The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Are you saying that Al Mar Knives showed made in China models at the SHOT show? And they were the same models that have been made in Seki? That's interesting because you can go on Alibababa and see tons of "Al Mar" knives available from China right now. I don't know how I'd be able to tell the difference.
I'm pretty certain Gary Fadden is still alive.
Are you saying that Al Mar Knives showed made in China models at the SHOT show? And they were the same models that have been made in Seki? That's interesting because you can go on Alibababa and see tons of "Al Mar" knives available from China right now. I don't know how I'd be able to tell the difference.
I'm pretty certain Gary Fadden is still alive.
If history teaches us anything, this is exactly what’s gonna happen!On a plus side: Al Mar knives always were produced by Japanese companies. It is a company that lives off Al Mar's legacy and they have more or less stuck to what he created 20 years ago. Al Mar is known for old school designs and great craftmanship. I don't think the new owners are willing to ruin this by bringing out some random tacticool china knives and putting the Al Mar logo on them. . . . .
I apologize. I meant when Al was still alive.
Are you saying that Al Mar Knives showed made in China models at the SHOT show? And they were the same models that have been made in Seki? That's interesting because you can go on Alibababa and see tons of "Al Mar" knives available from China right now. I don't know how I'd be able to tell the difference.
I'm pretty certain Gary Fadden is still alive.
Thanks, that is a very interesting answer and it would make a lot of sense. Do you have any idea or speculation regarding the kind of steel used?
Also how does Fallkniven achieve their prices? They also use VG10 as a steel and their blades are also made in Seki.
Their volumes would be higher than Al Mar but wouldn't be as high as Spyderco (thinking about F1-A2 series)
To answer another fellow's question within the current collection the SERE 2000 and Eagle Heavy Duty would be the most throwback yet modern Al Mar knives.
In the 80's-90's Al-Mar was renown for their push towards innovation. Their latest ones would be the Kirk Rexroat designs although I still fail to fully understand the Payara design.
I believe I will have to buy one to understand it more. I had the same difficulty understanding the Spyderco Captain but didn't have the funds at the time to acquire it.
I’ve been looking for an ats-34 bladed, ivory micarta handle like yours, in decent condition and a fair price for a while.RIP Al Mar Knives.
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I’ve been looking for an ats-34 bladed, ivory micarta handle like yours, in decent condition and a fair price for a while.![]()
Like AG Russell or Massdrop?You usually need a strong big company like Spyderco, Benchmade, or Kershaw to keep Chinese quality control in check.
I think in todays world and economy, money and profit is a stronger variable and motive than “caring”.
As names/brands get bought out most tend to just use the name and offer lower quality.
At best, they’ll make a custom/high end run that costs way more if you want the fit and finish of old.
Happens in all industries.
You can hope and dream all you want, I’m just being realistic.
From what I’ve heard and read, even in the models mentioned in this very thread, many knife collectors don’t even know the level of quality Al Mar offered and was known for in the 80’s compared to what the competition had at the time.
Granted, the old lockback SERE 3003 is dated compared to the modernized liner lock of the SERE 2000, but those look crude compared to the originals.
A better modern tactical knife, they just might be. But that original level of fit and finish has been missing for a while and many modern tactical knife collectors/users don’t even have that frame of reference to compare it to.
So as time goes on companies can get away with offering an inferior representation of an old classic. Especially newer companies that want to just break into a market and make a buck.
I haven’t heard enough of this company mentioned that may have bought out Al Mar.
I’m not going to assume they’ll have the same resources to keep the Al Mar name up high, like some other companies like Spyderco or Kershaw probably could.
But We’ve all seen what Benchmade did with the Lone Wolf brand once buying it.
Balisong collectors and fans of the old Bradley Kimuras are mentioning how the “new” Bradley Kimuras made by Bear and Sons are inferior to the originals made by Kershaw.
And they HAD to be made worse to keep the price point, and new purchasers happy.
It happens in all knife categories and all industries.
And I’m not impressed with all the $500 mid tech launches like with Terzuola collabs or even the $150 massdrop/terzuola offering.
New buyers that want “just something” with a Terzuola name/design might not care,
But anyone that’s owned real Terzuolas will know the difference, especially those of us that bought them for $375 new in the 90’s.
Hell, bet my old Spyderco made Terzuola Starmate is made better than any new offering.
Again, not being purposely a negative Nancy, just realistic.
Don’t hold your breath hoping for great things to come of this next (or final) chapter in Al Mar history.
I guess I’m just an older guy mourning the potential demise of yet another once great knife brand.
I have a Mini Sere marked: VG-10 FM Co/Japan. Would I be correct in guessing this is Moki?
Yes. The FM Co. stands for FADDEN MAR COMPANY. So it a Moki.
Good point. I think those are called the “Classic” line.I see your point Nostimos...
In relation to quality has anyone handled Nemesis Knives? They are made in China...
Regarding classics, is the current line of Eagle/Falcon/Hawk/Osprey in AUS-8 and fine handles the same as they were in the 80's? they might be a better comparison point rather than 80's SERE vs SERE 2000 which even though they serve the same purpose are widely different knives.
I am simply hoping for the best with Al Mar knives as I am enamored with this brand and its rich contribution to knife history