The price difference between Alias 1 and Sebenza (large classic or regular) is pretty huge in Europe. Aliases are being offered between 170 and 200 Euros while large Sebenzas through official dealer channels range between 500 and 600 Euros. Importing one directly from North American dealers such as truenorthknives could be an option, but I'll still spend around 450 Euros (600 USD). So if I can have an excellent knock off for less than half the money, Alias would be the winner for me.
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Bradley Alais 1
- Thread starter jtbon
- Start date
vjb.knife
Platinum Member
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First let me say that I own a Sebenza and I like it very much although I think it was quite expensive. I have not even handled a Bradley Alias 1. Apart fro obvious blade style difference the Alias looks like a very nice knife. The more utilitarian blade of the Sebenza makes it more useful for me.
I don't understand why some owners of either knife in a comparisn get so bent out of shape when someone compares them or says one is a 'clone' of the other. There are many obvious similarities and some obvious differences here but this is all semantics here.
I suppose it is an interesting comparison and why not compare them they obviously have many similar design components. They use the same materials for handles and blades and are both frame locks.
Their size is similar with the Alias a tad shorter in blade and OAL and having a slightly thinner blade as well.
But without seeing an Alias 1 the big difference seems to be price. I feel like it is probably a good solid knife as well as the Sebenza but at a good bit less than half the price it may be worth looking into.
I don't understand why some owners of either knife in a comparisn get so bent out of shape when someone compares them or says one is a 'clone' of the other. There are many obvious similarities and some obvious differences here but this is all semantics here.
I suppose it is an interesting comparison and why not compare them they obviously have many similar design components. They use the same materials for handles and blades and are both frame locks.
Their size is similar with the Alias a tad shorter in blade and OAL and having a slightly thinner blade as well.
But without seeing an Alias 1 the big difference seems to be price. I feel like it is probably a good solid knife as well as the Sebenza but at a good bit less than half the price it may be worth looking into.
:thumbup:- Joined
- Nov 8, 2006
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I had a lg.seb for many, many years. My only problem ever with it was a broken clip (my fault), which CR quickly replaced for me. It was a fantastic knife which I eventually traded at the Blade show for a used Crawford I was eyeballing. For me the lg.brad just feels better in the hand. Mostly I like the thumb ramp/area on the blade. It feels more agressive and more secure to my beefy, rough hands. I also like the color a little more. That being said I always felt that a lg.seb would be THE knife to have if I could only have one. The strider sng would come in a close second. However, I'm a stay at home dad and my toughest tasks are cutting open letters, etc. and for some reason the brad just feels lighter and easier in the hands. I also loved the bg-42 blade on the seb--wicked sharp! I love these debates---handle both, consider your budget, and get the one YOU like the best. Keep the peace, Smitty
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They're both pretty good knives, but having handled all of them, I just don't think they're competitors at their respective price points. You have to pass up so many amazing Kershaws, Spydercos and Benchmades to get there. People claim that the fit and finish is terrific, and they're right. But on the plain Sebenzas and any of the Aliases, you're not really doing anything that complex to require amazing quality.
Which Ti framelock would I get given the money? Well, I DO have the money, and I have handled all of them, and I bought a Blue Bump. I don't like AO, but the rest of the knife is so impressive I didn't care. If it weren't a Ti Bump, it'd be mini-skirmish.
Now THAT'S complex. Now THAT requires precision.
Then there's that argument: "but AM, how can you sure the quality will be as good on your particular model? CRK and Bradley deliver consistent perfection."
Who cares? If you've got 400 dollars burning a hole in your pocket and you're worried about getting a minor imperfection on your Blue Bump, or whatever you choose, just buy two of them. You'll STILL save money.
Not that any of this matters. The place you order it from will replace it for you anyway, and even if they weren't going to, Kershaw/Benchmade etc would fix it, but before any of this, if you took the extra 2 minutes to call up your dealer and ask them to give it a good lookover it'll be irrelevant.
I may buy a Sebenza one day. They're well made and innovative knives, deserving of a lot of credit, especially in a historical sense. But if I do buy one, it'll probably be for novelty. The innovations of CRK have been replicated and improved upon elsewhere for less money, and a 3% increase in quality doesn't merit a 150% increase in price.
Which Ti framelock would I get given the money? Well, I DO have the money, and I have handled all of them, and I bought a Blue Bump. I don't like AO, but the rest of the knife is so impressive I didn't care. If it weren't a Ti Bump, it'd be mini-skirmish.
Now THAT'S complex. Now THAT requires precision.
Then there's that argument: "but AM, how can you sure the quality will be as good on your particular model? CRK and Bradley deliver consistent perfection."
Who cares? If you've got 400 dollars burning a hole in your pocket and you're worried about getting a minor imperfection on your Blue Bump, or whatever you choose, just buy two of them. You'll STILL save money.
Not that any of this matters. The place you order it from will replace it for you anyway, and even if they weren't going to, Kershaw/Benchmade etc would fix it, but before any of this, if you took the extra 2 minutes to call up your dealer and ask them to give it a good lookover it'll be irrelevant.
I may buy a Sebenza one day. They're well made and innovative knives, deserving of a lot of credit, especially in a historical sense. But if I do buy one, it'll probably be for novelty. The innovations of CRK have been replicated and improved upon elsewhere for less money, and a 3% increase in quality doesn't merit a 150% increase in price.
JTR357
Gold Member
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- Sep 10, 2007
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- 14,122
JTR357
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2007
- Messages
- 14,122
Well,I've been carrying the Alias 1 for a few days now & it's great!
That scraping feeling/sound diminished after a day or so of opening/closing.
I took it apart,cleaned it up & applied a light coat of A.G. Russell's Rust Free on everything.It's smooth as butta now:thumbup:
That scraping feeling/sound diminished after a day or so of opening/closing.
I took it apart,cleaned it up & applied a light coat of A.G. Russell's Rust Free on everything.It's smooth as butta now:thumbup:
Ultimately here is my take, wanting and having handled both styles but never purchasing. If you are someone who is always upgrading your gear, and those who would purchase a Seb are probably in that category, than the Alias is just the gateway drug. For me, I cannot imagine a task for a folder that my mini grip or para-military could not do. That does not mean I don't want to step up to an Alias or Seb some day. At the knife shop I visit (I have yet to buy a production folder or fixed from them, prices are WAY too high) It is a rare day that they sell one of the Sebenzas they have. They more often sell a high end Benchmade or Spyderco. Sebenzas are at a price point for a particular buyer, and it erks me when those particular buyers complain about a less expensive alternative. Strikes me as elitist, but I guess it makes sense to someone who truly believes that the Alias is a knockoff.
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- Jan 15, 2006
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Bead blasted ti is very common, blue spacers are on every other knife these days as is s30v. I wouldn't say it is a total knock off.
But, Sebs are realy hard to beat. These days I would prefer an SnG over either.
Sigh, is there a great frame lock at a decent price? I don't think any of them are worth 400 bucks and I have had them all. If you haven't carried one you shouldn't get to vote.
But, Sebs are realy hard to beat. These days I would prefer an SnG over either.
Sigh, is there a great frame lock at a decent price? I don't think any of them are worth 400 bucks and I have had them all. If you haven't carried one you shouldn't get to vote.