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Starmate vs Gayle Bradley
- Thread starter Scurvy092
- Start date
jon1all
Gold Member
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- Nov 17, 2012
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- 1,003
HA!!! Truth dart!!!
GB is less $ than the SM too... and that combined with steel differences would probably swing me in favor of the GB... but they are close enough in my mind that actually holding them in hand could sway me one way or the other.
powernoodle
Power Member
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- Jul 21, 2004
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- 11,972
Everyone has different priorities, but that cutout on the Starmate that gives access to the liner lock would be enough right there to sway me in favor of it. Its absent on the Gayle Bradley.
- Joined
- May 14, 2012
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- 404
I personally like the Gayle Bradley more. It has better materials and I think it looks better too. The only thing that bugs me is the liner lock like said above.
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2012
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- 200
The Gayle Bradley is on my short list. For the price you get a very nice package and, in my opinion, a better deal than the Starmate. Though you could always get both! Who wants to choose. haha.
Just received a Starmate in the post this morning, I prefer the design over the GB but both are great knives.
The only thing I'd say about the Starmate is that the G10 has quite sharp/square edges and could be made better by adding some chamfering around the scales to give it a more comfortable feel, but thats easily sorted out with some wet & dry paper and a spare few minutes.
The only thing I'd say about the Starmate is that the G10 has quite sharp/square edges and could be made better by adding some chamfering around the scales to give it a more comfortable feel, but thats easily sorted out with some wet & dry paper and a spare few minutes.
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- Oct 5, 2005
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Design: Starmate. Hard to beat a Terzoula design.
The Gayle Bradley had 2 aspects that I could not get over: lack of lock cutout and too much rear balance. The knife felt awkward in my hand because of how handle-heavy it was. Totally screwed up the in-hand feel of an otherwise ergonomic handle. I could eventually get used to closing the knife efficiently where it would no longer be an issue, but the overall off-balance feeling of the knife is something that never goes away.
I wanted to like it so bad.... hollow-ground CPM-M4.... carbon scales....... thick liner lock...... but it would never see pocket time due to the odd balancing (at least in my hands)
The Gayle Bradley had 2 aspects that I could not get over: lack of lock cutout and too much rear balance. The knife felt awkward in my hand because of how handle-heavy it was. Totally screwed up the in-hand feel of an otherwise ergonomic handle. I could eventually get used to closing the knife efficiently where it would no longer be an issue, but the overall off-balance feeling of the knife is something that never goes away.
I wanted to like it so bad.... hollow-ground CPM-M4.... carbon scales....... thick liner lock...... but it would never see pocket time due to the odd balancing (at least in my hands)
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- Jan 14, 2000
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Are you talking about the current version or the earlier version with solid liners? IMO the current version with drilled liners has noticably better balance.
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2002
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- 658
Gayle Bradley is awesome, it's just great! I have two that I won't get rid of. But I agree that the weight can be a turnoff. It's heavier than a Cold Steel Recon 1 for example and therefore it feels a bit awkward when carrying it in the pocket without a clip.
Also I unfortunately have to say that I received two new ones recently that weren't up to my standards (linerlock engaging too late, scratches, ...). Let's hope that it was just bad luck and the build quality from the factory is as high as before.
Also I unfortunately have to say that I received two new ones recently that weren't up to my standards (linerlock engaging too late, scratches, ...). Let's hope that it was just bad luck and the build quality from the factory is as high as before.
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2013
- Messages
- 185
I splurged and just picked up a Starmate. I love the materials of the Gayle Bradley but for some reason didn't find it comfortable in my hand. The Starmate fits, cuts, and feels great. There's no jimping other than thumb ramp but the sharp unshaven G10 edges and ergonomics make up for it in my hand. Some may not like that, but there are a few little things that I'm not sure of. They may be imperfections or intentional. I dunno 
The piping of the lanyard hole is too short and doesn't reach the handle surface. This leaves a small area exposed on both sides causing lanyard to snag.
As mentioned in other cases, the ricasso looks jagged/uneven and unfinished from the front but looks precise from both sides.
And even after adjustment, the knife can be opened with a quick snap of the wrist. It's even easier in reverse grip. I live in NY and that's not good :/
The action is a small concern of mine. I won't take it into NYC but no regrets here. Yes, this was a pricey purchase for me and a few small imperfections may be unacceptable to some. But overall I feel like I received my money's worth.
IMHO.
The piping of the lanyard hole is too short and doesn't reach the handle surface. This leaves a small area exposed on both sides causing lanyard to snag.
As mentioned in other cases, the ricasso looks jagged/uneven and unfinished from the front but looks precise from both sides.
And even after adjustment, the knife can be opened with a quick snap of the wrist. It's even easier in reverse grip. I live in NY and that's not good :/
The action is a small concern of mine. I won't take it into NYC but no regrets here. Yes, this was a pricey purchase for me and a few small imperfections may be unacceptable to some. But overall I feel like I received my money's worth.
IMHO.
^ Exactly what he said,now if you could throw them together in a drawer for a few days and let the make little hybrids-now that would be a knife any parent would be proud of
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- Oct 5, 2005
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The one I had was the drilled liners version.
And let me clarify: I like big heavy knives
Here's an example of heavier, larger overbuilt knife like the Gayle Bradley - yet carries and handles better (at least to me)....
Check out the balancing point.... about midway from tip-to-tip:
The massive 4.5mm blade stock with a hollow grind about 2/3rd's down from the spine helps balance out all the stainless steel and G10 in the handle:
People sometimes refer to the full liners on the gen 1 Chinook as giving the knife a solid, hefty feel in the hand. I'd argue that the thickness of the lock bar, full stainless backspacer, and thick G10 slabs contribute more to the hefty feel than the undrilled liners. They really aren't that thick at all - they're more there as a structural foundation for the rest of the components and provide threading for the clip screws. The GB liners dwarf them:
It carries great for a 7.25 oz knife..... carries better than the BG because the Chinook sits a little higher in the pocket than the GB.
These are just nit-picky things........ just look around on these and other forums and you'll see the Gayle Bradley is a very popular folder. It's a hell of a deal in my opinion. I could carry one in my pocket for the rest of my life and I'd be a happy guy.
Can someone post a similar set up with the Gayle Bradley and the Starmate?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2011
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- 545
I LOVE my GB. The Starmate not so much. It is overpriced IMO and was extremely uncomfortable in hand for me. The GB fits nicely in my hand and I have no problem unlocking it. For me the Gayle Bradley wins hands down.
agreed there! If my girlfriend can close my GB then I don't see why people complain, just like with the exposed liners around the Bradley. I have never had a problem holding it and the liners being an issue. I think it feels great and am glad they made It that way, but I cant speak for the starmate since ive never handled one. Im sure id like it too