Why is Gayle Bradley popular?

[rkhndjr2000@yahoo.com]

I see so many references to this knife and am curious why it costs so much and why it is so popular. Thanks for any ideas.

[Evil D]

Yeah i was't sure either...it looks like a nice knife but seems like there are many better options out there. Maybe i missed the memo.

[chuck_roxas45]

I think that it's because it's a heavily built work knife with an excellently heat treated M4 blade with CF scales with excellent F&F.

[kawr]

Because its got M4 steel with CF scales. You wont find M4 on any other folder at a better price than the GB. It's also a beast of a knife that can handle all kinds of abuse. Oh and did I mention it has M4 steel.

[HeiHeit]

I always thought the Bradley was ugly in pictures and didn't want it. I finally got it in trade and it is one of my favorites. Best fit and finish of any knife I've ever owned, Excellent carbon fiber, OUTSTANDING steel, ridiculously smooth, etc. Overpriced? It's under priced. Get one and you'll understand.

[jackthedog]

I have one on backorder and check everyday for it to be in stock. I was able to play with one a few months ago and was surprised at actually how light it is for a folder of its size.

[Evil D]

So what's so special about M4 steel? I haven't heard/read much about it yet.

[jzmtl]

So what's so special about M4 steel? I haven't heard/read much about it yet.

Super hard, super tough, and super sharp.

[Evil D]

Super hard, super tough, and super sharp.

I figured as much...how's it compare to ZDP?

[jzmtl]

Not as hard (~3 pts lower) and stainless (5% vs. 20% chromium), but tougher.

[LowTEC]

it's close to ZDP hardness but M4 is tough in "high speed tool steel" category but not quite as tough as most carbon steel, M2 and M4 are saw steel and are designed to withstand extreme high temp. without deforming the shape. It gets really sharp like ZDP but make sure you treat it like carbon steel because it will rust if you expose it to water for long

In terms of the price, GB is one of the cheapest M4CF folder on the market, any other brand easily costs more than 2X as much and still doesn't have as good HT as spyderco does :P

[HotSoup]

I remember seeing jzmtl's a few weeks back.

Seems like a strong folder, and price is good for what you, but I still think its fugly. My right to, right?

:D

[Johnny Boy]

AFAIK m4 is used in a lot of blade sports competition knives. I'm not sure what the sport is really called but, I'm sure most have seen it. Here's a yt video rather then describe it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRNiAhrIqNo

Anyways I may be wrong but, I do believe M4 is used often in those blades which will give ya an idea of it's toughness and ability to take a sharp edge. Edit- in favt according to spyderco's decription of the knife Mr. Bradley has won the Blade Sports world championship in the past.

[LowTEC]

[Johnny Boy]

I've never even heard of S7. Cool chart but, it would be cooler if toughness was anything but white

[jzmtl]

S7 is used for jackhammer tip if I recall.

[Evil D]

Someone explain the difference between toughness and wear resistance?

[jzmtl]

Someone explain the difference between toughness and wear resistance?

http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml

[LorenzoL]

What do you mean expensive? The Bradley costs around $120 street price...

[jossta]

For the materials used/build quality, the GB is a BARGAIN.