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Gentleman's folder, Al Mar Osprey a good choice also MOP or Plastic?
- Thread starter Mathew J
- Start date
Either would be durable, but you may want to reconsider the Osprey as a "gentleman's folder". It is much smaller than most knives in that category, and is more of a keychain knife. Which, by no coincidence, I carry on my keychain.
The 2 1/2 inch bladed Hawk, or the 3 inch bladed Falcon, would be more of a "gentleman's folder.
The 2 1/2 inch bladed Hawk, or the 3 inch bladed Falcon, would be more of a "gentleman's folder.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2005
- Messages
- 559
A gents folder shouldn't have plastic. In my opinion a gents folder should be as classy as they come. However, you can have any knife and still be a gentleman, but it just seems right to have higher end materials.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2004
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- 592
The plastic is paper micarta . . which I guess is a kind of plastic, but then if micarta is plastic then so is carbon fiber.
I have a hawk in black MOP and I've handled and given as a gift an osprey in black MOP. I also have an osprey in honey jigged bone. Come to think of it, I also have an older falcon in antique paper micarta.
I'd recommend that you get either an osprey or a hawk in honey jigged bone. The osprey is a really cool little knife . . but it's tiny. You'll use it for opening envelopes and boxes and cutting fine little things . . but you're not going to use it to break down a dozen moving boxes or anything big. You're not going to cut up an apple with it.
The hawk is still a nice gentleman's knife, but is big enough for bigger projects. The hawk is a very slim, knife too. Both the hawk and osprey come with leather pocket sheaths, so they can sit at the bottom of your pocket with keys and change and not get dinged up. After a few months of carry, the sheath will be nice and worn - like a good baseball glove.
It's up to you - the osprey is tiny; the hawk is mid-sized. I carry both depending on my mood.
Regarding scale material: The black MOP I have is pretty, but I'm afraid that if I drop my knife on a hard surface that it could crack. The jigged bone is really beautiful and sturdy. The antique micarta on my falcon is really, really nice, too . . but I wonder if it would be as nice on a smaller knife.
Either way, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
BTW: According to the Al Mar website, it looks likey they're re-issuing the original Eagle this June! That's pretty exciting.
I have a hawk in black MOP and I've handled and given as a gift an osprey in black MOP. I also have an osprey in honey jigged bone. Come to think of it, I also have an older falcon in antique paper micarta.
I'd recommend that you get either an osprey or a hawk in honey jigged bone. The osprey is a really cool little knife . . but it's tiny. You'll use it for opening envelopes and boxes and cutting fine little things . . but you're not going to use it to break down a dozen moving boxes or anything big. You're not going to cut up an apple with it.
The hawk is still a nice gentleman's knife, but is big enough for bigger projects. The hawk is a very slim, knife too. Both the hawk and osprey come with leather pocket sheaths, so they can sit at the bottom of your pocket with keys and change and not get dinged up. After a few months of carry, the sheath will be nice and worn - like a good baseball glove.
It's up to you - the osprey is tiny; the hawk is mid-sized. I carry both depending on my mood.
Regarding scale material: The black MOP I have is pretty, but I'm afraid that if I drop my knife on a hard surface that it could crack. The jigged bone is really beautiful and sturdy. The antique micarta on my falcon is really, really nice, too . . but I wonder if it would be as nice on a smaller knife.
Either way, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
BTW: According to the Al Mar website, it looks likey they're re-issuing the original Eagle this June! That's pretty exciting.
On a knife the size of an osprey, it doesn't really matter. The knife is so light that even if you drop it on concrete, it isn't going to hit the ground with much force.
As noted, the osprey is a keychain knife. The Hawk has better heft and gripping for more substantial cutting. I have a Hawk with stag scales, it drops in the pocket and disappears.
As noted, the osprey is a keychain knife. The Hawk has better heft and gripping for more substantial cutting. I have a Hawk with stag scales, it drops in the pocket and disappears.
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- May 6, 2006
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- 338
Indeed, a "Gentleman's" blade should be as elegant as you can afford in my opinion. If you need to wait to make one happen, do so. I had mine custom made by a well known maker with all high end materials.
It is forever in my front left pocket,I watch it like my wedding band. It is important. To use it for me is a thrill every time I open it. The fine Raindrop Damascus,the 24k gold Mokome Bolsters and torque screws.The Exhibition Grade Mother of Pearl slabs,Sapphire thumbscrew, and file work in and out make each time I handle my knife a joy. And why not? I work hard and don't piss away my money. So when it came time for a real gents blade I stepped up. I will NEVER look back!
Peace.
It is forever in my front left pocket,I watch it like my wedding band. It is important. To use it for me is a thrill every time I open it. The fine Raindrop Damascus,the 24k gold Mokome Bolsters and torque screws.The Exhibition Grade Mother of Pearl slabs,Sapphire thumbscrew, and file work in and out make each time I handle my knife a joy. And why not? I work hard and don't piss away my money. So when it came time for a real gents blade I stepped up. I will NEVER look back!
Peace.
Hello all and thanks,
I will take a closer look at the Hawk...as for elegance, well while I want something nice and well made, I also don't want to spend a crazy amount of money on it either as it would never get used..Prince your folder sounds awesome but being as I am I couldn't own that and actually cut anything with it regardless of how great it worked, I would just stare at it all day long.
I will take a closer look at the Hawk...as for elegance, well while I want something nice and well made, I also don't want to spend a crazy amount of money on it either as it would never get used..Prince your folder sounds awesome but being as I am I couldn't own that and actually cut anything with it regardless of how great it worked, I would just stare at it all day long.
Hey Clint,
What do you think of the locking mechanism on the Al Mar's, someone on another forum I frequent said that this is an antiquated design when compared to slide lock and or frame lock, but I wonder if in this application it truly matters? also how is the overall construction. I really like the black MOP handle model.
What do you think of the locking mechanism on the Al Mar's, someone on another forum I frequent said that this is an antiquated design when compared to slide lock and or frame lock, but I wonder if in this application it truly matters? also how is the overall construction. I really like the black MOP handle model.
The Mar-McBurnette Front Lock was patented either in the late '70's or early '80's. That is less than 30 years ago. It is a very reliable lock and will perform without any real maintenance for a very long time. That is more than can be said for some of the newer lock designs.
These knives are made by Moki in Japan. They are arguably the finest large-scale makers of front locks on the planet. Their fit and finish is quite impeccable.
If you are willing to up the ante, you can get a very nice front lock folder handmade for less than $300 from several makers.
These knives are made by Moki in Japan. They are arguably the finest large-scale makers of front locks on the planet. Their fit and finish is quite impeccable.
If you are willing to up the ante, you can get a very nice front lock folder handmade for less than $300 from several makers.
It may matter to that individual but, IMO, antiquated = Classic!
But then I'm partial to antiquated stuff:
The fit and finish is superb on the Al Mars. The Osprey in the pics I posted is Apple Coral and is very well done. I've looked at some of the shell handles but have't found the right deal yet.
I'd really like to pick up some of the older models from when Al was alive but my collecting is taking down a different path at the moment.
I don't think you'd regret buying an Al Mar!:thumbup:
Yeah, the Chris Reeve knives look awesome, but again I would never actually use something that costs that much, just a personal thing but I would feel horrible if something happened to a knife that pricy and that detailed...the Al Mar's look very well made, classy/classic and are for a price that isn't cheap but also won't break my bank for a knife. Just didn't know if there are others I should consider that have a similar look
Thanks for the suggestion, though typically I find the spyderco's to look a bit "modern" for my taste, the Kiwi looked cool but not my style.
You can find some good prices on e-bay for the Hawk. Look around at some of the on-line suppliers also, I'm always amazed at the variation in price from one dealer to another.
I found pretty good deal, $126 for a Black mother of Pearl. Let me know if you're interested.
I found pretty good deal, $126 for a Black mother of Pearl. Let me know if you're interested.