- Joined
- Jan 8, 2008
- Messages
- 50
Hello, This is my first knife review (public) ever. These are my opinions, so take it for what its worth.
Knife: Al Mar Sere Operator fixed non-sawback. O.A.L. = 10.25. Blade length = 5. Blade thickness = 0.14. Weight = 6 oz. MSRP = $249.00
Purchased: pvk.com on sale for $106. I got the knife in ~3 weeks. It came in a box that was too small so the seller placed the knife diagonally in the box with some peanuts. The original knife box from Al Mar was taken apart and folded/smashed to make it fit. Good thing I didnt order it for a gift. Would I order for this seller again? Only if the price was right and it wasnt a gift!
Blade/Handles/Steel: S30V, made in USA. I do not know who mades the steel or who did the heat treatment. I would like to know its hardness if anyone knows. The knife was able to shave the hair on my arm right out of the box even though it was a bit toothy. The handles suck for a knife of this caliber. Why plastic? I removed one side and in my disappointment, it isnt solid steel. I guess it saves the maker money and keeps the knife light and gives it a balanced feel.
Sheath: Made of Prylon plastic. Basically two pieces riveted together. It holds the knife secure but the two pieces do separate a little near the shoulder. The mount backing, rubber jump tie down, and tek-lok are all made by Blade-tech (USA made). There are no markings as to where the sheath itself is made. The sheath is adjustable in height vertically, but you can not wear it horizontally unless you fab something up on your own. I find the sheath to be just OK with room for improvement. I also put black 100 mile-an-hour tape over the screws as they scratched the Prylon handles when removing the knife from the sheath.
My thoughts: Originally I bought it for an all around camp knife, plus the price was too good to pass on. I didnt realize just how thin the blade actually is. It would make an excellent slicer for food prep. and I would gut/quarter and elk with it since I always carry a small saw for the pelvis. I would never baton with this knife unless in a life or death situation. I dont know if I could use this knife as a step or to pull my 180 pound body weight up in an emergency as the tip is very thin. It would make an excellent self defense blade as it is light and fast in the hands. The tip would pierce body armor (minus a plate or ceramic discs) very easily. I would have carried it in the military after bluing it several times. Im still going to purchase either the RC-4 or a Fallenkniven S1 (or both).
I have some pictures in my album.....easy way to post them here??
Robo
Knife: Al Mar Sere Operator fixed non-sawback. O.A.L. = 10.25. Blade length = 5. Blade thickness = 0.14. Weight = 6 oz. MSRP = $249.00
Purchased: pvk.com on sale for $106. I got the knife in ~3 weeks. It came in a box that was too small so the seller placed the knife diagonally in the box with some peanuts. The original knife box from Al Mar was taken apart and folded/smashed to make it fit. Good thing I didnt order it for a gift. Would I order for this seller again? Only if the price was right and it wasnt a gift!
Blade/Handles/Steel: S30V, made in USA. I do not know who mades the steel or who did the heat treatment. I would like to know its hardness if anyone knows. The knife was able to shave the hair on my arm right out of the box even though it was a bit toothy. The handles suck for a knife of this caliber. Why plastic? I removed one side and in my disappointment, it isnt solid steel. I guess it saves the maker money and keeps the knife light and gives it a balanced feel.
Sheath: Made of Prylon plastic. Basically two pieces riveted together. It holds the knife secure but the two pieces do separate a little near the shoulder. The mount backing, rubber jump tie down, and tek-lok are all made by Blade-tech (USA made). There are no markings as to where the sheath itself is made. The sheath is adjustable in height vertically, but you can not wear it horizontally unless you fab something up on your own. I find the sheath to be just OK with room for improvement. I also put black 100 mile-an-hour tape over the screws as they scratched the Prylon handles when removing the knife from the sheath.
My thoughts: Originally I bought it for an all around camp knife, plus the price was too good to pass on. I didnt realize just how thin the blade actually is. It would make an excellent slicer for food prep. and I would gut/quarter and elk with it since I always carry a small saw for the pelvis. I would never baton with this knife unless in a life or death situation. I dont know if I could use this knife as a step or to pull my 180 pound body weight up in an emergency as the tip is very thin. It would make an excellent self defense blade as it is light and fast in the hands. The tip would pierce body armor (minus a plate or ceramic discs) very easily. I would have carried it in the military after bluing it several times. Im still going to purchase either the RC-4 or a Fallenkniven S1 (or both).
I have some pictures in my album.....easy way to post them here??
Robo
