Has the Al Mar Ultralight line been discontinued?

J

jlomein

Joined
Apr 27, 2009
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215
I'm looking for an AL Mar Ultralight Falcon and noticed it's out of stock everywhere I've seen. Anyone know where to get one?
 
They must be discontinued,. I saw some on the website of a non BF dealer, but I can't post that here and I can't message you.
 
Don’t get me wrong, Al Mar makes great knives. When considering their prices, materials used, and most of their designs seem very basic, I don’t know how they stay in business.
 
TheEdge01 said:
Don’t get me wrong, Al Mar makes great knives. When considering their prices, materials used, and most of their designs seem very basic, I don’t know how they stay in business.
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That could be said about a lot brands. The heart wants what the heart wants. I have a few Al Mar knives that I was fortunately to buy second hand at a considerable discount from the retail price. They are among among my favorite knives.
 
TheEdge01 said:
Don’t get me wrong, Al Mar makes great knives. When considering their prices, materials used, and most of their designs seem very basic, I don’t know how they stay in business.
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Comments like these come up on many Al Mar threads, and they're certainly valid points. That said, there's little competition for slender, lightweight gentleman's folders with impeccable fit and finish that include a pocket clip. Very few have such a basic yet classy look to them.
 
I get that these are valid points when considering materials, but how about the fit and finish? Not playing devil's advocate here at all, just asking. In the few years that I've been admiring sharp objects, inclusive of when Al Mar was alive, his designs have always seemed ergonomic, well executed, and elegant from a fit and finish and ergonomic standpoint. Moreso than some more recent manufacturers. Have things changed of late?
 
jlomein said:
Comments like these come up on many Al Mar threads, and they're certainly valid points. That said, there's little competition for slender, lightweight gentleman's folders with impeccable fit and finish that include a pocket clip. Very few have such a basic yet classy look to them.
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I used to own the Nomad, and it was one of my all time favorite knives. I’m also a fan of VG10 as well. I certainly wasn’t knocking Al Mar, I love the brand and would hate to see them go under. I just see what other brands have to offer in their line up and wonder. Your observation is probably the answer to my question.
 
I believe they are a Moki-made product. I think they were out of production for awhile, but I've seen more recently.
 
Moki makes the ones you see now. I can't speak for the older knives, except that Benchmade made autos for them for a time (since it's illegal to import switchblades, they had to use an American manufacturer).

I've been reading scuttlebutt recently about the company currently going through legal and/or ownership issues, or something like that. I don't know if the specifics are publicly known. We can probably assume that's why their knives are out of stock from dealers. It could be that they're not currently having anything produced. Hopefully whatever it is gets resolved soon.
 
TheEdge01 said:
Don’t get me wrong, Al Mar makes great knives. When considering their prices, materials used, and most of their designs seem very basic, I don’t know how they stay in business.
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Ergonomic and elegant designs usually do seem basic. Turns out odd angles and embellishments don't help with basic function at all.
For heavier work I'd like a fuller grip, but that's not what the designs are about at all.

That elegant simplicity, that curve from the start of the clip to the butt of the handle can be found from G Sakai's Aida to Le Thiers knives to the Fox Elite Folder. It just works.

IIRC, the early Al Mars were made by G Sakai. It makes sense, the "G" in G Sakai stood for Gerber. Back when Gerber made quality knives G Sakai made many of them and Al Mar worked for Gerber before going out on his own. Then he switched to Moki.
I don't think new Al Mars have been made for a while though.
 
I feel like a Jackass for not getting one of these. Like an idiot I assumed Al Mar was always going to be around. The prices always seemed a little high to me for what you get.

I only now realize I need one.
 
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-AM-4-Assisted-Opening-Knife--68817

Kershaw-AM-4-black-G-10-satin-BHQ-68817-er-large.jpg


You can thank me later. ;)
 
On of my main edc knives is a Al Mar Ultralight Hawk. I love that knife to bits. its so well made and it functions perfect as a EDC. I gotta get the Eagle before they dissapear for good. Al Mar has made a LOT of knives, fixed and folding. Some really awesome stuff like the Green Beret or the Packrat.
 
Nemesis Knives has an agreement with Al Mar’s estate to produce some Al Mar designs in modern materials. They’re called the MPR (Mar Private Reserve). So far they’ve released two models with a third scheduled by end of year.
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I believe I've now found the reason these knives are disappearing. Apparently the wife of the late Mr. Mar is in a court battle with the primary shareholder of Al Mar Knives. I'm guessing this means new production of these out of stock knives is unlikely. Sad to hear but seems like the company Al Mar Knives has some management problems.

Copied text (can't post link to non-sponsor vendor):
Dear Friends:
Thanks for all of the support. It has been great to reconnect with so many old friends.

You might not know that an Oregon judge awarded me a sizable judgment in my lawsuit against Gary Fadden and Fadden/Mar Company (dba Al Mar Knives).

Over several days of testimony, and through the discovery process that led up to trial, I heard what I thought were outrageous reasons for my receiving zero income from my 40% ownership in Fadden/Mar Co. for the past 13 years.

While this case is now tied up in an appeal, it has only delayed the introduction of new knives we now have in production.

In the meantime, I am excited to report that I am pursuing opportunities to license some of my late husband's designs to other knife manufacturers. I'll keep you posted as things develop.

Thank you again for your emails and phone calls. While the launch of our new Mar Cutlery has only been delayed a bit by the appeal, your support means a lot to me.

Best Regards,

Ann Mar

FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mar Cutlery owned or operated by Al Mar Knives?

No. Mar Cutlery is a totally seperate and unaffiliated entity that is owned and operated by the Mar family.

Does the Mar family have any connection with Al Mar Knives?

Yes. Ann Mar still owns 40% of Al Mar Knives, despite selling 60% of her late husband's company to Gary Fadden in 1996.

Is Mrs. Mar still involved in the day-to-day operations of Al Mar Knives?

No. As a minority shareholder, Ann Mar has very limited ability to be involved in Al Mar Knives unless Gary Fadden asks her to. In fact, Ann Mar has not been directly involved in the operations of Al Mar Knives for 10+ years.

Why is there now a second Mar knife company?

The primary reason is that Ann Mar wants to keep her late husband's vision, memory, and legacy alive. Given her inability to be directly involved in Al Mar Knives, she felt that starting a separate company would be the best way to do that.

Is Mrs. Mar suing Mr. Fadden over her interest in Al Mar Knives and his management of the company?

Yes. You can learn more about Mrs. Mar's suit against Mr. Fadden and Al Mar Knives at . In short, Mrs. Mar believes that her rights as a minority shareholder of the company have been violated. In part because she has not received any dividends or other payments from the company even though she understands that Fadden has been paying himself and his wife large salaries and bonuses and expensing personal items.

Is it true that Mr. Fadden has been running Al Mar Knives out of his house in Oregon?

Yes. Al Mar Knives has been leasing space in Mr. Fadden's garage for more than ten years now.
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Hackenslash said:
Nemesis Knives has an agreement with Al Mar’s estate to produce some Al Mar designs in modern materials. They’re called the MPR (Mar Private Reserve). So far they’ve released two models with a third scheduled by end of year.
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I’ve been meaning to get one of these Nemesis versions. They look way less public friendly though.

I believe Al Mar’s website still has some Ultralites in stock but the price is high. I do wish that they were built with screwed construction though.

Edit: Seems like my local store has a Nemesis mpr1 in stock. I think I know what my next knife will be.
 
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I just can’t justify paying, for example, $435 for a SERE 2000, much as I would love to own that historic piece. That is the price in the UK. I’d buy a CRK first. Sad to hear that they have these misfortunes, as the knives are beautiful.
 
Since the ultralight series is built with a pinned construction, even the pivot; is it possible to tighten a loose pivot by hitting the side of the pivot with a rubber mallet?
 
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