Al Mar SERE 2000 vs. Kershaw Boa

N

Nullity

Joined
Jul 28, 2002
Messages
1,271
Alright, I'm in need of a long-lasting EDC knife. After about a week of researching and such, I have came down to the Al Mar SERE 2000 and the Kershaw Boa. Both seem to be top-notch knives, but maybe the Al Mar is a better made knife... but I don't really know. And it seems like I cannot get the SERE partially serrated, which I will miss. If you know of another knife (this will probably be my only knife for a while) less than $150 (pushing it) please tell me about it. And just to let you know, I have already counted out the Emerson Commander. I don't run through the woods all day killing bears and chopping trees down, so I could possibly over-look the great quality of the SERE for the cool features of the Boa. I'll list my pros and cons about the knives.
SERE:
Pros:
-Well Built
-Good Ergonomics
-Built for EDC
-Smooth Internals
-Good Materials
-The Clip Placement (kinda, I guess)
Cons:
-No Serrations
-More expensive (can be over-looked)

Boa:
Pros:
-Speed Assisted Opening
-Good Materials
-Serrations
-Cool...
Cons:
-Built for Tactical

Any input or such that can help me make my decision would be appreciated. thanks. some info comparing to two blade types would be cool too. cpm-440v for the boa. VG-10 for the SERE.
 
I handled a Boa, and own a SERE. I own a Vapor and a Chive as well. IMHO, the SERE clobbers the Kershaw. They aren't even playing in the same league. If you can swing it, get the SERE. Its a little more, but so much more knife for those few extra dollars. Everyone I show my SERE to wants one themselves. I haven't had another knife that has garnered that kind of "public" approval. Obviously, I'm a big fan of the knife! :D
 
I own both the Boa and the SERE 2000. The SERE 2000 is the winner. The SERE is a fabulous knife.

The Boa is a nice knife. I like mine, but it is not in the same league as the SERE in terms of quality.

You can buy the SERE for $133.00. The Boa is about $110.00. The difference in price is minimal, but the SERE is, by far, the better knife.
 
I can help you out a little here. I have the SERE, and it is a wonderful knife. I don't have a boa, but would like one. From what I have heard the assisted opening isn't as good on the Boa as it is on the smaller knives.

I like the SERE very much. As you stated it is made out of great materials and has a very smooth action. As for serrations, why do you need them? Unless you have a specific need for them a plain edge blade will be just as effective.

The differnce between the steels probably won't be noticable. The only point I can think of is that the CPM 440V is harder to sharpen. They are both great knife steels, so you can't go wrong with either.


Erik
 
One more plus for the Boa: Bronze bushings vs. nylon for the SERE.

Both are extremely well made IMO. The very different blade shapes makes them difficult to compare. The Speed Safe, while not as fast as the small Kershaws, does what it's supposed to do--open the blade with a quick flick of the forefinger.

BTW, welcome to the Forums!:)
 
don't have a sere but i do own a boa. and personally i think the boa is a very good knife both in terms of quality and style, first off the recurve blade is very nice and its not hard to sharpen if you have a sharpmaker, the handle is the most comfortable handle i have ever held, the coating on the handle has this "soft" feeling to it. i don't know why pepole keep complaining about the speed safe on the boa, the only difference is that it doesn't open quite as fast as on the smaller knife, but it's just physics here, you have a bigger heavier knife its' going to take more power to push it, and if they upgrade the mechanism to open the knife faster it might be "too" strong of a mechanism. the cpm 440v is hardened to 55-57 so it's hard enought to hold a good edge but also soft enought to sharpen easily, the biggest thing i have against teh boa is the clip and the colors, i wanted a satin finish but the only one with the satin finish is the rainbow handle one and the handle looks way too fugly for me, and the black handle one only comes with black coating, i got the black coating one and took off the coating. and the placement of the clip is horrible, the way they do it the index opener snags onto your pocket alot, imo it would have been much better with a tip up carry,
 
I've owned both and I still have the Boa, which should tell you where my prejudices are. :) Still, I agree with knifenerd that blade shape is the real decision factor. Both knives are in the rarified near-custom class in terms of designs, materials, and manufacturing.

The SERE is an example of the traditional philosophy of tactical design, executed beautifully. The Boa is a radical design in many ways, but I think it has proved the value of its innovations. I would trust my life to either of these blades.

I do prefer tip-up carry for most knives. The Boa was so close to perfect for me otherwise that I took mine to a gunsmith and had the clip reversed to tip-up.

Think long and hard about the blade shapes. I prefer a spearpoint recurve over a plain spearpoint because I think it offers somewhat greater versatility, particularly in cutting lines and rope. The cost of that versatility is that there are some tasks where I think the plain spearpoint is better, such as cooking. Once you've looked at the tasks you want to accomplish I think the decision will be easier.

My choice for an EDC was the Boa because I never know what I'll need my EDC to do. (A custom, also with a spearpoint recurve blade, finally replaced the Boa as my EDC.)

The good news is that you can't go wrong either way. These are both outstanding knives that will serve you well.

--Bob Q
 
I own both and think each of them are great. I think the SERE 2000 is finished nicer than the Boa, but I carry the Boa more often. I would replace either of them if lost.
 
I have both and they are exceptionally high quality knives.
The Boa has one of the more comfortable handles I've felt on a folder. The only con I can think of for the Boa is the Speed Safe. If it fails, your gonna be without it while it goes back to Kershaw for repairs.
The SERE will not have this possible problem.
The Boa, with it's colored handle, can pass as a gent's knife, it'll be a stretch for the SERE to function in that capacity. The Boa definately gets the nod for the whiz-bang-oh-WOW! factor. It's colorful, fun looking and has nice curves. It's people friendly in appearance. It's aesthetically pleasing. The Speed Safe is just fun as all get out to play with too.
The SERE is the more utilitarian of the two with it's straght edge, spear point blade and serious looking, no nonsense black G-10 scales. The Boa will work in the utilitarian arena too, but not as well IMO. Of course, this is just a matter of personal preference and one should always try to actually hold the two pieces in question to see which one is more appealing to you.
They both use premium blade steels so edge retention is great on both.
I'll use the SERE more for EDC and the Boa for dressier occasions.

If I had to choose between the two, I'd go for the SERE 2000 because of it's more utilitarian blade shape and EDC possibilities.

If I were going to use the knife for dress up occasions too, maybe the Boa would get chosen.

GEEZ! Now you see why I have both.:rolleyes:

All The Best,
Mike U.(Mr. Indecision)
 
The Sere 2000 is one of a handful of nearly perfectly balanced knives in the industry. It is so well balanced and opens one handedly so smoothly and easily that I actually bought one for myself. Take care.
 
I've had both, just got the SERE2k. Both are great blades, my nod goes to the Al Mar for fit + finish, liner and scale thickness, smooth action and solid lock up. Like Nullity, I wish it had the bronze bushings, but it is a "near perfect" production blade.
-Scott
 
I've never owned or handled a SERE 2K, but I have a Boa and it's one of my favorites. The handle is very comfortable, even if you have big hands like me. The Speed Safe is cool, and with the colored handle very few people will find it menacing, which may or may not be a concern for you. I just mention it because it really drove the point home to me when my grandmother told me how pretty it is. Hope this helps.
 
I carry a Sere and my wife carries a Boa. They are both excellent knives. Either one would certainly not be a disappointment.

The Sere has a MUCH heavier construction, but it carries very easily. It opens absolutely buttery smooth, and locks up like a brick $hithouse. Some people think the blade is too small for the handle, but after using it a while it hasn't been an issue. It takes a wicked edge, holds it a long time, and is easy to sharpen. The handle is comfortable to me and everyone I show it to says it's nice looking and tough. I really like the blade shape and the false edge.

The Boa has a whole lot going for it too. It is thinner than the Sere, so it carries just as good. The handle is very comfortable on this knife. The speedsafe feature is very cool (IMO second only to the wave and maybe autos) and it's legal in a lot of places autos aren't. This knife is also tough and will work all day long. The only complaint I had is that the thumb ramp and flipper are a little rough, so you may want to sand them down just a little so it won't chew up your pants. I like the recurve shape of the blade since it cuts very well. The Sere would definitely be the better stabber.

I guess it comes down to what your preferences are. If I were choosing between the two, I'd pick the Sere, but you may have a different purpose in mind. Either way, you'll end up with a great knife... and probably end up with the other one later anyway!
 
I own a SERE 2000 and have never even handled a Boa.
It seems like the people who own both have trouble giving you an honest answer, because they do not want to say anything damning about the inferior knife. The Boa is the inferior knife. I do not need to own one in order to make that statement.

Any knife that relies on a gimmicky opening mechanism to sustain its appeal is an inferior knife. I have read over and over agian where this mechanism, this spring, will break after a while-- some units sooner than others.

The SERE is such an unbelievably well-made knife it is hard to believe it costs a mere $120 (avg.). I have been one of the more outspoken proponents of the S2K on these boards, so maybe my vote doesn't count. But I speak highly of it for a reason: it is the best liner locking production knife made, hands down.
 
Have the SERE,and handle the Boa every day at work.
Whoever said the speed safe was not as good on the Boa is indeed correct.

Ive been carrying a SERE for about 4 months or so now,and love it. Best production knife there is,IMHO.
 
Originally posted by komondor
I own a SERE 2000 and have never even handled a Boa.
It seems like the people who own both have trouble giving you an honest answer, because they do not want to say anything damning about the inferior knife. The Boa is the inferior knife. I do not need to own one in order to make that statement.
Click to expand...

I had no trouble giving an honest answer - the Sere "does it for me". My point was, it might not "do it for everybody". I agree with you that the Sere is damned tough and well made, but the Boa has it's advantages too. It is NOT just a gimmick knife. It is a very capable knife. I have used both AND PREFER THE SERE, but I know not everyone would.
 
Here's another vote for the SERE. I've had one for a year and a half, carried it often and it still pleases me. Can't say the same about a lot of other knives. I can't agree that it is the best production knife made because I think that honor might go to Microtech with the LCC but it is certainly right up there. The Boa is nice too but no where near the level of the SERE.
 
I've got a Boa, and it was fun to play with for a while, but I never carry it. It cuts well, and is comortable to hold and use, but not to carry.

It has a sharp edge on the flipper that eats pockets, and the 440V blade steel is not to my liking. I know, I know, everybody loves it...everybody but me. Have diamonds, can sharpen--I just like some other steels better. Like the VG-10 in the SERE.
 
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