Bradley Air

dgulbra · #41

I think is a great Idea for a knife, I just don't think it was executed properly. This knife would be great if it had VG10 blade steel, why do you need M4 on a gentleman's knife? Nishijin CF scales (the current scales look cheap)and stainless liners, or maybe no liners and make it a slip it. I think that would be a beautiful knife, but again thats just my opinion. YMMV

1623 · #42

dgulbra wrote:I think is a great Idea for a knife, I just don't think it was executed properly. This knife would be great if it had VG10 blade steel, why do you need M4 on a gentleman's knife? Nishijin CF scales (the current scales look cheap)and stainless liners, or maybe no liners and make it a slip it. I think that would be a beautiful knife, but again thats just my opinion. YMMV

I believe that M4 is Mr. Bradley's Steel of choice and would imagine that it's his call since the collaborations are representative of his work.

I would add that many of the Steels chosen for use in Spydercos line up may not be out of necessity, but rather to continue their desire to bring the consumer high quality, long lasting knives. It's very easy for a company to rest on it's laurels and go about business as usual using the same Steels and construction materials over and over again, and never embarking on a potential game changing design.

As for the scales on the Air; my eyes find them quite beautiful and prefer them over the Nishijin by a long shot.

bh49 · #43

Creepo wrote: Then note the materials, the GB has stainless steel liners, where the Air has TITANIUM, and by now everyone should note that titanium = $$$.

that is true, but I do not think that titanium liners should add a lot of $$. Titanium cost about $30 per pound, stainless steel also is not free. Another story that Titanium is hot and people are willing to pay much more for knife with Titanium.

gbelleh wrote:You can always make a clip knife clipless. .

Unfortunately this is not always true. Try to remove clip from Kopa

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

I also was surprised by choice of CPM M4 for gents knife. I wouldn't want any stains on the blade of my gents knife or keep it oiled.

flash900 · #44

Surely there were good reasons for the choice of steel, but, sadly, for me it's a deal breaker.

phillipsted · #45

I think a good coating of TufGlide every couple of weeks should keep the blade from getting a patina, if that is your objective.

Personally, I like the idea of making the knife looked "broken in" with a little patina. Sort of like my Grandaddy's old pocket knife... That's my $0.02...

TedP

JNewell · #46

Gentlemen managed without stainless blades in their pocket knives for centuries...the Air may not be to personal taste but it surely is not an irrational or poor choice. :) :spyder:

dgulbra · #47

I think that this will be one of those knives that I don't really care for, then I see it and hold it and buy it.

Nederspyder · #48

I for one like that it's clipless. I hope Spyderco keeps it that way...

heathen · #49

I'm very excited by this knife! I think the choice of blade steel is perfect. M4 has become my favorite blade steel after having used it on the current model. I sort of wish it had been made with a clip but it is not a deal breaker. I see this as the modern version of the gentleman's pocket knife. Lightweight, pretty handle material, fantastic steel, and a linerlock. No clip but I can live with that. I can't wait for this one to be available!!!

captnvegtble · #50

Are there any downsides to glass fiber? I'm just wondering why it hasn't been used more, is it more expensive than carbon fiber?

dj moonbat · #51

captnvegtble wrote:Are there any downsides to glass fiber? I'm just wondering why it hasn't been used more, is it more expensive than carbon fiber?

Glass fiber is more commonly known as "fiberglass." I'm pretty sure it's less expensive than CF.

razorsharp · #52

i love that its carbon, patina is elegant in my eyes. Would be cool if they used a coloured texalium :D

AKWolf · #53

The scale is made of carbon fiber it is just a different process as I understand.

jezabel · #54

flash900 wrote:Surely there were good reasons for the choice of steel, but, sadly, for me it's a deal breaker.

That's the opposite for me, Aside from the initial wharncliffe design M4 is the only real reason I'll be buying this knife. Like I said earlier the glass fiber, and those exposed liners aren't to my liking at all, but as far as I'm concerned those are easily remedied with a new set of scales. FWIW I have exactly the same issues with the GB M4 but that doesn't stop me using it or stop it from being a truly fantastic knife.

Nederspyder wrote:I for one like that it's clipless. I hope Spyderco keeps it that way...

I hope so too, I'd like to see more clipless models ( how about a clipless mini Persian Sal!

)

J

razorsharp · #55

AKWolf wrote:The scale is made of carbon fiber it is just a different process as I understand.

the other name is Texalium. Its stuff that is made from fiberglass and can be done in various colours, heck, if you do it black, it looks EXACTLY like CF :D

AKWolf · #56

It is a very nice piece ! It's just not for everyone . I do not need to access every knife I own in 5000 milliseconds so for me it is fine,when I go out "Highballin"

BTW, there is a new LTD. Swiss Army in Mammoth scale for around $160 and it also has no pocket clip . It is a very nice looking "Gents"must have knife. However it is not made of M4 or Ti

j/k...

AKWolf · #57

razorsharp wrote:the other name is Texalium. Its stuff that is made from fiberglass and can be done in various colours, heck, if you do it black, it looks EXACTLY like CF :D

Thanks for the link ! I used to ski on Hexcels 30 years ago. looking up Nishijin yielded pretty vague results.

TCRooster · #58

I too prefer it clipless, as that is how I carry M-F 9-5. I think it is just about perfect in every way to my eye, and cannot wait to own one.

I do not think it is pricy at all. Given the quality of materials, the quality of workmanship (I think it safe to assume here), and the fact it is a collaboration with a world-renowned maker, I'd say it is an amazing bargain! It has my Mnandi quaking in it's boots, and that knife cost much, much more...

phillipsted · #59

TCRooster wrote:I do not think it is pricy at all. Given the quality of materials, the quality of workmanship (I think it safe to assume here), and the fact it is a collaboration with a world-renowned maker, I'd say it is an amazing bargain! It has my Mnandi quaking in it's boots, and that knife cost much, much more...

I concur, TCRooster. In my experience, the price of Spyderco's blades tends to directly reflect their cost of manufacture. You pretty much "get what you pay for" with Spyderco - which is refreshing in this day and age... :)

TedP

The Deacon · #60

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.

Making a clip knife clipless is cheap and easy. Making it look good clipless is not. At the least, you have three screw holes that need filling and often six or twelve. The new wire clips leave unsightly channels on both sides that are **** near impossible to fill or otherwise hide without replacing the scales. At the worst, you have a total abortion like this...

[CENTER]

[/CENTER]

As far as whether clipless equals desk knife, that's a matter or personal choice. I'd strongly disagree, since I've had a Kiwi in my pocket darn near every day for the past eight years.