Benchmade or Al Mar...

Q

Quy4n8

Joined
Nov 27, 2002
Messages
659
Hay everyone, its been awhile since I last posted, been busy at work, etc. I’m looking to get a new medium, large folder and considering the Al Mar SERE 2000, Benchmade Presidio, Bone Collector or Rift (the large version of those that have small models). I am most likely going to carry it in a belt sheath, so thickness or weight isn’t an issue. What are your thoughts in regards to general utility and overall strength/reliability? I don’t abuse my knives, but to use them a lot. This will see outdoor use and could easily end up with dirt, moisture, sand in the action. I will obviously clean them, but they do need to be able to stand up to this kind of use. Although the steel in the models is different, they are all the same basic class of steel and will hold an edge equelly for my needs. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most helpful. Thanks.

Q
 
Can't say anything about the Al Mar Sere 2000 or the BM Presidio, but I do own a BM Rift and can say that it is a great knife, it's one of my favorite in my collection, I don't really carry it much but I still love it. They do make the Rift with Carbon Fiber that looks awesome, I have the black G-10 version, I can highly recommend the Benchmade Rift, can't go wrong buying that knife or the other ones too.
 
Ever thought about the BM710? The Al Mar SERE 2000 was on my short list last year when I decided on the 710 due to the price difference, and haven't looked back since.

Yes I am stuck on the 710 I admit it:o but it is a great knife
 
I would also suggest adding the BM710 on your consideration list. The Presidio is a monster in both weight and size. The SERE 2000 is a very nice blade. I had one and sold it (Regret).
 
My first quality folder was the Al Mar SERE 2000. Fit and finish put it ahead of Benchmade by leaps and bounds in my book. Smooth opening, feels like it rolls on ball bearings. My one and only complaint was the action was so smooth it would sometimes open up in my pocket. The edge was so sharp I would find cuts on my hand after cleaning it and would have no idea where they came from. I played with the Auto SERE a bit and I like it even more than my old 2000. Solid aluminum handle, tight lock up and a s30v blade that snaps open with authority at the push of a button. If you shop around both are close to the same price.
auto
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manual
SereManual.jpg
 
Another vote for the Rift. You could also consider a JYD...both the D2 composite versions and SG2 laminated versions are amazing value for money (especially if you score a blem from kershawguy). If you really want to be astonished, get an Ontario RAT 1 folder for around $25. I got one the other day out of curiosity because it was so cheap, and that thing is absolutely rock solid, I mean as solid as any knife I have felt besides an XM-18. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it. I still carry my Rift more than any of these others though (except maybe the XM :cool:) because it feels so good and I love the axis lock. Good luck, I bet you'll be happy with whichever one you get. :thumbup:
 
First off very good taste in knives. You really can't go wrong with any of the knives you are considering right now however personally I would be mainly looking at the Bone Collector and the Al Mar SERE 2K. I have the Al Mar and agree that the fit and finish is way beyond what Benchmade is producing. Don't get me wrong I love Benchmades and can always be seen talking them up around here but it is very plain to see when you get a similar priced Al Mar and a Benchmade side by side that the Al Mar just has nicer finished liners, chamfered edges, smooth transitions between the handle material and metal liner and generally a not as rough of grind lines on the blade finish. However that is all cosmetics, as far as function goes I believe Benchmade to be just as awesome as Al Mar.

The Al Mar is a great folder built very tough with very tight tolerances. It has very thick g10 scales with just the right amount of texturing. The swedge on the blade allows for a very useful tip without weakening the blade too much. The liner lock is one of the best I have ever seen and have a lot of confidence in its strength. And as I said before the fit and finish is just amazing for the price. The only other production knives I have seen at that price point with that level of f&f are the Tawainese Spydercos. This knife has been out for a looong time and has been a VERY popular knife for a reason.

I have not owned a Bone Collector YET but I stopped by my local knife shop today to check them out and I am really impressed. I really dig the blade shape, almost a modified sheepsfoot. I also like that the d2 has a nice high flat grind. The opening hole is a sweet feature as its truly ambidextrous and big enough so that you can open the knife with gloves on if need be. It is a very heavy duty knife infact some may think that the large version is a little too heavy. Its just on the verge of being too heavy for me but I can live with it given the added durability. It has thick full steel liners and very nice thick slabs of layered green/black g10. The handle fits my hand like a glove and looks dead sexy doing it. The final thing I noticed that really put a very nice extra tough on it for looks and durability was that it has a machined g10 backspacer. It is ridged and sticks out past the liners a little bit almost like wilkins grips on a griptilian. It is a very cool touch and I wish more production knives would use g10 backspacers (especially machined ones!). I was very impressed with the Bone Collector and will definately be picking one up in a week or so.

Good luck in your search and let us know what you decide.
 
If it were me, I'd narrow the list down to either the Rift or the SERE and pick the one you like the best. Both are excellent knives in design, construction, and materials. The Al Mar will be a bit easier to clean and keep clean because of the open construction and LL, and it'll probably come sharper than the BM. The Rift is an outstanding general utility knife and is my fav BM right now. I think that between the two, the Rift is a better utility knife because of the blade profile and flat grind.

I have a small Bone Collector that I'm carrying at present, and it's great for a pocket EDC blade, but the large BC probably wouldn't feel as good to me because of it's size. I've handled a full-sized Presidio before and it was too large for my use. My Rift, OTOH, is an excellent outdoor folder and does feel pretty good in my pocket. IMAO, BM got everything right with the standard Rift.
 
for all the thoughts and suggestion. I am leaning toward the SERE, but I haven't seen a Rift in person, so I may wait until I can. I have and have had a number of BM's over the years, but only 3 Al Mars, one from 20 some years ago. I'll let you know what I get and post a review, thanks again.

Q
 
I have one more question, can anyone tell me how thick the handle is on the SERE 2000? BM usually lists it on there specs, but Al Mar doesn't. Thanks.
 
I love the Al Mar Sere 2000. Can't say that about any BM made. My Sere 2000 was a beautiful tank of a knife. I happen to be a BIG fan of VG-10 as well!!!!;):thumbup:

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:)
 
Did anybody else know there was an auto version of the SERE 2000? It is apparently manufactured by Benchmade.....
 
Quy4n8 said:
I have one more question, can anyone tell me how thick the handle is on the SERE 2000? BM usually lists it on there specs, but Al Mar doesn't. Thanks.
Click to expand...

.58 of an inch.

Al Mar makes some great knives. The SERE series are realy nice.
 
oguruma said:
Did anybody else know there was an auto version of the SERE 2000? It is apparently manufactured by Benchmade.....
Click to expand...

Well I have played with the auto a few times. Is it made by BM? I'm not saying that's not true.... I have just never seen any literature to suport that, Google wasn't much help either. The handle design is similar to something BM would make.
 
Both are fine knives in their price range. I really like the SERE, but its cutting abilities are somewhat questionable since I am using an Alias 1 and Fällkniven PXL.
 
Rift!

I'm not a big fan of liner locks which the SERE has. I was going to order a Bone collector last night but the store is out. I have high expectations for it and think it will be great. The Benchmade 14205 is worth a look too.
 
Yup. The Auto-SERE is made by Benchmade. Just like they make the Bradley Alias and Kershaw makes the Kimura. It's "ghost production." Camillus was a company famous for it back in the day. :)
 
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