Need Help!

[jasper83]

I'm looking at picking up a couple of knives...I currently have a native (older) and a PM2. I'm looking at getting a Sage 1 and want another. I'm trying to choose between the Gayle Bradley and a delica AND endura. Is the sage/bradley a good combo? Or should I scratch the bradley and pick up the delica and endura in its place? Maybe I'm not choosing the right combo, but I'm looking for insight.

Thanks in advance!

[GoldenSpydie]

Welcome to the Forum!

Out of what you listed, I would go with the Sage 1 and the Gayle Bradley. The Delica and Endura are nice knives, but the steel upgrade (M4 instead of VG10) gives the Gayle Bradley the advantage in my book.

However, you might want to consider something entirely different, such as a Dragonfly so that you have something small or a Manix to try out the CBBL. If you're considering a Manix, the S110V lightweight version is about the same price as the Sage 1.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

The Sage 1 (or Chaparral 1) makes a wonderful pairing with the GB folder IMHO, so it gets my vote no question. So much Taichung CF loveliness!

[jasper83]

Thanks guys! Keep'em coming! Is the Bradley worth giving up both a delica and endura? Also, is the sage the clear choice over delica and endura??

[The Deacon]

Do you like the 50/50 choils on your Native and PM2? If so the Sage would be a better choice than the Delica, and I'd suggest the FRN Stretch as a alternative to the Endura and Bradley.

Do you like blades that can develop a patina, knowing that they will rust if you don't take care of them? If so, go for the Bradley, if not, avoid it.

[jackknifeh]

Thanks guys! Keep'em coming! Is the Bradley worth giving up both a delica and endura? Also, is the sage the clear choice over delica and endura??

I would rather have a GB than a Delica and an Endura if the reasoning is the dollar value. But if you need more knives for different locations (glove box and also EDC) then two would be better. None of the three are whimp knives but I consider the GB a hard use folder. More so than the other two. I like VG-10 blade steel a lot. I love the M4 on the GB. It will get VERY sharp (so will VG-10) but the M4 on Spyderco knives will keep the very sharp edge longer if the two knives were used the same. M4 is not a stainless steel but it seems to corrode less easily than other carbon steels. Tuf-Glide and cloth protected my GB from a patina when I was trying to force it. I have used Tuf-glide on super blue and it will patina almost before my eyes if I use the knife to cut food. I assume it would rust easier also if not cared for properly. Another thing I like to consider is are you inclined to dis-assemble your knives? If so, the GB goes back together very easily. Liner locks are like that. That would void the warranty though. My opinion on that though is that after I have used a knife regularly for 2-6 months I figure if there were any defect that would be covered by the warranty it would have reared it's head by then. So then my only concern is if I think I can get the knife back together correctly or not. This may not be anything you are concerned with but I thought I'd mention it. I like knowing I can disassemble a knife if I need to. Most of the time though dis-assembly is never needed. Even if you drop the knife in a mud hole you can clean it very well. But, if I dropped my GB in the mud I'd disassemble it because I know it will easily go back together. While apart I'd be sure to apply some corrosion protection product to the blade tang where you can't see when it's together. Even in this case dis-assembly wouldn't be needed but it's an option I like. BTW, the Delica and Endura's go back together also. :) Sometimes I have parts left over. I think the rule is if you take something apart enough times you will have enough extra parts left over to make two of them. :D Joking of course. :)

Someone else mentioned the CF Chaparral. Excellent knife and a bit more to my liking for EDC than the Sage CF. Especially if you carry two or more at a time. I often carry a Chaparral and GB at the same time. You have a knife for lighter work or heavier work. Can be a tough decision though. All the knives you mentioned are top shelf IMO. Good luck.

Jack

[jasper83]

Thanks for all of the replies. I do like the choils on my native and pm2, but I'm not dead set on them. is the sage the clear winner over delica? I know the chaparral and manix 2 are good, but how do they compare to sage 1 and delica?

[adancingmonkey]

I don't think any of these knives are a clear winner over the next. It really comes down to personal preference. Every single one of them is a spyderco winner if they had a hall of fame they'd all be contenders. That being said the sage 1 is an amazing knife. It is classy, has good ergos, the fit and finish is superb. I think it is one of the best values for the money in the spyderco line up. Many people won't buy it because it isn't usa made but they are doing themselves a disservice. It's tough to buy some knives online without having handled them but the sage series feels good in the hand.

To me ultimately the frn and frcp handled knives feel less robust(I want to say cheap but not in a bad way). I do tend to prefer handle materials like g10 and cf, because that's the part of the knive that you have to deal with when using it.

[acer]

Sage 1 , stretch 2 frn, great lightish weight knives love them , great additions to your para 2 . Having fun, over and in . Acer :D

[kennethsime]

Buy a Stretch 2 FRN and a Dragonfly 2 FRN. Go for the ZDP if you have the $$$.

[opusxpn]

The GB is a tank heavy duty knife and as a back up I would go with a DGF g10. The Endura and the Delica are great knives but you can get them anytime. The GB is coming out with a updated design so get it while you can.

[jasper83]

Thanks everyone. It looks like the GB is a solid choice combined with anything. I'm going to get my hands on a sage1 and compare with a few others and go from there.

More thoughts are welcome!

[jasper83]

Great input! I'm planning on getting the GB. Any other thoughts on a perfect match for it? I'm open to any suggestions, unique and all.

[BKB928S]

Go for the Bradley or maybe a Caly 3 with zdp 189? Food for thought similar price big great steels IMHO.

[JD Spydo]

If you like the NATIVE and it seems like you do then by all means get yourself a full Spyderedged Native and if you can find a 440V version go for it. And do also get a Spyderedged hawkbill blade as well.

There are a lot of plain edged models I could recommend>> but the one that fits you the best is what you want to go with. Many of the guys here lately have been going crazy over the Paramilitary II model.

And definitely get some of Spyderco's great sharpening gear like the 204 Sharpmaker kit. Welcome to Spyderville

[Holland]

If I was you I would buy the Gayle Bradley and a chaparral 1. The Gayle bradley and the chaparral and my 2 favourite knives! :)

[ncrockclimb]

Thanks guys! Keep'em coming! Is the Bradley worth giving up both a delica and endura? Also, is the sage the clear choice over delica and endura??

IMHO, the Bradley is more than worth giving up those two knives. For the record, I have a Delica and Endura, and love them for what they are. However, the Bradley is on an entirely different level. Fit, finish, steel, handle material, ergonomics, lock and overall design are much "better" than the Delica and Endura. It is just a better knife. Think about a nice Toyota Landcrusier (durable, functional and relatively luxurious) vs Gen 1 FourRunner (simple and very capable, but not at all refined). Comparing the GB to the D and E is similar.

Also, take a look at the Native 5 g-10. I think that it is the "best" of all the knives that Spyderco makes in that size range. The fit and finish are simply nicer than the Delica or the Caly, and they are really nice knives. Although I usually carry a larger knife, the Native 5 g-10 is one of my favorites.

[jasper83]

Great insight. I really like the chaparral family. How is the steel on those? I haven't heard a whole lot about it. I also like the native 5 in g-10. Sage and chaparral are pretty similar, right??

[PayneTrain]

Gayle Bradley and a serrated Delica. I prefer mine with the stainless handles, but I know I'm in the minority.

If you're even thinking about getting a Gayle Bradley, it's an easy choice. Go for it. For a second knife, I gotta go with something small and serrated like the Delica, but you can replace that with a different model according to taste. Dragonfly is a classic as well and also comes in Spyderedge.

[jasper83]

Ok...so I'm getting lots of suggestions and am having a tough time deciding. if you could pair any spyderco with the GB, what would it be??? Really looking for the perfect pair. Thanks for all of the time given to this feed.