Moki and Al Mar Customer Service

[Mark Cust]

Hello everyone,
Until very recently I had not really explored all of the different knkfe brands that are out there. However, a few weeks ago I got a bit curious and began purchasing different knives and inquiring regarding the product directly with the manufacturers. Almost everyone quickly replied to email but two in particular, which happen to have very good knives, did not. These were Moki Knives and Al Mar Knives. I received a reply once Moki's Teppei Sakurai in which he wrote to feel free to contact them should I have any further questions but then never again replied and this was weeks ago and their phone number appears to be disconnected. From Al Mar I never received a reply at all and there is no phone number listed. Does anyone know what's going on with these two knife companies and how I can get in contact with them. I really like their knife models but am now hesitant to order from either of these brands because should something happen to be defective I want to be able to get in touch with the manufacturer, since these can be somewhat expensive knives.

 

[wensynch]

Check with the secretary of state where Al Mar Knives is based, which looks to be Oregon.

It would seem that e-communication is the manner to which Al Mar prefers, and if it's not responding in that method, next step would be to check if indeed still lives, or at least active with the state.

Or you could send a detective, even go check yourself. Maybe, a drone.

 

[ChazzyP]

I have two Al Mars--a Talon Eagle and Talon Falcon which I like a lot. I hope that they never need to go in for any work as I've heard that Al Mars' CS is just abysmal.

 

[Mark Cust]

Update: I just received a reply a few hours ago from Moki's Teppei but I have not received anything from Al Mar yet.
Sounds like a good idea to check if they're still in business. Last I heard it was involved in litigation.

 

[Ourorboros]

Moki mostly makes knives for other companies. They make most, if not all, the folding knives for Fallkniven, the Al Mar Hawk, Falcon, and Eagle - perhaps others, and some models for Spyderco. As far as I can tell, they make knives under their own name when they happen to have the excess capacity.
I've never had an issue with a Moki made knife. It's often said their F&F is custom quality. Certainly on their own knives the transition from liner to bloster & bloster to scales is flawless.
No complaints about my Al Mars, but unless I need a clip or the size of an Eagle the Moki label equivalent is a better bargain.
People will complain about the steel vs cost, but you can say that about any custom or $200+ knife really.
The only thing I've experienced with a Moki made knife is a little grittiness that was solved with a little oil and some opening/closing wear.
I imagine returns would be handled with the company you bought the knife from. I also can't imagine a real problem.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

Update: I just received a reply a few hours ago from Moki's Teppei but I have not received anything from Al Mar yet.
Sounds like a good idea to check if they're still in business. Last I heard it was involved in litigation.

Al Mar changed ownership recently so they may be a little unorganized at the moment. Not sure there have been any public announcements on the details yet.