Issue with my new Bradley Alias I

Knives-R4-Me

Knives-R4-Me

Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
26
I just received a new Bradley Alias I yesterday. I am having trouble releasing the blade from the locked position. I understand a liner lock should be a tight lock up but I'm talking some serious thumb action to free it. I tried pressing down and left to release as opposed to just pressing left, which helps slightly but it still seems ridiculously tight. It doesn't bind every time but when it does it's a bear to free the blade. It doesn't even have to be a real snap of the wrist type open action. I thought perhaps a little good quality lube would help but it didn't. I'm torn whether to keep it or send it back and pick up a store credit. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!
 
try writing on the locking surface of the blade with a normal pencil. The graphite often helps liner and frame locks open and close smoothly
 
Or Sharpie which I think lasts longer. On the tang or lockbar end . . .
 
Had the same thing with my Alias 2 although it's pretty much broken in how. Sharpie huh? I'll have to give that a try next time.
 
Sorry, in my newbie ignorance, I was calling the lock a linerlock but after further reading I know now it's actually a frame lock. The actual problem hasn't changed. It is still with the lock mechanism being difficult to release. I would still like to know if this is temporary or a real flaw with the knife? I have other frame locks, (ZT0301 and ZT350) and they don't do this. In my humble opinion, if this is just "the way it is" and it will always require etching with a pencil or sharpie to open smoothly, I don't want to deal with it and especially not for what it costs.
 
Knives-R4-Me said:
Sorry, in my newbie ignorance, I was calling the lock a linerlock but after further reading I know now it's actually a frame lock. The actual problem hasn't changed. It is still with the lock mechanism being difficult to release. I would still like to know if this is temporary or a real flaw with the knife? I have other frame locks, (ZT0301 and ZT350) and they don't do this. In my humble opinion, if this is just "the way it is" and it will always require etching with a pencil or sharpie to open smoothly, I don't want to deal with it and especially not for what it costs.
Click to expand...

You could sell it....to me....I won't charge much for the flawed fit! :D Seriously though, PM me if you think selling it might be an option, if you haven't sent it back already that is.

Blues
 
Knives-R4-Me said:
Sorry, in my newbie ignorance, I was calling the lock a linerlock but after further reading I know now it's actually a frame lock. The actual problem hasn't changed. It is still with the lock mechanism being difficult to release. I would still like to know if this is temporary or a real flaw with the knife? I have other frame locks, (ZT0301 and ZT350) and they don't do this. In my humble opinion, if this is just "the way it is" and it will always require etching with a pencil or sharpie to open smoothly, I don't want to deal with it and especially not for what it costs.
Click to expand...

What you are experiencing is quite consistent where Titanium liner/frame locks are concerned. Titanium is prone to galling at the mating surface and so will tend to stick while it is broken in. As mentioned earlier, a soft graphite pencil applied to a clean (no oil) locking tang, should ease the wear-in procedure.
 
Many thanks for the helpful suggestions and now that I know it's a temporary and normal issue, I'm working thru it and I am happy to report it's getting better with use. I really like the knife but just wasn't sure if I got stuck with a bum steer. Thanks again
 
what position is the pocket clip?/
I found that tip up clip position allowed too much pressure on side = hard to open.
I put clip back in original position =much better . as a matter of fact this is the fastest ,smoothest knife I own [sebe's and benchmades included]
 
mfm22 said:
what position is the pocket clip?/
I found that tip up clip position allowed too much pressure on side = hard to open.
I put clip back in original position =much better . as a matter of fact this is the fastest ,smoothest knife I own [sebe's and benchmades included]
Click to expand...

I have and alias2 and kinda agree with you, It is at least tied for smoothest and fastet including a sebenza. My alias 2 never had a problem with sticking either, really just a grade A knife, I want a large one now.
 
I heard the ALIAS I is no longer being made. The ones that are out there are it. Anybody else heard this? I do know they are made by Benchmade for Bradley Cutlery.
 
I tried one in a store and it seemed really fast. Are you pushing the stud parallel to the handle, or pushing outwards as well?
 
Yes, I push the thumb stud parallel to the handle. Was the one you tried new or used. From other posts, I now understand the occasional binding is not unusual with a new titanium frame or liner lock but in time resolves. The other suggestion was using graphite applied to the locking tang to help it along.
 
Knives-R4-Me said:
Yes, I push the thumb stud parallel to the handle. Was the one you tried new or used. From other posts, I now understand the occasional binding is not unusual with a new titanium frame or liner lock but in time resolves. The other suggestion was using graphite applied to the locking tang to help it along.
Click to expand...

It was a display model, so I assume it was moderately used. But the Sebenza I tried later did have the stiffness you describe.
 
I was being kinda tongue in cheek with the selling-it-to-me suggestion, but I was seriously in the market for an Alias 1. That's how I stumbled across this thread in fact, while searching the forum for info and/or the model I was looking for for sale. I don't mean to drift the thread, but if anyone's interested, I found a source that has several in stock at a pretty decent price for the anodized blue-handled model. $220.00 shipped at Blade HQ. I ordered it while I was pullin' a 3rd shift last night, and got my tracking number before noon today. Should be here before the weekend. It's my first order from BladeHQ, and assuming it finishes the way it started, seems to me they do a better'n fair job of doin' a better'n fair job. At least now I'll know what to do if mine starts gettin' sticky. I've been playin' at collecting for several years, but this will be my first high-end knife. Well, high-end to me anyway. I realize that a blade that MSRPs for around $300 doesn't compare to those thousand-and-above knives, but I'm still really lookin' forward to this one. Now I just gotta figure out how to convince the ol' lady that continuing collecting $75 and $100 dollar knives would be goin' backwards. We're in the big-time now Baby! Only $300 and above from here on out! HA! I think once she gets over me buying a new knife instead of flowers for Valentine's Day, she'll be right on board with that philosophy! HA!

Sorry, I'm ramblin'. Graveyards will do that to ya.

Blues
 
Knives-R4-Me said:
I heard the ALIAS I is no longer being made. The ones that are out there are it. Anybody else heard this? I do know they are made by Benchmade for Bradley Cutlery.
Click to expand...

I was going to reply yesterday that I heard they are in limited production but I wasnt sure, so I didnt post.

Today I noticed that GPK has alias I's and II's in stock, so I guess I was correct. :thumbup:
 
Just because some dealers still have them wouldn't necessarily mean Benchmade still makes them, correct?
 
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