Here's the pics of Dave's, (Lifter's Leather), wonderful BRUTE belt sheath he made for my monster first model, AMK SERE 3003A folder! Dave's work is fabulous and he used 9 oz. leather for this piece and it holds the huge SERE as secure as it can be! The cant is perfect! Even carrying this huge, heavy knife, this sheath will outlast me! Dave, thank you brother and I will always treasure this! First is the sheath and the knife:
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Finally! Pics of "Lifter's Leather" SERE 3003A Sheath!
- Thread starter Gene
- Start date
Yup, it's a well made "brute" just like the knife!
Joss,
That's a "Bandit" or as they used to be called, "One Armed Bandit". I had a couple around that I picked up at a knife show years ago but they're available from Smokey Mountain Knifeworks, (www.eknifeworks.com). Look under "Bandit". I had a couple of the "XL" ones but I still had to cut it down with a Dremel and file to fit this thick blade. It's only temporary because I'm going to drill the blade and install a permanent thumbstud. The Bandits work well though and they're removable if you want to bring the knife back to stock.
BadGuy,
They're hard to find. You have to really search for them on the knife forums because they rarely come up for sale. These early 3003A's with the brown Micarta, (Al Mar called it "green" Micarta), are especially hard to find. The later models came with scalloped "rubber-like" scales. They do come up occasionally on Eboyohboy.
It's weird though because as you found out, some German and Japanese sites still offer them for sale even though they haven't been manufactured in years. The problem would be in custom taxes which could be high. The overseas examples had SERE shields and markings on the bolsters and scales and the U.S. models didn't.
These SERES are real tanks and beg to be used hard. If you don't like BIG folders and "brick-like" weight, then you won't like them. The blades are AUS-6 stainless which a lot of folks think is "cheap" steel but I find it a very useable steel and it is so easy to sharpen. If you can find one of these, try it. You'll be amazed at how well things were made just a few short years ago.
Joss,
That's a "Bandit" or as they used to be called, "One Armed Bandit". I had a couple around that I picked up at a knife show years ago but they're available from Smokey Mountain Knifeworks, (www.eknifeworks.com). Look under "Bandit". I had a couple of the "XL" ones but I still had to cut it down with a Dremel and file to fit this thick blade. It's only temporary because I'm going to drill the blade and install a permanent thumbstud. The Bandits work well though and they're removable if you want to bring the knife back to stock.
BadGuy,
They're hard to find. You have to really search for them on the knife forums because they rarely come up for sale. These early 3003A's with the brown Micarta, (Al Mar called it "green" Micarta), are especially hard to find. The later models came with scalloped "rubber-like" scales. They do come up occasionally on Eboyohboy.
It's weird though because as you found out, some German and Japanese sites still offer them for sale even though they haven't been manufactured in years. The problem would be in custom taxes which could be high. The overseas examples had SERE shields and markings on the bolsters and scales and the U.S. models didn't.
These SERES are real tanks and beg to be used hard. If you don't like BIG folders and "brick-like" weight, then you won't like them. The blades are AUS-6 stainless which a lot of folks think is "cheap" steel but I find it a very useable steel and it is so easy to sharpen. If you can find one of these, try it. You'll be amazed at how well things were made just a few short years ago.
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2003
- Messages
- 9
I saw one last week on a business trip at a store I go to when in that area. They were asking $250.00 for it. Is that a fair price, it is in like new condition.
hkmp5rocks,
Welcome to the forums! $250.00 seems to be a fair price. I saw a slightly used one on a site recently and they were asking $350.00 for it.
Joss,
I'm really not that knowledgeable on AMK, (Al Mar Knives), fixed blades. I did a lot of research on the SERE folders after receiving this one. I do know that the AMK fixed blades are really hot right now. Our friend Melvin-Purvis here on the forums is very knowledgeable concerning AMK and may chime in here. You might want to e-mail him and ask him about your Smatchet. He collects Al Mar's and helped me out with some questions concerning the SERE folders.
Welcome to the forums! $250.00 seems to be a fair price. I saw a slightly used one on a site recently and they were asking $350.00 for it.
Joss,
I'm really not that knowledgeable on AMK, (Al Mar Knives), fixed blades. I did a lot of research on the SERE folders after receiving this one. I do know that the AMK fixed blades are really hot right now. Our friend Melvin-Purvis here on the forums is very knowledgeable concerning AMK and may chime in here. You might want to e-mail him and ask him about your Smatchet. He collects Al Mar's and helped me out with some questions concerning the SERE folders.
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2001
- Messages
- 18,959
Joss,
I received your email, and will attempt some research for you tonight.
It's really the SERE's that we collect, but some older AMK catalog's may have the information you're looking for from a date/quantity stand point.
From a pricing standpoint though, the older AMK's are all over the map, and the Smatchet's have been made by so many makers now, that you're really talking about what a specific collector will give for your specific knife, on any given day...and there's just no way to know for sure until you hook up with that collector...
$200-$400, depending on whois doing the buying I'd say...but that's just a guess.
Mel
p.s. Nice job on the sheath Dave, it looks great! Lucky you Gene!
I received your email, and will attempt some research for you tonight.
It's really the SERE's that we collect, but some older AMK catalog's may have the information you're looking for from a date/quantity stand point.
From a pricing standpoint though, the older AMK's are all over the map, and the Smatchet's have been made by so many makers now, that you're really talking about what a specific collector will give for your specific knife, on any given day...and there's just no way to know for sure until you hook up with that collector...
$200-$400, depending on whois doing the buying I'd say...but that's just a guess.
Mel
p.s. Nice job on the sheath Dave, it looks great! Lucky you Gene!
- Joined
- Sep 30, 1999
- Messages
- 4,229
Thanks Gene!
I was away for 5 days and just saw this thread.
Enjoy it brother!
I was away for 5 days and just saw this thread.
Enjoy it brother!
Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 1999
- Messages
- 27,472
That's a dandy Gene knife and sheath combo, Dave's been a busy boy lately! good job, looks solid and well fitted up.
G2
G2
Gary,
The fit is perfect! The sheath is just what I wanted and I'm still impressed. Dave's just like you. A real gent! Dave had a lot of good things to say about you and you helping him while he was learning. Of course I won't tell you the BAD things he said!
Just kidding of course!
The fit is perfect! The sheath is just what I wanted and I'm still impressed. Dave's just like you. A real gent! Dave had a lot of good things to say about you and you helping him while he was learning. Of course I won't tell you the BAD things he said!
Just kidding of course!- Joined
- Sep 30, 1999
- Messages
- 4,229
Thanks Gene.
I'll say it again, Gary has been extremely open and sharing with his skill and knowledge anytime I've had any questions. He's one of the nicest guys I know and I'm glad he's my friend. Here's something else. When I first started making sheaths the only folder type of sheath I was making was the horizontal type that he sent me instructions for a year before that and was the style he was known for. I emailed him and let him know that I was starting to make them for other people and if he liked I would just offer them for sale at USN and ebay since it was generally considered his style. He wouldnt hear of it and insisted I sell them here too and he even posted numerous times referring people to me. Thanks buddy!
Ok, how about a piggyback? Here's one made for a large SOG multi-tool with a small SOG tool(like the micra) on top of it.
Sorry for the poor pic quality.
I'll say it again, Gary has been extremely open and sharing with his skill and knowledge anytime I've had any questions. He's one of the nicest guys I know and I'm glad he's my friend. Here's something else. When I first started making sheaths the only folder type of sheath I was making was the horizontal type that he sent me instructions for a year before that and was the style he was known for. I emailed him and let him know that I was starting to make them for other people and if he liked I would just offer them for sale at USN and ebay since it was generally considered his style. He wouldnt hear of it and insisted I sell them here too and he even posted numerous times referring people to me. Thanks buddy!
Ok, how about a piggyback? Here's one made for a large SOG multi-tool with a small SOG tool(like the micra) on top of it.
Sorry for the poor pic quality.
