- Joined
- Apr 4, 2009
- Messages
- 69
Banner day here! The Gayle Bradley Carbon Fiber has been on backorder for some time, so the excitement boiled over when it showed up on my doorstep this morning. I attacked the shipping box with my Stretch CF EDC immediately. Wow, the Gayle Bradley is a gorgeous piece of work and quite substantial. The carbon fiber scales look and feel great. It even has a gold Spydie on the clip:
Very cool. Had to open the CPM M4 blade right away:
Kristie described the Gayle Bradley as a beefier Stretch, and that's exactly what it feels like. The Bradley weighs in at 5.5 oz compared to the Stretch CF's 3.9 oz and you can feel the difference. The GB also sports thicker stainless steel liners and CF scales, making it quite rigid in the hand:
This image hopefully shows how the liner has been cut-out to save weight, which has dropped from the published 5.5 oz in the original production run to 5.1 oz in the current run:
The above image also shows how the GB has a completely open spine, allowing thorough cleaning after heavy use without disassembly. Here you can see the open vs. closed spines of the Bradley CF and Stretch CF as well as more of how the Bradley's liners have been lightened:
Gayle Bradley's Weatherford Texas logo displays proudly on the blade:
Here's a comparison shot of, from top to bottom, the Endura 4 Black Blade CE, Gayle Bradley CF, Stretch CF, and Delica 4 CE:
Although much wider than the Stretch CF, the Bradley's handle reaches only 1/4" longer. The Bradley's 3-7/16" blade compares favorably with the Stretch's 3.5" blade.
Overall, the Gayle Bradley feels very substantial and looks ready for work. Gayle Bradley offered on this forum that he has carried his for about ten months and the CPM M4 has served him well with no issues. Although not stainless, the M4 only needs occasional care with a little silicon or other preservative on the blade to maintain it. I personally use a silicon gun cloth on all my knives, which works great and doesn't run or pool.
The Bradley functioned perfectly out of the box. It opens easily and the stainless steel Mike Walker LinerLock engages positively with a distinctive metallic snap. The lock bar sets a standard for robustness, being much thicker than others I've used:
If this one ever lets go, look up for the stars falling from the sky. The ergonomic handle fits my hand perfectly, with the curve under my thumb leading right to the jimping on the top of the Spydie hole. My fingers locate naturally and comfortably into the handle's purposeful shape.
Esthetically, the polished carbon fiber sports a weave-patterned surface for good gripping. The fit-and-finish from Taichung remains extraordinary. The large lanyard hole at the rear of the handle is piped for durability. Black torx screws hold the knife together and the clip can be set for tip up/down and right/left handed. The stainless liners stick out about 1mm beyond the CF scales for a great look as well as easy operation of the LinerLock. The thoughtful liner cutout opposite the lock also helps. I'm not a fan of LinerLocks in general, but this one works well one-handed without blood-sacrificing knuckles.
I bought the Gayle Bradley for outside work, hiking and camping rather than as an EDC. The thinner, lighter Stretch CF remains my EDC, continuing to serve with distinction. The Gayle Bradley will serve with equal distinction as a hard-use folder with a gentleman's look. Many thanks to Mr. Bradley and the Spyderco crew!
Very cool. Had to open the CPM M4 blade right away:
Kristie described the Gayle Bradley as a beefier Stretch, and that's exactly what it feels like. The Bradley weighs in at 5.5 oz compared to the Stretch CF's 3.9 oz and you can feel the difference. The GB also sports thicker stainless steel liners and CF scales, making it quite rigid in the hand:
This image hopefully shows how the liner has been cut-out to save weight, which has dropped from the published 5.5 oz in the original production run to 5.1 oz in the current run:
The above image also shows how the GB has a completely open spine, allowing thorough cleaning after heavy use without disassembly. Here you can see the open vs. closed spines of the Bradley CF and Stretch CF as well as more of how the Bradley's liners have been lightened:
Gayle Bradley's Weatherford Texas logo displays proudly on the blade:
Here's a comparison shot of, from top to bottom, the Endura 4 Black Blade CE, Gayle Bradley CF, Stretch CF, and Delica 4 CE:
Although much wider than the Stretch CF, the Bradley's handle reaches only 1/4" longer. The Bradley's 3-7/16" blade compares favorably with the Stretch's 3.5" blade.
Overall, the Gayle Bradley feels very substantial and looks ready for work. Gayle Bradley offered on this forum that he has carried his for about ten months and the CPM M4 has served him well with no issues. Although not stainless, the M4 only needs occasional care with a little silicon or other preservative on the blade to maintain it. I personally use a silicon gun cloth on all my knives, which works great and doesn't run or pool.
The Bradley functioned perfectly out of the box. It opens easily and the stainless steel Mike Walker LinerLock engages positively with a distinctive metallic snap. The lock bar sets a standard for robustness, being much thicker than others I've used:
If this one ever lets go, look up for the stars falling from the sky. The ergonomic handle fits my hand perfectly, with the curve under my thumb leading right to the jimping on the top of the Spydie hole. My fingers locate naturally and comfortably into the handle's purposeful shape.
Esthetically, the polished carbon fiber sports a weave-patterned surface for good gripping. The fit-and-finish from Taichung remains extraordinary. The large lanyard hole at the rear of the handle is piped for durability. Black torx screws hold the knife together and the clip can be set for tip up/down and right/left handed. The stainless liners stick out about 1mm beyond the CF scales for a great look as well as easy operation of the LinerLock. The thoughtful liner cutout opposite the lock also helps. I'm not a fan of LinerLocks in general, but this one works well one-handed without blood-sacrificing knuckles.
I bought the Gayle Bradley for outside work, hiking and camping rather than as an EDC. The thinner, lighter Stretch CF remains my EDC, continuing to serve with distinction. The Gayle Bradley will serve with equal distinction as a hard-use folder with a gentleman's look. Many thanks to Mr. Bradley and the Spyderco crew!
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