Bradley Alias II Blue Ti vs. Benchmade Emissary

M

mdarby

Joined
Apr 10, 2005
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Which do you think would be the preferred knife for a classy, EDC knife to be carried in an office environment during the week and around the house / yard / Home Depot on weekends?

I have and really like the Kershaw Leek and Benchmade Nagara which are similar Al/Ti handled, sleek, handsome (in my opinion) knives.

I would consider the Sage 2 as well, but I already have the Sage I so the Sage II will probably be down the road a bit.

Thanks in advance!
 
I'd recommend the Alias II for two main reasons. First, unlike the Emissary (which is assisted opening), it's an unassisted opening knife. Given that you'll be using it in an office environment, the greater control over deployment speed afforded by unassisted opening could make it seem less threatening/alarming to non-knife-person coworkers when you take it out to cut something. Second, the blade stock on the Alias II is quite a bit thicker than that of the Emissary (.120" vs. .090"), making it more robust and versatile for the sorts of tasks you'll likely be using it for around the house/yard on the weekends.
 
Neuron,

Thanks, both points make good sense.

Do you have an Alias II? Since posting my question I saw a video review where it was mentioned the Alias II was hard to open slowly (as opposed to flicking it open quickly) because (a) the thumb stud was sharp and close to the scales and (b) the detent was quite strong. Has that been your experience?

Best,
Michael
 
I briefly had an Alias II but ended up selling it because I found it (like most non-Spyderco folders with a 3" or less blade -- Mini Grip, Small Sebbie, etc.) to be a bit too small for my hands. I still have (and really like) an Alias I, though.

On the basis of my experience with both of those knives, I honestly have no idea what the person in the video review might have been talking about. The shape and placement of the thumb stud on both the Alias I and II is excellent (there's even a nice little "groove" in the outside of the titanium scale to further improve access), and I could open both as quickly or slowly as I wanted. The complaint from the reviewer about the detent is particularly bizarre, given that in my experience (and that of others, from what I've seen here on the forums) the Alias knives actually have a relatively weak detent compared to other framelocks.

Basically, I'd suggest taking anything you hear/see from that reviewer, whether about the Alias II or any other knife, with a massive grain of salt. ;)
 
I have an Alias I and II, which have played the EDC role. The only reason the Alias II is not my EDC now is because a month or two back I bought a Spyderco G-10 Delica and it has been in my pocket since.

I really enjoy the Alias knives. They are fast to open but they can be opened slow when in the office.

John
 
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