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Bradley Alias I/II Vs. HK34FDP/BM 14200

D

daberti

Joined
Apr 2, 2005
Messages
496
Which one would you recommend me for EDC when tough cutting tasks are expected along with stain resistance at least comparable with 440C, superior edge lasting (not referred to 440C), wear resistance and locking reliability.
Note: the knife should be able to withstand all of the common tasks related with 4-7 days of trekking into humid areas and slightly above.

Thanks in advance
 
Well, of the two choices I'd go with the Bradley Alias knives. Reason being they're just a simple design that should be strong, and would be easier to clean than the HK. Of course, I'd personally go with a Buck/Mayo 172. It can be completely taken apart (for cleaning all of the blade so you don't have rust problems), its VERY easy to clean, lightweight for carry, S30V should be good for corrosion resistence. Its also cheaper most places than the Bradley knives, though the grind may be thicker on the Bradley.
 
SpyderJon said:
Well, of the two choices I'd go with the Bradley Alias knives. Reason being they're just a simple design that should be strong, and would be easier to clean than the HK. Of course, I'd personally go with a Buck/Mayo 172. It can be completely taken apart (for cleaning all of the blade so you don't have rust problems), its VERY easy to clean, lightweight for carry, S30V should be good for corrosion resistence. Its also cheaper most places than the Bradley knives, though the grind may be thicker on the Bradley.
Click to expand...

Same thought here. Bradley. For same reasons.

Long story then.
Currently I own (blade lenght from shorter up):
1)Spyderco Calypso Jr. Burgundy lightweight: laminated ZDP (2 1/2 blade length)
My actual EDC, not suitable for trekking

2)William Henry B12FT: laminated ZDP189 at 67RC (3.25 blade length)
Great knife but not suitable for hard works or trekking ;)
http://www.williamhenryknives.com/product/pocket/titan/b12-ft.html

3)Benchmade Skirmish 630: a workhorse, but with 4.30 blade length is not properly an EDC, though I'd used this way so many times.

4)The above mentioned Wilkinson Dartmoor, now produced in USA by Winchester, since the close out of UK factory.

The buck Mayo TNT looks like cool and great, but I do need a thicker spine on a slightly shorter blade (read EDCing).

Finally: Sebies. No way! For a couple of reasons. Their price first, too high for a production knife. In Italy it would cost 600€ (the small one). JMAW running for a Kevin Wilkins custom folder and I'm having a serious thought about it.
Second: I don't like the grind. Too much subtle IMHO. And hollow grinded (if I got the technical term right).

Cheers
 
Haven't owned any of those.

But... there Benchmade manufactured, so...

The Bradleys are frame locks and BM seems to have the design figured out very well.

The HK34FDP is an axis lock, well regarded as to strength, etc.

The choice for me comes down to skinning/gutting animals. If the activity is planned, go frame lock. I've cleaned an axis lock I lent out for a deer hunt and it was not an activity I will seek out for fun.

If not planned, either will do.

But an axis lock in the collection is a strong positive for the HK34FDP.
 
orthogonal1 said:
Haven't owned any of those.

But... there Benchmade manufactured, so...

The Bradleys are frame locks and BM seems to have the design figured out very well.

The HK34FDP is an axis lock, well regarded as to strength, etc.

The choice for me comes down to skinning/gutting animals. If the activity is planned, go frame lock. I've cleaned an axis lock I lent out for a deer hunt and it was not an activity I will seek out for fun.

If not planned, either will do.

But an axis lock in the collection is a strong positive for the HK34FDP.
Click to expand...

Aestethically speaking Axis Lock attracts me.
Maintainancewise it does not, as you eloquently said.
Then: it looks like being a mess around with 154 steel.
There is the old 154CM and the new 154CPM, but Crucible didn't change designation, thus customers are left alone in doubt.....
 
I think you will be happy with the Bradley. I recently purchased one and it seem well made. The bead blased finish on the Ti handles does strach more easily than I would like, but when it is going to be a worker this is no big problem.

I have the small Bradley and it carries great.

I'm still thinking about picking up the sebenza for comparison...just got to get up the nerve to spend that much money.

:)
 
For the money, I was looking at a Bradley and someone mentioned a Combat Elite RRF by Darrel Ralph and Ryan Wilson. As it stands, I'm leaning toward the RRF. I like the design more than the Bradley. Just a thought. :)
 
plowboy said:
I think you will be happy with the Bradley. I recently purchased one and it seem well made. The bead blased finish on the Ti handles does strach more easily than I would like, but when it is going to be a worker this is no big problem.

I have the small Bradley and it carries great.

I'm still thinking about picking up the sebenza for comparison...just got to get up the nerve to spend that much money.

:)
Click to expand...

IMHO there is just too much hype on Sebbies.
Here in Italy they cost something like 610EUR !!!!!!
At such a price level I've ordered an F4 from Kevin Wilkins, with S90V steel. Which blows the Sebbies away.
 
MD13 said:
For the money, I was looking at a Bradley and someone mentioned a Combat Elite RRF by Darrel Ralph and Ryan Wilson. As it stands, I'm leaning toward the RRF. I like the design more than the Bradley. Just a thought. :)
Click to expand...

So -just asking- you're saying that RRF is at same price level with Bradley?
 
I've found the RRF to be between $180-$200-ish. I think the Bradley was around the same price, or maybe a couple bucks more. They're both in the same ball park price wise. :)
 
MD13 said:
I've found the RRF to be between $180-$200-ish. I think the Bradley was around the same price, or maybe a couple bucks more. They're both in the same ball park price wise. :)
Click to expand...

IMHO RRF is more tactical oriented. Then: I do love understatement, also for practical reasons. In fact in Italy using even an Alias II just to cut your cigar, or to slice an orange fruit makes a terrorist out of you :thumbdn:
 
Tell me about it! I was just reading some of the posts in the "Knife Laws" section, and I can't believe how ridiculous some of the laws are. :barf:
 
MD13 said:
Tell me about it! I was just reading some of the posts in the "Knife Laws" section, and I can't believe how ridiculous some of the laws are. :barf:
Click to expand...

I will tell you, then :)
Here it is the Italian law:
1)Knives are not a weapon, in general, unless they're double edge sharpened or they're automatic (switchblades).
2)Then there is a difference between a)carrying a knife on/over you and b)transporting a knife on your car's trunk or inside your bergen.
In case b) no problems NORMALLY, for the knife is not in immediate attitude/capability of being used (potentially) for doing harm.
Case a): you've to demonstrate the "Justified reason" for having the knife with you, because it could POTENTIALLY be used for doing harm.
That's why I do use my Skirmish 630 only when I'm trekking and AliasII as an EDC.
Note that I'm a PC consultant, thus cutting wires, opening packages and so on is far from being rare, so I should drive with my knife in the trunk, jump down the car, open the trunk, grab knife, close trunk do my work, go back the car, open trunk.........the hell!!!

I'm used to suck liquorice sticks, thus I use knife to this extent too. Try to guess......

Lately I came to the compromise of carrying the Bradley in a leather sheath a craftsman realized for me. Hope it'll be enough :mad:
Here it is the sheath:
http://www.studiorumi.com/download/sheath1.jpg
http://www.studiorumi.com/download/sheath2.jpg
 
Nice sheath. Seems like you have some good knife laws also. :eek: :)

I must admit, that the more I look at the Bradley and read reviews about it, the more I like it. I like the RRF quite a bit, but for an office setting, an Alias might be a little more sheeple friendly. Might just have to get both.:thumbup:
 
MD13 said:
Nice sheath. Seems like you have some good knife laws also. :eek: :)

I must admit, that the more I look at the Bradley and read reviews about it, the more I like it. I like the RRF quite a bit, but for an office setting, an Alias might be a little more sheeple friendly. Might just have to get both.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Should you buy (and I hotly recommend you doing so) an Alias I'll make you have the sheath, if you wish and how you wish it (mine is without belt strap) :)
 
MD13 said:
Nice sheath. Seems like you have some good knife laws also. :eek: :)

I must admit, that the more I look at the Bradley and read reviews about it, the more I like it. I like the RRF quite a bit, but for an office setting, an Alias might be a little more sheeple friendly. Might just have to get both.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Could you please direct me to such reviews?

TIA
 
just bought a alias 2 with a ps edge a few weeks ago-great piece,almost as good as my small sebenza-edc it everday since last tuesday-
 
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