JTR357
Gold Member
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- Sep 10, 2007
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Spring 2009
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Bradley Alais 1
- Thread starter jtbon
- Start date
Spring 2009
I have an Alias 2 (the small one) & I love it, the ergonomics are excellent, the blade cuts well & the fit & finish are perfect.
If you want a good performing knife with awesome look at an affordable price, the Alias is a perfect answer.
Here is mine:
And in this photo you can see my Alias 2 with my Delica (an other excellent knife, less fancy but extremely usefull, I admit that I use my Delica more than the Alias, I am a huge fan of Spyderhole & front-lock):
I am really glad that Bradley makes these wonderfull knives, to me they are not Sebenza copies, but well made knives, with an original design (the material of the Alias are more or less the same used in the Sebenza, but the design is completely different), really elegant & cost-effective (especially here in Europe, where the Sebenza's price is stellar).
I am not saying that the Alias is better than the Sebenza (but onestly I like more the design of the Alias, aesthetically speaking), but I see the Alias as an extraordinary alternative to the Sebenza, especially for who wants an elegant knife without spending a lot of money, like me (I am the kind of guy that prefer buying 2-3 really good knives that 1 "super-knife").
If you judge the Alias for what it is (a well designed knife, with top materials & perfect fit & finish) you will not be disappointed
If you want a good performing knife with awesome look at an affordable price, the Alias is a perfect answer.
Here is mine:
And in this photo you can see my Alias 2 with my Delica (an other excellent knife, less fancy but extremely usefull, I admit that I use my Delica more than the Alias, I am a huge fan of Spyderhole & front-lock):
I am really glad that Bradley makes these wonderfull knives, to me they are not Sebenza copies, but well made knives, with an original design (the material of the Alias are more or less the same used in the Sebenza, but the design is completely different), really elegant & cost-effective (especially here in Europe, where the Sebenza's price is stellar).
I am not saying that the Alias is better than the Sebenza (but onestly I like more the design of the Alias, aesthetically speaking), but I see the Alias as an extraordinary alternative to the Sebenza, especially for who wants an elegant knife without spending a lot of money, like me (I am the kind of guy that prefer buying 2-3 really good knives that 1 "super-knife").
If you judge the Alias for what it is (a well designed knife, with top materials & perfect fit & finish) you will not be disappointed
I have Alias and I don't think I need Sebenza, it's just a little better.
Strider SNG or Hinderer XM-18, now that are real knives.
Lots of Braley photos here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPo62xC-Loc
Strider SNG or Hinderer XM-18, now that are real knives.
Lots of Braley photos here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPo62xC-Loc
I purchased an Alias 1 as my christmas present to myself (since santa neglected to bring me any knives this year!)
Here are a few pictures...
and my impressions of the knife. Mind you, i've never owned a Sebenza (although have handled both large and small ones) so a comparison wouldn't be extremely useful. Take this with a grain of salt.
The Alias strikes me as a "modernized" Sebenza. I can see why some people would be entirely uninterested in that concept - these are people that still drive XJ Cherokees with the AMC I6, love them, and scream "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" I get where you're coming from. The Sebenza is a nearly perfect design (or rather, a flawless design) and is a landmark in folding knife design.
The Bradley isn't quite as exquisitely detailed, and sure some of the styling cues ape the Sebenza, but it is certainly a different knife. It feels lighter. The handles fit the curve of your hand more naturally. It opens faster and smoother, yet still has great closed retention.
To me, the biggest similarity Alias v. Sebenza is the blade shape, not pointless aesthetic things like anodized backspacers and thumbstuds (raise your hand if you actually care about this. If you did, you don't get it.) Again, though, I see the Sebenza's blade shape as just about ideal for everyday tasks - plenty of belly for strength, no recurve to make sharpening easier, nice point for piercing things, etc.
So, a little bit of pro and con and a conclusion on the Bradley - simply my fanboy opinion.
Pros:
+ Lockup is 100% perfect out of the box. The lock covers about 60% of the tang when opened, the tang ramps outward past that, keeping the lock completely secure.
+ No blade play at all. None.
+ Super smooth opening with about 5 minutes of practice and a touch of lubricant. for rightpaws, this is a bit of "northwest" pressure on the thumbstud and a small flick of the wrist. No effort needed.
+ Light. For such a solid knife with a 3.6" blade that is so overbuilt, I'm quite happy with 4.1 ounces. I know Nutnfancy wouldn't be (he's looking for that 3.9 ounce knife!)
+ Benchmade build quality: do I need to explain? IMO this is the best built Benchmade out there, at an attractive (street) price. All the details are flawless. Really, check one out.
+ Blade finish: the rough stone wash is both pretty and unique, but unlike a satin finish or coated blade, you don't feel bad about actually USING this knife for stuff, as the finish won't get "messed up"
+ Blade steel+heat treat: CPM S30V, 58-60RC: not too hard and brittle, not too soft. S30V holds quite a good edge, too.
+ Simple, flow through construction: I don't like closed backspacers. They're heavy and pointless and trap gunky goo in your knife. The Alias is rock solid and has two backspacers towards the rear of the blade, plus the stop pin at the front. Easy to disassemble, clean, reassemble.
+ Titanium framelocks are sexy. This is just personal opinion. I love framelocks (that work right) and I love the feel of titanium in the hand. I'm a sucker.
Cons:
- Bradley, why does the thumbstud have to be so awful? it's sharp and pointy and chews up your thumb with great rapidity.
- I don't know if i'm just an idiot, but I managed to mildly bend the pocket clip within the first week of carrying this knife. It seems like a decent clip, and it was an easy repair (it was only bent out enough for the curve to tap against the handle, not visibly out.)
- No southpaw carry options. Not that I care, since i'm right handed, but i'm just sayin'
Overall: No, it's not a Sebenza. Is it noticeably worse? No. But it is half the price and more comfortable.
-James
Here are a few pictures...
and my impressions of the knife. Mind you, i've never owned a Sebenza (although have handled both large and small ones) so a comparison wouldn't be extremely useful. Take this with a grain of salt.
The Alias strikes me as a "modernized" Sebenza. I can see why some people would be entirely uninterested in that concept - these are people that still drive XJ Cherokees with the AMC I6, love them, and scream "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" I get where you're coming from. The Sebenza is a nearly perfect design (or rather, a flawless design) and is a landmark in folding knife design.
The Bradley isn't quite as exquisitely detailed, and sure some of the styling cues ape the Sebenza, but it is certainly a different knife. It feels lighter. The handles fit the curve of your hand more naturally. It opens faster and smoother, yet still has great closed retention.
To me, the biggest similarity Alias v. Sebenza is the blade shape, not pointless aesthetic things like anodized backspacers and thumbstuds (raise your hand if you actually care about this. If you did, you don't get it.) Again, though, I see the Sebenza's blade shape as just about ideal for everyday tasks - plenty of belly for strength, no recurve to make sharpening easier, nice point for piercing things, etc.
So, a little bit of pro and con and a conclusion on the Bradley - simply my fanboy opinion.
Pros:
+ Lockup is 100% perfect out of the box. The lock covers about 60% of the tang when opened, the tang ramps outward past that, keeping the lock completely secure.
+ No blade play at all. None.
+ Super smooth opening with about 5 minutes of practice and a touch of lubricant. for rightpaws, this is a bit of "northwest" pressure on the thumbstud and a small flick of the wrist. No effort needed.
+ Light. For such a solid knife with a 3.6" blade that is so overbuilt, I'm quite happy with 4.1 ounces. I know Nutnfancy wouldn't be (he's looking for that 3.9 ounce knife!)
+ Benchmade build quality: do I need to explain? IMO this is the best built Benchmade out there, at an attractive (street) price. All the details are flawless. Really, check one out.
+ Blade finish: the rough stone wash is both pretty and unique, but unlike a satin finish or coated blade, you don't feel bad about actually USING this knife for stuff, as the finish won't get "messed up"
+ Blade steel+heat treat: CPM S30V, 58-60RC: not too hard and brittle, not too soft. S30V holds quite a good edge, too.
+ Simple, flow through construction: I don't like closed backspacers. They're heavy and pointless and trap gunky goo in your knife. The Alias is rock solid and has two backspacers towards the rear of the blade, plus the stop pin at the front. Easy to disassemble, clean, reassemble.
+ Titanium framelocks are sexy. This is just personal opinion. I love framelocks (that work right) and I love the feel of titanium in the hand. I'm a sucker.
Cons:
- Bradley, why does the thumbstud have to be so awful? it's sharp and pointy and chews up your thumb with great rapidity.
- I don't know if i'm just an idiot, but I managed to mildly bend the pocket clip within the first week of carrying this knife. It seems like a decent clip, and it was an easy repair (it was only bent out enough for the curve to tap against the handle, not visibly out.)
- No southpaw carry options. Not that I care, since i'm right handed, but i'm just sayin'
Overall: No, it's not a Sebenza. Is it noticeably worse? No. But it is half the price and more comfortable.
-James
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2006
- Messages
- 147
I didn't really want to get in the knockoff/no knockoff argument.
However, Bradley used blue spacers on their Mayhem long before the Alias was even out. So I highly doubt that they are used to imitate the Sebenza at all. It's a Bradley signature as well.
mongomondo
SUPPRESSING FIRE
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- Sep 17, 2006
- Messages
- 3,290
Nice review. The thumbstud does look a little weird.
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
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- 1,019
I have several Sebbys and the Alias II. The Sebenza is much, much more knife. I know, its much more money as well. But when it comes down to it, there is always a reason things cost more or less. I like the Alias and Alias II. But they are a knock off that is designed for a low price point, with a nice build(way lighter than the Sebenza but nice none the less). Otherwise, if they were similar in price, people would go for the obvious CRK.
I also wanted to add, I like the heat treat on the Sebby better as well. My Sebbys hold an edge longer and I can get them sharper quicker.
I also wanted to add, I like the heat treat on the Sebby better as well. My Sebbys hold an edge longer and I can get them sharper quicker.
Last edited:
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- Dec 18, 2008
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Its great and all to have an opinion about what knives you like. But its not great to start the whole Strider/Sebenza war of words with this statement!
Quote:"Strider SNG or Hinderer XM-18, now that are real knives."
+1 the tumbstud is too aggressive.
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- Dec 10, 2006
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The Sage is tribute to CRK for the invention of the framelock. As was the Sage in liner lock for Walker Liner. So no nock off.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2008
- Messages
- 459
Although there is no mention of it on Bradley Cutlery's website, there's a write up on this website about the Alias being somewhat of a Sebenza knock-off. Maybe this is where people are getting that notion from.
http://premiumknives.com/Bradley_Cutlery/
http://premiumknives.com/Bradley_Cutlery/
Based on everything I heard, this is what I think--
If you want a Sebenza, don't buy the Alias. It might look similar but just isn't the same.
If you just want a nice knife (and all account say it is), without paying Sebenza prices, the Alias is a good choice.
If you want a Sebenza, don't buy the Alias. It might look similar but just isn't the same.
If you just want a nice knife (and all account say it is), without paying Sebenza prices, the Alias is a good choice.
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- Dec 4, 2007
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I have a small sebenza and a bradley alias ii.they are both great knives but the sebenza is my edc.the bradley is a great knife for the money, it fits great in the hand,and is made very good .it has a rock solid lock-up if you get one you won't be sorry.
JTR357
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2007
- Messages
- 14,122
JTR357
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2007
- Messages
- 14,122
I just got my Alias today.It's ok.I guess my expectations were a little too high.
Maybe it just needs some breaking in.The action is real smooth opening,but what I don't like is when I go to close it,it makes a scraping sound,when I push over the lock.
I mean,I know it's metal on metal,but my BM635 doesn't make that noise & seems smoother than the alias.I've had & used almost daily the 635 for a year & a half now though.I don't remember how it was when I first got it.What I do know now about my 635 is that it has developed very slight side to side blade play & the blade isn't centered anymore when it's closed.
Maybe it just needs some breaking in.The action is real smooth opening,but what I don't like is when I go to close it,it makes a scraping sound,when I push over the lock.
I mean,I know it's metal on metal,but my BM635 doesn't make that noise & seems smoother than the alias.I've had & used almost daily the 635 for a year & a half now though.I don't remember how it was when I first got it.What I do know now about my 635 is that it has developed very slight side to side blade play & the blade isn't centered anymore when it's closed.
That's why I don't like liner/liner-type locks at all anymore. That rough grinding sound leads me to believe that the liner is going to go (die) even more quickly. You just don't get that with a lockback or an Axis...
JTR357
Gold Member
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- Sep 10, 2007
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