new EDC: caly3.5 vs gayle bradley

ruggedscotsman · #1

Looking for a new edc to replace my calypso jr ss that recently failed on me. I'm debating between a caly 3.5 and a gayle bradley... I'm not sure I like the obscured hole/liner lock on the gb, but would be up for modding it if I went that route. On the other hand, while I love the ergos and g10 scales of the caly...I think it might be a little fragile for hard use (particularly the fine tip.) What about the locks and pivots in terms of strength, longevity?

Anyone care to convince me one way or the other?

It will see all kinds of use/abuse.

.357 mag · #2

I'd get a superleaf while they are still around. Doesn't get much more beefy than than.

Shakyamuni · #3

The Caly 3.5 handle is a little too thin to feel like it is good for "hard" use. If your Calypso Jr failed on you, I would probably recommend the Gayle Bradley.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #4

For heavier use I would say GB. Thats not to say that the caly 3.5 wouldn't hold up, just that the GB is a tank that in my experience has taken a boatload of abuse and still looks nearly brand new.

Evil D · #5

You have an apples to oranges comparison here. Those two knives couldn't be any more different from each other. One is a pure breed slicing machine and the other is a bulldozer. If hard use is your style then go for the GB.

ruggedscotsman · #6

Evil D wrote:You have an apples to oranges comparison here. Those two knives couldn't be any more different from each other. One is a pure breed slicing machine and the other is a bulldozer. If hard use is your style then go for the GB.

You're completely right, they are two very different beasts. I think I'm just used to the clean lines of the caly, but would be better served by the gb in the long run.

I like that the caly looks as well thought out when closed as it does open, and I like the lock.

I'm on the fence about the carbon scales, and not sure about the liner lock. Will it stay closed as well as the backlock? What about repeated opening and closing? I don't want to get a sore thumb. Also, I wish the back of the blade was hidden when closed, but I'm just being picky.

BAL · #7

THe GB is a tank and I have a feeling that you would like the looks of the
carbon scales, very classy looking to me. The closing of the GB can take a
bit of getting used to, but just like anything once you have practiced a while,
you can get a system. I actually use my pointing finger to reach around to
close, it seems to work for me.
Gail Bradley designed this knife for working, not for closing, meaning you
get a solid smooth grip consistently around all of the sides. It is one of those
knives that you keep pulling out to look at and wanting to find something to cut.

The Caly is a fine knife, the Gail Bradley is a beast.

Coulro · #8

Gayle Bradley hands down.

Holland · #9

if you want something in between, the para2 could fill your needs, i would get a gb tho

gooeytek · #10

ruggedscotsman wrote:
It will see all kinds of use/abuse.

Gayle Bradley. Just wipe it down and take care of it after use. Lockbar is stiffer than any of my liner/framelocks (and I have quite a few) because the relief cutout is shallower than any that I have, with respect to the remaining thickness of the lockbar. Add to that the really beefy liners, and you have a seriously tough folder.

Compared side by side with a CF Military & C95 Manix:

jackknifeh · #11

I have never owned a Caly but can vouch for the GB. If you are doing anything that the GB can't handle you should be using a fixed blade. It won't unlock on you because the lock bar is harder to get to than any liner lock I've seen. I have absolutely no problems releasing the lock.

I don't think anyone mentioned the M4 steel. I love it. It holds an edge for a long time and will get VERY sharp. Even with very fine grit stropping compound it responds well. It's easy to sharpen and keep sharp.

Someone called the GB a James Bond of knives. It looks good but can handle the rough stuff when needed.

It is one of the smoothest opening knives I've felt.

Very easy to disassemble and reassemble if that's important to you.

I don't carry the GB as my primary EDC. It's a little big for my needs. But, I usually carry two or three knives and sometimes the GB is the largest of the 3.