Bradley Alias II vs Small Sebenza 21

M

mantzao

Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
1,535
When i started my knife collecting i always wondered what a Sebenza would feel like so i went through the cheap route buying a CRKT stainless Drifter and then a Sanrenmu 710.
I know they are way different from an actual sebenza but they're both framelocks and kind of the same design, the 710 being the one that resembles it the most. These ones are often called "poor man Sebenzas".
I always liked the blade shape of the Bradley and thought of buying it because it was closest to a Sebenza, sharing the same materials and locking system but the Sebenza was the one i really wanted so i saved a little more and bought a small 21.
However, the Bradley always sticked in my mind!
A few weeks ago i had the chance to buy an Alias II so i feel now is a good time to make somewhat of a pic comparison:)

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There's nothing else more i can say that hasn't been said about the Sebenza.
In conclusion, I think the Alias is a very well built, cheaper, fantastic looking and the best alternative for those that really want the Sebenza but can't afford it.
I love having both:)

Cheers:)
 
I like how the split arrow clips on the alias series are stonewashed like the blade, I love my Alias I.
 
I always liked the Bradley. Never found it a poor mans Seb, but have always appreciated its design :)

Thanks or the pics, and enjoy your knives.
 
Very nice. I have a Sebenza 21 and have always wanted to try a Bradley. Thanks for the pics.
 
They're not really comparable, I think the Bradley gets a bad rap for trying to be the Sebenza, but it's executed differently enough. The tolerances on a CRK are better, but the Bradley isn't half bad either plus you get a more interesting finish + those handsome barrel spacers...

You buy a CRK because you want a CRK, a Bradley is just a really nice Benchmade, I've never seen either knife in the same light despite owning a couple Sebs and handling an Alias I extensively. I definitely think that more people should definitely try out the Alias series of knives just because they're very tanky and handsome knives. Also the defining factor for me as a user, the lockbar on the Sebenza is just super smooth to actuate, that combined with the fact that Sebenzas are built with such precision that each one is practically a clone of the next... I've seen some blade swaps which completely baffle me!
 
Thanks for posting these photos of the two side by side. I neither own nor crave either of them, but the Sebenza looks much more classy in its lines than the Alias, to my eyes. For me, the long swedge on the Alias sort of ruins an otherwise nice blade shape. Also, the relief for accessing the thumb stud seems overdone on the Bradley, too "look at me!"
 
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