Any reviews on Al Mar Mini Sere Operator?

C

Commando

Joined
Jan 7, 2010
Messages
96
I'd love to hear some reviews on the Al Mar Mini Sere Operator fixed blade 4" knife.

I am considering getting one to fill a void in my knife collection.

Thank you.
 
I have one. I think it is one of the best knives I have ever handled. Now I have to get a Marion (Poff) Carry kydex sheath for it. They, as are all Al Mar knives , laser sharp out of the box. Perfect fit and finish and probably the very best size and value for Your knife dollar. I have not seen the full size Operator yet but I am sure it is another great Al Mar knife. I read an ad once for another knife that said "it's quick as a thought" ...that describes the mini operator.
 
I have the full size SERE Operator and can say the Colorado pretty much summed it up. The VG-10 steel is excellent and so are the fit and finish. I use mine for hunting and have cleaned some big boars with it. The knife splits the ribs like their butter and is still as sharp as new. Al Mar's customer service is great, too.
 
Planetcat,
I have to get a full sized operator now. My mini and my Shiva are visiting Marion Poff right now for new Kydex sheaths. Do You carry Your Operator in the nylon sheath it came with? I couldnt find a way to make the sheath work in all manners which it was claimed to work.
 
First of all, I'm envious of the Shiva. I saw one in a tactical shop once and it was stunning. I'm sure the kydex sheaths you're having made will be nice with them. Anyways, I actually prefer the nylon sheaths with the accessory pouch, so to answer your question, yeah, I use that one. The previous S30V model of the SERE Operators came with blade-tech kydex sheath. I had one for a short period and didn't like the kydex. The reason I like the nylon ones, is that I can keep a small folder for caping deer or my multi-tool during archery season. It works for me, but I'd prefer a higher carry style. It's sort of floppy on my belt. You can probably call Al Mar and see if they have any of the blade tech sheaths left or go on Blade Tech's website. It's a common size and blade shape, so they should still be around. It also had the quick release Tek-Lok attachment clip.

Here's a crappy cell phone pic of my SERE Operator:

PICT0337-1-1.jpg
 
Planetcat, VERY NICE. Now I have one on the way as well. When I get the Marion Carry sheaths back I will post photos here. I had the Mini done in OD and the Shiva in black. You are right I will hang on to the Nylon Sheaths for the reasons You stated. Thanks for the heads up.
 
And, I am waiting to see how my sheaths will look, featured in the wilds of Texas!

: )

But, I figure we will see them in good time. Until then, how about a snap I took?

sheath-miniSEREoperator-od.jpg




As to the knife itself, I rather liked it. Fit and Finish was as good or better than many customs I have seen. Edge was like a laser, and pretty thin. G-10 scales were nicely finished, handle tubes were counter-bored. It felt really nice in the hand, other than being just a tiny bit small for my huge meat hooks.

The stock nylon sheath is one of the better that I have seen, and very functional for it's type.

I would give the knife a 10 out of 10. But, does anyone really expect any less out of Al Mar?


Planetcat said:
The reason I like the nylon ones, is that I can keep a small folder for caping deer or my multi-tool during archery season.
Click to expand...

That is a good feature of a sheath like the stock one. But, if you like that, it is pretty easy to make a kydex sheath do the same. You just strap a Maxpedition Single Sheath to the front, and you get all that pouch function.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/SINGLE-SHEATH-9p187.htm


Best,
Marion
 
Marion David Poff said:
That is a good feature of a sheath like the stock one. But, if you like that, it is pretty easy to make a kydex sheath do the same. You just strap a Maxpedition Single Sheath to the front, and you get all that pouch function.
Click to expand...

I like that idea. BTW, that kydex is really nice. I like the high carry and with a maxpedition attached to it, it'd be perfect. I could really use one for my SOG Team Leader 20CV. Might be time for an early Christmas present. :)
 
Planetcat,

I got the sheaths back and they were even better than anticipated. As soon as I figure out how to attach a photo on this forum I will display them. I would HIGHLY recommend these sheaths. But it may require you to purchase a mini opeartor as well. The Shiva disappears under a shirt and You will forget You have it on. Very NICELY done. When someone tells me how to transfer a photo I have some good ones.
 
To post photos, you need to put them on some type of photo website. I use photobucket. It's free and very easy to use. Once on there, you will see a little menu box of options next to the picture. The easiest way is to copy the image link and just paste it in your post on BF. It'll magically show up! If you move the pictures in the photo website though, the links will break and no longer show up in the BF post. Other forums work similar, too.
 
Colorado,

I hope you don't mind me posting the image for you.

I shrunk it a bit, the better to be viewed here...


IMG_0228-small.jpg




Best,
Marion
 
For the record, I ended up buying the Mini Sere Operator and I really like it. In fact, I am considering getting the full-sized one too.

It's extremely sharp and I love the sheath that comes with it. The only problem is now I find myself wanting one of these custom kydex sheaths.

They're very nice looking!
 
Commando said:
For the record, I ended up buying the Mini Sere Operator and I really like it. In fact, I am considering getting the full-sized one too.

It's extremely sharp and I love the sheath that comes with it. The only problem is now I find myself wanting one of these custom kydex sheaths.

They're very nice looking!
Click to expand...

Congrats and glad you like the knife. Just when I thought I was at peace with my knife collection, I am now looking at getting a mini SERE operator. It's actually a more practical size for hunting and cleaning game. And with that kydex sheath, it'd be a nice addition to the gear. Strange thing is, I could have sworn that knife was at least $50 cheaper a year ago. Maybe I can talk the wifey into getting me one for Christmas. ;)
 
Marion- Thank You for helping me out with that. I did want Planetcat to get a good look. Planetcat thanks for the photobucket tip. I just got my full sized operator and it needs to go visit Marion for a while. The full size Operator is a really impressive design. If I could only keep one I think I would choose it over the Shiva by the slightest margin. Commando if You get one of the Marion Carry sheaths it will vanish IWB. They are very comfortable. AG RUSSEL has the best prices on AL MAR knives and if You are a first responder or military they usually help You out even more. And they are the nicest folks to talk with.
 
My new Mini Operator is supposed to arrive via FedEx tomorrow. Can't wait. I've had a Sere 2000 for several years and it's the toughest knife I've ever owned. Love it and expect my Mini Operator to be just as great. I've emailed Marion regarding a kydex sheath for it but haven't heard back from him yet.
 
dbmack said:
My new Mini Operator is supposed to arrive via FedEx tomorrow. Can't wait. I've had a Sere 2000 for several years and it's the toughest knife I've ever owned. Love it and expect my Mini Operator to be just as great. I've emailed Marion regarding a kydex sheath for it but haven't heard back from him yet.
Click to expand...





I would avoid having Marion Poff make you a sheath. Do a search in the GBU and you will know why.
 
You're killing me resurrecting this thread. I just bought a Brown Micarta Shiva for myself for Christmas that I had no business buying. Did 2nd day shipping, so I should get it hopefully by the end of the week. Everyone else is out of the brown ones, so I found one on AG Russel and wanted to get it before it became a thing of the past. I think the mini-operator is next on my list and maybe a SERE 2000. I could have bought a new pistol for the price of that Shiva. :-( It will come to very good use in the field.
 
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