Spyderco Gayle Bradley vs. Benchmade 810 Contego

M

matt123abc

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Apr 10, 2012
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The title says it. I'm wondering which knife has the better heat treat, and blade geometry for slicing through stuff, mainly cardboard. I'm looking at these knives because they both have cpm m4 steel. They are also about the same price. I like the design of the contego but haven't been able to find many opinions of the knife from people who have used it. I also like the coating the contego has for helping to prevent patina/rust for the corrosion susceptible cpm m4 steel. Any imput on either of the knives is welcomed. Thanks for the help.
 
You will be happier in the long run with the Gayle Bradley. Don't worry about corrosion, M4 is not the rust monster people make it out to be. As long as you keep it fairly dry with a light coat of oil, it will never rust.

I don't even oil mine, and I use it to cut fruits and veggies, and I don't even have so much as a stain.
 
I have seen at least a half dozen good reviews on the Contego, so maybe google a little harder (here and youtube). I think each of them complained the jimping is too aggressive so as to make the knife uncomfortable to use without gloves. I was very excited to get one until I heard that and don't plan on it anymore. On the other hand, I've used a GB for a long time and don't have a single complaint, although I did mod it to make the lock bar stick out a bit more.
 
Sold my GB and got a Contego. The GB is much more comfortable in hand, but less grippy. Both open smoothly, but I prefer the axis over any liner or frame lock, and it is a little easier to disengage over the GB. The 810 blade is longer, but I like the blade shape of the GB better. M4 does tarnish with use, but it isn't hard to take care of.

I'm going to relax the jimping on the 810 and round off the corners on the handle and see how I like it. As is, the GB felt a whole lot better.
 
Im sure why you would be happier with the bradley. I think the contego looks better and feels better in the hand. I have the clear cerakote finish which looks even better in person. Its a beast of a knife though and if you use it in public you might get some worried looks. Also, be sure to where a belt when you're carrying it. But i love it simply because it is a very robust knife with a really smooth action.

I have a m4 manix 2 that has been my EDC for a couple months now and it hasnt really developed any discoloration. You might consider this knife to be a third option. The manix 2 has a pretty phenomenal design and its really easy to control in your hand (you can choke up on the blade if need be and the g10 is very grippy).
 
Matt, check out Andrew Colglazier's fine thread on the Gayle Bradley here: Link.

I have the Gayle Bradley, and will be receiving the Contego this week (black, plain edge). The Contego is pretty fresh off the farm, so you may not be seeing a lot of feedback on it just yet. But its a fairly big folder at around 9" (3.9" or so blade), and expect the smooth action you might see from the 710. I'm looking forward to receiving this one, and hope the jimping is not overdone. Cool carbine tip as well. I'm growing increasingly fond of the deep carry clips as well. I'll get some pics and thoughts on this one later.

Lots of fans of the GB around here too, including me. Though I found that the scale impeded access to the liner and Spydie hole, so I had mine modded a little to provide better access.
 
I have both, and really like both, the GB is smaller (more of a medium sized knife) and smoother, not as grippy, but still comfortable, the blade stock is thinner, and with the high hollow grind it will probably have the better blade geometry for most materials, the Contego is more of a Larger grippier knife, still good blade geometry though (high saber grind). As far as heat treat I'd normally say Spyderco, but as of 2012 benchmade has stepped up their HT target HRC to 62-64, so I would guess they're going to be about equal. Both are great choices. Also the cerakote on the Contego will give a little more friction than the uncoated GB when going through stuff.
Sorry, don't have a picture of both of them together, but can get one later if you'd like.
IMG_2392.jpg

IMG_2350.jpg
 
Thanks for the feedback. I'll probably go for the GB because I already have a spyderco resilience and benchmade adamas which are both larger knives, the GB is no wimp though. The handle ergonomics are also important so it won't wear out my hand when doing a lot of cutting. Thanks again.
 
Btw Michael, you have a very nice collection. I'm thinking about the 581 barrage. Ugh too many good knives...;)
 
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