Al Mar SERE 2000

sph3ric pyramid

sph3ric pyramid

Joined
Jul 24, 2002
Messages
861
Just got this one today from a sale on BFC.

Al Mar SERE 2000:

Black textured G-10 handles, 3.6 inch SERE blade, VG-10 stainless steel hardened to RC 59-60, Top mounted reversible clip. Rides lower in the pocket for discrete carry, liner lock, dual thumb studs. Overall Length 8 3/8", Closed length 4 7/8".

Initial impressions:

Knife came laser sharp, and as the seller described the knife as only having been used to open a few envelopes, I'm guessing that this is the factory edge. Very impressed with it, much sharper than my Benchmades out of box. The heft of the knife is good, specs say 6 oz. Visually, it is very appealing, much more so than most of the Benchmades that have been my EDC. The clip is nicely done, with decorative holes running down its length; this is especially nice because when carried, it's the only part of the knife which is visible.

Fit and finish:

Incredible. Every detail is very well done, and the grinds are perfect. One of my pet peeves is a uncentered blade in the closed position. This one is dead center closed. Lock up is very nice, opens with a solid pop. The texturing of the G-10 is well done, it isn't as slick as the G-10 on Benchmade knives. Zero blade play when open, although it flexes very slightly from side to side. Opening action is as smooth or smoother than my 806D2.

Ergonomics:

While this is highly subjective, I have a larger than average hand, and it's the perfect size for a pocket-knife. Due to the drop at the end of the handle, it may be slightly less comfortable for extended use than a larger handle (such as on the BM806D2 where there is sufficient length and no drop at the end of the handle to irritate the end of the hand); however, it allows for greater security in grasping the handle. The edges of the G-10 are heavily chamfered which results in a very comfortable handle.

Thumbstuds:

Many people have stated that they thumbstuds are too sharp. They are just fine to me, although they do dig into the thumb a bit. It's nothing quite as bad as the thumbstud on the Kershaw Vapor, which has an ultra-extra-super strength ball detent along with an extremely pointy thumbstud (which was my first knife, btw, so I just had to get used to it). I'll get used to it. But I've found that I prefer an opening hole to ambidextrous thumbstuds.

Only a few things which bother me somewhat:

-The pivot screw and screws holding the scales together are hex-head screws, which tend to strip easily.

-Due to the length of the clip, it wiggles in the hand when grasped hard.

-Wish the clip was blackened since it's positioned for low-profile carry anyway.

-Wish there was a matching divot in the G-10 on the left side, as the thumbstuds are ambidextrous.

-Wish there were treads on the spine of the blade and the ramp for better control over the blade.

Most of above is just nit-picking, it's a very nice package.

Conclusion of initial impressions:

Very nice piece with exemplary fit and finish, and attention to detail. You won't be disappointed if you do acquire one of these.
 
I agree it's an excellent value and VG-10 seems to hold an edge forever. Several of my knives are rotated in "mail" duty and the SERE is the only one that still has the factory edge!

Larry S.
 
Any problems with the lock, there were security issues with this in the past reported on the forums.

-Cliff
 
I've done a few heavy spinewhacks on a wood desk, and many light ones on different points on the spine with differing levels of force. The locking liner won't budge on the tang. No movement.

White-knuckling the knife didn't get me anywhere. The liner has no treads for easier access and is polished smooth, so it's not easy for a finger to gain purchase on the liner. The cut-out for the thumbstud is very small, small enough that my finger will not fit into it, and keeps my index finger above the liner. Most of the locking liner sits flush with the G-10 scales, and the rest protrudes very slightly above the scales. There simply isn't enough area or traction for my index finger to "grab" the liner and move it. I'd imagine that twisting the blade while white-knuckling it wouldn't produce much of an effect on the lock-up either, as my finger slides across the side of the locking liner without grabbing it. However, please keep in mind that I just rec'd the knife today, and haven't had a chance to give it a decent workout. The locking-liner is also rather hard to disengage.

Overall, it's a very well built linerlock.

I think I'll stick with AXIS locks, just my preference, as the AXIS lock doesn't interfere with the ergonomics of the handle, places constant tension on the blade in the closed position, doesn't have problems with heavy/light ball detents and is just as secure, if not more so, than a well-built linerlocker. There also doesn't seem to be much variation in the lock from knife to knife.
 
I can say that mine is similar to sph3eric pyramid's, it has a solid lock and zero blade play. This thing is a tank, I have no qualms about using mine hard.
 
I have a SERE 2000 which I rotate as my EDC for the past year and it locks up rock solid. It's a wonderfully crafted knife and is one of the few linerlock knives I own that I trust not to fail me.
 
Great reviews and info. I am waiting on a SERE from artsig1 and this is one of the knives on my got to get list. I like the idea of the pocket clip putting the knife low in the pocket for a sheeple friendly carry.
 
..it slows up access somewhat. I, too, was drawn by the low carry position and the overwhelmingly positive reports on the web.
Love it!

Larry S.
 
Just a little followup.

The edges of the linerlock are killing my thumb when I'm releasing the lock, I think I'll put in a bevel to ease release. The lock is very heavy. The ball detent is also very heavy, and the thumbstuds are beginning to wear at my thumb, although once I get used to the opening arc, it shouldn't be much of a problem.

I tried using the knife to prepare dinner, slicing a bunch a veggies, but the SERE would slice then so unevenly that I gave up and got out the old kitchen knife. It may just be that I'm not used to the blade profile. I've never had that problem with the 806D2.

Yes, the low-profile clip does slow retreival, but I think the benefits out-weigh this. Although, I do prefer the Benchmade clips and positioning.
 
Thanks for the extra info on the lock. Was the vegetable cutting uneven due to the stock thickness, or are the grinds uneven?

-Cliff
 
The grinds are about as perfect as one can expect, at least inspected visually.

It's the stock thickness which caused the difficulty in cutting the vegetables along with my being unacquainted with the knife in general. I should have said push-cutting rather than slicing. It was difficult to keep the edge perfectly perpendicular to the cutting board, so the vegetables (potatoes, onions, etc.) would split at strange angles. I'm also starting to miss the treads on the spine/thumb ramp that most of the knives I've owned have had.

It was amusing at first, but got annoying after a bit. I'm obsessive enough that each vegetable has to be sliced uniformly, although I do understand it's a multi-purpose pocketknife of a short blade length.

As a side note, I noticed that inside part of the liners aren't finished. There are many machining marks visible. It doesn't affect function, but it might allow for corrosion. Not sure what the liner material is.
 
Nice review!
I too carry an Al Mar SERE all black VG-10.

I have had the knife for months now and have not been using it in a really nice manner! I use it for a utility knife and it has done everyting from opening paint cans, to scraping paint off of a deck, I used it to chop and pry things not recommended but the AL MAR took it all in stride.

A super knife IMO

The only thing I noticed is that the black coating is wearing but not all the way to the steel, its weird wear sort of greying.

I really like the pocket clip design but it takes away from the possibility of hammering on the butt of the folder to drive it into things.

I guess from this you get the idea I USE my knives hard.
 
I bought one in 2000, it was made in Seki Japan, solid linerlock. The 2nd one I bought in 2002, it was made in Moki Japan, the linerlock failed miserably (fixed it by giving the tang a concave radius notch like Benchmades) and the scales came loose. Sold it in the spring. I still love my other one.
 
I really don't think my 2001 SERE has a radius tang. It does stand up to the spine whack test though.
 
The SERE 2K is the BEST liner lock commercially made today imho. I got one a few months after TK came out with the review. I stump shoot alot with my longbow. I have used this knife to dig out judo points of some really nasty stumps that were of pretty hard wood. Used the knife to cut at angles to the imbedded judo point and with a club to boot to beat on the knife. 0 damage at all. You can't even tell I've done this. Did not effect lock up at all. I have torqued the blade, pryed with the blade, and hacked with the darn thing. It isn't that great of a hacher though. Prepared food with it. Not once has it failed to perform. I have sharpened it once and that was a breeze to boot. The only mod I have made is to put shrink tubing around the studs. Works like a charm and makes it much easier to open on the thumbs.

It is a bit to big for edc for me but when I am in the woods bowhunting it is clipped to my Swandri pants backed up by a CS MH in Carbon V. I love it. Keep'em sharp
 
Hi, Sph3ric !

Do you know the Spyderco Military ?

I'd like to know somebody who acctualy handled both the Military and the SERE 2K and make a comparasion between them.

How do you compare the two liner-locks ?

Regards,

Andre Tiba
 
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