Al Mar 1980 Folding Knife

Stunning knife! Looks like it would feel amazing in the hand.
 
I have one that I bought in 1988. It was one of the very first nice knives I bought. It's never cut anything.
 
When I worked for a cutlery shop in Boston, back in the mid-80s, that was one of our top models. It’s the folding S.E.R.E. designed by the man himself. It was meant to be used.
If I remember correctly, the blade was AUS 8a, which was a bigger deal back then. The knife came in three sizes, and one sheath option was made of camo nylon laminated onto leather.
 
Do you people even use ebay?:rolleyes:
One post says they’re asking 700,
And another says they’re guessing value is between 750 to 850!!:eek:

You do realize you can use completed/sold listings on there to see what these have sold for and what they’re worth?!

Also, You’re showing two different size knives too.
The first with the nylon pouch is the small or medium.
The one with the box and leather is the full size.
World of difference in the hand.

The variation with that “oppreso liber” special forces insignia is even more coveted but not at 700.
And you’re buying from Japan?
You’re just begging to be taken advantage of.
You just have to get that knife NOW and can’t wait till you see a more realistic listing here in the USA at least?

I have a collection of al Mars and three vintage SERE model variations too. Two of them with the special forces insignia.
A full size and the little one with the rare Westinghouse ivory micarta and that one only cost me 350 mint in box.
The large was used but still excellent condition for age and came with that leather sheath with the insignia and no box.
That insignia leather sheath is different as well than the sheath that was commonly offered with the normal/“non insignia” full size knife.

Mine only cost me 100. Guy had no idea what he was selling, but I never put it’s value over 300.

Also, I believe the ones you’re showing are the ones made for the Japan ONLY market, after the initial contract was over with Al Mar and the original ones where shipped to the states.
The originals tend to have an abrupt step after the top Swedge of the blade instead of the upswept curve yours has.
This makes more sense since you stated you’re buying this from Japan.

Do some more research and look at pics on google images now that you know the model of the knife to see what I’m saying.
I wish photobucket still allowed free third party hosting then my pics would show up on the SERE thread somewhere in here.
(Correction: type in “al mar sere attack” in the search bar and an older thread should show up with lots of info and pics, from me as well. )

It’s a great well made knife for its era and historically important, and very collectible to someone into these.
But if you wanna buy a mint one from Japan for 700 and use it even lightly, we’ll, your money could be better spent.

If you have to have that knife style wait for one to come up on the bay or here at a reasonable price.
you’ll thank me when you get one at a realistic price.
Be patient and you’ll see what these tend to go for.
And with the 400+ you’ll save, you can also get a modern tactical folder with better blade steel to actually use.
You’ll even have money left over for a good dinner.;)

Sorry I had to spew out against your plans, but it seemed like you hadn’t done enough research and some of the information given in this thread was enticing you to over pay.
The couple of posts above
Mine are correct on the model name and quality for
It’s era.

Good luck and I hope this
Info got to you in time.
 
Last edited:
Nostimos said:
Do you people even use ebay?:rolleyes:
One post says they’re asking 700,
And another says they’re guessing value is between 750 to 850!!:eek:

You do realize you can use completed/sold listings on there to see what these have sold for and what they’re worth?!

Also, You’re showing two different size knives too.
The first with the nylon pouch is the small or medium.
The one with the box and leather is the full size.
World of difference in the hand.

The variation with that “oppreso liber” special forces insignia is even more coveted but not at 700.
And you’re buying from Japan?
You’re just begging to be taken advantage of.
You just have to get that knife NOW and can’t wait till you see a more realistic listing here in the USA at least?

I have a collection of al Mars and three vintage SERE model variations too. Two of them with the special forces insignia.
A full size and the little one with the rare Westinghouse ivory micarta and that one only cost me 350 mint in box.
The large was used but still excellent condition for age and came with that leather sheath with the insignia and no box.
That insignia leather sheath is different as well than the sheath that was commonly offered with the normal/“non insignia” full size knife.

Mine only cost me 100. Guy had no idea what he was selling, but I never put it’s value over 300.

Also, I believe the ones you’re showing are the ones made for the Japan ONLY market, after the initial contract was over with Al Mar and the original ones where shipped to the states.
The originals tend to have an abrupt step after the top Swedge of the blade instead of the upswept curve yours has.
This makes more sense since you stated you’re buying this from Japan.

Do some more research and look at pics on google images now that you know the model of the knife to see what I’m saying.
I wish photobucket still allowed free third party hosting then my pics would show up on the SERE thread somewhere in here.
(Correction: type in “al mar sere attack” in the search bar and an older thread should show up with lots of info and pics, from me as well. )

It’s a great well made knife for its era and historically important, and very collectible to someone into these.
But if you wanna buy a mint one from Japan for 700 and use it even lightly, we’ll, your money could be better spent.

If you have to have that knife style wait for one to come up on the bay or here at a reasonable price.
you’ll thank me when you get one at a realistic price.
Be patient and you’ll see what these tend to go for.
And with the 400+ you’ll save, you can also get a modern tactical folder with better blade steel to actually use.
You’ll even have money left over for a good dinner.;)

Sorry I had to spew out against your plans, but it seemed like you hadn’t done enough research and some of the information given in this thread was enticing you to over pay.
The couple of posts above
Mine are correct on the model name and quality for
It’s era.

Good luck and I hope this
Info got to you in time.
Click to expand...

I have looked at all the listings on ebay. Only a couple are the micarta handle and the cheapest one was 700 while the vast majority are the other handle that I do not care for and average about 350. I also spent a lot of time looking around the web but couldn't find them for sale anywhere nor could I find much information. I definitely want to get one with the motto on it. Thanks for the advice
 
So I put in an offer and got the one from Japan for a good deal. I just got it yesterday evening and I’m really happy with it! The only thing is it is very large but that’s just something I’ll get used to. Unless I come across a smaller one I can trade for I’ll rock this for years to come. I do want to eventually put a thumb stud on it so I can open one handed. (Yes I know it kills the collector value but I don’t intend on ever selling it so might as well make it mine)
 
Jandlcustoms said:
So I put in an offer and got the one from Japan for a good deal. I just got it yesterday evening and I’m really happy with it! The only thing is it is very large but that’s just something I’ll get used to. Unless I come across a smaller one I can trade for I’ll rock this for years to come. I do want to eventually put a thumb stud on it so I can open one handed. (Yes I know it kills the collector value but I don’t intend on ever selling it so might as well make it mine)
Click to expand...

As a longtime admirer of the SERE Attack and someone who's hoping to own one some day, I'm begging you to please try one of these before you go drilling that blade!

594LYjM.jpg


2vDEjcx.jpg



Glad that you got your knife and are enjoying it. It's a beauty and a true classic!

-Steve
 
The Whip said:

As a longtime admirer of the SERE Attack and someone who's hoping to own one some day, I'm begging you to please try one of these before you go drilling that blade!

594LYjM.jpg


2vDEjcx.jpg



Glad that you got your knife and are enjoying it. It's a beauty and a true classic!

-Steve
Click to expand...
Where did you find those? I’ll check it out for sure I would love to not drill it but it’s hard to open as is
 
Congrats!
Hope you paid a lot less than 700.
Yes, like I said, do your research. The full size 3003 models are huge.
And you're right, putting a thumbstud on it will drastically effect its value, especially if you planned to drill a hole.
The attachment above may also leave a mark where the screw gets tightened in, so be careful.
 
Ebbtide said:
Gotta be a real operator and use "The Brownie Pop" to open that bad boy....

:):rolleyes::)

Nice knife!
Click to expand...
Haha maybe that’s my problem. I’m looking to get the midsize version to for my edc as there is no one handed opening on this one and I don’t really want to modify it!
 
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