Al Mar SERE 2000 or Spyderco Military?

Point44

Point44

Joined
Jan 15, 2003
Messages
1,690
Thinking of getting a new folder...still can't decide what to get...
Heard good things about both knives...

If i do choose the spydie, is serrated or plain edge better? Am thinking of the hassle involved in sharpening serrated edges since i don't have a sharpmaker...only some DMT hones...

And which of the sere is better the one with the coated blade or without the coating?

ANyway...thanks for any info you guys can provide...
 
but I have only heard good things about the Al Mar knife. Seems to me that it is the latest liner-lock craze. The Spyderco knife should be a good knife also. I dont own any Spydercos, I even think some of them are butt-ugly, but I wouldnt ever doubt their performance. Just like Al Mar knives, I only hear good things about Spyderco.
 
The Al Mar is but beefier than the Military, and I like the blade style better, it fits most EDC chores very well. Also the SERE has a very well designed clip that allows the knife to carry deeper in the pocket then any knife I have owned. i just cant see anyone going wrong with a Al Mar SERE.
 
I don’t own a Military but I have heard good things about them. I do however have a SERE (black coated) and I really like. The action of this knife is unbelievably smooth and the blade came sharper than any knife I have ever seen. I know that many people dislike the lock on both these knives but as far as the SERE goes, it is very solid. My father in law got a BM with an axis lock a few weeks before I got my SERE and as wonderful as that system seems to be, my blade was smoother to open and has less (side to side) blade play (neither knife has any “vertical” play) than the axis.
Oh yeah, I really like the shape of the blade on the SERE. At first I was a little put off by the swedge/false edge but this (I think) really lends itself to good piercing performance.

And one final high point for the SERE is the pocket clip. I really like the “tip up” carry (it seems to be much quicker –for me at least) than the tip down of the Military. Also, the clip on the SERE is positioned as far back as possible so none (and I mean none) of the knife itself is shown coming out of your pocket (some say that this limits the quickness of the draw but I still think that I am quicker with this knife than my other ones that are more exposed and are “tip down”).

This “covert carry” is great for a number of reasons one of which is better retention/less things will snag the knife (this might sound dumb, but in the world of baggy clothes, this is a reality—at least for me). Finally, if you get the blade coated SERE blade, the clip also comes coated matte black, which also greatly reduces the attention you might receive from a shiny polished clip (again, this might sound dumb, but it is true, at least for me. I lived in Jerusalem for some time and remember catching many a glace from various people when they saw my “silver” clip, and then a portion of my knife sticking out of my pocket. This is in a land were guys five years my minor were carrying AR-15s slung over their shoulder. Contrast this to my carrying the “low ride” SERE with its dull black clip which goes unnoticed by the lunatic liberals here in my new leftist city –Santa Barbara, CA). Steel and blade shape are important but ability to carry the knife is an issue that (I think) is often left out of the reviews/comparisons.

All in all, I think that the military would be a bit cheaper, but in my mind when you spend $100, you might as well spend $110 and get the better choice.

Oh yeah, check out these reviews, they helped me decide initially in favor of the SERE:
http://www.jungletraining.com/knives.htm
good luck!
 
These are my two fave folders. The Millie goes to work with me daily, the SERE is my "civilian" EDC.

You can't go wrong with either, but they have different strengths/weaknesses. My Millie is a comboedge (heresy!) in S30V, and the Al Mar is a PE in VG10. The Military is lighter, and I prefer it's handle contours. It opens slightly quicker.

The Al-Mar "feels" very robust, tough and durable. Built like a fine watch, nice contour on the handle, no blade play, etc. Both knives exhibit great QC. The Al Mar is heavier and rides a little lower in the pocket. It has a shiny clip (uncoated blade), the Millie clip is black. The S2k is tip up, the Millie rides tip down, but I carry my Millie in a belt sheath so tip down works out well.

Lockup on both knives is outstanding.

Others have discussed cutting performance of these knives better than I can, the Millie is a first rate slicer, while the Al Mar has what may be a more durable, but slightly thicker, edge. Both have equally useful points and utilitarian blade geometry.

If I could only have one, it would probably be the Military, but only because it feels slightly more comfortable in my hand, and it's exceptionally lightweight and thin for a big folder.

But I'd recommend the SERE 2k without a second thought, it's a great knife.
 
Military!I have handeled the SERE and IMO the military just fits better and is a little thiner.
 
Originally posted by u812
Military!I have handeled the SERE and IMO the military just fits better and is a little thiner.
Click to expand...
SERE 2000! I have owned a Military and the Al Mar SERE 2000 just fits better, and is a tough folder (with it's dual stainless liners).:D.

...Actually, they are BOTH excellent folders, but for me, the SERE 2000 IS the folder to have. Although they are both liner-locks (with the lock of the Mili being a "nested lock"), I have found that the lock of the SERE 2000 is ALOT more secure for ME...(I am a "lefty", and the blade of the Mili would tend to release when I held the Mili tightly, but I don't have ANY problems with ANY of my Al Mar liner-locks.). Also, I DO like the fact that the pocket-clip of the SERE 2000 is reverseable and that it allows the knife to ride very low in the pocket.
 
People here generally have more experience than I do, but I looked at the Military and Sere and then was surprised to end up with a Benchmade 732D2BT! It turned out to be my favorite knife. This might muddy the waters a little, but I like the 732 so much I couldn't resist!
 
Originally posted by Cricket
People here generally have more experience than I do, but I looked at the Military and Sere and then was surprised to end up with a Benchmade 732D2BT! It turned out to be my favorite knife. This might muddy the waters a little, but I like the 732 so much I couldn't resist!
Click to expand...

I've already got a few Benchmades and just thought i'd try out other brands. Currently the BM721 is my EDC.
 
I own both (the Military in plain edge and 440V) and I have been trying to decide which one is better... for at least one year!

I have stopped trying. It is impossible for me to decide which one is better, they are absolutely the best two large folders that I have ever used.

It is not even a 49-51% decision for me, it is exactly 50-50%.

I cannot decide. They are GREAT, both of them!


I am sorry, I know this doesn't help in deciding, but I write this just to show how good they are.
 
Question for New Graham Knives guy. Sorry i don't know your name.

How much does New Graham charge for shipping to the United Kingdom? I've ordered from you guys before but had the stuff delivered to my friend in the states. He's no longer there though.

I'm guessing it'll turn out cheaper still 'cos right now if i buy it in the UK it's gonna cost me close to US$250.
 
I have both, and they are both excellent choices. The SERE is a solider, heavier and more finely finished knife. The Military is lighter and thinner and slices a lot better. The SERE kind of makes you say "wow" every time you handle it. The Military is more comfortable in the pocket. The SERE's thumb studs have occasionally caused it to partially open as it was pulled out (tip up, remember). The Military is tip down, not a problem for me, and never opens unless I want it to (and the hole makes it a faster opener).

The bottom line is you can't go wrong either way. The differences in likeability are very small to me. If fit and finish and impressive feel is more important to you, go for the S2k. If ease of carry and insane cutting ability is more important, go for the Milly.
 
Point 44...can't give you firm shipping figures, but these are close:
USPS Global Priority (no insurance)...$10 - $12
USPS Global Express (insured)...under $25
Regards, Mike
 
If you have ever owned a knife that you thought was a little too heavy or big in your pocket, get the military. I own both, and I think the SERE is better overall, but they weigh down my pants, so it's the military that comes with me. Lighter and more comfortable to carry than you might expect.
 
I've owned both, and the SERE 2000 is made impeccably, the fit and finish is incredible. The Military is very good as well, but not quite that good.

I personally prefer the Military because it's an easier carry for me, it's very light and slim, more conducive to EDC. The SERE 2000 is chunky and heavy, but it feels very solid. Also, because I have fairly large hands, the Military provides more versatility in use. I like how the flat grind looks as well.

I think it's more personal preference than anything else, on what you prefer to carry.

Ah yes, something up there glockman mentioned, if you're going to be torquing the blade alot, and have a need for a lock that will stay steady under all conditions, I'd take the SERE 2000. It wouldn't move however I tried to disengage it, but was also harder to close. Trade-offs.
 
point44 I've handled both sere & military at several gunshows, fair price on both. I also carry bm721 or bm720 edc. must admit both sere/military well made,nice knives; but could not see either one replacing 721 as edc. did consider buying sere just to add to collection
 
Al Mar, hands down. I own both and to me the extra weight of the al mar is worth it. It feels great in your hand, smooth action, tough, full liners and a great look. Reversable pocket clip as well for us lefties. Military is still a good knife but I just like the Sere better.
 
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