Spyderco Gayle Bradley 3-7/16" CPM-M4

udtjim

udtjim

Joined
Sep 4, 2007
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Opinions of this knife and how would it compare to the Military for all around EDC?
 
udtjim said:
Opinions of this knife and how would it compare to the Military for all around EDC?
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I don't have a Military to compare it to, but I do have a GB, and I can give you some observations of it if that's all right?

First, this is the easiest-opening Spyderco I own. The pivot action is very smooth. The blade is heavy enough to have some momentum, so when the blade is opened, it "clunks" into the open position with some authority.

The knife bespeaks strength. The liner lock is quite thick, and the liners are thick as well.

The scales are very well done and provide a nice grippy surface.

The blade shape is a good one for slicing, and it has enough of a point to be useful.

The clip is strong and secure.

Some negatives - The liner lock, while very strong, is as a result, pretty stiff. It requires a fair amount of pressure to release. This is a good thing from a security standpoint, but as the knife is relatively slim, there isn't much room between the liners to get your thumb in there to push the liner lock to the side. It can be manipulated with one hand, but very difficult if wearing gloves.

Also, a little deeper choil would be nice.

A FFG blade would make this knife a bit more of a slicer, but then it wouldn't have such a strong blade, so that's a bit of a toss-up.

I haven't challenged the steel much yet. This is a good looking knife so I've been reluctant to get it dirty, but from what I've heard, it will stand up to some abuse.

Over all, I'd say this is a very well done knife, and a very good value as well.

From what I've read about the Military, and from my own observations (handling one or two), I'd say the Military is probably a better cutter, with its FFG blade. The handle on the Military is likely also better for a secure grip especially with gloves on, and I would bet it is a lighter knife as well.

Hope this helps. :)

Andy
 
I'd add that the Gayle Bradley is more butt heavy in the hands and not as comfortable in a multitude of grips as the Military is.

That, and the inch or so that the Military is longer than the Gayle Bradley.
 
bradley m4:
plus
1- smoothest spyderco i've used
2- finish is great even handle liners are polished
3- liner lock is heavy duty & easy to disengage one handed
4- functional blade for multitasks
minus
1- only minus is weight compared to millie
 
Smoothest Spyderco yet, but I do not like the liner lock not having a cut out. If it had the cutout for the linerlock or a ball lock this would be in my top three knives I love.
 
I'll echo what others have said about the quality of this knife, but I will add that the proud liners (the liners stick out past the scales all the way around) which are intended to give the handle a more rounded shape are very uncomfortable when cutting hard material. After using my GB to plane down the edge of some 5/8 high-density particle board for a cabinet I was rebuilding, I literally had bruises on the inside of my fingers. In fact, I had to finish the job with my Military, because I just couldn't stand using the Bradley any longer. I'm sitting here right now looking at the carbon fiber I'm going to make new scales from in an effort to make the knife usable for me.

Oh, and at 153 grams compared to 113g for my CF Millie, it feels like a brick in my pocket or in my hand. I like light knives.
 
Thanks guys. I am getting toward the end of buying knives because there are a lot of activities that I just don't do anymore. One good last folder that looks good but is still a worker. I want to look at the Spyderco, Kershaw and maybe even a Benchmade. I like the full size Grip. in a good steel as well.
 
I have a couple and am carrying one now. It's one of my top 5 favorite Spydercos. The build quality is amazing and so is the steel. I love the Bradley.
 
udtjim said:
Thanks guys. I am getting toward the end of buying knives because there are a lot of activities that I just don't do anymore. One good last folder that looks good but is still a worker. I want to look at the Spyderco, Kershaw and maybe even a Benchmade. I like the full size Grip. in a good steel as well.
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There still be some M4 Ritter Grips available for pre-order.

Something to consider.
 
Sigguy said:
Smoothest Spyderco yet, but I do not like the liner lock not having a cut out. If it had the cutout for the linerlock or a ball lock this would be in my top three knives I love.
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Personally, I like it because it doesn't have that cutout. I wish more companies would make linerlocks without them.
 
I've had mine for about a week now. I really love this knife. Looks, fit/finish, materials is outstanding. Very very smooth in all aspects and function. The CPM-M4 takes a very very good edge and holds it very long. It slices very well for a hollow grind. Blade is very strong and the tip area is very usable.

At first the grip/handle was a little weird but now I love it. My only negatives are it is a little hefty and doesn't ride in my pocket very well. I haven't tried it yet in other clip configs, just the factory one.

And my main problem with this knife is that I bought it to use it hard but it just looks so nice I have trouble doing that. Must be Spyderco's plan so people will buy 2, 1 for use and 1 to look at and admire LOL.
 
I have both and use both. The GB is better for me as an EDC because it's a little smaller knife than the Millie, but every bit as capable for my needs. I like the knife's very rigid feel and heavier weight. I like the blade shape better than the Millie/Paramillie shape, mostly because I really like straight edges and spear points for general use. There seems to be a lot of strength and piercing ability in the GB's blade, although I have to say that I've never damaged the tip on any of my Millies or Paras and they've gotten the same kind of use my GB gets.

My only issues with the GB are that I'd like a slightly narrower handle and a more definite choil, but I have no problems holding on to it in use. It's prolly gonna be my EDC for a long time.
 
For plain old good looks and durability, I think that it would be hard to beat the Gayle Bradley. I like mine a lot. However, Yablanowitz made an excellent point in that for hard work, those proud liners are going to hurt.

If you don't already have one, a Carbon Fiber Military makes a good 'tough use' folder that despite it's size, just disappears in your pocket.

Finally, a big thumbs up to the S30V Ritter Grip, which is a very addicting knife. A great blade profile atop a superior ergonomic handle makes the Grip a classic in it's own right.

Good luck with your choice, Jim. I own all three and I wouldn't part with a single one.
 
I use a Military in S30V for a good bit of my kitchen prep. When I got the Bradley, I used it to cut up a couple of cooked sausages and the M4 blade immediately acquired a patina that I had to buff off with an abrasive eraser. That's one of the downsides. The other is the size and weight, if that is a concern. It is significantly heavier than the Millie and thicker in profile.

The upside is that the Bradley an outstanding cutter - as good or better than the Millie - but seems as stout as a Strider SNG or even a Sebenza. The Carbon Fiber grips are what I've been hoping for - they look great and have enough texture to provide grip. My last Spydie liner lock besides the Millie was a Captain, and I sold it 'cause the lock was a nail breaker. In contrast, the Bradley lock is smooth and easy. It's also thick and seems very strong.

The key difference between the Millie and the Bradley is the size and shape. The Millie is Barry Sanders or Reggie Bush. The Bradley is Earl Campbell or John Riggins.
 
Thanks a lot for all of the comments. I will let you know when I make the final call.
 
I have a Bradley and an S30V Millie. The Bradley is possibly even better in the fit and finish department, it is very well made. As has been noted, the real differences are the blade shape and grind and weight. My Bradley has a noticeably thinner edge bevel than my Millie, which I view as a good thing. The Millie has a larger footprint in my pocket. Either one would work just fine for you. Here is a comparison pic of a Bradley with a Millie, Para, and Caly 3:
Bradley012.jpg
 
Like lambertiana suggests, the GB is more comparable to the Para than to the Millie. Apart from echoing what everybody already said, I found the GB too heavy for comfortable EDC (some guys would call me a sissy for this). Just sold mine and am now waiting until Spyderco sees the light and skeletonizes the liners.:)
 
Cisco Kid said:
Like lambertiana suggests, the GB is more comparable to the Para than to the Millie. Apart from echoing what everybody already said, I found the GB too heavy for comfortable EDC (some guys would call me a sissy for this). Just sold mine and am now waiting until Spyderco sees the light and skeletonizes the liners.:)
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Wuss! ;)

Yes, weight preferences are an individual matter. I don't mind the weight, but I understand that for some it is a bit unwieldy.
 
yablanowitz said:
I'll echo what others have said about the quality of this knife, but I will add that the proud liners (the liners stick out past the scales all the way around) which are intended to give the handle a more rounded shape are very uncomfortable when cutting hard material.
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Interesting. I haven't used my knife hard, yet, but when I do hard cutting I normally wear gloves, so I don't know if that would be a problem for me.

Andy
 
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