Al Mar Sere

The full size, fixed blade SERE is extremely good fighter except that the Micarta slab grips become very slippery when wet. Best way to solve this is to lightly sand or bead blast the grips after you get the knife. Roughing them up makes a difference and this method works for just about any smooth micarta or other synthetic material grip.

The shorter SERE fixed blades become handy utility blades.

The full size original SERE folding knife in rubber slab handle grips is the near perfect folding utility-tactical folder...and was designed/pioneered by Al and COL Nick Rowe when both men were still with us. A great, great folding tactical blade.

The new SERE 2000 is an admirable pocket folder for utility and self defense purposes. It is NOT what the original SERE folder is, nor can it be as it is much smaller. The two should not be confused. I believe, and have told Mick Strider this, that his large tactical folder in the spearpoint format is what the original AMK SERE folder might have - and should have - evolved to given the express criteria of Nick (Rowe). I base this on my first hand discussions with Al, Nick, and Dan Pitzer regarding the original SERE folder design for Special Forces issue in a very limited quantity. The SERE 2000 is one of the best standard size tactical folders available, and it cost less than some others out there that don't meet the design or manufacturing levels Gary Fadden is requiring for the 2000s.

Trust this editorial helps.

GW
 
Yes, that is the civilian version of the SERE folder (original).

The original SF models were handled in rubber grips and had no markings whatsoever.

AMK later offered a rubber handled model with the AMK chop inserted into the grip. Very handsome and very functional.

A great tac-folder.
 
Well, it depends on which model your refering to : there's the folding SERE ( built like a tank ;)) then, there's the "operator" fixed blades, of which two model(s)( I know of ) exist : the standard w/ Prylon scale(s) and the "custom" model in collaboration w/ Rob Simonich with "gunner grip(s)";) I say AMK make's damn good blades for the money ;) I'm lookin' at their "Shrike":) For BEST price check out Cutlery Shoppe:

www.cutleryshoppe.com

R.I.P. Al Mar ;)

Happy Veteran's Day, fellow "dog faces" ;)

"Old soldiers never die, they just go to Hell to regroup!" Proverb

AET ;) ( former 11Bravo(and DAMN proud of it!;))
 
I love the SERE 2000, great EDC knife if you like a bigger folder. The things built like a tank and looks great too. VG-10 steel blade and textured G-10 handles great knife for under 120 bucks. The SERE operator has a great design but like the others I dont care for the handles they feel slick and are too thin. Al Mar could change the handles to G-10 with a palm swell or micarta and then would have a sweet knife, I have been thinking of taking the handles off and making a set myself or cord wrapping them like a Strider or maybe even sending the knife off and having handles made for it, the blade and the design deserve better handles.
 
Originally posted by Greg Walker

The full size original SERE folding knife in rubber slab handle grips is the near perfect folding utility-tactical folder...and was designed/pioneered by Al and COL Nick Rowe when both men were still with us. A great, great folding tactical blade.

GW
Click to expand...

I'm just curious as to whether the original (circa 1991) Al Mar Sere was a great knife from a nostalgia point, or whether it could sincerely compete against comparable production knives of today -- such as the top of the line Benchmades, Spydercos, Microtechs -- in terms of durability, edge holding, lock strength,...

I know it's rather myopic of me to make a judgement based on the photo DgrantD supplied. But it seems to lack a lot of the features we expect in tactical folders made in the past 5 years like thumbstuds (for one handed opening/quick deployment). In addition, current production knives have the added benefit of "state of the art" materials like G-10, titanium alloys, new-fangled locks, computer aided design and laser cutting technology, and a wider range of cutlery steel than was widely available back in 1991.

Therefore, I'm really curious as to whether the original Al Mar Sere could still hold its own against today's folders? Opinions?
 
First off -

Hey to Rob Simonich! Just posted on Tac Page and mentioned I'll be putting an eval up soon on the fixed blade you sent me. It's been to Malaysia and is now here with me.

As I noted in my editiorial on the SERE, in my professional opinion the STRIDER tac-folder I now carry is what the AMK SERE might have evolved to were Al still with us and attending to his design as creator. This for all the reasons mentioned ref: locks, materials, and so on.

Would I have any problem carrying a circa 1991 SERE in the original format / size today? No. The design was and remains sound and was well beyond its time. In addition, the quality of construction was superb. The original SERE tac folder is as much a viable combat/utility/survival option today as when Al brought it out.

The REAL question has to do with how much one knows about how to properly USE a knife like the SERE or STRIDER tac folders? For this reason Nick Rowe developed a program (SERE) where survival and knife combatives (to a very simple level) were and continue to be taught. Knife is just a tool and "thing" until picked up by skilled hands. That's what made the SERE so special...it was directly linked to Application under the most stressful and dire of circumstances.

GW
 
Hey Greg --

Good to see you here!

I was wondering what part of the sand you were in as well.

Hope all is going smoothly...

Best,

Brian.
 
Originally posted by Greg Walker
First off -

The REAL question has to do with how much one knows about how to properly USE a knife like the SERE or STRIDER tac folders? GW
Click to expand...

Then again, a knife fighting expert could make a small pocket knife lethal. I mean you could put a SOG Trident in my hand, and a small SAK in Fred Perrin's hands and he could probably shred me to ribbons.

Besides, I wonder whether the majority of people who buy tactical folders even practice knife fighting, as opposed to using it for an EDC.

Therefore, my queries are more from a construction and industrial design POV of how the SERE compares with today's best folders -- ceteris paribus. Things like the blade steel, edge retention, etc. No doubt, it's a beautiful folder (looks like cocobolo handles).

Then again, I don't think anyone owning such a classic would want to subject it to spine whacks with a sledge hammer! It's good to hear some classics still hold up.
 
Greg, glad to hear you are doing well and the knife has been making the rounds. Do you have a link to the Tac Page?
 
Rob -

I just log on and go to the Tac Page (Blade Forums) if that's what you mean :-)

Hey, when I post the eval I need for you to post a photo of the knife so folks can see it. Can do? Also, what model or name have you given it? I'm just carrying/using and not toting my Knife Specs manual around with me, ya know?

Or, I can jump to your website I suppose...

Ah, the modern age of commo :-)

GW
 
Can do Greg. Ill send you an email later with the name and specs and such. Everything is on the web site, click on the knife like yours on the opening page, it will take you to everything, I think! :)
 
Rob,

Good copy. How's the gig with AMK doing ref: the Operator? Saw the article in TK on prototype. Believe reworked handle is good evolution, especially for blade length and light weight. One needs/wants some heft and configuration to the grip to (a) hold onto it during hard or extreme use and (b) for swift/sure withdrawal from either a sheath or body cavity during real world use of a H2H nature. Al had some semi custom handle work done on blades like the Applegate-Fairbairn and the AMK Tanto (Micarta) that improved the handling and "feel" of the knives 110% when compared to the standard models. They were really nice! It would be great seeing an Operator in a tacky-sticky Kraton grip, as well. I'd mate up with EAGLE black cordura sheath with Kydex sleeve insert and second security device so you could jump it or swim it without loss of the knife a worry. Now THAT would be the ultimate Operator, in my opinion.

GW
 
Hi Greg. Have you checked out a Kit Carson Vanguard E&E folder? I purchased one a couple months back from Les Robertson and when it showed up and I had opened the pouch my first thoughts were; Sere! The front bolster is a takeoff on the Sere. Later conversations with Les and with Kit confirmed that this was a knife based on the original SERE and what they thought would and should have been a natural progression. Having just actually seen and held a Strider AR I have to say........WOW!!! Just curious on the E&E as it also illicited the samr WOW from me!
 
Greg, the Operator project is bogged down for a week or 3. My machinist making the handles just cant handle the project right now. The good news is I have found a local machine to make the handles and it should be running them in the next 2 weeks.

The SERE Operator is a great fixed blade in my opinion, but the handles are way to slick for me. The Operator handles I designed for the knife arent quite as aggresive as the Raven Combat handles like you have, but still plenty grippy.

I agree on the sheath option you describe for the Operator.
 
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