Chris Reeve Sebenza vs. Bradley Alias

lava_lamp

lava_lamp

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Oct 5, 2006
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Chris Reeve Sebenza vs. Bradley Alias Review -- Part One

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Introduction

I have been a member of BladeForums since 2006. One of the most common questions from members during that time has been: “Should I buy a Sebenza or an Alias?" Chris Reeve Knives are regularly awarded Blade Magazine Awards for Innovation and Manufacturing quality. For many folks, the Chris Reeve Sebenza represents the best of the best among production folding knives. To other folks, the Bradley Cutlery Alias represents a similar knife at a much lower price. In fact, urban myth has it that the Alias was specifically designed by a knife distributor to be a lower-cost, more readily available version of the Chris Reeve Sebenza.

I have owned a Bradley Alias I, a Bradley Alias II (the smaller version), two Large Sebenzas, and a Small Sebenza for several years now. While many other knives have come and gone, I have kept both the Alias and the Sebenza. In spite of their similarities, I find them to be different knives that fill a different purpose. The following tables provide a comprehensive assessment of how the two knives compare. I’ll wrap it up the review with some subjective conclusions drawn from having used them.

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Chris Reeve Sebenza vs. Bradley Alias Review -- Part Two

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Conclusions

Over the years I have owned the Alias and the Sebenza, I have found the Alias to be the better slicer. It has a thinner blade profile and a thinner edge. Perhaps as a result, however, the Alias doesn’t hold its edge as well as the Sebenza. Because of this, I ended up selling my Alias II, which seemed to dull fairly quickly. My Alias I keeps its edge much better than the Alias II did, suggesting possible variations in Benchmade's heat treatment of the blade.

The rounder contours of the Alias feel better in my hand than the straighter shape of the Sebenza. The Sebenza provides the better grip, however. The Sebenza handle is thinner towards the pivot and thicker towards the pommel, making it harder for the knife to slip out of your grasp. The Alias handle is the opposite. It is thicker toward the pivot and thinner toward the pommel, making it easier for the knife to slip out of your grasp.

The Alias is the easiest-opening knife I’ve ever held. The blade detent holds it securely closed, but a light thumb flick opens it with the speed of an automatic. The Large Sebenza opens smoothly, but doesn’t flick open. (Though my Small Sebenza does.) Both knives close easily, but the thinner lock bar on the Alias requires less pressure, indicating to me it can handle less torque and stress than the Sebenza.

I have used the Benchmade LifeSharp service a few times, but never for sharpening the Alias. In both cases, my knives came back very sharp in a reasonable period of time. I have emailed Benchmade customer service on two other occasions and never received a reply. I once sent a Sebenza in for the Spa Treatment and was very pleased. The refurbishing of the handles was done well, the communication was great every step of the way, and I dealt with a very friendly and helpful person, who proactively called me on the phone. The cost was $40-$50, as I recall, and the knife came back looking like new. I wasn’t that impressed with the sharpening, however. The edge was utility sharp, but not the razor sharp that came back from Benchmade LifeSharp.

When you dis-assemble the knives you see some of the differences. Chis Reeve is known for manufacturing within very tight tolerances and everything on the Sebenza almost snaps together. The pivot, stop pin, screws, and barrel spacers seem particularly heavy duty when compared to the Alias. The Sebenza’s Titanium scales are thicker than those on the Alias and so is the blade.

Opinions on the relative aesthetics of the Alias and Sebenza are subjective, but for me, the blade and the handle of the Alias just looks better. The myriad of graphic and inlay options available on the Sebenza, however, help truly personalize the look of the knives: http://www.chrisreeve.com/computer.htm. Since I first posted this review, a BladeForums member made me aware of Benchmade's Lasermark Service http://www.benchmade.com/lasermark/, which allows for customized engraving on the knife blade or handle for a nominal fee.

So which one is best? The Sebenza costs roughly twice as much as the Alias. It is measurably tougher, better built, and comes with the knowledge that you’ve bought the recognized best. The Alias is sleeker, slicker, and the better slicer. Both have a good warranty, but the Sebenza can be refurbished like new. I like both knives and carry both. I tend to use the Alias more -- especially for things that might damage the knife. Is the Sebenza price difference worth it? It depends on you...

Note: The Sebenzas I own and reviewed are the "21" versions. One is a Plaza Cutlery "Dog Paws" exclusive with polished blade and front scale with engraved and anodized blue dog paws. The other is a "Night Sky" graphic. I also own a Small Micarta Sebenza (not shown.) Mine have S30V steel, but the standard now is S35VN. Older "Regular" and "Classic" models have different handle shapes and blade steel.

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Great comparison, thanks so much for sharing. Bradley also makes a G-10 Ti version of the Alias, and that is even lighter, it has a small edge in regards to that compared to the Sebenza, but I still prefer my Sebbies.

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IMG_0533[1].jpgTexture Closeup.jpgWith Siblings.jpgVery nice, LL! I'm a CRK guy through and through, but have a good buddy who went with me to Tracker School back in '07 who took his Alias II as his folder; I took my small regular Seb. We carved bow drill kits, trap stakes and triggers, cut cordage, whittled at our camp, you name it, and both truly are fine folders.

I break his down, clean, and resharpen it for him about twice a year (yeah, I'm a pushover), and the construction of the Bradley is very impressive to me. Different than the Seb, but solid and easy to break down/reassemble nonetheless.

I'd have no qualms about recommending the Alias to anyone looking for a solid ti framelock that's available in two sizes.

Really, it's like production American-made 1911 handguns. Prices vary, but what's important is functionality and reliability, which are definitely not necessarily tied to pricepoints.

Here's a few pics of my Sebs wearing G10 slabs to match my VZ EMP grips...

Prof.
 
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Great review lava_lamp. I have been thinking about the Alias 1 so this review has been very helpful (in a positive direction). Thanks, Mike
 
Great review Lava Lamp. When I first got into frame locks I bought 2 Alias 1's instead of a plain jane seb. I got a blue tii and a le with course black g-10 and grey ti.
I've bought/traded for a few CRKs since I bought the Alias 1's. The CRK is definately a much different than the Bradley.
You did an excellent job with your review. As you said they are two different knives. The CRK is worth the $$ IMO The sad thing is I don't use or carry either the Alias or
the CRKs. I have other frame lock knives I like Much better.
 
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Nice, thorough, balanced, well-organized and well-supported. And this is so rational that it is worth quoting since this kind of reasonable and balanced summary is really rare in the internet world:


So which one is best? The Sebenza costs roughly twice as much as the Alias. It is measurably tougher, better built, and comes with the knowledge that you’ve bought the recognized best. The Alias is sleeker, slicker, and the better slicer. Both have a good warranty, but the Sebenza can be refurbished like new. I like both knives and carry both. I tend to use the Alias more -- especially for things that might damage the knife. Is the Sebenza price difference worth it? It depends on you...
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lava_lamp
What a great review, It couldn't have come at a better time for me. I currently own a small Alias II and have been trying to justify buying a large Alia I
Your review has made up my mind, After owning 50 plus sebenzas I think its time for a change.
Thanks for taking the time to compose a fantastic review that helps everyone that reads it.
{RICKSTER}
 
Nice job. I recently did a comparison of a Small Sebenza and a Bradley Alias II:

[video=youtube;fnOfs03RDCQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnOfs03RDCQ[/video]

Your comments on the Benchmade Lifesharp program interests me. I've never received a BM knife sharp out of the box, so I wasn't sure they could do a good job if I sent a knife in to be sharpened.
 
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Nice review. I've got the blue titanium Alias I and it is a handsome knife. I use it for dress, as its light and thin, but also big enough to get the job done. I'll spring for a Sebbie at some point, but for now this is a good choice.
 
Rolex John said:
Nice job. I recently did a comparison of a Small Sebenza and a Bradley Alias II...
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Thanks. Good video. I don't usually watch video reviews -- it's usually more convenient for me to read -- but I enjoyed it. I see you decided to sell the Sebenza in the end, huh? It's funny about aesthetics. As much as I like CRK stuff, I don't find the styling a little too blocky/inelegant. You don't get the natural flowing curves that can be pleasing.

Here are a few more Bradley photos:

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The Bradley offers quite a bit for the money. Of course that can be said of a lot of Benchmade, Spyderco, and similar Manufacturer's products. Bradley does seem to have better quality control than Benchmade does overall.

The extra money spent on a CRK buys you precision that is simply not available from most other manufacturers. I think you can start to see the value of a Sebenza when you compare it to a Terzuola or similar class knife. Then the situation is flipped. The Sebenza is not as slick or the details as well done. You don't chose the steel with CRK, CRK does. But you pay more to get a handmade beauty than a Sebenza costs.

The Sebenza gets you close to the best put together customs for far less money. I think it is a better comparison than assembly line knives to a Sebanza.

The Bradley/Sebenza Review is great because it is a question that is so often asked.
 
lava_lamp said:
Thanks. Good video. I don't usually watch video reviews -- it's usually more convenient for me to read -- but I enjoyed it. I see you decided to sell the Sebenza in the end, huh? It's funny about aesthetics. As much as I like CRK stuff, I don't find the styling a little too blocky/inelegant. You don't get the natural flowing curves that can be pleasing.
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Thanks - hopefully you caught the link to the written/photo portion of the review in the video description.

I guess I don't really have a problem with the aesthetics of either of these knives. Admittedly, the plain Jane CRKs can be a little austere for my taste, and I suppose the same is true of the Alias II (the limited edition blue handles work better for me than the grey). I think functionally I just preferred the Alias II. But I'm probably in the minority on that point.
 
Nice comparison. I assume one came uber-sharp with an even edge while the other one was a bit more dull and uneven/inconsistent bevels/edges. I love my BM's, but sometimes that last 'step' in their production is a bit haphazzard at best. i just missed out on an ALias I LE in Damascus at a store several months back at ~1/2 price - quite a looker. I have a StarTac Umnumzaan - and love it. Reportedly, my spouse has me a plain small Sebbie, in S35VN, for my b'day later in the week. That will be a tad plain, I guess, but I look forward to getting it.

Stainz
 
Not to take anything away from the great embellishment options for the Sebenza, but I think it's kind of a bonus you can send the Alias into Benchmade to get it lasermarked. (Real cheap, too.) :

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