Spyderco Gayle Bradley

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lambertiana

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I just received my Bradley, and this is one well made knife. The fit and finish is outstanding, the action is very smooth, the blade is perfectly centered, and the ergonomics are good (although not as good as the Para, the Bradley seems to be built for slightly larger hands - I don't have large hands). And the best part of it all is the quality of the blade grind. It is very well executed, and the edge bevel is much thinner than the typical Spyderco edge bevel (which is a good thing in my book). Although the width of the edge bevel would make it seem that it is thicker, the grind angle is pretty low so it is still quite thin behind the bevel. CPM M4 is supposed to be tough stuff, so that should be no problem. And the Rc is supposed to be near 65, which is considerably higher than the CPM M4 offered by the only other brand with CPM M4 in their lineup. Now for the pics:
Bradley001.jpg


Bradley004.jpg


Bradley006.jpg


Bradley007.jpg


Bradley009.jpg


It is very beefy and solid feeling, but I don't notice the weight (over 5 oz) in jeans. It is noticeable in dress slacks.
 
I ordered this just a few days before I received some bad financial news, so this will likely be my last knife purchase for some time.

And comparison pics with other Spydies:
Bradley010.jpg

Bradley012.jpg
 
Great pics. That liner lock is beefy. I'm trying to cut down on my knife purchases this year, but it's hard when I see something like this. :thumbup:
 
Nice pics.:thumbup: Thanks for your input, especially regarding handle ergonomics. I wasn't really planning on getting this, and the fact that I have fairly small hands cements that thought. It does look nice though...
 
The handle is comfortable for my smaller hands. I think the main negative to the large handle is aesthetic. It looks a little funny to me. Plus with the thick, solid steel liners, the handle is heavy. So the knife overall has sort of a handle-centric focus. Compare that to the perfectly balanced Sage I with the same awesome carbon fiber handle and great ergos.
 
this is one of the smoothest actions i've seen, rivals the kershaw jyd. also the handle liners are mirrow polished on outer surfaces for sure, i could'nt see inside well to check polish. a very quality product with great steel.
 
I like the Gayle Bradley knife, but I found the handle to be a bit too heavy (the knife is butt heavy) and the handle seems to be awkward in some grips.

You're right as to the apparent design for larger hands, which may have something to do with the balance and handling.
 
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I have a few Military models and I suspect the more pronounced finger groove near the butt of the handle makes that knife more comfortable the the Gayle Bradley in my hands.
 
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Awesome pictures :) Good luck on pulling out of the bad financial news ASAP!
 
Dang all these awesome picture threads of the Bradley are slowly but surely sucking me closer and closer to throwing down for one of these beasts. Before I got a Taiwan made Spyderco I have to say that I was skeptical, however after buying the Bob T slipit I have found that these Taiwanese guys are puting just as much effort into and making just as good of quality folders as our friends in Golden. I am very impressed with the quality of knives, not just spyderco, from Taiwan in general. I used to think that seeing made in Taiwan was the same as made in China but I have now seen the light. If I didn't already put $150 down on the new CPM M4 Ritter grip I'd already have this but I might just have to sell of a couple more and pick one up. Fantastic pictures!
 
To me the Bradley feels a little bit better than any of my 5 or 6 millies, and much better than the Manix 2, which is great, just too small for my hands.

The champ is still the stretch 2 though , IMO.
 
I was almost certain that my next Spyderco would be a Para, but now it may have been pushed down to #2 on the list :rolleyes:. This Gayle Bradley looks MIGHTY good! :thumbup:
 
I have one of these coming. I normally carry a ZTMUDD, so I doubt this will seem too big for me.

Thanks for the pics!

Andy
 
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