My first impressions of the Gayle Bradley

bchan · #1

I have this knife now for a while and would like to offer a few first impressions. Perhaps others can also share their views.

Pros:
Nice comfortable handle, same as Sage 1, grippy but not too aggressive. Handle is also visually appealing.

Smooth opening.

Good fit and finish overall, solid construction.

Cons:
Minimal choil. Because the handle and the blade is practically on the same straight line it is easy to slip your forefinger forward and cut yourself.

Suggestions:
Make a bigger choil.
Add more (and more aggressive) jimping, particularly to the lock area.

Overall:
Nice knife, nice steel, very well made.

THE PUNISHER · #2

how is the steel,have you used it.............. :spyder:

bchan · #3

I used it to cut some cardboard and it went through with no binding. Cutting action is smooth!

Climb14er · #4

I purchased two of the Bradleys and can honestly say, these are rock-solid in construction, fit and design are tops!

One thing I had to do was re-profile the edge some as when I was cutting through some cardboard, and not a lot mind you, just a couple of boxes that came in from UPS... the edge near the tip chipped something fierce.

The edges of the knives came unbelievably super-sharp from the factory. We're talking razor/shaving sharp. However, when used, the edge on the one that I used was a bit 'too thin'.

I was surprised that M4 could chip like that, don't know if anyone else had the same issue... but once re-profiled 20* on the diamond rods and finished on the two other sets of rods on the Sharpmaker, the blade is good-to-go.

Great knife.

jezabel · #5

Climb14er wrote:I purchased two of the Bradleys and can honestly say, these are rock-solid in construction, fit and design are tops!

One thing I had to do was re-profile the edge some as when I was cutting through some cardboard, and not a lot mind you, just a couple of boxes that came in from UPS... the edge near the tip chipped something fierce.

The edges of the knives came unbelievably super-sharp from the factory. We're talking razor/shaving sharp. However, when used, the edge on the one that I used was a bit 'too thin'.

I was surprised that M4 could chip like that, don't know if anyone else had the same issue... but once re-profiled 20* on the diamond rods and finished on the two other sets of rods on the Sharpmaker, the blade is good-to-go.

Great knife.

I've experienced both minor chipping (barely visible but noticeable by touch) and edge rolling with my Bradley. These were results of accidental run ins with ceramics and fencing wire, and are not a regular occurrence for me. My Bradley sees vast amounts of cardboard cutting some days, without any appreciable edge degradation that you've mentioned.
I'd be curious to see how a slightly softer heat treat as originally intended of 62.5 would compare to the current 65 in the real world. I'm kinda hoping the up coming M4 Millie isn't run quite this hard.

Perhaps some of our M4 Mule owners can share their experiences here??

Jez

jzmtl · #6

Curious what edge angle did you guys' bradley came with? I'm wondering if I need to reprofile mine's to 20° when I get it, but as long as I can sharpen it at 30° I'm happy.

kbuzbee · #7

jezabel wrote: I'm kinda hoping the up coming M4 Millie isn't run quite this hard.

It's funny. Some people want this harder. Mike was even talking about sending his out to have it hardened further (don't think he ever did - or if he did, I missed the result).

Some want it softer.

Guess it depnds on your use. For me, harder is good. I don't try to slice ceramic with mine :D

so hard is good as long as it doesn't get TOO fragile. Mine is perfectly at home on the 30º setting for the Sharpmaker. I bet it could lower yet but 30º slices just fine.

Ken