Gayle Bradley 1 - Spirit/Exclusive

[WilliamMunny]

Is there any chance of a Gayle Bradley 1 spirit/exclusive run or is this a dead old design? I was a little surprised they ran one for the GB2 but it seemed to sell well.

I have a GB2 that I love but the more I look at the GB1 the more I want one, but secondary market prices can be high.

Thanks

[TkoK83Spy]

I've never handled a GB1 myself, but would love to. Seems like everyone loves the GB2...but even a lot of them seem to prefer the GB1 over the GB2. What am I missing out on here!? Probably a pretty far fetched idea, but doesn't hurt to ask!

[WilliamMunny]

I've never handled a GB1 myself, but would love to. Seems like everyone loves the GB2...but even a lot of them seem to prefer the GB1 over the GB2. What am I missing out on here!? Probably a pretty far fetched idea, but doesn't hurt to ask!

For me, the finger choil. When I got my first Manix over a decade ago I never understood it, but now if feels weird without one haha.

[Red Leader]

Maybe it is time to retire the GB2, take the best of both 1 and 2, add in the refinements people often mention, and release a Gayle Bradley 3?

People mention the liner lock, the hollow grind, the strong tip, etc as the heart of the knife.

Keep those attributes, keep the nicer steel, get rid of the ‘liners protruding past the scales’ thing, make both scales a grippy G10, with an extremely slight contour, increase lockbar access just a bit, and either bring back the useful choil of the GB1 or extend the edge back to the handle instead of all that dead space, and even I would buy one. That would be a killer knife, and very tantalizing for folks more used to traditional liner locks.

[nonstainless]

Maybe it is time to retire the GB2, take the best of both 1 and 2, add in the refinements people often mention, and release a Gayle Bradley 3?

People mention the liner lock, the hollow grind, the strong tip, etc as the heart of the knife.

Keep those attributes, keep the nicer steel, get rid of the ‘liners protruding past the scales’ thing, make both scales a grippy G10, with an extremely slight contour, increase lockbar access just a bit, and either bring back the useful choil of the GB1 or extend the edge back to the handle instead of all that dead space, and even I would buy one. That would be a killer knife, and very tantalizing for folks more used to traditional liner locks.

Exactly!!
Time to retire GB2 and take the best of 1 and 2 and make it GB3. Count me in!

[Paul Ardbeg]

GB3! i'm in

[WilliamMunny]

Maybe it is time to retire the GB2, take the best of both 1 and 2, add in the refinements people often mention, and release a Gayle Bradley 3?

People mention the liner lock, the hollow grind, the strong tip, etc as the heart of the knife.

Keep those attributes, keep the nicer steel, get rid of the ‘liners protruding past the scales’ thing, make both scales a grippy G10, with an extremely slight contour, increase lockbar access just a bit, and either bring back the useful choil of the GB1 or extend the edge back to the handle instead of all that dead space, and even I would buy one. That would be a killer knife, and very tantalizing for folks more used to traditional liner locks.

I absolutely have to agree that a GB3 would be amazing. Taking the strong points of the GB2 (blade shape/tip, hollow grind, liner lock, full steel liners, overall size, etc.) but bringing back the choil, making the lock bar access slightly easier and ditching those carbon fiber scales for some grippy textured G-10.

Just putting it out there that it could be a good platform for some CPM-Proto X.

[aicolainen]

Haven't tried either of the GB iterations.
GB 1 looks to be more in line with my preference, enough so that I'd probably try one.
A GB 3 sounds appealing as well. Possibly even more so.
The GB 2 is not a knife I'm actively considering.

[benben]

I've never handled a GB1 myself, but would love to. Seems like everyone loves the GB2...but even a lot of them seem to prefer the GB1 over the GB2. What am I missing out on here!? Probably a pretty far fetched idea, but doesn't hurt to ask!

I’ve still got a GB1 that I bought new back in the day from Howe’s, I think I’ve carried it once? The liners make it one incredibly stout knife, the hollow grind is just beautifully done, and the fit & finish are second to none. I just don’t carry it, and if I said why here I’d just open up the door to…..

[WilliamMunny]

I've never handled a GB1 myself, but would love to. Seems like everyone loves the GB2...but even a lot of them seem to prefer the GB1 over the GB2. What am I missing out on here!? Probably a pretty far fetched idea, but doesn't hurt to ask!

I’ve still got a GB1 that I bought new back in the day from Howe’s, I think I’ve carried it once? The liners make it one incredibly stout knife, the hollow grind is just beautifully done, and the fit & finish are second to none. I just don’t carry it, and if I said why here I’d just open up the door to…..

There is no one knife for everyone and even at that your favorite knife from 10 years ago might not be the same now. I love my GB2 but looking at the GB1 I think I may light it better due to the finger choil, but there are a lot of people who like the GB2 over the GB1. It's all just personal opinions.

[GarageBoy]

It's funny, the GB2 was immediately panned as the "lesser"/more traditional of the Gayle Bradleys, but it's the model that has endured the longest of the line up. Maybe it's because it's got more mainstream appeal.

[Brock O Lee]

I'd buy a GB1 at a moments notice.

The thick polished liners was one of its most striking features. It gave a heft and beefiness that filled out the handle, inspired confidence in the hand, and made it feel like a much more substantial knife. Some complained that the lock was stiff to operate. Initially this was true for mine, but it broke in quickly and lightened up to be on par with most titanium frame locks.









I like most of the changes on the GB2, except for the thin tinny liners. This is especially noticeable when operating the lock. I do not like feel of the GB2's anemic lock bar. It digs into the finger with the weird jimping, and somehow feels cheap. Perhaps because I always compare it subconsciously with the GB1.

If a GB1 sprint run is out of the question, I'd also be down for a GB3. My suggestion would be to evolve the GB2:
- add thick liners
- K390 or similar, I'd even take a SS like S90V
- keep the CF scales, for the "007 in a tux" vibe
- Taichung F&F

[Coastal]

Okay, I'm not the Bradley aficionado that many of you are, because I'm new to the knives (both). I've had mine for a little over a month, and they're already among my favorite Spydies. I haven't used them a ton, but here are my thoughts.

Things I like about both knives: The fit and finish! The action! These are really superb folders, especially at their price points (GB1s can still be had at approximately the price of the GB2). The hollow grind with a strong tip. The M4 steel. This is probably an unpopular opinion, but: liners proud of the scales. Both the liners and scales are so well done that this feature feels nice in hand, way better than I expected. I'm not a big carbon fiber fan, but these scales are better than many. I find them neither especially slippery nor especially grippy. Liner locks! This might be my favorite lock, and both GBs have excellent ones. The 4-position clip options.

Things I prefer about the GB1: The solidity! The GB1 is a tank. Usually I like less weight and a slimmer handle, but this knife feels just right in its stoutness. I like the thicker liners of the GB1 compared to the GB2. On a less-well-executed folder they would seem like overkill, but they work well here. The GB1's liner lock is a really, really good one. I appreciate the subtle jimping, and I don't really mind that the lock is recessed. I have no trouble operating it with one hand, but I might if wearing gloves.

Things I prefer about the GB2: The blade. Everything about it -- a little longer, noticeably thinner, sleeker, prettier. The neutral, slightly longer handle. If a finger choil really locks me in, like a Manix or Chaparral, that's great. But if it feels like a bit of an afterthought then I'd rather it not be there. To me the GB1 handle is good; the GB2 handle is near-perfect. The lack of a lanyard hole. I only use lanyards on fishing knives, so I'm happy the GB2 doesn't have one. The overall aesthetics. The GB1 is appealing, but the GB2 is a knockout. To my eye it's one of Spyderco's most attractive pieces.

So what should the GB3 be? If left up to me, I'd use the overall shape and profile of the GB2, the GB2's blade, the GB1's liners and liner lock, and ditch the GB1's lanyard hole. I'd keep the proud liners, and even though some wouldn't like it, I'd keep the more discreet liner lock. I'd probably go with something other than CF scales, but I'd be okay retaining them. As much as I like M4, I'd like S90V better.

All that said, if there's ever a GB3 I'll be in line with everyone else no matter what it is.

[Skar]

I haven’t had the GB1 in hand for comparison.
I do like the GB2the scales, solidity of the knife, love m4 and the performance of the hollow grind. And even the easy break to open (detent).

I do like the blended choil on th GB1, that it doesn’t take away alon from the blade.

I despise the proud liners, they are fine unless you’re using it for hard cutting, and no I don’t always have gloves in my back pocket.
The knife should be as comfortable as possible as it is.

I like the idea for a GB3 or something similar. I may be inline for this depending upon the liners .

[olywa]

Love my GB2 but I've never held a GB1 to compare. If the GB3 idea catches on I would like that evolution to incorporate the top liner lock from the Sage 6.

[crayon]

I know they don't do DLC in taichung but a full DLC GB2 would look incredible.

[Guts]

Never held a GB1 but just seeing photos I know I'd love it. One thing I always disliked about the GB2 is the huge gap between the heel of the blade and the top of the handle. Just wasted space imo. The GB1 has that finger choil so you can choke up really high when you want to. That said, I'd be happy for a chance to own one if they ever did a sprint or exclusive of one. Maybe St. Nicks with their 4V/red combo. Or maybe someone other than Bento Box will commission a K390 exclusive. Or maybe something similar to the recent Smock exclusive with the TiCN Cruwear blade and aluminum handles.

[wrdwrght]

My Bradley Folder (GB1) has a weak detent and is handle-heavy. Neither fazes me much, but caveat emptor.

Were there to be a GB3, I’d like it to be more like the GB1 (but with a stronger detent and greater balance) than the GB2, which has never wowed me.

[abbazaba]

The GB2 is a more traditional knife than the GB1, with a weight and balance both physically and visually that makes it very attractive.

What I miss most about the GB1 is the negative blade angle and hidden choil. Otherwise it was a pocket brick compared to the GB2. It took me a while to come around to the GB2 as a successor rather than a brother of the GB1, but at this point I totally get it and think the GB2 is arguably one of the best knives currently made by Spyderco.

GB3 has a near zero chance with Gayle retired. Also, there are many threads already where GB3 requests = 3" blade

[Red Leader]

The GB2 is a more traditional knife than the GB1, with a weight and balance both physically and visually that makes it very attractive.

What I miss most about the GB1 is the negative blade angle and hidden choil. Otherwise it was a pocket brick compared to the GB2. It took me a while to come around to the GB2 as a successor rather than a brother of the GB1, but at this point I totally get it and think the GB2 is arguably one of the best knives currently made by Spyderco.

GB3 has a near zero chance with Gayle retired. Also, there are many threads already where GB3 requests = 3" blade

The GBs, along with the Terzuola, definitely have that early 2000s vibe going on, a bit dated, but that is not a knock on them. They look, to me, a good representation of a certain moment in time in the natural timeline and refinement of the modern pocket knife - where it has come from and where it has gone. I have an affinity for that time period - the Camillus Dominator was my dream knife back when I started out. It is so interesting to me to read, watch, and listen to the development of the pocket knife as we know it today - it is such a new development, relatively speaking. It's been what, about 40-45 years? We are still in it's infancy!

As such, I think the GB could be updated to where we are today on the progression of modern pocket knives with some small refinements here and there. Definitely nothing life altering, but adapted to be even more efficient for how people use knives today (granted, not that it was that different 10 or 20 years ago) - new ideas come along and improvements can always be there if you look.

My son and I may head down to the SFO later this weekend and we'll get a good chance to spend some time with the GB2. I have never held it, and I wouldn't necessarily call myself a 'fan' per se, and my hope in that is that it can give me a less biased viewpoint on it compared to dozens of other Spydercos. Are there any knives you all would like to see it contrasted with? I'm happy to take pictures and write up some thoughts. I have a few ideas of my own that I think we can draw some inspiration from.

And as far as your comment about the GB3 having a near zero chance, you could be right! Your guess is as good as mine, but maybe it doesn't have to be called the 'GB3', and maybe instead can simply pay homage to a great designer with a modern rendition. I do believe that since the time these two knives have been released, there have been further advances, improvements, and couple that with the user experience these two models have had over the years...well, it is why we are even talking about it and seeing room for growth. I think that is a good thing. Will it only remain a concept? Perhaps, but it is still fun to think about it and discuss it. And I'll tell you what, the GB series was the furthest thing from my mind. But somehow it hooked me.