Which one? (Bone Collector, Stretch2 or Gayle Bradley?)

marthinus

marthinus

Joined
Dec 10, 2006
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So I have been waiting patiently for a Bone Collector to arrive but as of late have been doubting my decision and have started looking into the Stretch 2 with ZDP-189 and the all popular Gayle Bradley with CPM M4.

I do love the Axis and Backlock above a liner due to the wear of these locks being far less in my use then a liner lock, though the GB seems to be an exception and many love the liner lock.

Steel wise all will be new to me so I really cant say a preference. This knife will be used for dressing game, cutting irrigation pipes and feed bags on the farm. Edge retention is one of the reasons I want this knife. I have read great things on all the steels.

Ergonomics. Well I have a 550HG grip and have held a presideo, the ergos are good and have no problems but I do think Spyderco is much better with their ergos. The stretch is a great ergo knife and minimal people have issues with the GB even though there is not a big guard against the index finger (that the BC has)

So I am somewhere flouting around between these three (all great knives) and have searched and read the forums. So please post your comments and opinions on the knives. Ideal would be for someone that has all three to give their opinion.
 
I would go with the Stretch. It is my fave knife out of all I have (I also have the GB, which is awesome but I am not a fan of the handle material, and I prefer the backlock.)

The blade on the Gayle Bradley is marvellous-deep, high hollow grind, tough and easy to sharpen, yet holds a great edge, strong point and spine but thin, slicey edge. The handle allows you to go right up to the cutting edge. Where it loses out is deployment-not as easy or comfortable as the Stretch. The ergos, handle materials and lock are all a matter of preference.

The Stretch is Spyderco's best knife bar none.
 
marthinus,

I can't speak to the Spydercos--although, like you I've read nothing but great things about them and wouldn't expect anything less from Spyderco either.

The Stretch and the Bone Collector share a similar blade shape--Sheepsfoot with opening hole--and both seem geared toward hunting/outdoor use.

I have the large Bone Collector, so I can speak to that, and think it's one of the best overall knives BM has come out with in a long time. The D2 on my BC seems to take a sort of "toothy" edge and keeps a working edge for a long, long time. The blade itself is sturdy, and the spine only begins to taper right at the tip, giving a lot of strength for the types of poking, prying and cutting that comes with dressing game. It's a heck of a sturdy knife and very well made.

It would be hard to go wrong with any one of the three, but don't stress about the BC. If you're half as impressed by it as I am you'll have a keeper on your hands.:thumbup:

Best,

Heekma
 
I have all 3 and while the Stretch is probably my favorite, it has a very narrow blade meant for slicing. I think it would handle skinning and gutting game and opening feed bags, but cutting pvc pipe might be too much.

The Bone collector should hold up to most things you throw at it. The only issue is that the handle is really wide. It's nice to hold but takes up lots of pocket space.

The GB is nice but I really dont like liner locks. It should handle what you want to do I just like to use it so that if the lock fails I won't lose a finger. The steel is also the least rust resistant. It won't get red rust easy but will develop a patina that has a rough texture.

If the Bone collector is on the way might as well check it out. It should be the most robust of the 3.
 
Like heekma, I can't comment on the Spyderco's, but I have a large Bone Collector in the green/black G-10, and love everything about it! As far as steel goes,the 154CM in the BC is not considered as the wonder steel's the Spydies have. I have used M4 steel and it does take a very, VERY sharp edge. That said, Benchmade does an excellent job with the 154CM steel. I have 4 BM's in that steel and all have held up great.
 
For your uses, I think the Gayle Bradley would hold up the best, it will hold an edge for a long time while still being tough. And the thin edge grind makes it a great cutter. It is not stainless, if that is an issue for you.
 
cutter17 said:
Like heekma, I can't comment on the Spyderco's, but I have a large Bone Collector in the green/black G-10, and love everything about it! As far as steel goes,the 154CM in the BC is not considered as the wonder steel's the Spydies have. I have used M4 steel and it does take a very, VERY sharp edge. That said, Benchmade does an excellent job with the 154CM steel. I have 4 BM's in that steel and all have held up great.
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154CM Bone Collector?
 
cutter17 said:
Like heekma, I can't comment on the Spyderco's, but I have a large Bone Collector in the green/black G-10, and love everything about it! As far as steel goes,the 154CM in the BC is not considered as the wonder steel's the Spydies have. I have used M4 steel and it does take a very, VERY sharp edge. That said, Benchmade does an excellent job with the 154CM steel. I have 4 BM's in that steel and all have held up great.
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The Bone Collector has D2 steel, not 154CM.

I had the opportunity to try a GB for a couple weeks on a pass around. I wasn't really that impressed. The blade is a great shape, and it was very sharp and sturdy, but the handle seemed too big in relation to the blade and it wasn't that easy to use the spydie hole. It just didn't fit my hand very well (the CF was really cool, though). The blade was only 1/8" longer than my mini-AFCK, but the handle was bigger than my 710 Axis.

My next knife will be either a large Bone Collector or a Rift.
 
If edge retention and heavy cutting is what you want, then CPM-M4 will do the trick. The other 2 knives are great knives too, but the GB edges them both out.
The Bone Collector looks like a D2 and G10 billboard with all the writing on the blade. The Stretch in CF is more of a gentlemens folder, not necessarily a heavy use knife. :)
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I have all 3 and while the Stretch is probably my favorite, it has a very narrow blade meant for slicing. I think it would handle skinning and gutting game and opening feed bags, but cutting pvc pipe might be too much.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I wouldn't call the Stretch a heavy duty knife.
 
The Stretch will handle PVC pipe, but the Gayle Bradley is best suited for the task. The Stretch is a good ounce lighter than either of the other two as well.
 
Thanks for all the comments. The BC should arrive this week and then I will go have a look. Unless they screw up the order (getting the black handle in stead of the green and black) I think I will go with it and see if it suits me. The thicker blade is something I did not consider and think it will suite the reason I want a new knife better. The thicker handle is also something I want as it will aid in harder cutting chores, dont mind it in my pocket. Since the GB is quite rare now I will give it the pass over for now. Pick one up in future though with a Stretch. All three great knives IMO and need to be tried once in your life!
 
Marthinus,

If a little beefiness is part of what you're looking for, I can say the Bone Collector won't let you down. I find it feels even sturdier than my Presidio--even considering the aluminum scales of the 520, which is no slouch in the sturdy department when it comes to Benchmade offerings.

Benchmade really pulled off a neat little dance with the Bone Collector--a little of the Grip, a little of the Presidio, and a knife that can do triple duty. It can go from EDC to hunting to "Tactical" use, and do each pretty darned well all things considered.

I have the green and black version as well as the black and prefer the black version of the G10.

Post your thoughts about it when you receive it. The Bone Collector doesn't get the press some of the more popular Benchmades do, yet it deserves to.

Some folks are put off by the "Bone Collector" logo. Meh. It's not a work of art to be displayed and admired--it's a knife, and a darned good one at that.

Best,

Heekma
 
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Dude, I would seriously get the Gayle Bradley if I were you. Knowing how you use your knives I think that would be the best choice. CPM-M4 is supposedly very tough and although I dont own a GB myself, by all accounts it is an extremely sturdy folder and built for hard work.

The Stretch, which I do own, is not a hard use folder. I have the CF version and while its a great EDC, its a very thin blade and I think you will probably break it in about a week. :D
 
The Stretch is a phenomenal knife with the complete package. Great ergos, great cutting/slicing performance, useful blade shape, FFG, nice choil. The blade looks a bit flimsier than it really is. I can honestly say the Stretch can handle alot more than it looks like it can. I cut up cardboard, tape, plastic ties all the time with it and handles it easily. All around amazing knife.

The GB is an awesome knife as well. Definitly the strongest folder of all the ones you mentioned. Its absolutely beastly and has the same great blade shape as the Stretch but with a different grind. My only gripe is the weight but its not that bad and most would prefer that in a hard use knife. M4 is an amazing steel and you wont find it anywhere else at a cheaper price than the GB. Which is why the GB is completely sold out everywhere and you wont be able to get your hands on one till probably late October when they ship out their 2nd batch.

I personally own both of these knives and I prefer the Stretch for my uses but they are both great and you should pick the one that best suits your uses.
 
heekma said:
Marthinus,

If a little beefiness is part of what you're looking for, I can say the Bone Collector won't let you down. I find it feels even sturdier than my Presidio--even considering the aluminum scales of the 520, which is no slouch in the sturdy department when it comes to Benchmade offerings.

Benchmade really pulled off a neat little dance with the Bone Collector--a little of the Grip, a little of the Presidio, and a knife that can do triple duty. It can go from EDC to hunting to "Tactical" use, and do each pretty darned well all things considered.

I have the green and black version as well as the black and prefer the black version of the G10.

Post your thoughts about it when you receive it. The Bone Collector doesn't get the press some of the more popular Benchmades do, yet it deserves to.

Some folks are put off by the "Bone Collector" logo. Meh. It's not a work of art to be displayed and admired--it's a knife, and a darned good one at that.

Best,

Heekma
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Thanks for your thoughts. I have held the Presideo and liked the way it felt, good to know they are similar. I have a 550HG grip that is a great knife, but I do want better edge retention.

Buffalohump said:
Dude, I would seriously get the Gayle Bradley if I were you. Knowing how you use your knives I think that would be the best choice. CPM-M4 is supposedly very tough and although I dont own a GB myself, by all accounts it is an extremely sturdy folder and built for hard work.

The Stretch, which I do own, is not a hard use folder. I have the CF version and while its a great EDC, its a very thin blade and I think you will probably break it in about a week. :D
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:p:p:p:D

Good to hear your thoughts buddy! I really dig the GB and have been looking at the for sale section like mad everywhere. If one comes up at a good price I will pull the trigger on it for sure (saw one for a good price but it sold so damn fast so as long as I have the cash I will get one) and of course let you know! The list of 5 knives just got the GB and Stretch added to it...... I hope Spyderco can get a batch out because they mentioned since the first batch has been sold out the demand has grown like crazy and they are working like mad!

Thanks for all the comments!
 
kawr said:
........
I personally own both of these knives and I prefer the Stretch for my uses but they are both great and you should pick the one that best suits your uses.
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Thanks for your thoughts, I think after a while I will end up with all of them......this addiction just never ends!!! Its just a matter of what to get first....
 
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