Any thoughts on Al Mar?

All the Al Mars that I own are well made and solid knives. I want more.
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I EDC'd a S2K for 3 years and after medium to' harder' use it got some vertical blade play. I sold it but am of the opinion it could have been fixed as i have done with several Walker locks. I sharpened it so many x that the blade had lost a good amount of steel, called Al Mar Knives and got a quote of $110.00 for a blade replacement. Wow.
 
I've got a Shiva and SERE Operator, both in their VG-10. Phenomenal fit and finish, razor sharp, and high quality steel. I feel like their AUS-8 knives are a little on the expensive side, but I think Al Mar does a great job with their AUS-8 and have never heard anything bad about it. Maybe better than other production knives of the same steel. I would consider a mini-SERE 2000 or Shrike for EDC. Good customer service, too.
 
I have three Al Mar folders , and I like them a lot , good stuff !

1234,,:)
 
I'm going to ask about a spa treatment for a friend of mine. The blade looks like the tip got scraped when someone stabbed it into something. It came that way after it was new, sent to a respectable kydex maker, then to him. You think it was a jealous inner man?
 
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I own a few Al Mars and handled many others. I don't think that you're gonna find a knife at the same price point that will have near the fit and finish of an Al Mar. As someone else pointed out, the money you pay goes toward fit and finish instead of the newest/greatest/most hyped materials. Not to say the materials are inferior. VG-10 holds an edge well enough for most normal uses anyone is realistically going to encounter and is real easy to sharpen back up.
 
I carried a small SERE folder for several years (black neoprene scales).
It never let me down.
red mag
 
CARRERA50 said:
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.
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Nope, you are not the only one. I have had SERE 2000 with similar problem and was happy to trade it down for some Mcusta. But I must say the vertical blade play was not the biggest issue for me: it was mostly the weight and the blade vs. handle ratio that I found off-putting. I am sure that is an exception for Al Mar: they have got many models that I find quite attractive. But somehow I have never came around to buying another Al Mar, so that was my only personal experience with this company.
 
people keep adding useful info. Thanks!! little worried about the vertical play that some have had, but I'll just have to buy one to start, they have quite a few models I love, and the feedback is mostly positive, some very positive. I'll either end up with several or find out first hand how the customer service is :thumbup: thanks for your help !
 
I've got a couple Al Mars, and I love 'em. Mine are both Eagles; one is the brown micarta Ultralight from the 2007 run, and one is one of the earlier thumbstud-equipped Eagles from the 1980s, with a more symmetrical blade grind and the maroon/black micarta. The F&F on both is outstanding, and although they seem a little pricey, you won't be disappointed once you hold 'em. :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
The biggest problem with Al Mar is that they don't offer many knives, and that keeps them out of the spotlight. They're content to offer just a few models. As others mentioned, the quality is top notch. At one point during the 90's, they were probably the highest quality production knife you could buy in the US in terms of fit and finish.
 
I called AL MAR today. I originally mailed the knife out on 7/27.


They said they have no way of confirming that they received my knife for repair but if I don't see anything in the mail within the next month to call back.


OH boy
 
Al Mar reminds me of some European motorcyle brands like BMW or Ducati, they developed innovative designs early on, and they have since worked on refining them instead of blazing new trails. Companies like Benchmade, Spyderco, and Kershaw/ZT, are always coming up with something new and distinctive. New and distinctive always generates the most buzz while staying close to a tradition develops more of a "cult" following.
 
I've always admired their looks but admit to having a problem paying those prices for AUS-8 steel (even though the AUS-8 equipped knives I've got have performed extremely well for my--Boker and Benchmade to name a few).

I love those yellow micarta handled fixed blades from way back and long for the day they re-release their Gunstock Folder with somewhat more up-to-date appointments. Such a beautiful blade!!!
 
My father swears by the older stuff so if you like them and can get some at good prices, I'd say go for it!
 
I've always like the look of the ultralight. It is a good gentleman's folder. A while back I picked up a Kershaw Hawk because its design reminded me of a an Al-Mar.

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I have an Eagle. As noted, the fit and finish is very good - when I open the blade on this knife, the joint where the blade and the backspring make contact disappears - you literally cannot see or feel it. This is the only Aus 8 blade I own - I was somewhat apprehensive about its edge holding ability, but it really has performed well - holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen. Nice knife and I will probably buy another if Spyderco would just quit coming out with new designs.
 
IMO Al Mar must have the right idea seeing as they have survived for a day or two. I've always wanted to try the SERE 2000 folder but haven't got around to it. Also the Hawk Falcon and Eagle are cool knives as well with a tad bit of 90's flair I've always dug the long slender profiles of the blades.
 
whetrock said:
IMO Al Mar must have the right idea seeing as they have survived for a day or two. I've always wanted to try the SERE 2000 folder but haven't got around to it. Also the Hawk Falcon and Eagle are cool knives as well with a tad bit of 90's flair I've always dug the long slender profiles of the blades.
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Pick one up if you get a chance. You won't regret it. There's just something about it. Some people bo-ho the vg-10 steel, but mine holds an edge just fine and is easy to sharpen.
 
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