sebenza vs bradly

G

getwet

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Oct 4, 2006
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I know that the sebenza is hard to beat but i was wondering if anyone owned a bradly and how they compared to the sebenza.
 
It's made to look similar, but it is VERY different knive... different grind & blade geometry, totally different pivot assembly (so-called "adjustable", so in fact just very very simple and nowhere as robust as Sebenza's bearing pivot), simple stainless steel clip. And made by Benchmade... Bradley is only a brand, under which one trade company ordered a knife to be produced at BM. Bradley is not a manufacturer, it's only marketing in fact.
 
You're asking in the Chris Reeve forum? :)

I have a Small Plain Sebenza and an Alias Limited Edition (Ti/G10).

We know how good Chris Reeve's fit an finish is, but the Bradley is typical Benchmade quality - very, very good. The Bradley may not be as strong as the Sebenza, but it's strong enough for me.

I find that the Alias is much more ergonomic and comfortable than the Sebenza.
 
My reviews from the passaround alias:

My review is not so positive:

OK I just took it apart Two T6 torx in the tail and one T9 torx for the pivot. Indeed the stop pin has a larger diameter in the center so it just "floats" in between the handle sides. There's two bronze washers but I would guess they are 30% smaller then a small sebenza washers. I'm not sure what you call the pivot screw, but it's just like others one side is a screw, the other is a barrel with threads inside.

As I guessed there is no pivot bushing, what that means is that when you tighten the pivot, it puts increasing pressure on the blade washer sandwich. Tightening the pivot then takes up lateral play in the sandwich, the problem is, as I've said before, you now have to balance ease of opening versus no play. As far as I'm concerned any knife over $100 better have a bushing, or it's a wanna be.

I will say that if the washer area was increased then that might help ease the opening tension at high tightness, but in the current design it can't be increased because the way the handle and lock are cut. That is there just isn't enough room for bigger washers.

I also think the thumb stud is a poor design. It's not meant to be a thumb directly on top as there is a point there, it also doesn't work that well as the thumb on the side pushing against the side to open as there really isn't a good traction groove on the thumb stud around it's midsection. There is closer toward the blade, but the relief channel in the handle needs cut deeper to easily get to that groove.

I don't know if Brad designed this or just asked Benchmade to make him a Ti handled knife with a blue thumbstud, but someone didn't do their design homework IMO.

I had a Buck Mayo 172, IMO that is a better designed knife at a lower price. If those are around $130 to $150 now, I would expect this knife to sell in the $100 range. This knife strongly reminds me of the CRKT S2 that came out several years ago. If I payed $180 or so for this knife I'd be highly pissed.

IMO this knife doesn't compare to sebenza at all, other the it has Ti sides and an s30v blade.
Click to expand...
 
I'd just like to add a couple of additional pieces of opinions.

I picked up a second hand Buck Mayo 172 a couple of weeks ago for $113, I still feel even though it is not perfect, it continues to be a much better knife in design and execution then the Alias. I now feel the alias would make a decent $70 knife, more then that's it's a ripoff.

Also, when I was at Blade in June, I stopped by the booth that was selling alias's. They had some models out showing them. They all had blade play, not subtle, but obvious blade play. I was suprised. I held one at eye level and wiggled the blade side to side. The guy who was lookiing ast the knife went ahead and bought it, the buy selling the knife didn't seem to notice or care.

It seems now they've given up somewhat on imitating the sebenza, now they have a "strider" model with tiger strips. :rolleyes:
 
I personally wouldn't buy one. I have the real deal, I don't need or want a wanna be.
 
Thanks for the info i have a large plane sebenza i was just wondering what your opinion was on brad.
 
Patience, get the real thing -- CRK will not disappoint you and it is much better made than the 2 or 3 knives (whatever it is) you will get by spiltting up the same amount (budget).

But if you are after cheap thrills, then go for it.
I personally prefer to wait and save -- adds to the sentimental value of the knife.
 
if he is going to wait and save -forget bolth the sebenza and alias and get in line for a hinderer xm18- aboot the same price as a sebbi
 
While I'm still new to Sebenzas(got mine in June), I think this is a lot like the person who wants a Harley, but settles for a cheaper imitation. Sooner or later, you're gonna buy the real deal. Why not save the money and get what you want. No problem if you DON'T want one, but getting a cheaper attempt at one won't keep you happy for very long, YMMV.
 
One of the big selling points of the Sebenza is the ability to send the knife back to the factory and and have it refurbished or repaired. I do not know if this is a service you would get from Bradley.

Stuart
 
One of my favorite things about the Sebenza is the pivot bearing system and the fact that they encourage you to take apart the knife for cleaning rather then discourage it. I can take the thing apart, put it back together and it goes back together perfectly. No need for loctite to hold the proper pivot tension, no blade that gets off centered, etc. It goes back together perfect every single time.

I've only ever found one knife to match the Sebenza when it comes to fit, finish, ease of use/cleaning/disassembly....and that is the Scott Cook Lochsa which uses the same system.
 
Slide:
I agree with you completely. Lately I've been EDCing between my Lochsa and my 2006 LE Buckeye Burl inlay. They're the best knives I own.:cool:
 
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