I've always liked the look of Al Mar knives. He was an interesting fellow who did some cool things. His style was very original. He had sort of a custom knife maker vibe, while using Japanese craftsman to produce his designs.
I only own one Al Mar, but it's a great one. It's an original Sere - with brown marcita handles. As far as I remember (and I'm sure there are people who know more here) the SERE was really the or among the first 'tactical folders'. It was a big beefy knife with a secure lock, a nylon sheath that had some vague connection with the military. It had a vibe to it that many knives have today, but few had when it was introduced.
It may not have been way more practical than a Buck 110, but it sure was a lot nicer.
I bought my Sere at a store at the Pier in San Francisco. It was a blade shop catering to tourists, the prices were not good, but the SERE was never easy to find and I snapped it up.
Around that time I sent away for his catalog. (Still is some box somewhere). It was an amazing catalog as it had superb drawings, not photos of the knives. It is difficult to describe how excellent these drawings were if you haven't seen them. Basically 3-D blueprints. This was before autocad was common, so I believe they were hand drawn. I don't know if they were Al's own work, or another area where he found the people to "do it right".
The Cigar Cutter is perhaps his most unique knife. But I always admired the many fixed blades in the catalog. Sadly, I never managed to buy one when they were there for the having. It was (as is often the case) hard to choose which one to get.
I notice now a days they only have one fixed blade - the Shiva. It is a classic shape, not sure if it's an original Al Mar, but I'm sure he would approve if not.
I'm happy to see the firm continue and like a lot of their products. Anyone bought any of the newer Al Mars?
I wish they would reproduce some of classic designs; the giant Alaskan Bowie, the various Tanto's etc.
Anyone have some pix of these to share.
Merry Christmas all! Here is to one of the greats sadly departed. His skill and artistry lives on.
I only own one Al Mar, but it's a great one. It's an original Sere - with brown marcita handles. As far as I remember (and I'm sure there are people who know more here) the SERE was really the or among the first 'tactical folders'. It was a big beefy knife with a secure lock, a nylon sheath that had some vague connection with the military. It had a vibe to it that many knives have today, but few had when it was introduced.
It may not have been way more practical than a Buck 110, but it sure was a lot nicer.
I bought my Sere at a store at the Pier in San Francisco. It was a blade shop catering to tourists, the prices were not good, but the SERE was never easy to find and I snapped it up.
Around that time I sent away for his catalog. (Still is some box somewhere). It was an amazing catalog as it had superb drawings, not photos of the knives. It is difficult to describe how excellent these drawings were if you haven't seen them. Basically 3-D blueprints. This was before autocad was common, so I believe they were hand drawn. I don't know if they were Al's own work, or another area where he found the people to "do it right".
The Cigar Cutter is perhaps his most unique knife. But I always admired the many fixed blades in the catalog. Sadly, I never managed to buy one when they were there for the having. It was (as is often the case) hard to choose which one to get.
I notice now a days they only have one fixed blade - the Shiva. It is a classic shape, not sure if it's an original Al Mar, but I'm sure he would approve if not.
I'm happy to see the firm continue and like a lot of their products. Anyone bought any of the newer Al Mars?
I wish they would reproduce some of classic designs; the giant Alaskan Bowie, the various Tanto's etc.
Anyone have some pix of these to share.
Merry Christmas all! Here is to one of the greats sadly departed. His skill and artistry lives on.
