Al Mar SERE Operator

M

Meddle

Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
6
http://www.almarknives.com/sere-operator-p-60.html

I'm sure most here are familiar with this knife but many have said that it would not make a good camp or survival knife as it is perceived as a fighting blade. If you look at the definition of S.E.R.E. which is survival, evasion, resistance, escape one would naturally think that Al Mar would not give the SERE name to a knife if it wasn't appropriate for that type of duty.

If you do a simple Wiki perusal you find this; "Most of SERE training focuses on survival and evasion. Skills taught include woodcraft, and wilderness survival in all types of climate. This includes what is known as emergency first aid, a variant of the battlefield variety, land navigation, camouflage techniques, methods of evasion, communication protocols and how to make improvised tools."

Now after looking at the knife obviously you see the top few inches of the tip can be sharpened for a partial double edge, and it does feel lively in your hand. Yes, it has a use as a fighting knife. But my feeling is that it also could be a fine survival knife.

I have never been in an actual situation where I've needed to baton (but I have done it many times just to test and get some competency). I could baton with the back half of this blade if absolutely necessary. I could also do other wood/bushcraft with this knife, as well as typical camp stuff.

Keep in mind that I always have my Bark River PSK on my person as well as a folder (usually a Spyderco of some kind) when I'm backcountry if I need to do some kind of extreme detail work. Also depending on the outing I may bring a hatchet or saw.

So in closing, I feel that as a survival knife this would do the job for a competent outdoorsman even if it were the only blade they had on them. The fact that it has solid combat capability is an added plus for me.

When I recall the stuff I used to be able to do when I was younger with just a (non-locking) penknife I know that plenty is possible with this beautiful blade.

Sorry that this turned into a novel but I would like to hear other impressions of those familiar with this particular knife. If you made it this far thanks. ;-D
 
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As long as you have convinced yourself. A name doesn't make something so. When I was a child there was a candy called "Black Cow". But when you unwrapped one guess what wasn't in there?
 
Meddle said:
http://www.almarknives.com/sere-operator-p-60.html

I'm sure most here are familiar with this knife but many have said that it would not make a good camp or survival knife as it is perceived as a fighting blade. If you look at the definition of S.E.R.E. which is survival, evasion, resistance, escape one would naturally think that Al Mar would not give the SERE name to a knife if it wasn't appropriate for that type of duty.

If you do a simple Wiki perusal you find this; "Most of SERE training focuses on survival and evasion. Skills taught include woodcraft, and wilderness survival in all types of climate. This includes what is known as emergency first aid, a variant of the battlefield variety, land navigation, camouflage techniques, methods of evasion, communication protocols and how to make improvised tools."

Now after looking at the knife obviously you see the top few inches of the tip can be sharpened for a partial double edge, and it does feel lively in your hand. Yes, it has a use as a fighting knife. But my feeling is that it also could be a fine survival knife.

I have never been in an actual situation where I've needed to baton (but I have done it many times just to test and get some competency). I could baton with the back half of this blade if absolutely necessary. I could also do other wood/bushcraft with this knife, as well as typical camp stuff.

Keep in mind that I always have my Bark River PSK on my person as well as a folder (usually a Spyderco of some kind) when I'm backcountry if I need to do some kind of extreme detail work. Also depending on the outing I may bring a hatchet or saw.

So in closing, I feel that as a survival knife this would do the job for a competent outdoorsman even if it were the only blade they had on them. The fact that it has solid combat capability is an added plus for me.

When I recall the stuff I used to be able to do when I was younger with just a (non-locking) penknife I know that plenty is possible with this beautiful blade.

Sorry that this turned into a novel but I would like to hear other impressions of those familiar with this particular knife. If you made it this far thanks. ;-D
Click to expand...

The bold statement can be said for ANY knife. You also need to remember that when they released that knife to the market that the big marketing hype was "Survival Knife".

I believe that most people mean that it isn't THEIR ideal knife for camp/survival/bushcraft, not that it couldn't be used as such. I like the knife but it wouldn't be my first choice for a woods blade.
 
Heh, well truth be told I think that maybe I am looking to justify a bit ;)

But at the same time I don't remember the marketing hype surrounding the knife and the survival knife trend. I do know that the Al Mar SERE knife was the first knife accepted for use by Special Forces Colonel Nick Rowe for the SERE Instructor School at Camp McCall, North Carolina.

I also know that Al Mar was a highly, highly accomplished man who was a Green Beret, had a Masters Degree in Industrial Design, and was the head of knife design for Gerber. He also collaborated with a number of well-known knife makers.

So if there is/was anyone who had the combination of traits to design a true 'survival knife' (where the hype would would have been justified) or an actual SERE knife, it was him.

If/When TSHTF the whole populace won't be living in the woods, there will be plenty of urban and quasi-urban scenarios. (Wow look at me just justifying away.)

Is this knife my number 1 blade for packing in forests and mountains? No it isn't. Will it be as great as I think it can be in mixed environments? We will see muahahaha....
 
I have the mini Sere Operator from Al Mar. It's the same knife but it's an inch shorter.

They come razor sharp with a nice sheath. The sheath has a pouch built in for a multi-tool, sharpener, etc. It's a great knife overall but I think there are definitely better choices if someone was wanting something for a camp site situation.

There's another guy that hangs out here (PlanetCat) who might chime in. He has the full length model and has put it through the paces more than I have mine. He likes his a lot and uses it for hunting and skinning IIRC.

I don't care for Al Mar's folders but I love their fixed blades.

You could do a lot worse for a "do everything" knife than the SERE Operator.
 
I'm not sure what your point is, but I have one of the VG-10 newer models and like it alot. I've used it for a hunting knife and it cuts through hog ribs like they're butter and remains sharp. The fit and finish are so precise that I can't find any flaws in the craftsmanship. It comes with a decent blackhawk style sheath, but it is comfortable in a high carry position. It's a traditional spear point design, so that's pretty much describes it's intended use. The micarta scales are somewhat smooth, so I've wrapped mine with hockey tape for when they get "slippery".
 
Planetcat said:
I'm not sure what your point is, but I have one of the VG-10 newer models and like it alot. I've used it for a hunting knife and it cuts through hog ribs like they're butter and remains sharp. The fit and finish are so precise that I can't find any flaws in the craftsmanship. It comes with a decent blackhawk style sheath, but it is comfortable in a high carry position. It's a traditional spear point design, so that's pretty much describes it's intended use. The micarta scales are somewhat smooth, so I've wrapped mine with hockey tape for when they get "slippery".
Click to expand...

Right on cue!
 
Planetcat said:
I'm not sure what your point is, but I have one of the VG-10 newer models and like it alot. I've used it for a hunting knife and it cuts through hog ribs like they're butter and remains sharp. The fit and finish are so precise that I can't find any flaws in the craftsmanship. It comes with a decent blackhawk style sheath, but it is comfortable in a high carry position. It's a traditional spear point design, so that's pretty much describes it's intended use. The micarta scales are somewhat smooth, so I've wrapped mine with hockey tape for when they get "slippery".
Click to expand...

Thx for the input. I feel the same way about the scales. If you are familiar with TalonGrips, which I have on my Glocks, I am considering cutting a few very thin strips to put around the handle to assist with grip.

I don't know if they do a SERE Sawback on the newer 2009+ models, but looking around a bit they seem much less expensive with the sawback and old body style. I had considered it for a bit because of potential extra utility, but there are drawbacks to the sawback and I just loved the look and feel of this current model too much.

And my point? It was just to hopefully stir up some discussion and see viewpoints from knowledgeable folks since I tried to read everything I could on the web about the blade, and many had dismissed it for the role that it was named after and built for.
 
TUF said:
As long as you have convinced yourself. A name doesn't make something so. When I was a child there was a candy called "Black Cow". But when you unwrapped one guess what wasn't in there?
Click to expand...

UMMM Cotton Candy? No ? WTF...wrong again.:D
 
Meddle said:
Thx for the input. I feel the same way about the scales. If you are familiar with TalonGrips, which I have on my Glocks, I am considering cutting a few very thin strips to put around the handle to assist with grip.

I don't know if they do a SERE Sawback on the newer 2009+ models, but looking around a bit they seem much less expensive with the sawback and old body style. I had considered it for a bit because of potential extra utility, but there are drawbacks to the sawback and I just loved the look and feel of this current model too much.

And my point? It was just to hopefully stir up some discussion and see viewpoints from knowledgeable folks since I tried to read everything I could on the web about the blade, and many had dismissed it for the role that it was named after and built for.
Click to expand...

Talon style grips would be a nice mod for it. I thought about taking my dremmel tool or an engraving tool and making some checkering on the scales, but like the hockey tape better, since I can just unwrap it if it gets gooey and put more one without altering the original design of the knife. A custom set of extra scales with checkering or texture is not a bad idea either.
 
This is an old thread, but I friggin’ like that Mini Operator these days. I wish I knew someone who had one to feel it before I bought one though. I'd like to find out more about some IWB rigs so I could have one of these with me all the time.
 
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