Spyderco Designer's Insight Series: The Bradley Folder

jon1all · #21

Don't know what all the talk about poor blade:handle ratio is about. By my calculation the Bradley Folder is .73... which is not bad at all (and better, in fact, than the uber-beloved Para2).

Anyway, cool vid. May have to give the Bradley another look as I had decided against it a while ago for various reasons (it's always cool to get the designer's insight on their knife).

Michael Janich · #22

Evil D wrote:So Mike when do you do your own video for the Yojimbo 2?

It's on the list...

Stay safe,

Mike

78lilred · #23

Thanks for the video, Michael. Love my Bradley and need to pick up an Air. Also nice to see he uses his wife for lock testing, quite a few people seem to complain about not being able to do it.

Zenith · #24

Thanks for the video. The Bradley is one of my favorite folders ever. Do miss it though. Wont be able to get it back in my pocket for a while (Away from home for work and decided to take the military with me)

gull wing · #25

This is great, thank you.
Hopeing for a 3" GB soon

Donut · #26

Thanks Mike, that was a good video. :)

flash900 · #27

Thanks for the video, Mike, and thank you Mr. Bradley for the informative lesson.

May we please hear how Spyderco is able to get such outstanding f&f on the GB and other models at its Taiwan factory?.

Sal, I know that you have praised the high quality of the work at this factory, and with good reason.

How are these folks able to meet such tight tolerances that their production pieces can be compared with much more expensive mid-techs and even customs?

Zenith · #28

flash900 wrote:Thanks for the video, Mike, and thank you Mr. Bradley for the informative lesson.

May we please hear how Spyderco is able to get such outstanding f&f on the GB and other models at its Taiwan factory?.

Sal, I know that you have praised the high quality of the work at this factory, and with good reason.

How are these folks able to meet such tight tolerances that their production pieces can be compared with much more expensive mid-techs and even customs?

Not Sal, but, I do remember it being mentioned that the Taiwan factory is a small family owned business.

I believe that might have something to do with it.

Mr Blonde · #29

Awesome video Mike, thanks for making it. And thanks to Mr. Bradley for informing us about the ins and outs of his design. I had a great time meeting him at SHOT.

Pinetreebbs · #30

Really nice to hear Mr. Bradley explain his design.

I was lucky enough to speak to him at the 2011 Blade show and he just as gracious in person.

mikerestivo · #31

I really enjoyed this. Bradley's discussion clarified several questions I had about the design of the knife, like the use of the proud liners, the less-structured finger grooves on the handle, and the liner lock being sheltered a bit.

OldSarSwmr · #32

These Designer's Insight series are excellent! Just another example of Spyderco's commitment to their customers. Thanks, Michael.

jackknifeh · #33

The thoughts behind the design of a knife are great. Sometimes I have "just liked" something without really knowing why. Maybe a knife just cuts good. Hearing about why a knife blade has a particular angle compared to the handle is an example of why the BF may be a good cutting knife that a user may not recognize. This is not the case for me in this example but it seems Mr. Bradley got the notion from using a knife as well as input from other heavy knife users.

Very interesting and I hope to see more. This type of video would (and will I hope) be made available on new knives as part of the advertising. I remember Eric's review of the ti Chaparral was very good. There have been other new model reviews also but I don't know if it is a habit for new models.

chuck_roxas45 · #34

jackknifeh wrote:The thoughts behind the design of a knife are great. Sometimes I have "just liked" something without really knowing why. Maybe a knife just cuts good. Hearing about why a knife blade has a particular angle compared to the handle is an example of why the BF may be a good cutting knife that a user may not recognize. This is not the case for me in this example but it seems Mr. Bradley got the notion from using a knife as well as input from other heavy knife users.

Very interesting and I hope to see more. This type of video would (and will I hope) be made available on new knives as part of the advertising. I remember Eric's review of the ti Chaparral was very good. There have been other new model reviews also but I don't know if it is a habit for new models.

Yep, the Bradley just clicked with me. Took me a long time to get it because of how it looked but once I got it in hand, first thing I did was order a backup.

linuxology · #35

chuck_roxas45 wrote:Yep, the Bradley just clicked with me. Took me a long time to get it because of how it looked but once I got it in hand, first thing I did was order a backup.

If you wear out a Bradley you are a tough man.

chuck_roxas45 · #36

linuxology wrote:If you wear out a Bradley you are a tough man.

For sure, but it's the discontinued thing I am a bit worried about though. A lot of knives I like get DC'd.

defenestrate · #37

Nice informative video about a great knife. I will probably be getting one this year sometime. Maybe an Air as well..

JT · #38

Thank you!
Another cool video, and it naturally makes me want the GB for my collection...
Michael, seems like you are the primus motor for this insight series, could you please make this thread and the others to a sticky? I'd hate miss one of these, since I don't check the Spyderco forums as often as I should nowadays...

jackknifeh · #39

Will everyone get used to typing "BF" instead of "GB" or will there be some holdouts??? :D

I will change because I think the Bradley Folder is a better name for this knife now that there are more Bradley collaborations.

I am carrying my BF and have been carrying my BF for a coupl of weeks now. :D

toomzz · #40

Great background info, thank you for sharing.