Spyderco Gayle Bradley: What's the big deal?

einsteinjon said:
It's the smoothest knife I've ever experienced, including many of those big name semi-custom/semi-production knives out there (I won't name names b/c I want to keep this about the Spyderco GB). It is the sharpest knife out of the box I've ever experienced. The CPM M4 holds its edge for a VERY long time. The carbon fiber is both gorgeous and utilitarian at the same time. The overall fit and finish are some of the best I've seen on any knife, including knives that cost 3-4 times what the GB does.

As far as the rust goes...I've had mine for over 2 years and carry it often, including the high humidity/high sweat time of summer. I've never had a single spot of rust on it due to the fact that I wipe the blade with Tuf-Glide every couple weeks or so, as needed. The performance of CPM M4 far outweighs the corrosion potential, IMO.
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The Military is indeed the flagship model. Such a shame that the GB is not fully flat ground. For that reason I got the ZDP-189 Stretch II instead.

~Paul~
 
dePaul said:
The Military is indeed the flagship model. Such a shame that the GB is not fully flat ground. For that reason I got the ZDP-189 Stretch II instead.

~Paul~
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I like the look of the hollow grind and it's not any more difficult to sharpen than a ffg.
 
Man, this sure sounds like a great knife from all the reviews here...I just wish aesthetics weren't important to me as well:-/
 
outdooredge said:
How does GB´s carving capabilities compare to opinel´s?
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outdooredge said:
Ooops! Just saw that tread is from 2012.
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Dont worry, not that bad of a thread. Here it is with some use:

Gayle-Bradley-Hard-Use

Compared to an Opinel, dont expect magic as is from the factory. The Opinel is far thinner behind the edge and will out cut most knives. However, once you drop the edge angle on the Gayle Bradley to 10 degrees or lower it really comes into its own but still offers higher durability then an Opinel IMO at similar angles when it comes to sideways loads.

I am currently sharpening the Gayle Bradley to as low as angle as possible, basically sharpening it as a straight razor with the shoulders of the hollow grind as my guide and have yet to experience any issues, but it is an ongoing experiment.
 
marthinus said:
Dont worry, not that bad of a thread. Here it is with some use:

Gayle-Bradley-Hard-Use

Compared to an Opinel, dont expect magic as is from the factory. The Opinel is far thinner behind the edge and will out cut most knives. However, once you drop the edge angle on the Gayle Bradley to 10 degrees or lower it really comes into its own but still offers higher durability then an Opinel IMO at similar angles when it comes to sideways loads.

I am currently sharpening the Gayle Bradley to as low as angle as possible, basically sharpening it as a straight razor with the shoulders of the hollow grind as my guide and have yet to experience any issues, but it is an ongoing experiment.
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Could I sharpen GB to 10 degrees with sharpmaker. I know that its made for higher angles but it should be possible.
 
outdooredge said:
Could I sharpen GB to 10 degrees with sharpmaker. I know that its made for higher angles but it should be possible.
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If you use the base of the sharpmaker to place the rods in and use it as a benchstone, or you could adjust your wrist while it is in the normal position. I have never tried anything like that before though.
 
I sharpen my GB freehand in this fashion. However, it will take some work to reprofile the shoulders of the secondary bevel so that you can lower the angle that much. I convexed the bevel and lowered the angle, and it's phenomenal. I can easily slice transparent pieces of ripe tomato, but the edge has enough material behind it for any hard use as well. I also think that the M4 on the GB feels terrific to sharpen--much different than many modern steels. It gives great feedback when sharpening freehand, more like a traditional 1095 or something, but with much much better edge retention. I use the ultra-fine ceramic rod.

Frankly, the Sharpmaker isn't ideal to use in this way, but it can work. One would be better off getting a proper bench stone (even if you wanted to stick with the Spyderco fine or ultra-fine, they make them as bench stones).

DJK
 
It's hard to beat an Opinel simply due to geometry. You can put a ridiculous edge on an Opinel very easily and maintain it very easily. I don't know much about wood carving other than you want a very keen edge usually at a low angle. I'd imagine thin stock is preferred. The Gayle Bradley is probably not an ideal woodcarving knife but you could try it out and see. Either way it's a great knife.
 
it's true, the GB will rust just by looking at it. I only use it blindfolded for this reason. I've never actually laid eyes on my own knife, as soon as I received it I took it out of the box with my eyes closed, put it in my pocket, and only retrieve and use it by feel alone.
 
flash900 said:
Does anyone have other Taiwanese Spydies with f&f as good as the GB?

My Chaparral and Sages are terrific, but not quite up to the GB, IMO.
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I'd rate the Southard right with the GB.

TTpower said:
i have a question guys....... so between the Gayle Bradley and the Paramilitary2, which one would you consider as Spyderco's flag bearer?
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Ironic, I got both of those two on the same day. Still don't know which I'm more impressed with. Sure wish the PM2 had the same type of CF the GB has.

dePaul said:
The Military is indeed the flagship model. Such a shame that the GB is not fully flat ground. For that reason I got the ZDP-189 Stretch II instead.

~Paul~
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I have a ZDP-189 Carbon Fiber (Sprint) Stretch, and MUCH prefer the GB.
 
The Gayle Bradley is one of my favorite knives, and ive got some cool ones.

The m4 doesnt rust as easily as you think either, not even close.

It cuts great too, I didnt think it was ground as thin as it is.
 
I liked a lot about the GB that I had, but ultimately I just couldn't deal with the lock, especially with gloves on. The clip was also pretty bad IMO but I also prefer deep carry.

The blade and the quality was awesome though. Great looking and feeling knife that just ultimately wasn't for me. Its easy for me to see how so many people love it.
 
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