Al Mar SERE 2000 or Spyderco Chinook?

S

Sean Hawkins

Joined
Jun 9, 2003
Messages
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Hello again, as mentioned earlier, I’m having a Buck/Strider large tanto inbound and am planning to use it as my hard use/EDC folder. (By then I’ll have the whole series of the Buck/Strider folder and will be waiting for their SnG series…if ever…)

However, I’m also exploring the idea of buying an Al Mar SERE 2000 and/or Spydie Chinook.

Which of them would you guys say have a stronger lock, blade and design for suitable everyday/hard use?

By the way, I’ve also bought a Spydie G-10 Police without liner and has a hollow-ground plain blade. It is rare? Should I use it or promote it to a safe queen?

Thanks
Sean
 
SERE is sharper and more EDCish I suppose, the Chinook I is definetely stronger than the SERE, I can't vouch for the Chinook II as I haven't gotten to examine one yet, but I'd suspect that'd be at least as strong, if not stronger, than the SERE.

It sounds to me like your collection of Buck/Striders fills your "big, thick, abuse folders" niche, so the SERE might be something refreshingly different.

Also, for whatever it's worth, IMO the Chinook I is stronger in every way over the Buck/Strider Spearpoint and is stronger in lock than the Buck/Strider Tanto (though the blade is less prybar-usable, if you really get off on that).
 
Both knives are stong like bank vault and indestructable.

SERE is linear lock, best linear lock I've ever seen.
Chinook has back lock and normally comes with slight blade play. Not really a problem but someone may hate that (like me).

SERE has DUAL TALL thumbstud and tip-up carry, which opened a big hole in my pant pocket in an accidental open-while-draw.
Chinook has spyderco hole which IMO the best opening mechanism.

SERE is heavy, but Chinook is even heavier.

SERE's spear point blade provide great penetrate ability, while chinook's upswept point provides backcuts.

Blade material: VG-10 vs 440V, I have no idea.

Personaly, I also thought about these two knives and picked SERE at last cause I hate bladeplay, especially on a knife cost me $90+. However, I sold the SERE 1 month later cause I can't live with its opening mechanism.
 
Oh boy... both of those suckers are PLENTY strong! I'd say either way you can't go wrong.

Which of them would you guys say have a stronger lock, blade and design for suitable everyday/hard use?
Click to expand...

Hmmm. I'd say the stronger lock would be on the Chinoook , but the Sere is one tough SOB too - you would have to try really hard to break it!

The Sere's blade is a little bit thinner than the Chinook's. Both are made of great steel. (I like the VG-10 on the Sere a little better)

They would both definitely be suitable for hard use, but I don't think I would carry a Chinook every day. They are just too chunky to be my EDC. I do carry a Sere every day though and think it's just about perfect in every way.

Like I said, I don't think you could go wrong with either. They would both work for your intended use. (so would your Strider)
 
Personal impressions having owned both and still having the Chinook:

The SERE and Chinook are, as others have stated above, very robust in their construction. I'm not sure if I could make a call on the difference between the two relative lock strength, both being very solid and strong enough to handle about anything you would require of a folder, even in an emergency.

I like both blade shapes but the SERE may have the better all around/all purpose design being spearpoint.

I prefer the Chinook as an EDC due to the spyderhole opening, pocket clip and tip down carry on the pocket. Thats a personal preference and not an objective viewpoint, but tip down has no issues with the blade opening in the pocket, though with the SERE I don't believe it would be an issue as much or at all in this regard.

I think both would serve you well as hard use EDC big folders, but my preference runs to the Chinook for EDC. It is heavy in the pocket as others have mentioned but I find I'm living with that and it is growing on me the more I carry it. It's a bit more accessable from the pocket for me than the SERE which may make a difference if I need quick access to it or defense or one handed use.

I carry the Chinook a lot lately as well as the Tarani Journeyman Karambit as EDC's.

My suggestion would be to handle both, take the observations and impressions you'll receive here from others and make an informed decision based on your own wants and needs.

As to reliability of lockup and strength overall, both are great at these criteria.

Brownie
 
I LOVE my SERE (Have I said that enough???) but it does have some shortcomings or there are some adjustments you might have to make...yesterday I read the "remove your clips?" thread and geegee reminded me of Mika Pocket Holsters...I am going to get me one of those babies cuz when I tried to carry the SERE in my uniform pants...the lovely thumbstud caught the material and that beautiful spearpoint opened in me pocket...:eek: ...and you didn't think anyone but ole Ernie Emerson made the wave...:p I am still not sure about removing the clip but I am geting the Mika Pocket Holster (fron AND back pocket at those prices...thanks again, geegee!:D )
I LOVE THIS SERE!!! Can't speak about the Spyderco except that those knives are TOP NOTCH...I just LOVE the way me SERE fits me and the fit and finish are second to none and....:rolleyes:
Bill
 
The only mod I have done to the S2K is to put heat shrink on the thumb studs. This does a couple of things very well: first it will keep the studs from tearing your pants, and two it will give a little bit of extra purchase when thumbing open the knife with gloves on and prevent premature wear of the base pad of your thumb. Okay that may be three. Keep'em sharp
 
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