Al Mar Questions

[AFAustin]

I've owned a few Al Mar knives over the years and have always loved their quality, attention to detail, cutting ability, and beautiful looks. But I'd like to know more and am hoping some of the Al Mar experts here can help me with a couple of things:

1) Is there a chart somewhere which shows the various tang stamps, and other identifying marks, and what they signify as far as manufacturer (G. Sakai, Moki, etc.), year of production, blade steel, etc.? I'm especially interested in the Falcon and Hawk models.

2) In addition, I'd appreciate links to any posts or articles which give a good overall history and chronology of Al Mar Knives. I've found a few sources but they tend to be brief and spotty.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Ourorboros]

No, but unless you got one of those newer "Al Mars" that were made in China, the steel is most likely AUS-8. The exceptions would be special runs - like the ZDP-189s a few years ago - and I think stuff like the SEREs.

 

[AFAustin]

No, but unless you got one of those newer "Al Mars" that were made in China, the steel is most likely AUS-8. The exceptions would be special runs - like the ZDP-189s a few years ago - and I think stuff like the SEREs.

Thanks and I likewise always thought they were mainly AUS-8. But the Falcon I have is actually ATS-34 (stamped on the tang). It's an older one, in Titanwood (correction: I believe it's actually a dark brown micarta), and I believe made by G. Sakai.

I'd like to get one of the more recent Falcons, in cocobolo or black micarta, made by Moki. All of those (that I've seen) are AUS-8.

I've read complaints about "high priced" Al Mars having "lowly" AUS-8, but I have no problems with it at all. Given Al Mar's attention to quality and detail, I'm guessing their AUS-8 had excellent heat treatment. The couple of Hawks I've owned in AUS-8 have sharpened up easily, taken a razor edge, and kept it plenty long for my purposes.

Andrew

 

[Hackenslash]

I've owned a few Al Mar knives over the years and have always loved their quality, attention to detail, cutting ability, and beautiful looks. But I'd like to know more and am hoping some of the Al Mar experts here can help me with a couple of things:

1) Is there a chart somewhere which shows the various tang stamps, and other identifying marks, and what they signify as far as manufacturer (G. Sakai, Moki, etc.), year of production, blade steel, etc.? I'm especially interested in the Falcon and Hawk models.

2) In addition, I'd appreciate links to any posts or articles which give a good overall history and chronology of Al Mar Knives. I've found a few sources but they tend to be brief and spotty.

Thanks,

Andrew

I believe K KenHash knows quite a bit about Al Mar history. He might be able to point you in the right direction to find answers to your questions.

I'm assuming you know that the Al Mar brand of history is all but gone? The product is now being produced in China. SERE's are assisted-open flipper knives, a far cry from Mr. Mar's vision for a tactical blade. There are some new/old stock Japanese production knives at retailers, but the price is high and supply is short. I picked up a Chinese Jigged Bone Falcon and it came fairly close to recreating the feel of a Mar gentleman's folder.

Nemisis Knives was making an MPR line, Mar Private Reserve, but I haven't seen a new release from them for some time. I picked up an MPR-1 and it's an interesting knife, although made in China. They're based on designs shared with Nemesis by Al's widow before she passed away.

Good luck.

 

[LastRodeo]

Thanks and I likewise always thought they were mainly AUS-8. But the Falcon I have is actually ATS-34 (stamped on the tang). It's an older one, in Titanwood, and I believe made by G. Sakai.

I'd like to get one of the more recent Falcons, in cocobolo or black micarta, made by Moki. All of those (that I've seen) are AUS-8.

I've read complaints about "high priced" Al Mars having "lowly" AUS-8, but I have no problems with it at all. Given Al Mar's attention to quality and detail, I'm guessing their AUS-8 had excellent heat treatment. The couple of Hawks I've owned in AUS-8 have sharpened up easily, taken a razor edge, and kept it plenty long for my purposes.

Andrew

Can we see a picture of your Falcon?

 

[AFAustin]

I believe K KenHash knows quite a bit about Al Mar history. He might be able to point you in the right direction to find answers to your questions.

I'm assuming you know that the Al Mar brand of history is all but gone? The product is now being produced in China. SERE's are assisted-open flipper knives, a far cry from Mr. Mar's vision for a tactical blade. There are some new/old stock Japanese production knives at retailers, but the price is high and supply is short. I picked up a Chinese Jigged Bone Falcon and it came fairly close to recreating the feel of a Mar gentleman's folder.

Nemisis Knives was making an MPR line, Mar Private Reserve, but I haven't seen a new release from them for some time. I picked up an MPR-1 and it's an interesting knife, although made in China. They're based on designs shared with Nemesis by Al's widow before she passed away.

Good luck.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I know that the Seki made Al Mars are now a thing of the past. And you're right that their prices are high, and over the last couple of years seem to have really soared.

Thanks for the reference to Nemisis knives. I'll give them a look.

Funny you should mention Ken Hash. I read some of his posts about Al Mar knives and contacted him. He was very kind but explained that he wasn't an Al Mar collector and suggested I contact Girlymann. I tried but didn't see a way to PM him and he restricts who can post on his profile page. So, this thread is a last resort, I guess.

 

[AFAustin]

Can we see a picture of your Falcon?

Hi, Mike. Hope all is well with you. Here it is, with close-ups of the tang stamps.

I said it was Titanwood but I found a description from the previous owner and he indicated micarta. Also, I have an (undated) Al Mar catalog from that era and it describes the ATS-34 Falcons as being in black micarta, white micarta, or green micarta. Mine is brown but now I'm thinking it's micarta, maybe from a subsequent year, rather than Titanwood.

Andrew

 

[AntDog]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I know that the Seki made Al Mars are now a thing of the past. And you're right that their prices are high, and over the last couple of years seem to have really soared.

Thanks for the reference to Nemisis knives. I'll give them a look.

Funny you should mention Ken Hash. I read some of his posts about Al Mar knives and contacted him. He was very kind but explained that he wasn't an Al Mar collector and suggested I contact Girlymann. I tried but didn't see a way to PM him and he restricts who can post on his profile page. So, this thread is a last resort, I guess.

You can always holler for him…

G GIRLYmann

 

[AFAustin]

You can always holler for him…

G GIRLYmann

Thanks but I must be missing someting obvious. There's no option to PM him and when I click on his screen name so as to post on his profile page, I get this:

Oops! We ran into some problems.​

This member limits who may view their full profile.

 

[AntDog]

Thanks but I must be missing someting obvious. There's no option to PM him and when I click on his screen name so as to post on his profile page, I get this:

Oops! We ran into some problems.​

This member limits who may view their full profile.

If you post an @ followed by the username it sends an alert to that member. He’ll see it.

 

[LastRodeo]

Hi, Mike. Hope all is well with you. Here it is, with close-ups of the tang stamps.

I said it was Titanwood but I also have an (undated) Al Mar catalog from that era and it describes the ATS-34 Falcons as being in black micarta, white micarta, or green micarta. Mine is brown but now I'm wondering if it's micarta, maybe from a subsequent year, rather than Titanwood?

Andrew

That's cool. Thanks for sharing Andrew!

 

[AFAustin]

AntDog, thanks and forgive my computer ignorance. So does this do the trick? G GIRLYmann

Andrew

 

[Bigbluefish]

No, but unless you got one of those newer "Al Mars" that were made in China, the steel is most likely AUS-8. The exceptions would be special runs - like the ZDP-189s a few years ago - and I think stuff like the SEREs.

I'm pretty sure the Nomad, and at least one version of the Eagle HD were made with VG-10.
I think pretty much all of the "gentleman's folders" except perhaps the very early ones, were AUS-8. Some of the early ones might have been ATS-34.
Thing about those Japanese produced Al Mar gentleman's knives, I don't think you were paying for blade steel - though I have read that the heat treat on the AUS-8 was pretty good - so much as for the quality of the fit and finish (which was really good) and the brand name.
If you want something comparable, see if you can scrounge up a Moki Kronos.

 

[AFAustin]

Thanks, Bigbluefish. I actually have one of the Moki Kronos models (smaller one, 3.75" closed, in amber bone, VG-10). They are indeed very nice but I actually prefer the Al Mar Classic "semi-wharncliffe" blade shape, so I keep looking. Problem is, whenever I find one, it's outta my price range!

 

[JMills]

Good Evening Guys… I hate to drop into the thread, but everyone here seems to have knowledge of Al Mar. I picked up an inexpensive Al Mar knife for an EDC. After reading some of the history I have become very interested in owning more of them. Can anyone suggest a model that one should have in their collection? Thanks!

 

[LastRodeo]

Good Evening Guys… I hate to drop into the thread, but everyone here seems to have knowledge of Al Mar. I picked up an inexpensive Al Mar knife for an EDC. After reading some of the history I have become very interested in owning more of them. Can anyone suggest a model that one should have in their collection? Thanks!

My personal favorites are the Falcon and Mini Sere 2000..

 

[AntDog]

AntDog, thanks and forgive my computer ignorance. So does this do the trick? G GIRLYmann

Andrew

You got the hang of it now. He’ll see it and respond with many lines of “prose” (those who know, know).

Good Evening Guys… I hate to drop into the thread, but everyone here seems to have knowledge of Al Mar. I picked up an inexpensive Al Mar knife for an EDC. After reading some of the history I have become very interested in owning more of them. Can anyone suggest a model that one should have in their collection? Thanks!

Sere 2K!

 

[Ourorboros]

I've read complaints about "high priced" Al Mars having "lowly" AUS-8, but I have no problems with it at all. Given Al Mar's attention to quality and detail, I'm guessing their AUS-8 had excellent heat treatment. The couple of Hawks I've owned in AUS-8 have sharpened up easily, taken a razor edge, and kept it plenty long for my purposes.

Andrew

They do have a great heat treatment, many have compared it to VG-10.
Design and heat treat will always perform.

 

[Zephyr One/Zero]

If you get a chance to ever acquire an Al Mar SERE with a gold cartouche, the fit and finish is impeccable.

 

[Zephyr One/Zero]

Thanks, AD! Appreciate the upvote. Al's original folder-line was great, but his fixed-blades rocked-the-house. They have to be seen, to be believed! This one is an homage to the 5th Special Forces Abn.