Bradley Air

Creepo · #21

Seems like I'm not the only one who looked like this :eek: upon seeing it. :D
Only downside is the clip really. Might have to get someone put one on it. :p

As far as the price goes, people seem to compare it to the GB, but if you look closely you can see several factors that account for the price.
First of all, most of the cost comes from labor, a large knife doesn't require much additional labor than a smaller one, look at the Persians or D4/E4 for example.
Then note the materials, the GB has stainless steel liners, where the Air has TITANIUM, and by now everyone should note that titanium = $$$.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #22

I love...LOVE that it is clipless!! The only thing is...doesn't look very lefty friendly. I'll try it out and see though.

gbelleh · #23

You can always make a clip knife clipless. It's harder to add a clip to a clipless knife. Not having a clip option really limits the versatility and usability of what would otherwise be a very nice gentleman's knife, IMO. As it is, it's limited to a desk knife.

eneyman · #24

Hey guys, just wanted to re-post this SHOT 2011 video of Mr. Gayle Bradley showing early versions of the "Air" and "yet to be determined" aka GB2?

http://s1117.photobucket.com/albums/k59 ... V04273.mp4

cosmo7809 · #25

gbelleh wrote:You can always make a clip knife clipless. It's harder to add a clip to a clipless knife. Not having a clip option really limits the versatility and usability of what would otherwise be a very nice gentleman's knife, IMO. As it is, it's limited to a desk knife.

Very good point!

Let me ask... Does M4 really need to be on a knife like this?

I still am very interested in purchasing one when it comes out. Love my Spyderco LBK's and Gents Knives.

thesaddestcat · #26

cosmo7809 wrote: Let me ask... Does M4 really need to be on a knife like this?

I don't think so, but it just sweetens the deal for me. I can guarantee I'll be getting one of these. The fact it's clipless bothers me, but it is a small folder, so maybe it will kick out the Swayback Jack that's been riding in my watch pocket for the past 18 months.

phaust · #27

No clip means it's a desk knife? So I guess your grandfather's barlow or stockman had a clip? :p I wonder how anyone pre-1980 carried a folding knife :p

For me, a clip is only necessary if the knife is long or heavy, because long ones inevitably and annoyingly turn sideways, and heavy knives can sag down the pocket. Neither of those are true about the Air.

That all said, it's a good point that it's easier to remove a clip than tap the liners to put one in.

As for M4 being necessary, by the same argument why put zdp189 on the Caly 3, another gent's knife? It's not necessary, just nicer than a steel with worse edge holding. Also, it seems the Gayle Bradley "line" is meant to be characterized by the steel.

gbelleh · #28

phaust wrote:No clip means it's a desk knife? So I guess your grandfather's barlow or stockman had a clip? :p I wonder how anyone pre-1980 carried a folding knife :p

Yeah, but my grandfather didn't carry around a cell phone, flashlight, multi tool, pistol, keys, wallet, and at least 2 knives, while still trying to look normal wearing jeans and a t-shirt. :D

Clipless knives just don't fit into my EDC system. YMMV of course.

BAL · #29

gbelleh wrote:You can always make a clip knife clipless. It's harder to add a clip to a clipless knife. Not having a clip option really limits the versatility and usability of what would otherwise be a very nice gentleman's knife, IMO. As it is, it's limited to a desk knife.

Agree. I carry knives different ways at different times. Sometimes clipped and sometimes loose in a pocket. However, a knife that doesn't start out with a clip, limits how it can be carried and used. Everyone is different, but it's probably a deal breaker for me. Even if I have a knife loose in my pocket, so that it is less noticeable, if I get into a situation in a store or walking, I can easily move that knife up and clip it to my pocket to get to easier.

mikerestivo · #30

gbelleh wrote:Yeah, but my grandfather didn't carry around a cell phone, flashlight, multi tool, pistol, keys, wallet, and at least 2 knives, while still trying to look normal wearing jeans and a t-shirt. :D

Clipless knives just don't fit into my EDC system. YMMV of course.

Wow that's a lot of stuff to carry. If the pay is right, you can hire me to be your right-hand man and I will carry that stuff for you. I'll be the Tonto to your Lone-Ranger.

Shakyamuni · #31

eneyman wrote:Hey guys, just wanted to re-post this SHOT 2011 video of Mr. Gayle Bradley showing early versions of the "Air" and "yet to be determined" aka GB2?

http://s1117.photobucket.com/albums/k59 ... V04273.mp4

Thanks! Did you notice Mr. Bradley said about the Air:

"This knife will have a small, single-wire pocket clip"

gbelleh · #32

mikerestivo wrote:Wow that's a lot of stuff to carry. If the pay is right, you can hire me to be your right-hand man and I will carry that stuff for you. I'll be the Tonto to your Lone-Ranger.

But paying you would really cut into my Spyderco budget!
Maybe I'll just have to start using a fanny pack, or better yet, carrying a Spyderpac as a man purse. :D

cosmo7809 · #33

Shakyamuni wrote:Thanks! Did you notice Mr. Bradley said about the Air:

"This knife will have a small, single-wire pocket clip"

Ah yes at the 1:00 mark.

But you would think they wouldnt put it in the 2012 catalog if they are still making changes. Also, the "Tip Carry Position:" says "Clipless".

I'd say its going to be clipless despite what Gayle says in the video.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #34

gbelleh wrote:You can always make a clip knife clipless. It's harder to add a clip to a clipless knife. Not having a clip option really limits the versatility and usability of what would otherwise be a very nice gentleman's knife, IMO. As it is, it's limited to a desk knife.

True, however some knives are just made to be clipless and varied in a pocket. I like clipless knives a lot for back pocket or coin pocket carry. But I also want the knife to be gods looking and often taking the clip of can ugly up a knife...I wish there were more clipless made by spyderco.

1623 · #35

I respect and appreciate the Air as a modern take on an old school pocket knife, however the thought of that beautiful $140 sweetness sliding out of my pocket and getting lost frightens me to no end; thus my disappointment at the lack of a clip.

Comparatively, the CF Balance utilizes an hour glass clip and is scantly over the weight of the Air.

captnvegtble · #36

There seems to be a lot of interest in having a clip added to the Air. Is it final that it won't or is it still in the design phase of development? I wonder if part of this was a cost-cutting measure. Anybody know how much cost it would add to production to add a wire clip?

Cave Dave · #37

Add a wire clip and I would get one. Otherwise I doubt it could replace my ZDP dragonfly for pocket time.

Jay_Ev · #38

I'm wondering if it was originally intended to have a clip but later on in the process the clip was omitted because of cracking & chipping around the screw holes in the clear, lacquer resin?

gbelleh · #39

Well, Mr. Bradley indicated that it would have a clip. It would be interesting to know why it was not included in the production version.

It would be nice if Spyderco could come up with a clip design that could be removed without altering the look of the knife. Like the CRK Mnandi.

captnvegtble · #40

Jay_Ev wrote:I'm wondering if it was originally intended to have a clip but later on in the process the clip was omitted because of cracking & chipping around the screw holes in the clear, lacquer resin?

Based on the SHOT 2011 video it was supposed to have a clip, which is why I'm wondering if cost or design problem had something to do with it being removed.