Al Mar eagle or eagle talon????

[*jijoel*]

I want to order me an Al Mar knife.
And i have choosen 1 of the lightweights. A micarta falcon.
I have a spyderco calypso jr micarta that has the same materials and is made bij the same factory in Japan (Moki).

Now i always prefer flat ground blades.
But there is a special run of these Falcon knives with brown micarta instead of black. This special run has the talon blade.
So with a swedge and not the flatground.
I think this blade does even look better than the ffg blade.

(Pics by google from knife stores.)

special talon run

normal flat ground
From member lightsandknives edc forums.

normal talon

Most my cutting jobs will be done with the point (from point to where swedge ends) of the blade.
The ffg has the shapes to be the better slicer but with the swedge of the talon the resistance of the blade would be less because it won't contact the material.

What would you guys think of this. Are there members that own both?
I think the slicing ability of both will be almost equal.


Knives in the pics can be: hawk, falcon or eagle.
Same types of knives but different size.

 

[dalefuller]

I've had several Al Mars, but not one of the ultralights. They've all been excellent slicers even with the SERE blade profile, which is closer to the talon blade you're looking at.

I like the looks of the brown micarta talon blades. I'm thinking of getting a Falcon myself. I don't think you'd be giving up much in slicing performance with the talon blade.

 

[OldDude1]

Greetings *Jijoel*: An Al Mar Eagle ultra light with the talon blade has been my "dress" knife for years. These knives are VERY light weight and convey the ILLUSION of fragility. The knives are also quite thin in profile. In actuality they are not at all flimsy or lacking in rigidity. IMO they and quietly elegant in appearance. The mirror polished AUS 8 blades are just about perfect in grind symmetry and fitment. Both my knife and those I have examined were very sharp and totally without cosmetic or mechanical flaws. Unfortunately the knife is not optimal for frequent or prolonged cutting duties. The thin linerless micarta scales are smooth polished and do not create "hot spots" in the hand but also do not provide a substantial gripping area or surface. The blade tip is needle like and can be easily blunted. The AUS 8 steel is easily sharpened and will take a razor like edge but will not withstand frequent cutting of abrasive medium. The narrow stiletto like blade, and scales, because of their shape, thickness and smoothness can be prone to rotate in the hand when slicing. Most of the other Al Mar knife blades, although of similar shape, are wider and quite adept at slicing. It is a gentleman's knife not a work tool. If you intend to carry the knife a lot but use it infrequently, than it is just about ideal for that purpose. If it is to be used as a work knife, performing frequent slicing duties, than it is in my opinion, not ideally suited to that application. It is a beautiful knife to own or carry but not great for frequent slicing. Just my opinion OldDude1

 

[kvaughn]

Ive EDCed both and prefer the FFG.--KV

 

[*jijoel*]

Ive EDCed both and prefer the FFG.--KV

Was the ffg so much better as a slicer or did you just like the looks?

 

[*jijoel*]

I think i will order the special Falcon.

Will not use it for hard use cutting tasks.
Just as a nice edc gentleman knife.

If i like the Al Mar talon blade so much maybe i will order the Hawk ffg as pocket (sheath) carry knife.

I just love the slim shape and now the quality is good because i have the moki made spyderco.