cheaper small sebenza 21 alternative?

lava_lamp said:
The Alias vs. Sebenza question is so common, I've developed a standard response:

The Alias costs 50% of the Sebenza and is 66.66% of the quality.

To elaborate, the Sebenza scales and framelock are thicker (and presumably stronger). The blade around the pivot is thicker. The pivot is thicker. The pivot has a bushing for smoother opening and better adjustment. When you take a Sebenza apart, the tolerances between the parts is so tight, it is tricky to reassemble. Chris Reeve customer service is legendary.

The Alias is a little lighter, opens more easily (flickable), and you might find it a little prettier with its curves.

If you've never had a high quality knife, you'll be very pleased with the Alias. I have been pleased with mine and I carry both the Alias and the Sebenza from time to time.
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I agree with the above, but I would say that the bradley is a little better then 66% the quality of the Seb. I have owned a large seb for a couple of months, and I just received an Alias II today. They are a bit different due to the sizes, but I would put the Bradley's quality at around 75 or 80% of the seb, and I don't think that the extra 20 or 25% you get with the seb is essential.

The finish on the Bradley's scales is a bit less porous and a bit smoother, and the clip is quite a bit stiffer. Also, the stop bar is a rivet on the Bradley, versus a torx on the seb, so I am not sure the Bradley can be fully disassembled as can the seb (someone please correct me if this is wrong). However, the Bradley is a quicker opener, and has much better jimping. It has a torx reversible thumb stud (can't remember if my seb does, but I don't think so).

Other then that, the Alias II is very solid, great fit/finish, slightly less overbuilt, but also a bit sleeker. If you are on a tight budget, get the Bradley, it is a beautiful knife, and I can't imagine you will be disappointed. UNLESS...you are prone to regret-- then you'd better just get the seb.
 
srmd22 said:
Also, the stop bar is a rivet on the Bradley, versus a torx on the seb, so I am not sure the Bradley can be fully disassembled as can the seb (someone please correct me if this is wrong).
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I thought it was a rivet also but it is not. It is a bar that is held in place by the other screws (It is to the left the anodized spacers in the pic). I just happen to have disassembled my Alias II over the weekend and have not put it back together. If you look at the pic you will see the all of the "guts" of the Bradley. One thing I always found interesting is the size of the washers used in the Alias II.

IMG_0613.jpg
 
sticf said:
I thought it was a rivet also but it is not. It is a bar that is held in place by the other screws (It is to the left the anodized spacers in the pic).
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Ahah! I am glad to hear that, I thought it was weird that there would be one small piece preventing dis-assembly. Thanks for the elucidation!
 
ohen cepel said:
Check out the Buck TNT or Wamiea. They are worth a look.
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Here's another plug for the Buck Mayo TnT/ Waimea...I've owned several small Sebe's as well as a couple Bradley Alias 2's, and currently have a Waimea and TnT. The action on both these knives are as smooth as any Sebe I have owned, and lockup is rock solid. The only downside(to some) is the tip down only carry, and I prefer a stonewashed blade. Some positives are the light weight, ambidexterious opening hole, and warranty. Also with the TnT you get a slightly longer blade and handle if that is a benefit too you. While there is no doubt the Sebe is top of the line, I put the Buck offerings as a close second.

Dave
 
If you are blessed to live somewhere in a Red state, chances are you have frequent Gun and Knife shows passing through your town. The larger shows frequently have enough drawing power to warrant serious knife vendors, and give you the opportunity to handle several types of decent blades. I've been able to handle Striders, Spyderco's, several types of Benchmade's (and Bradley's), CRK Umnumzaans & Sebenzas, and tons of other great blades at various shows. Knifenut heaven really.......

But I digress. My suggestion is to try and handle as many different types of knives as you can, then decide on what is most important to you - blade shape, grip, weight, style, whatever. You may fall in love with a Spydero Military, a Strider SNG, an Emerson commander, or a BM. OR you may be like me and confirm that a CRK is simply what you want.
 
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