I have both Mcusta and Al Mar knives. I like them both. Mcusta uses mostly vg10 steel which is very good. Al Mar still uses a lot of AUS 8 which turns some people off. They do use vg10 on most of their tactical blades. Fit and finish on Al Mar is excellent. Al Mar is more traditional looking IMO.Handles are either G10 or wood or micarta. They do use abalone on some of their gentlemans knives. Mcusta, I've found to be very high quality as well. I've never found a Mcusta that wasn't scary sharp out of the box. Mcusta uses liner locks on most of their knives. thin liners, but solid. I have heard some people say they think Mcusta knives look a bit gaudy. I don't share this opinion, but they do offer some things like the san mai damascus coating and a variety of handle materials, as in stainless steel, corian, micarta, many different woods, and a variety of colors that Al Mar doesn't have. This may be hard to explain, but Mcusta has a very Japanese look to it. I think they are inspired by the Japanese knives and swords of old and this is evident in the looks of the knives. I find this very attractive. I have found that sometimes Mcusta knives that aren't perfectly centered, but this is not always the case. I think you would be happy with either brand of knife, I know I am. Just remember that Al Mar is an American company that makes knives in Japan, and they look like American knives. Mcusta is a Japanese Company making knives in Japan and they have a Japanese style to them. I find Mcusta to be more less expensive is well. I have a Mcusta Bamboo, a standard Mcusta knife with san mai and quince wood scales, a Al Mar Hawk with wood handles and a Al Mar Eagle wirh burgandy micarta handles. Hope this helps.