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Al Mar SERE 2000
- Thread starter esevato
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2009
- Messages
- 1,632
i bought one recently, it came with a black clip. its an awesome, underrated knife. i am now interested in some other al mar models.
I bought mine in the year 2000, so they had not been out long. It came with a polished clip. Al Mar changed to a black clip some years later.
To say it's not a good working knife is maybe not quite fair. If your looking for an abuse type working folder (occasional prying and other sins), it's really not bad. Although the highly polished blade does mark very easily, and, I agree, it's not much of a slicer (however after putting a lower angle edge on it this also improved).
I've beaten the stuffing out of this knife over the years and it still locks up like the day I bought it.
Last comment: I have managed to break off the tip (only about 1-2 mm) two times in the last ten years. I just sharpened it out every time. I'm sure this is not an unusual problem.
Spitz
To say it's not a good working knife is maybe not quite fair. If your looking for an abuse type working folder (occasional prying and other sins), it's really not bad. Although the highly polished blade does mark very easily, and, I agree, it's not much of a slicer (however after putting a lower angle edge on it this also improved).
I've beaten the stuffing out of this knife over the years and it still locks up like the day I bought it.
Last comment: I have managed to break off the tip (only about 1-2 mm) two times in the last ten years. I just sharpened it out every time. I'm sure this is not an unusual problem.
Spitz
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2007
- Messages
- 729
I have a current EDC rotation that includes my full size Millie, CQC7, and a Tenacious. Then I got my SERE 2000 and it's been in my pocket every day, except yesterday when I took my Millie along for an extended hike...didn't want to dirty that pretty, polished VG10 blade (but isn't that what I got it for?).
My new knife came with a black, deep-carry butt mounted clip that is more "discreet" than my other folders (I have more that are not in the current rotation).
Three weeks ago I went to Amazon searched for a new one and bought it for for $143 plus $6 shipping so I got my new SERE 2000 for under $150, shipped. There are good deals out there if you look.
My VG10 stainless blade came razor sharp. Action is smooth, lock up is solid and the grip is outstanding for my larger hand--it's G10. The thumbstuds are classy but I can see how some folks might think they are too "pointy." They aren't for most people but I can understand that comment. One thing though, the thumb access is only on the right side of the handle so there's quite a bit of difficulty opening this knife with the left hand.
I'm not a Spyderco fan like some folks (I only have two) but I have the full-size Military and it's an excellent folder and I've been trying to decide which is "better"..the Millie for the Al Mar. Perhaps due to the newness, the novelty is still with the SERE 2000 and deep down, I know it's comparing apples and oranges. Two great knives.
I just can't see paying retail for anything. Exercise some patience and you will find a great price on a great folder...or any knife, for that matter.
My new knife came with a black, deep-carry butt mounted clip that is more "discreet" than my other folders (I have more that are not in the current rotation).
Three weeks ago I went to Amazon searched for a new one and bought it for for $143 plus $6 shipping so I got my new SERE 2000 for under $150, shipped. There are good deals out there if you look.
My VG10 stainless blade came razor sharp. Action is smooth, lock up is solid and the grip is outstanding for my larger hand--it's G10. The thumbstuds are classy but I can see how some folks might think they are too "pointy." They aren't for most people but I can understand that comment. One thing though, the thumb access is only on the right side of the handle so there's quite a bit of difficulty opening this knife with the left hand.
I'm not a Spyderco fan like some folks (I only have two) but I have the full-size Military and it's an excellent folder and I've been trying to decide which is "better"..the Millie for the Al Mar. Perhaps due to the newness, the novelty is still with the SERE 2000 and deep down, I know it's comparing apples and oranges. Two great knives.
I just can't see paying retail for anything. Exercise some patience and you will find a great price on a great folder...or any knife, for that matter.
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2007
- Messages
- 250
SteelSnob I've got the mini and I'm very pleased with it - definitely one of the fastest openers I've seen. It's built really well and I'm a big VG10 fan - nice and easy to clean as well, easy to fit a compressed air nozzle in there.
- Joined
- May 14, 2007
- Messages
- 202
i just got a used sere 2000 with a black blade in a recent trade. i've made it my main edc for about four days now. it's a very solid and heavy knife. this one has a little vertical blade play, but it seems to be fixing itself after repeated openings. the inside edges of the liners are pretty sharp and i wish there was some jimping on the guard, my thumb wants to slide up the liners.
opening is very smooth but unlocking the knife is rough on the thumb because of the aforementioned liner sharpness.
i like the pocket clip for the deep carry ability, but it makes presentation a little harder, so i added a small paracord fob. this aids in pulling the knife from my pocket.
this seems to be a good user, ergos for my hand are great. you definitely know you have a knife in hand because of the weight. rides in the pocket very comfortably.
it's a decent slicer and seems to hold it's edge well.
so far i'm really liking this knife. this is a heavy duty folder.
opening is very smooth but unlocking the knife is rough on the thumb because of the aforementioned liner sharpness.
i like the pocket clip for the deep carry ability, but it makes presentation a little harder, so i added a small paracord fob. this aids in pulling the knife from my pocket.
this seems to be a good user, ergos for my hand are great. you definitely know you have a knife in hand because of the weight. rides in the pocket very comfortably.
it's a decent slicer and seems to hold it's edge well.
so far i'm really liking this knife. this is a heavy duty folder.
I used to have one. I didn't care for it too much. The handle seems a bit too large for the blade imo. I also stabbed it into a phone book and it developed blade play instantly. -You can take that as you like. The fit and finish was very good though. The clip was all right with me. Still, to me, this knife is in no way better than the Benchmade 710, which cost less. Well, perhaps the SERE does have better g10 texture.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2006
- Messages
- 5,215
That is exactly what the SERE 2000's liner lock is (except it's stainless). The lock I very beefy and fitted very well to the scales. I cannot imagine how you would accidentally disengage this lock.
A far as the 2000 for EDC, I see no problem with it and it's a part of my rotation. I have ued it on many things and as always the VG-10 keeps a good edge and is very easy to touch up. The action is easily the smoothest I own.
Mine is a few years old and has a shiney black clip. Rides very well RF pocket.
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2009
- Messages
- 2,119
I've owned a Mini SERE 2k for a few months now and I love it. The fit and finish is out of this world and owns any other folders in this price range IMO. It is easily the most secure liner lock I have yet to own and have a lot of faith in its strength. The tang face that contacts the lock bar is rounded instead of a flat slant like most folders. This design has a couple advantages to the normal design. It makes for a more positive flush fit ie. The two surfaces usually have more material contacting eachother on either side. It also makes vertical play very hard to achieve. Because the tang lockface is a semi circle instead of flat it is very hard for the blade to travel all the way to the end of it because it gets so steep at the end. So all in all you get longer life out of the liner lock and a more positive lockup. The handle is one of the strongest handles I have ever seen on a folder. It has two steel standoffs and then a very thick steel "buttcap". Squeezing the scales together on the opposite sides of the standoffs I cannot see any noticeable play at all. The pocket clip is very discreet and as low profile as a folder can get. It has a very similar clip design as the Buck Vantage series. The pivot is nice and hefty and the VG-10 blade has a very well done heat treat from the performance I have gotten out of this knife. I like the saber grind and the top swedge penetrator tip because it makes for a very pointy and usefull point while still keeping the blade relatively robust. The g10 has the perfect amount of grip and is perfectly fit to the liners and polished around the edges. I'd say go for it!
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2009
- Messages
- 2,119
The detent on mine is very strong. Well about the same as any of my other folders. You may want to send it in for a checkup if the detent is really loose or tighten the pivot up a bit more. I also edc a Bradley Alias 1 quite often and it would be pretty hard to decide between the two of them.