Spyderco Gayle Bradley 1

[Sterculius]

When I heard about the Gayle Bradley 2, and that the original version was to be discontinued, I knew I had to get one before they were gone.

Just so happens that my boss gave me a little performance recognition award at work, which gave me the $$ to go get my Gayle Bradley. I have liked the looks of this knife for a long time. I have also read a great deal about the Spydercos produced in the Taichung Taiwan plant, as being of fantastic quality. I've had a number of Spyderco knives over the years, some from Golden CO (PM2, Manix 2 LW, Native), some from Seki City (Delica, Police, Saver Salt, Stretch, Dragonfly) and a couple from China(Tenacious and a Byrd Cara Cara 2). They are all great knives and have their own good qualities. So I was excited to get my first knife from Taichung.

I've been carrying this Gayle Bradley for about two weeks now. It exudes quality! Man is this a nice knife! It is stout and strong and perfectly finished. It opens so smooth and the lock snaps in place with a very satisfying thunk. It cuts like a demon. I've touched up the edge on my Sharpmaker after cutting up tons of cardboard boxes after Chrismas, and the CPM-M4 steel takes a razor edge. I can't say enough good things about this knife!

Thanks Sal and Gayle for this great blade. I know lots of folks are loving the new GB 2, but I'm so glad I now have the GB 1.

 

[blanex1]

yes,its one grate knife with its M4 quality steel and handles like no other spyderco i have ever had! i managed to add three of them to my collection before they stop making/selling them!and sometimes i'll even EDC it for the fun of it,enjoy.:thumbup:

 

[kidcongo]

No doubt, the GB1 means business. It's my go-to folder for beach days, and compliments by BRK Bravo 1 very nicely in fire prep. Rock solid and fills the hand when working.

Love the GB1! :

 

[jascolli]

Nice photo. Looks like a beautiful place. I'm surprised you would choose it as a beach knife given the non stainless blade.

 

[Norther Hunter]

Agreed.
I am keeping my GB1a!

 

[rje58]

I love my GB1, too! The GB2 is a nice knife, but I sent the one I got on to a new home on the Exchange. The original GB works better for me.

 

[kidcongo]

Nice photo. Looks like a beautiful place. I'm surprised you would choose it as a beach knife given the non stainless blade.

Thank you!

I don't find the M4 rusts very quickly. I think that's why so many "force" the patina, because the natural patina takes it's sweet time. Like any tool, if you use it, you don't tend to get orange destructive rust or pitting, just the blackish blotches and stains that I feel add character to the GB1. Especially being that it is a purpose-built work knife, at a reasonable price-point. I do wash it under tapwater after a day at the beach, but don't coat the steel with anything cause I will use the knife for food prep. In other words, a trip to the beach, or cutting some tomatoes or oranges, is not going to damage your GB1, though the blade may show some staining.

I was looking at all the tools in my pouch that I use at my job as a electrician (often working on the seashore, docks, ships, in the rain), and none of them are stainless, and none of them are rusty. This is because they are always being handled. I suppose if I were to store my GB1 for a length of time, I'd probably oil the blade.