My Gayle Bradley arrived today! (lots of pics)

[Twindog]

IIRC Gayle stated that he chose a hollow grind to bring out the best in M4. Because the steel is tough, it can handle a very thin hollow grind while still having enough blade strength for hard use.

Yes, I do like his hollow-grind blade. The shoulder-to-shoulder width of the edge is a little narrower than my Military M4, which I like. (But not as good as my Sebenza.) And I've done no testing, but I'm sure the GB is a great cutter. However, I really, really like the Military M4. My comment was comparing these two blade grinds. The spine, like the edge, on the Military is a little thicker than the GB, but the distal taper is much more pronounced, so in a wide variety of conditions, I suspect the Military -- which is longer, pointier and thinner near the tip -- would be a somewhat all-around better cutter between these two excellent cutters.

I also like the heat treat that Spyderco puts on its M4.

My big complaint is the lack of relief in the liner and scale to aid in the one-handed release the lock. I see no upside to this design feature, and it's a PITA to release this blade with one hand, especially if your hands are cold or slippery. It's not too bad to release using both hands, but I like knives that can be opened and closed easily with just one hand.

The other two issues are just aesthetic. With liners this thick, the carbon fiber scales are there just for looks and grip, not strength. And this checkerboard stuff doesn't look all that good, especially when undersized to expose the liners.

I'm going to see if I can find someone to put on some nicer looking scales and grind a thumb relief into the scales and liners. Maybe then I can give this knife a little love.

 

[NDJeep]

Yes, I do like his hollow-grind blade. The shoulder-to-shoulder width of the edge is a little narrower than my Military M4, which I like. (But not as good as my Sebenza.) And I've done no testing, but I'm sure the GB is a great cutter. However, I really, really like the Military M4. My comment was comparing these two blade grinds. The spine, like the edge, on the Military is a little thicker than the GB, but the distal taper is much more pronounced, so in a wide variety of conditions, I suspect the Military -- which is longer, pointier and thinner near the tip -- would be a somewhat all-around better cutter between these two excellent cutters.

I also like the heat treat that Spyderco puts on its M4.

My big complaint is the lack of relief in the liner and scale to aid in the one-handed release the lock. I see no upside to this design feature, and it's a PITA to release this blade with one hand, especially if your hands are cold or slippery. It's not too bad to release using both hands, but I like knives that can be opened and closed easily with just one hand.

The other two issues are just aesthetic. With liners this thick, the carbon fiber scales are there just for looks and grip, not strength. And this checkerboard stuff doesn't look all that good, especially when undersized to expose the liners.

I'm going to see if I can find someone to put on some nicer looking scales and grind a thumb relief into the scales and liners. Maybe then I can give this knife a little love.

The lock is slightly "tougher" to get to but doesnt seem to be that difficult to dis-engage.

The carbon fiber looks awesome in my opinion. Actually looks like carbon fiber more so than what you see on many scales.

The exposed liners also look great. They are polished and it gives the knife some serious class. Its different.

Goes to show people have different tastes regarding knives.:thumbup:

 

[ctk123]

Lacking a lockbar relief is the one thing that has kept me from getting a GB.

 

[stevenkelby]

Lacking a lockbar relief is the one thing that has kept me from getting a GB.

It's nothing a dremel or die grinder can't fix. Or sandpaper if you're patient!

 

[marthinus]

It's nothing a dremel or die grinder can't fix. Or sandpaper if you're patient!

What 'ghetto' wave are you flying there! looks odd, but interesting.

I really like this knife, only draw back for me is that it has a liner lock. Just not my favorite. I am waiting for one hopefully ever with a framelock, but I will still get me one of these in future, if it comes with a framelock or not. It is just a nice looking knife!

 

[stevenkelby]

Yeah that was a while ago, it waved good! Removed the paracord and the knife is sold now sadly. Want another one.

 

[termiteslayer]

Just received my first GB.

What an awesome piece. The usual superlatives dont do this knife justice.

I gotta tell, owning Sebenzas and Striders and Emersons this GB gives up nothing on them. This thing is production but is fantastic.

Spyderco could sell these for twice the price.

I look at and handle some of my other top knives and think what more am I actually getting over this Spyderco?

+1
I broke one of my very expensive blades the other day doing something stupid that my GB had little problems with in the past (a bit too much lateral force). Yes, it was my fault, not the fault of the knife or maker... didn't seem to bother my GB.

It wins all of my completely unverifiable cut/chop tests for my folders.
Edge retention is freakishly good.
Ergs? Excellent for a hard use work knife.
It aligns perfectly on reassembly and it's solid even before the screws are tightened - well machined.
It sets a production knife value/cost/quality/machining standard that should make the 'superior' knife makers sweat bullets, lose sleep and pray for guidance.

This knife simply kicks ass and I felt like bumping this thread anyway.

 

[Reeek]

+1 and then some . . .

+1
I broke one of my very expensive blades the other day doing something stupid that my GB had little problems with in the past (a bit too much lateral force). Yes, it was my fault, not the fault of the knife or maker... didn't seem to bother my GB.

It wins all of my completely unverifiable cut/chop tests for my folders.
Edge retention is freakishly good.
Ergs? Excellent for a hard use work knife.
It aligns perfectly on reassembly and it's solid even before the screws are tightened - well machined.
It sets a production knife value/cost/quality/machining standard that should make the 'superior' knife makers sweat bullets, lose sleep and pray for guidance.

This knife simply kicks ass and I felt like bumping this thread anyway.

 

[marthinus]

There is no denying that the producer in Taiwan of this knife has done a fantastic job! Kudos to him and Spyderco for finding him. I know many were sceptic about it, but everything I have heard and seen about this knife screams quality!

 

[nu3gawhat]

I received my GB in the mail today. This thing is awesome. Perfect fit and finish. Alignment, lock up, smooth opening, all the chamfering and polishing. I don't see any imperfections. Sharp out the box.

Personally I like that the liner lock doesn't have a relief. It makes me feel that the knife will be more secure from unintended unlocking in hard use, and at least for me. I have no trouble unlocking it when I intend to including one handed.

I got the newer version with the skeletonized liners. I haven't handled the older version, but the knife is certainly still hefty.

 

[Reeek]

I have never understood the issue some take with the lockbar recess. I have never had a problem closing the GB. Not whatsoever.

 

[JNewell]

I seem to be following you around this afternoon. +1 on your post, and add that this is coming from a lefty.

If I were trying to use it with gloves, it might be different, I guess. Other than that, no ergo issues with this at all.

I have never understood the issue some take with the lockbar recess. I have never had a problem closing the GB. Not whatsoever.

 

[termiteslayer]

I have never understood the issue some take with the lockbar recess. I have never had a problem closing the GB. Not whatsoever.

+1
I prefer it as it is and I've found no detriment to Mr. Bradley's design.
When I first got the knife I was surprised at how easily it closed with such seemingly minimal access.

Me thinks Mr. Bradley might have a clue what he's doing.

 

[ibute21]

I seem to be following you around this afternoon. +1 on your post, and add that this is coming from a lefty.

If I were trying to use it with gloves, it might be different, I guess. Other than that, no ergo issues with this at all.

I've used the GB while wearing leather work gloves, and had no problem closing it whatsoever. It originally bothered me that it didn't have the relief i but after some use it doesn't bother me any more.

 

[JNewell]

:thumbup: Better yet!

As someone posted above, it is just barely possible tht Mr. Bradley knows a thing or two about designing knives. I am continually amazed by people who, instead of simply stating that the knife doesn't work well for them, assert that it is poorly designed and needs to be changed. Hello???

I've used the GB while wearing leather work gloves, and had no problem closing it whatsoever. It originally bothered me that it didn't have the relief i but after some use it doesn't bother me any more.

 

[oromoto]

thanks for sharing!

 

[XIECHENG]

Gayle Bradley, I love you

 

[galactorrhea]

XIECHENG, I understand you seem to be really passionate over the Gayle Bradley but... you do realize you've filled the front page with years old threads?