CRK Sebenza & Bradley Cutlery Alias

wuyeah

wuyeah

Joined
Sep 29, 2005
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Hey guys. I have a large classic sebenza when i was flip the magazine, i saw Bradley Cutlery Alias. I must say, it looks very similar by glance. Alias is also using S30V for a bit less pricy than CRK.

Put price aside, What characteristics does Alias have that is unique enough for CRK owner to consider buying? or for anyone to consider Alias over CRK sebenza? or Alias is simply a sebenza clon.

Anyone had own both would like to comment on?
 
The buck mayo is superior in blade shape, blade opening method, handle shape, handle finish, and I wasn't able to get rid of the blade play on the alias. Plus the Buck Mayo is $20 to $40 cheaper.
 
I've never held a Sebenza, but I can only hope that the Alias ll is not a lesser representative of one.

If it is, I would not hope for a Sebenza to live up to half its hype.
 
DaveH said:
The buck mayo is superior in blade shape, blade opening method, handle shape, handle finish, and I wasn't able to get rid of the blade play on the alias. Plus the Buck Mayo is $20 to $40 cheaper.
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So tom mayo, the designer of the 172 carries a sebenza because they are inferier right?
 
I've played with sebenzes and aliases both, one after another. I'd have to say I prefered the style and shape of the alias, which is more contoured. The overall fit and finish of both was impeccable, but for some reason, I prefered the sebenza. The blue thumbstud looked like a gem on it, and the bead blast finish of the handle seemed to be less...bland. Both were extremely smooth, the sebenza felt slightly smoother.

If there prices were equal, I'd still choose the alias. I just like the design more.

I do have to admit some distaste for emulating the design of the sebenza so closely. It's one thing to be inspired, and quite another to copy...
 
There are many titanium-handled framelocks on the market. Each has its own rationale.

The Skirmish is no Sebenza, either, but it's a great knife in its own right. The Buck Mayo is beautiful, the tactical version of a gentleman's knife.

There's nothing wrong with factoring in price, either. Not everyone can reasonably afford to lay out the money for a custom or semi-custom, and still get to play with a variety of cheaper working knives.
 
Buck Mayo is a dissapointment. Based on my own experience and purchase of the Mayo, I found the fit and finish were very poor. Hollow grind on blade is not symmetrical, blade skewed to one side (doesn't center in the frame when closed or open), CNC cutout on blade wasn't finished (rough), butt-end of blade not finished (shows cut marks from initial shaping). Hardly an example of a $200 knife. I'd stay away from this one.
 
TT2Toes said:
Buck Mayo is a dissapointment. Based on my own experience and purchase of the Mayo, I found the fit and finish were very poor. Hollow grind on blade is not symmetrical, blade skewed to one side (doesn't center in the frame when closed or open), CNC cutout on blade wasn't finished (rough), butt-end of blade not finished (shows cut marks from initial shaping). Hardly an example of a $200 knife. I'd stay away from this one.
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It would seem your 172 and mine are completely different animals. Mine is very nice.

And although I don't pretend to know what Tom Mayo carries (I'm sure there are several in the rotation) I know at times he has carried his own 172.
 
I own several Sebenzas and do not feel the need to buy a Sebenza wanna be, when I have the superior real thing.
 
I never tried the Alias, but that's just because I never found it that interesting. Bradley did make the unfortunate comparison of the Alias and the Sebenza in their advertising for the Alias, but that's neither here nor there for me.

As to the 172, I have one which I edc. Its a good knife. I'm sure its not perfect if you're going to be anal about it, but it cuts stuff really well. After all, that's what a knife is for.

I've always said that if you can you should either pick out your knife in person or have a trusted dealer look through their stock for the best one they have. And for the price, I think expecting CRK F&F on the 172 is just being silly. I paid $130 for my 172 and while I wondered if that was a good price at the time, it has become a trusted companion.
 
I've carried large and small Sebenzas for some time. I picked up a Bradley AliasII out of curiosity. It is one of the best Benchmades I ever used. It is not, however, in the same league as the Sebenza.
 
GronK said:
I've carried large and small Sebenzas for some time. I picked up a Bradley AliasII out of curiosity. It is one of the best Benchmades I ever used. It is not, however, in the same league as the Sebenza.
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This echoes my sentiment exactly. I carry my large Alias quite a bit and really like it's fit/finish, understated style, and overall handling characteristics. I agree it's no sebenza, but it's a darn good value and perhaps one of the better Benchmades on the market.
 
Don M said:
It would seem your 172 and mine are completely different animals. Mine is very nice.

And although I don't pretend to know what Tom Mayo carries (I'm sure there are several in the rotation) I know at times he has carried his own 172.
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Digging out the Mayo 172 and looking it over again reinforced my impressions of this knife. Maybe this specimen is a unique example, based on Don M's experience, but I'd expect more production consistency and quality control in the fit and finish from a $200 knife.

I bought the Mayo 172 to add another titanium frame folder to my collection, thinking that the $200 price range would ensure quality workmanship (I paid $189 online). What I received was a real dissapointment. The fit and finish on my $65 Seki-Cut (Ti frame), and the fit and finish on my $23 Benchmade Mini-Pika are far superior to that of my Mayo 172.

Since I'm still in the market for a Ti frame folder, I'm seriously considering the Bradley (BM) Alias. If it has the same quality and finish as my other Benchmade knives, it would nicely fill the niche that the Mayo failed to. Otherwise, I'll keep saving up for a Sebenza.

TT2Toes
 
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