Bradley Alias II - operation question

D

dulleddown

Joined
Sep 2, 2007
Messages
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Hi guys, sorry in advance for a longish post, but I have a small problem.

I just got my Alias II in the mail today and my first thought was, "hey what a ripoff, I got a knockoff instead of the real deal!", because it was so light in my hand. Having never owned a titanium knife before, I'm now pleasantly surprised that it's as lightweight as it is.

My question, which I'll pose here first before contacting NewGraham.com, where I purchased it from, is if anyone else received one by mail that had the pivot screw tightened down so damn tight. I've read some of you guys discussing this practice, so that it may clear customs hassle-free, and not be deemed a 'flick knife', but this thing is barely possible to open (with two hands, never mind using just one and the thumbstud). I'm off to the hardware store later to pick up a torx set to see if it's just a case of loosening the pivot.

My second question is if anyone else has ordered this exact knife before, and seemed to have trouble with the frame lock engaging. Mine, when opened, will resist slight hand force to close the blade, but to look at the frame lock 'engaged' you would think it would just close very easily as the lockbar is baaarely (as in, not even visibly) contacting the blade tang. There is no overlap that I can see, but it must be something, as it does resist closing. I'm sure the lightest of spine whacks would disengage the lock altogether.

I'm expecthing this to somehow correct itself once I loosen off the pivot screw a little bit, but until then, at first glance it looks as if either the lockbar or the tang needs a 'thou' shaved off of it before it will engage properly.

Thanks for hanging in through a lengthy question, and thanks for any feedback or help you might have.
 
mine came smoooth as butter-i bet ng tightened the pivot before shipping it to you-

it sounds like the lock on my strider pt-never had any issues with it-and the lock on my alias2 has also also problem free
 
The pivot problem is definately the screw. As far as the lock goes, I believe that you are correct in assuming that the problem will fix itself once you loosen the pivot screw. Once loosened slightly, flick the knife open one good time and you should get at least 20% lock-up. If not, and it fails a spine whack, send it to Benchmade. They'll make it right.
 
redsst said:
The pivot problem is definately the screw. As far as the lock goes, I believe that you are correct in assuming that the problem will fix itself once you loosen the pivot screw. Once loosened slightly, flick the knife open one good time and you should get at least 20% lock-up. If not, and it fails a spine whack, send it to Benchmade. They'll make it right.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. All should be in order once you loosen the pivot. That was astute of NG to tighten it for you before shipping to Canada. Canadian customs has a very loose definition of "gravity knife".
 
Yep, seen it before too. My Alias I came also with the pivot as tight as a duck's A. Once I loosened it just a hair and worked the knife open and closed a few times (ok, lots of times), it was smooth a baby's A. I seem to be fixated on A's tonight.;) I wouldn't worry, and the lock should engage better once, loosened a touch.

Enjoy,
Jon
 
If the lock sticks see if its got oil on it. If it does wipe it off and then try it again. If it makes a difference it was the oil. It can affect it that way. Don't ask me to explain it. I've seen it countless times.

On the pivot. Mine came actually with blade play with the pivot too lose for my tastes but when I tightened it up I found it was very difficult to jump start to open. The detent ball held the blade so well that it actually hurt my thumb to open the thing and I have a very tough well callused thumb.

I had to take mine apart and give the detent ball a few smacks to push it in further to fix it. Got that knocked out and then had to deal with the lock sticking. It had oil on it and removing that helped it but its still very tight and needs breaking in. There is about a .05 difference in weight between the all titanium and the G10 one side model with the all ti one being the heavier. Mine weighs in at 2.9 ounces and the G10 model I have here to work on is at 2.4 ounces. There is an obvious lack of consistancy with them but no more or less than other production folders with the exception of the Sebenza which is still so very consistant that its the standard. These are nice little knives but they are not Sebbies.

STR

STR
 
Thanks alot, all of you. I picked up a #9 torx (will have to track down a #6, or order from BM or someone) and backed off the pivot screw a tiny bit. It's easier to open now, but the detent bearing is what's still holding it up a bit. If it doesn't improve over the weeks I'll go your route, STR, and give it a tap inwards a bit. (Note, no oil found on lockbar or tang-checked it with paper towel).

The lockup is still super miniscule. It's visible now that the pivot was loosened, but still only about 5-10 percent of the lockbar actually engages the tang. This will provide suitable locking for my purposes so I'll cross my fingers for no lock failure, or that it will slowly work itself over a little further with use. It's still a mega-pain to disengage the lock but I'm hoping this will also just improve with wear.

So, thanks a bunch for taking the time to respond. I totally appreciate the tips and reassurance.

I must say, I do love this knife, tight as a ducks 'a' or not. I'm gonna really enjoy having this replace my 1st-gen Delica as an EDC for the years to come. And, it came sharper than any knife I've ever handled before.

Kudos too, to NewGraham, who shipped it quickly, and included a fridge magnet/band aid dispenser combo, with their contact info and "you're gonna need 'em" screened on it. Clever idea, and a good corporate giveaway for a knife collector, to be sure.
 
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