I bought an Al Mar SERE 2020 (AMK2200). It's the smaller 3" blade version. Yes. It's on the lower end. And the original was better. But it's D2, nice thick blade and liners. And I love the design.
Al Mar AMK2200: Mini Sere 2020 Linerlock A/O https://a.co/d/60B2enq
I'm not a $200 pocket knife type of guy. And I use my knives. I think the most expensive knife I own is my ESEE 5. Which I've customized quite a bit. Fully engraved the original markings, removed the paint, aged the blade, replaced the Allen head fittings with phillips, and replaced the scales with contoured g10 and then micarta (which improved handling greatly). I've also replaced scales and discs on a couple other folders. And look forward to improving this Al Mar.
My question is - is there a "how to" on how to improve a stock folder? Or a list of improvements that might help?
The assisted opening is not that smooth, it opens like it's trying to glide on sandpaper (I assume it is not spring assisted - just a flipper), it must have really low quality/high friction discs, and the liner lock, which is nice and thick, is VERY stiff. And has a very small access point on the liner to slide it into the unlocked position. And is very stiff and difficult to unlock. Not sure anything can be done about that. But I will for sure replace the discs with brass or something smoother (Recommendations? Source? Size?). I don't know what is in there now. I have not taken it apart yet.
What else can I do to make the blade open easier and to operate the liner lock easier? Can I polish the base of the blade at the pivot end? Is there a how to on any other things you can do to a cheap folder to improve it's performance?
I did loosen the pivot screw slightly. Which improved things a tiny bit. But it obviously needs a smoother, easier, opening and unlocking.
I picked up the 3.5" version first. But it was to big. But the blade was very sharp. The 3" version I just received was not sharp. No worries. I am confident in my sharpening skills. And the steel appears nice. The blade itself is thicker than any of my other folders. And I appreciate that. It seems like a very tough knife.
I don't know a lot about this knife. And will be disassembling it shortly. But what else can I do to improve it? Would love to make some micarta scales for it. But have never attempted that.
For a $60 knife (delivered) I do think it's a value. Much nicer than the other folders I have in that price range. Although my Ganzo Steve Reeves knock off for $23 is probably the nicest folder I own. For the type of knife it is. It is an amazing value.
Al Mar AMK2200: Mini Sere 2020 Linerlock A/O https://a.co/d/60B2enq
I'm not a $200 pocket knife type of guy. And I use my knives. I think the most expensive knife I own is my ESEE 5. Which I've customized quite a bit. Fully engraved the original markings, removed the paint, aged the blade, replaced the Allen head fittings with phillips, and replaced the scales with contoured g10 and then micarta (which improved handling greatly). I've also replaced scales and discs on a couple other folders. And look forward to improving this Al Mar.
My question is - is there a "how to" on how to improve a stock folder? Or a list of improvements that might help?
The assisted opening is not that smooth, it opens like it's trying to glide on sandpaper (I assume it is not spring assisted - just a flipper), it must have really low quality/high friction discs, and the liner lock, which is nice and thick, is VERY stiff. And has a very small access point on the liner to slide it into the unlocked position. And is very stiff and difficult to unlock. Not sure anything can be done about that. But I will for sure replace the discs with brass or something smoother (Recommendations? Source? Size?). I don't know what is in there now. I have not taken it apart yet.
What else can I do to make the blade open easier and to operate the liner lock easier? Can I polish the base of the blade at the pivot end? Is there a how to on any other things you can do to a cheap folder to improve it's performance?
I did loosen the pivot screw slightly. Which improved things a tiny bit. But it obviously needs a smoother, easier, opening and unlocking.
I picked up the 3.5" version first. But it was to big. But the blade was very sharp. The 3" version I just received was not sharp. No worries. I am confident in my sharpening skills. And the steel appears nice. The blade itself is thicker than any of my other folders. And I appreciate that. It seems like a very tough knife.
I don't know a lot about this knife. And will be disassembling it shortly. But what else can I do to improve it? Would love to make some micarta scales for it. But have never attempted that.
For a $60 knife (delivered) I do think it's a value. Much nicer than the other folders I have in that price range. Although my Ganzo Steve Reeves knock off for $23 is probably the nicest folder I own. For the type of knife it is. It is an amazing value.
