Al Mar alternative

[WValtakis]

Check out the Ikuchi for a Spyderco with a sexy slender blade. There's a reason it's the only Spyderco I own.

That one has been tempting, I just wish it was a little longer....great lines though.

 

[Silent H]

I would love a larger version of the Ikuchi too, but in reality, it's one of those knives that feels bigger than its dimensions would lead you to believe. Definitely try to get one in hand.

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

Spyderco Ikuchi, Kapara or Smock

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Nemesis MPR line of knives. MPR stands for “Mar Private Reserve”.
I'm not sure how is the situation with posting links to another knife manufacturer,
and I'm not sure if Nemesis are supporting this forum, but if you google it, it'll show up.

 

[WValtakis]

Nemesis MPR line of knives. MPR stands for “Mar Private Reserve”.
I'm not sure how is the situation with posting links to another knife manufacturer,
and I'm not sure if Nemesis are supporting this forum, but if you google it, it'll show up.

That MPR-1 looks pretty sweet as an Eagle replacement...until I saw it was made in China like the new Al Mar line

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

I guess this is the way to keep the price down. I don't have much issue with knifes manufactured in China for legitimate US knife maker.
This doesn't have to become discussion but lots of US and EU companies manufacture their parts in China and assembling the knives in US (or EU),
labeling it this way as "Made in USA" or EU. It's some how gray area...

 

[AdamFuzzyballs]

Moki

 

[Hackenslash]

I picked up one of the Chinese made jigged bone Falcons when it was heavily discounted during a sale. It’s honestly a decent representation of an Al Mar. Quality is OK if you can get over the POO and 8Cr steel. To someone trying to experience an “Al Mar” knife, you can do worse than the current run of jigged bone classics.
View attachment 1610268
If that doesn’t work check out Viper, Mcusta and Moki knives.

 

[Ourorboros]

Spyderco Baby Jess Horn, if you can find it.
Moki Blackston Fishowl, the larger one. No liner micarta handles, very light.
Both are built on the same lines as the Al Mar Falcon, though the Spyderco has more square handles and has the bump.

 

[kreole]

Cali 3.5 maybe

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

how about cold steel counter point, the smallest one makes a great edc knife

 

[eveled]

My only Al Mar (and one of my few modern) knife is a Falcon. I bought it to carry on my wedding day with my tuxedo. It’s a beautiful light and functional knife. Takes and holds a wicked edge. Such a great knife. I’m not sure there is another knife that can replace it.

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

Moki

Second Moki

this is their Kronos model

View attachment 1610431

 

[Jonny D]

All great recommendations thanks everyone. Moki is one of my favorite companies and here are some of them along with a Buck 532 which has a similar lock placement. Also a A.G. Russell one handed knife, and a TRM neutron. The Al Mar is still in great shape even though I dropped it on concrete and had to glue the micarta back in one spot, also the non show side thumb stud would catch on my pocket so I ground that down. Here are some pictures

 

[psquared]

There was lots of whining when they were available that the Al Mars, particularly the Eagle / Falcon / Hawk series were too expensive for "just" AUS8. Sure, VG10 would have been nicer but it is what it was.

Because I prefer single hand opening to nail nicks, most, if not all, of Moki's own product doesn't really float my boat. My single hand opening options to a Falcon Ultralight, depending on the level of specification you want, could include :



Spyderco Centofante III - FRN, 2mm thick, 79mm long blade ... probably closest spec-wise to a Falcon Ultralight but in a significantly larger package.
Mcusta Tsushi - bit bigger, slightly upspec'd, crap pocket clip though.
Mcusta Bamboo - bit smaller and closer spec to the bolstered Falcon. The steel on these has been upgraded to a damascus with a significant price increase unfortunately.
Spyderco Jess Horn sprint - still available if you look around.

All four of these, and the Falcon Ultralight, are in my rotation and I'd recommend any of them without hesitation.

 

[Jonny D]

There was lots of whining when they were available that the Al Mars, particularly the Eagle / Falcon / Hawk series were too expensive for "just" AUS8. Sure, VG10 would have been nicer but it is what it was.

Because I prefer single hand opening to nail nicks, most, if not all, of Moki's own product doesn't really float my boat. My single hand opening options to a Falcon Ultralight, depending on the level of specification you want, could include :



Spyderco Centofante III - FRN, 2mm thick, 79mm long blade ... probably closest spec-wise to a Falcon Ultralight but in a significantly larger package.
Mcusta Tsushi - bit bigger, slightly upspec'd, crap pocket clip though.
Mcusta Bamboo - bit smaller and closer spec to the bolstered Falcon. The steel on these has been upgraded to a damascus with a significant price increase unfortunately.
Spyderco Jess Horn sprint - still available if you look around.

All four of these, and the Falcon Ultralight, are in my rotation and I'd recommend any of them without hesitation.

Thanks for the photo that’s really helpful. I’ll have to keep an eye out for that baby Jess Horn, looks like that might fit the bill.

 

[Klutz]

Spartan Talos.

 

[bouddha0357]

I picked up one of the Chinese made jigged bone Falcons when it was heavily discounted during a sale. It’s honestly a decent representation of an Al Mar. Quality is OK if you can get over the POO and 8Cr steel. To someone trying to experience an “Al Mar” knife, you can do worse than the current run of jigged bone classics.
View attachment 1610268
If that doesn’t work check out Viper, Mcusta and Moki knives.

Hi,

This particular knife is actually made in AUS-8

The 8Cr13MoV ones are those with FRN handles

There is also a line in D2 with titanium handles

I have bought all three of these and have been able to compare them with the Seki made ones...

My AUS-8 Eagle took a while to break in and being from one of the first production batches, the QC was not 100%. That being said it offered the same functionality as the Seki made ones and almost the same tactile pleasure. I used it as an EDC for while then replaced it with D2/Titanium one and it is now back to being my EDC. I like it very and it is a 85% replica of the Seki made Al Mar Knives for a fraction of the cost.

The D2/Titanium Eagle was my EDC for almost a year but I have put it back into its box as as much as it did provide great functionality it didn't provide any tactile pleasure to me. Also I like how the AUS-8/Honey Jigged Bone knife looks like a gentleman's folder but is in reality a wolf in sheep's clothing.

The talon blade shape penetrates any soft material like a hot knife in butter, something you will not get with a drop point knife.

The 8Cr13MoV/FRN I have kept it in the box and never used it. The first time I held it I was horrified and how much flex the handle had (the result of using FRN with flow through construction). Also the liner lock is fairly thin and is not comfortable to disengage.
I understand that the idea was to replicate the Kershaw/Al Mar AM-4 (minus the assisted opening) and it was a very smart move from the new management as that knife was one of the most praised in 2017.

Unfortunately I didn't think that the execution was on point.

I recently had a second look at it and it does have its pros:

- Literally snaps open when pushing on the flipper (opens quicker than the D2/Titanium version)
- Razor sharp and very functional blade shape
- Dirt cheap whilst replicating some of the functions of the Al Mar Eagle

I think the Falcon version of this knife would be the one to get as you would still get a good length of blade but the smaller handle would allow for less flex.

It could then be seen as a cheap yet highly functional knife which at $29 is actually a fairly good deal for an EDC considering what it offers.

 

[DMG]

I guess this is the way to keep the price down. I don't have much issue with knifes manufactured in China for legitimate US knife maker.
This doesn't have to become discussion but lots of US and EU companies manufacture their parts in China and assembling the knives in US (or EU),
labeling it this way as "Made in USA" or EU. It's some how gray area...

It is not a grey area. If it is made in China it should be labeled as such. If it is assembled in the US from Chinese (or wherever) parts, it should be labeled as such.

 

[bikerector]

I think the closest I've seen is the BM 943, Civivi imperium, or kizer beglieter (particularly the ti and CF versions). None are quite as sleek, but they're in the ballpark.

IMO, the kershaw equivalents aren't as nice but they do carry really well. The steel isn't great and the fit and finish is what you would expect from a Chinese kershaw, acceptable but not great.