Spyderco Gayle Bradley Carbon Fiber, CPM M4 Steel

stevekolt

stevekolt

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
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Hi all, I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on this knife, and I need someone to push me over the edge ;) Actually, I'm wondering if anyone here is a fan of this particular Spyderco model, how it carries, and any info about the steel (comparisons to S30V especially). I have numerous Chris Reeve's, ZT's, Benchmades, Victorinox, and a couple Case folders. Am looking for something fairly slim and unobtrusive. The only Spyderco I currently own was bought at the NRA convention from Lone Wolf, a LWD Tactical Armorers Tool, it is basically an Endura 4 that has a 3/32 Glock armorers punch in addition to the blade, and that one is kept in my range bag. Any help would be appreciated.
 
There is plenty of love on BF for the Gayle Bradley. Its a heavy duty user. Smoothest opening knife that I own, and I have more than my fair share of knives. Fits the hand well, and flips open very easily. Very ergonomic. The carbon fiber seems somewhat incongruous on a working knife, and G10 would have been much grippier.

What I don't care for is how the Spydie hole is partially blocked, and how there is no cutout to access the liner lock. This latter thing was done on purpose, I think, to prevent unintentionally disengagement of the blade during usage. I had mine modded so the Spydie hole is fully revealed, and to give better access to the liner lock. But most folks don't seem to be bothered by it. Just a pet peeve of mine.

But the GB comes highly recommended around here. Do it. :thumbup:

IMG_7678.jpg

Note how the liner lock has been revealed.
 
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I'm a big fan of it -- fantastic materials, F&F, action, blade shape, etc. Definitely one of Spyderco's best models IMHO.
 
I have one and like it although to me it is not the best for EDC. It's not thin and light weigh like say the PM2 or even a Military and all the things powernoodle are on the mark. The M4 is very nice but needs a little extra care due to it not being stainless. If I was going to buy my first Spyderco for EDC I would chose either PM2, Manix 2 or the Superleaf. Those are my favorites for EDC. Oh and don't forget for something a little smaller the Sage family make great EDC. I own all three of those too.
 
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I LOVE my Gayle Bradley! I own prob 30 Spydies or so and its def one of my favs!! Its just a masterpiece!! I guess my only minor complaint about it is the lock is a little hard to operate at times. Wish they opened that area up more so you could operate it easily. But like I said you will not be disappointed! Its built like a tank! Yet it still carries kind of slim and doesnt feel huge like a ZT! The fit and finish is beautiful! Get one!!
 
I absolutely love mine! I have no problems what so ever with closing it, although I might mod it like noodle just to get the hole fully exposed.
 
Spyderco's M4 steel is also top notch, it blows S30V out of the park in terms of edge retention, it's pretty easy to sharpen too.
 
Let's put it this way, when I talked to Sal at blade, he said that they already have the GB2 ready to go but the sales of the original are so high that they have to keep making them.

So, it seems like the GB may be one of spydercos fastest selling models.

Also, the GB air is amazingly light! The GB2 is fairly light as well, and a bit smaller than the original. Can't wait for those two to hit the streets.
 
I love mine. Lock is just a bit harder to release but, at the same time, it makes grip much better and more comfortable. Go buy one :) .

Mine say hi here and here.
 
One of my most loved knives. I really love it.

Did I mention I love it?

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
Let's put it this way, when I talked to Sal at blade, he said that they already have the GB2 ready to go but the sales of the original are so high that they have to keep making them.

So, it seems like the GB may be one of spydercos fastest selling models.

Also, the GB air is amazingly light! The GB2 is fairly light as well, and a bit smaller than the original. Can't wait for those two to hit the streets.
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Did I read that correctly? lighter and smaller? I thought it was gonna be this one. To me this looks as big or a bit bigger than the original.

bradleyproto.jpg
 
The GB is not just a great knife- it's amazing value, too. The quality and presence of this knife are comparable to much pricier blades.

Love it.
 
I like mine a Lot. It's hollow ground but it really slices well. M4 holds an edge very well. Get One you won't be sorry!
 
If almost two years of gushing adulation in threads at BF, SF, USN, JZD and other places doesn't get you over the hump, there's nothing we can do to help you. ;) :D
 
stevekolt said:
Am looking for something fairly slim and unobtrusive.
Click to expand...

The GB is an amazing knife for the price, but it's not a thin knife. The M4 takes and holds a great edge. I live in a fairly humid area, and I'm always out in the woods. Even with RemOil, the M4 would rust from my sweat in an afternoon. And like powernoodle said, the CF seems out of place on such a tough knife. Great knife, just my perspective.
 
singularity35 said:
Did I read that correctly? lighter and smaller? I thought it was gonna be this one. To me this looks as big or a bit bigger than the original.

bradleyproto.jpg
Click to expand...


Smaller may not be the best word, but it is definitely lighter. The liners (including the locking portion) are much thinner. The original GB was meant to be a hard use knife, the GB2 seems to be more of a gents knife. If the one I held is the final product, then you definitely wouldn't want to use it hard.

Depending on which clip style he goes for on the GB Air, I may have actually played a part in the making of that pocket clip. Me and Sal talked for a long while about the GB Air, and whether or not it should have a clip. And if it does have a clip, what style. If he goes with the one we talked about it will be a single wire style with a ball on the end. I think it'll look good.
 
The Gayle Bradley has a terrific blade -- very thin and hollow ground, with an edge width at the shoulder almost as thin as the Sebbie. Plus Spyderco does a great job with M4. This is almost the perfect application of steel to a folder.

I never liked much else about the knife. The lack of a recess to disengage the lock totally mystifies me. I also didn't like the carbon fiber with exposed liners. The liners are so thick that the carbon fiber doesn't offer its usual benefits: strength with light weight. Instead, you get a synthetic, checkerboard handle, which does nothing for me. I also don't like the tip up design, which makes the Spyder flip method to open the knife clumsy to use.

However, it's difficult to get past the excellent blade design, knife steel and heat treat.

I had Phil Dobson put on olive wood scales and add a little relief for the lock and Spyderhole. The knife is now easy to open and close with one hand. And, no, it doesn't disengage accidentally, no matter how I try. I can live with the tip up and just open it with the thumb.

DSC01772.jpg
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
Smaller may not be the best word, but it is definitely lighter. The liners (including the locking portion) are much thinner. The original GB was meant to be a hard use knife, the GB2 seems to be more of a gents knife. If the one I held is the final product, then you definitely wouldn't want to use it hard.

Depending on which clip style he goes for on the GB Air, I may have actually played a part in the making of that pocket clip. Me and Sal talked for a long while about the GB Air, and whether or not it should have a clip. And if it does have a clip, what style. If he goes with the one we talked about it will be a single wire style with a ball on the end. I think it'll look good.
Click to expand...

I'll just have to wait and see then. :)
 
I use mine daily at work stripping big copper and aluminum cables and other miscellaneous torture most people would never use the knife for. I sharpen it once or twice a year. I live near the Pacific Ocean and there is only a small rust spot near the spyderhole.
 
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