First knife dilemma - Al Mar Ultralight Vs. HK14210

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SpookyKG

Joined
Aug 13, 2010
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I think I'm about to order a Al Mar Ultralight Falcon (Talon blade), and I'd like some advice.

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This will be my first 'real' knife... and I've been kind of turned off by the buying experience. I have in my possession a H&K (Benchmade) 14210 that I ordered off of an online store (no real dealers in my area) that I chose after a 3 week VERY well-researched search of what I wanted.

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Blade came poorly centered, I had a really gummy axis lock that tilted in a way when you pressed on it that made it impossible to close with one finger on the lock (like all the mini-grips I've handled in stores). In addition, the blade had a ton of grinding opening and closing that hasn't really worked out with use. And the blade shipped as dull as a butterknife.

All that aside, I have obtained an RMA# and have been verbally assured that I will get a full refund on sending the knife back to the dealer. The problem with the H&K axis is something I've seen elsewhere, and I don't want to risk warranty repair to come back with my knife just as bad and out of the date range to repair.

I'm torn between reordering my first 'kinda tacticool' knife and risking it or going for the Al Mar. The knife will likely not see much use at first and I do not have good experience sharpening. Should I be hesitant to spend about the same amount of $ for AUS8 steel and a company that is almost impossible to reach for warranty issues after my 154CM H&K debacle? Will I be able to flick the blade out using the thumb stud in the same satisfying way I do with the HK? I love the Axis lock (when it works)... should I find a way to stick with it?

I'm looking for an EDC that I can wear with dress clothes and use when I need. I have small hands. I don't have aspirations for real self defense and I will not be using this as a tool for my job. I work in a hospital. Please help me feel confident about this brand and this knife, or convince me to stay with the original. I'm ready to become a 'knife guy' but need to get a knife that works, is worth the value, and is something I really like! Feel free to recommend other knives, but I'd prefer help with the already difficult choice I have!
 
benchmade has a lifetime warranty and pretty good service. they'll make things right, if you do order another and it comes in the same condition as the first.
 
id go with the al mar, the al mar is lighter and sleeker. i like the blade shape of the al mar much more, i think its more practical overal. i prefer the backlock over the axis as well.
 
I don't think these knives are comparable.

The bm is a beefy blade and the al mar is very slim.
So what do you want?


Strong and bulky (tactical) or slim and pointy (gentleman).

The Al mar is on my 1place of my to buy list.
I think i will never buy that bm but i have to say axis is great.

I have had some BM with flaws and people always say fit and finish on Al mar knives is great.
I do have a spyderco that is made in same factory as Al Mar and its a very nice build knife.

So my vote is AL Mar.:thumbup:
 
The only Axis lock I ever owned was a Benchmade Snody auto and I never had a problem with it. Used the snot out of it and finally traded it off and as far as I know it's still going strong. The Axis lock always worked one handed.......
 
The BM 14210 is a heck of a nice knife. FWIW, all of my Benchmades have a little tilt to the cross-bar when only pulling on one side--after all, the bar rides loosely between a pair of machined slots, with small spring tension on either side to push it forward, just normal operation. I either use a forefinger and thumb to pull on both sides evenly, or just use one side and expect a little uneven twisting of the crossbar. The Axis lock needs this little bit of loose play in order to be used with little effort.

The centering issue is almost always a combination of locking screw tension/scales screws or a subtle combination of both. It's rare not to be able to center a blade with just a few tweaks. I've gotten knives like this from BM, Kershaw, Spyderco--but I've yet to get a true lemon from any of them either. I've also had plenty that were just about perfect.

I know people expect absolute perfection from BM, Kershaw, Spyderco and other more expensive production manufacturers, but in the end, they are just that--production knives, not custom. I think BM, Kershaw, Spyderco and many others do a fantastic job overall with construction and fit and finish.

I don't expect absolute perfection from any of these manufacturers--although I'm not surprised when I get it. If I don't, generally the issue is very small and takes only a few extra minutes of tweaking to make it right.

In the end, those extra few minutes--among other things--are what you pay a lot of money for with a custom knife. Don't expect to pay Ford prices and get Ferrari levels of fit and finish.

In the end, these knives are like chalk and cheese. One is a classic, slender, traditional slipjoint/lockback design, the other is a heavily built semi-tactical folder.

If funds allow, keep the BM, get the Al-Mar as well. Variety is the spice of life.:D

Edited to add: I'm not much for flicking knives open--I don't enter many high-speed, tactical, self-defense situations. No need to flick it open with super speed just to open a bag of coffee or a box covered with packing tape and like anything else, it's just extra wear and tear on the knife. But that's just me.

I don't think the Al-Mar will be "flickable" like other designs because it's a lockback, but I'm no know-it-all and freely admit I could be totally wrong.

As for AUS8 vs 154CM, some folks use their knives harder than others, but for the average person it's of little consequence. Sort of like cast vs. forged firearms--either can be great, most will never use a firearm enough to wear either out.

Best,

Heekma
 
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heekma said:
In the end, these knives are like chalk and cheese. One is a classic, slender, traditional slipjoint/lockback design, the other is a heavily built semi-tactical folder.

Keep the BM, get the Al-Mar as well. Variety is the spice of life.:D

Best,

Heekma
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I think thats also a good idea:thumbup::).
Carry them both because they are made for different tasks.
But is more expensive of course.
 
Ive carried the Al Mar Ultra Lite's for years. Have the Eagle in flat ground and talon. Prefer the flat. Superb F&F on all of them. My vote for Al Mar!:thumbup:--KV
 
I've a couple of ultra light eagles. Very well made lock backs and cutters extraordinare. I also own the HK 14205, the big one. Two are in no way comparable really. The Al Mar is well an ultra lite folder and is used as such. The HK is heavy duty in every respect but still cuts very well. The HK all the way for an edc. keepem sharp
 
I think it was the first-time knife buyer in me that picked the 14210 cause I felt like I wanted something 'cool' with nice curves. I don't need that big of a blade, and I feel like it would be a big weight to get used to carrying a knife with. It's probably good to learn sharpening on a straight blade too rather than on a recurve, too.

This micarta Al Mar is a good buy though? Worth giving up the H&K for if I'm concerned for the above reasons? I'd eventually like to have both but I'm a student and can only spend around 100. I do like the H&K alot but I'm not sure it's right for me at the moment.
 
Given they're about the same price I'd pick the Benchmade 14210, especially if you're looking for something with good steel. The '210 uses 154cm which is good stuff, compared to AUS 8 on the Al Mar which is not my favorite blade material.

As Spooky says in his comments, the challenge of sharpening a recurve can be a chore at first, but with the right sharpening tool, I.E. SharpMaker, Edge Pro, etc. it can be pretty easy.

The Al Mar's nice looking, but the Benchmade's a lot of knife for the size and price.
 
Hey Longbow and Kvaughn could you make/post some in hand pics of the Al Mar Ultra lights.
There are not a lot of "customer" made pics available and i have found no in hand or comparison pics with google search.
Maybe compare pics with some "famous" well known knives.


Thanks Joel
 
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SpookyKG said:
I'm looking for an EDC that I can wear with dress clothes and use when I need. I have small hands. I don't have aspirations for real self defense and I will not be using this as a tool for my job. I work in a hospital. Please help me feel confident about this brand and this knife, or convince me to stay with the original. I'm ready to become a 'knife guy' but need to get a knife that works, is worth the value, and is something I really like! Feel free to recommend other knives, but I'd prefer help with the already difficult choice I have!
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Spooky,

I know you're looking for a choice between these two, but another knife that seems like a great fit for your preferences would be a Kershaw Leek. Slim, solid, great value and plenty of knife for EDC/light use. The A/O flipper also has has "flickability" out the wazoo.

I have yet to meet a Leek I didn't like. Just a thought.

Best,

Heekma
 
*jijoel* said:
Hey Longbow and Kvaughn could you make/post so in hand pics of the Al Mar Ultra lights.
There are not a lot of "customer" made pics available and i have found no in hand or comparison pics with google search.
Maybe compare pics with some "famous" well known knives.


Thanks Joel
Click to expand...

I'd LOVE a pic next to a Grip or a Leek, I think it would be what would seal the deal for me.

heekma said:
I have yet to meet a Leek I didn't like. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I've handled Leeks, Mini Grips, and Delicas, and only liked the mini grip. Leek is a little too 'big' seeming for me... possibly a point against the Falcon, and I didn't like the aesthetics like I thought I would.
 
If you don't need a tough knife, don't get the 14210. I've heavily abused that knife for several years now. It is down-right fantastic. It isn't a gentleman's folder like the Falcon. If you need a gentleman's folder, you won't be happy with the 14210.

Honestly, it sucks that you got a bad one your first go around, that'd upset me too. But, you got a chance to mess with it, hold it in hand, try it in your pocket. So really, if at this point you find it isn't for you, go with the Falcon. But if you love everything about it except the grittiness and a too-tight pivot, trade it out and get a new one. Or, just take it apart and clean it, you can adjust the pivot on your own too.

But like others have said, these are two really different knives. If you're making a choice based off of aesthetics, only you can answer. If you're making a choice based off of use, go with the Falcon for office/around town carry and the 14210 for everything else (within reason). No crime in owning two knives!
 
I actually didn't do much but flip it. It was so bad that I haven't put it in my pocket because I don't want to scrape the clip and void my return. I don't even have experience carrying it :-\
 
I have one of the 1st issue Al Mar Falcons & it is a great knife in terms of fit & finish. I use to carry it as my work EDC in scrubs because it was so light. The only reason I retired it was because I had it on me when my 2nd son was born. It is set aside till he turns 21.

I've actually been looking at the same Falcon Ultralight.
 
Have you considered the Benchmade 530? Slim and light, much like the Ultralight, but with an axis lock.
 
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