, and the F&F is top notch. My older son said you could probably run this thing over with a truck and not hurt it, and I think he's right. This one really raises the M4 bar, especially at around $140. Buy it now before Spyderco realizes they're giving this thing away.
 
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