Any thoughts on Al Mar?

J

JulianHayes

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2012
Messages
397
I've been looking for another 4 inch solid edc folder for my next blade, and I have long admired Al Mar Knives. The reason I post, however, is that I hear about all of the spydercos, benchmades, kershaws, etc... (and love all of 'em) but don't hear much or see many reviews on Al Mar folders. They are expensive, but comparable to Benchmade (in price) or some higher end spydies.. I am looking at the eagle plain edge or talon (advice?? weak tip vs. thumbstud and penetration) and the Shrike as well. Very different, but those are my favorites of their designs and I don't mind a belt pouch if it's secure and well made, in the case of the Eagle. I know it is one question for a new member, but I know I'm in the right place to ask it; are AL Mar Knives comparable to say.. Spyderco quality? Why do I never find reviews of them or comparable enthusiasm? so... to waste the 15 seconds you spent reading this.. does anyone have firsthand experience with these knives? Or are they less popular because they don't come out with as many new styles and are relatively expensive? How is the quality for an edc blade? Thanks for taking the time, I appreciate any information, Julian
 
I have owned half a dozen Al Mar knives..all were pre 1993 ,so i cant comment on the newer stuff..I started collecting them because the quality was the best i had ever seen in a production knife.....very fine tools....or atleast they were??......................FES
 
I had the ultralight eagle talon (longest, clip point). It's very very lightweight knife, almost feels flimsy when you hold it first time. That being said, fit and finish was superb everywhere. It has very minimal and stylish look to it, and would go well as second knife if you are worried about the tip. If you don't want the clip point version (talon) for vanity reasons or other, I would go with full flat though. It's quite narrow blade, so the blade with clip version goes thick pretty fast despite the thin blade.

Why no talk about them? I think it's their price. Eagle is really nice knife, but it's nothing special in what you pay for: black micarta, no liners, aus-8.. There is absolutely nothing hi-tech or knife-geek about it. I sold mine, and occasionally miss it, but I wouldn't buy it again, especially with the raised prices that we are having.
 
Last edited:
I have a newer Falcon Ultralight. I'd agree with AL in that they do feel flimsy the first time you feel them, but the quality grows on you. The blade centering, fit of the backspacer, leveling of the rivets, and blade grind are all very well done. The edges of the micarta on mine are not completely even, though. Customer service is good, I think (they did send me a free clip). I'd say that it's a very nice knife, and strikes an interesting balance between traditional and modern. However, I would have never paid the normal going price for them, and I think Al Mars are overpriced considering the competition. That's probably the main reason why you don't hear more about them.
 
I have the lightweight eagle ( 4 inch blade). It is very well made by Moki, one of the worlds best but it is a lot of money for something made with Aus 8. Don't get me wrong. It performs very well with their design and heat treat but in the 4 inch range I'd be looking for something in CPM M4, or M390. Both are made in good quality folders and can be found in the $135-145 range. Some other knives fit your needs but would have to be bought second hand as they were sprints or are discontinued. Another idea would be the Police 3, which is very well made in an excellent performing and sharpening VG10. About the same price range.

There are other steels than VG10, CPM M4, and M390 obviously but those are some of the better performing steels, with fairly easy sharpening and maintenance. *note* CPM M4 is not stainless but it's still very easy to keep looking new. Don't feel obligated to force a patina on it like some recommend. It's not necessary, and doesn't look as good as some lower carbide fraction steels with the final results. I keep mine rust free and eventually sort of satin finished from getting scratches out every now and then using sandpaper.

Joe
 
They may seem expensive for what they are, but that's because all of the money goes into fit and finish. They are some of THE more crisply made knives I've ever seen--or at least they were a couple of years ago. Haven't handled any since then. :)
 
I've had several Al Mars from the last few years but none of the models you've mentioned. The Nomads and mini-SERE that I had were top-notch in F&F, the blades were on a par with Spyderco for O-O-B sharpness, and the action and lockup were all very smooth. As someone has already mentioned, I think they just don't get the attention from a lot of us on BF because they focus on "tried and true" materials rather than cutting edge ones, especially their blade steels. AUS8 and VG10 are both excellent EDC steels for a folder, but they're nothing special. Also, the current company philosophy seems to be to produce what's been popular in the past and throw on a new handle color or material. No real changes in the lineup other than that and we're used to the Spyderco / Kershaw / Benchmade efforts to produce new models regularly.
 
Last edited:
I own at least 4 Al Mars.

The Eagle talon is my 'around the house' blade and it is THIN and amazingly sharp.And due to the weight [ none ] its always a pleasure to carry as well as a backup to travel blades.

The SERE is a stubby beast and its a bit heavy but clipped to a sturdy pocket - its a friend to have in bad places.

The cigar cutter is a cute blade and its primary use is --- you guessed it,trimming cigars .But its still a knife.

The Al Mar fixed blade [ AMSROV ] is 5" blade and true survival/combat blade.A bit heavy and I dont like the sheath,but its a pleasure to carry on a pack and sharp.Steel is VG10 and I just need a kydex sheath or a better leather one to belt carry it.

In general I like the Al Mar's and I do own MANY other makers,but its the Spyderco that I dont get - just me I guess.
 
I've got two of the Ultralights (Falcon and Hawk). As others have stated, fit and finish are excellent. The cutting geometry makes them good slicers. They are thin and light, so they carry well in my pocket. Since they have a mid-lock design, they can be used both left and right handed. With a little practice, I can close them one handed using either hand ( I am right handed).

I also like the way they look. To me the lines flow together nicely, making it visually pleasing to my eye.

No regrets on buying them. They actually were the knives that got into collecting and addiction to knives.

Ric
 
I have 2 Al Mars and I use my Ultra-Chef Chef's knife daily (its my most used cutting instrument)
Maybe you would like to take a look at their "Eagle "HD" Heavy Duty, 4" AUS-*A Talon blade, plain edge"
I'll throw in a pic:

EagleHeavyDutyknife.jpg
 
I currently have a Falcon and a Shrike. Both are extremely well made and the Shrike's VG10 is scalpel
sharp. I had (and sold) a SERE that had a persistent vertical blade problem that even the factory couldn't
fix; I think mine was a one-off lemon as nobody else seems to have experienced this difficulty.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
They may seem expensive for what they are, but that's because all of the money goes into fit and finish. They are some of THE more crisply made knives I've ever seen--or at least they were a couple of years ago. Haven't handled any since then. :)
Click to expand...

"Crisply made" is a very fitting description for my Al Mar Eagle Ultralight. It's the only Al Mar I've ever owned and I haven't had it for all that long, but I'm very pleased with it. Excellent fit & finish as others have mentioned. While it may not win any value-choice awards, I think it is a fair price for what you get. It just has a certain style or flavour to it that is hard to find elsewhere.

I'd buy more from Al Mar. :thumbup:
 
To plain for my liking but I have only heard good things about them especially is medical use.
 
This is some great information on a brand I too have been wondering about. Thanks guys!
 
Thanks so much for the replies, I'll probably pick one up as it sounds like the quality is there. Indeed they are a bit expensive for an AUS 8 blade, but I like something a little more traditional sometimes, and the classic Eagle with black micarta is just a knife that I have long admired. Thanks for the help all!
 
The eagle will be coming out with G10 handles and I want one. It will be about an oz. more than original. BTW, I own a Falcon an Eagle lite weight which are very nice knives. Do not let the AUS8 steel bother you as these knives hold a good edge and are easy to sharpen. Before Al passed away his knives knives were the finest production knives. Wish I still had those knives I foolishly traded away. My first one was a Falcon with Ivory Micarta handles. The models being discussed here are variations on his original models. On some of the models he used s steel called RSC30 I believe which was pretty close to ATS34.

RKH
 
I own only one Al Mar knife, a black-bladed SERE. It developed a weird problem with the detent that affected the entire open and close action. And I never even used it, either. I suppose I got a lemon.

I think one of the reasons that Al Mar isn't as talked about is because they aren't as commonly seen in stores, like Spyderco, Cold Steel, Gerber, etc. My own lemon aside, I think that Al Mar's quality is probably up there with some of the nicer G10-handled Seki Spydercos.
Jim
 
I own a Shrike, Nomad and SLB.
The use of full steel liners on the Shrike, Nomad contributes to a solid feel of them when handled in the hand.

The Nomad's liner does not move much when cutting a cardboard box cover from a gap between it and the box.
Sideways movement applied to the Nomad does not affect the liner lockup in the cardboard cutting action mentioned just before.

Al Mar got a few things right for me to get a few of their knives.
Flat grinds, satin or coated finishes, solid well-made locks, excellent F&F, the not-so-aggressive checkered G10, strong pocket clips.

The main downside is the high asking prices.

Just my 2 cents' worth.
 
I have only the best thoughts concerning Al Mar knives. I have a Nomad, Payara and Shrike on my wish list. I carry an SLB as a cash clip. :) All Moki goodness.
 
I just sent in my new sere 2000 due to up/down blade play. I hope customer service comes through because this knife was expensive!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top