Al Mar SERE 2000

S

silversport

Joined
Jul 22, 2003
Messages
54
Is this knife "the next level" from some that I have been looking at??? Spyderco Military/Police models, Benchmade AFCK, Emerson CQC7-A Spearpoint (or the Tanto Pointed CQC7B for that matter???)
EDC or too big?
Too pretty for EDC???
Not tuff enuff for EDC???
Did I just go off the deep end and COMPLETELY lose my mind????
Help...I shoulda stuck to guns.....
Bill
 
I have a Benchmade 710, a Spyderco carbon fiber Police, and an Al Mar SERE 2000 that I rotate as EDC. The SERE 2000 is a step up in over-all quality. It is an extremely well-made and finished knife. Very robust. From what I have read on these boards the last few years, I would say about 95% of them have superb lock-ups. Maybe 5% have lock-up issues OR incidences of less than superb lock-ups. That's only 1 in 20.

The other 19 in 20 represent about as fine a liner locking production knife what can buy, all for $120 or less.
 
I have one I bought used here on the forums. It's a very tough knife; my only issue with mine is that the ball detente doesn't hold it closed as well as I would like. This may be an isolate case though. It's a very well finished knife, but not too pretty for EDC. I found it a bit heavy for EDC though. It would be an excellent outdoors folder, which was what it was designed for. It takes a wicked edge too, VG-10 is cool stuff.
 
The only knives you mentioned that I own are the Military, Police (G-10 handle), and Benchmade AFCK Axis lock (D-2 steel)

In my opinion, the Al Mar is just as good (if not better) than any of these in terms of getting the most bang for the buck.

The Military and my Police models both have great full-flat ground blades that are wickedly sharp and have SUPERB edge geometry. The SERE 2000 doesn't have a flat ground edge, but the edge geometry is still EXCELLENT and the blade seems sturdier (especially in the tip) for very hard use over the two Spydercos. In my opinion the Military and Police have slightly better edge geometry than the SERE 2000, and lastly the AFCK when comparing those four for edge geometry, although I haven't fairly tested each knife agaist one another on certain cutting chores, so that is speculation on my part. I like the VG-10 better than the CPM 440V (Military) ATS 55 (Police) AND the D2 (AFCK) The D-2 is a bit harder for me to sharpen, although it holds a great edge, and the VG-10 seems to hold an edge better than the other two. The VG-10 should be more stainless than the D2 although I haven't had any of the knives rust yet, as I tend to care for them, try not to swim with any of them, and it's really dry where I live.

As far as pocket carry goes, the SERE 2000 would be my last choice for daily pocket carry, simply because it's hard to draw because it rides so low. I carry mine in a large Benchmade pouch and the knife fits the pouch better than any of the other three knives. The only time I'd prefer to carry the SERE 2000 in the pocket over the other three is on duty (as a police officer). When in uniform, my holster rides right above my right front pocket and most knives (especially the Police because the handle cants forward a bit and rides high in the pocket) can be hard for my fingers to grab because the holster gets in the way. It is also hard for me to get my hand in my pocket because it just doesn't fit between the handle of the knife and the holter very well. The Military has the same problem although to a lesser degree, and the AFCK is even less of a problem because the handle cants the other way and my hand slips right past it due to the curve. The SERE 2000 rides so low that I hardly even notice it when carrying it on duty but it can be hard to draw because it rides so low, and I need to carry something that I can draw more reliably. This part of the comparison is probably specific to me, but I think it fits the general carryabiliy aspect of the knives, so I hope you find it useful.

The SERE 2000 is about twice or at least 30% heavier than the other three knives (estimating from memory anyway) and the handle is considerably thicker than the Military (which doesn't have any liners along the handle except the half of the liner lock) and the Police I believe only has one liner, wich is thin. The AFCK is almost as thick as the SERE 2000 because it has double liners. (I'm guessing, I don't have the two with me right now to compare so I'm going off of memory)

Really the only negative thing I can say about the SERE 2000 that I have found is that it rides too low, but I have overcome that by carrying it in the pouch, and it might bother you, so be aware of it.

In my opinion, any of these four knives would be a great buy and are worth the money. I don't own the steel-handled Police model though and the G-10 one like I have, I believe is discontinued which is unfortunate, because the edge geometry is SUPERB, and the knife is strong but light. If I had to buy another one of the four, I'd buy a second SERE 2000 over the other three, and the runner up would go to the Axis lock AFCK.

Hope this helps.
 
It's interesting that some people's problems are other people's solutions. The Sere is my usual EDC _because_ it rides so low in the pocket. It does make drawing it a bit more difficult but it makes carry much lower profile. It's a solid and relatively heavy knife but it doesn't bother me in the pocket at all. It's tip up so I carry it all the way back in my right front pocket. The weight carries very easily clipped so close to where the pocket sews on.

As far as the knife once you've got it in hand, it's as good as it gets at this price point. The scales have just the right amount of texture for me - it feels very secure without being overly abrasive. The handle shape is pretty neutral and it feels fine in a variety of grips. I'm generally not a big fan of liner locks but the lock on my SERE is very solid. Opening is silky smooth and the lock engages with a satisfying clack. Blade shape is great for a lot of different uses and the VG10 takes a great edge.

WWill
 
The S2k is in my EDC rotation with an LCC MA, Military and Emerson Mini Commander.

The Al Mar is very well built, solid lockup with practical blade geometry. It's a little heavy for pocket carry with shorts, but so is the LCC. The VG10 steel is tremendous, very low maintenance and it takes/holds a keen edge.

My favorite big folder right now is probably the Military, because it does everything I use a knife for so well, and it's ultralight. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the S2k though, as a big EDC or an outdoor utility/tac folder.
 
silversport,

FWIW, I too am very happy with my SERE 2000. It has passed the hard spine whack test (on a wooden table) as well as the padded or soft spine whack test. I did not notice any liner lock movement, and it seems solid to me. I rotate it through my EDC alongside a BM TSEK (think AFCK with 440c and thumbstuds instead of D2 and opening hole) and a BM 732D2BT. I have found that 3.6" is just about the ideal blade length for a folder, and that 4" is just a tad too long. I work in an office environment, so YMMV. Anyhow, they are all great knives, I have no experience with Spyderco, but some knowledgeable forumites here speak very, very highly of the Military. My advice would be buy what you find aethestically pleasing, nobody is gonna say your choice was "a bad knife".

Regards,

Shaun.
 
I have had the S2K for over a year now and without a doubt the finest and to me the heaviest duty liner lock I have ever owned. This knife borders on custom quality. Matter of fact I have seen many custom knives that weren't as nice. That being said it is not my EDC simply because I am getting into smaller edc's. I use it for hunting more than anything else, especially stump shooting with my longbow. It has a very high degree of fit and finish and look at how the liners are so highly polished. The VG10 takes and edge like no tomorrow and holds it the same. For a discreet pocket carry knife that won't fail you in a time of need no matter what it is the S2K is hands down pretty much unbeatable imho. Keep'em sharp
 
I have an Al Mar 2K with the black-coated blade and it is one of the most precisely manufactured knives I own. At a glance from photos in magazines you wouldn't think that the spear point blade of the 2K is as sharp as it is...it is wickedly sharp! The VG-10 steel is one of my favorites. It does ride very low and is a little bit heavy, but then it's meant as a heavy-duty folder. The main reason I don't carry mine as much is that I like carry my Sebenza too much.

One thing I have noticed in pocket carry is that the thumb studs are a bit long and sometimes catch a bit on the pocket during withdrawal if I'm not mindful of it.

The 2K's liner lock is one of the most perfect lockups I have on a liner-locking knife (the other being my Spyderco Military). Fit and finish are almost unbelievably good on the 2K, too. One thing I'd like to see is phosphor-bronze pivot washers instead of the nylon(?) washers, but that's just nitpicking. The 2K is a great knife.
Jim
 
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