My New SERE 2000

[Willie Boy]

Well, the big brown truck arrived late yesterday afternoon with my new SERE 2000. As promised, here are my initial impressions, for what they're worth.

First, I'll address what I consider to be the knife's strengths.

Strengths:

1. The knife feels good in my hand. It is a fairly substantial piece and the heft feels good. The g-10 has been nicely beveled at the edges.

2. The knife opens easily. I have read in other threads where the studs were too small. On my knife I do not find this to be the case. In fact, The studs protrude from the blade to such an extent that when withdrawing the knife, while seated, from my Levi's, the blade opened partially. (Not good.)

I will make no adjustments to the tension on the blade. To me it seems just right. Smooth and fast.

3. The overall fit and finish is fine. The blade is centered between the scales. The grind is symetrical. Most importantly to me, the liner lock fully engages the blade at the left edge of the blade.

4. For what it's worth, the overall appearance is pleasing. The contrast between the black scales and the various stainless parts is pleasing, I guess.

Now for some negatives.

Opportunities for Improvement:

1. The studs are sharp. I believe this is the reason they caught on my jeans. I will use some abraisive 3M crocus cloth to smooth them a bit. I have done this with other knives and it works well.

2. On the top of the blade, where the false edge is ground, the corners are quite sharp. Sharp enough to tear up clothing and prove a hinderence to penetration. These sharp corners are troublesome and also are destined to meet the crocus cloth.

3. There was a small ding on one of the scales. I suspect this happened when the
g-10 was being beveled. There were also small scratches on the blade. These cosmetic flaws are no big thing, but I was surprised given Al Mar's reputation for quality control and finish. I will consider them character. One of my favorite former fashion models turned actress, Lauren Hutton, has a split between her two front teeth. A flaw? Maybe. Would I carry Ms. Hutton in my pocket if I could? You bet I would!

4. The knife rides so deep in my pocket, due to the manner in which the clip is mounted, I have difficulty drawing the knife rapidly.

[This message has been edited by Willie Boy (edited 12-16-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Willie Boy (edited 12-16-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Willie Boy (edited 12-16-2000).]

 

[shootist16]

Originally posted by Willie Boy:
The knife opens easily. I have read in other threads where the studs were too small. On my knife I do not find this to be the case. In fact, The studs protrude from the blade to such an extent that when withdrawing the knife, while seated from my Levi's, the blade opened partially. (Not good.)

Mine has done this on occasion.

There were also small scratches on the blade.

Mine also has these little scartches on the blade.

The knife rides so deep in my pocket, due to the manner in which the clip is mounted, I have difficulty drawing the knife rapidly.

I tied a fob on mine to assist with drawing the knife.

I also took a scotch-brite pad to the clip giving it a nice sation finish.



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Dennis Bible

 

In my opinion, the deep carry is on purpose. This was designed as a survival folder thus the name SERE. It is slower to draw than a tactical folder but I can guarantee that you will not snag it in bush and lose it as fast as a higher carry tactical folder...which makes a pretty damn good feature for a survival knife.

Jeff

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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com

 

[chief dignitary]

Mine has a deep scratch across the left thumbstud, but not scratches or dings. Performance, however, is flawless.

-IPR

 

[Willie Boy]

Jeff, you are correct about the deep mounting of this knife. I guess I was thinking in more tactical terms. Given the knife's survival purpose, the shiny clip is of less relevance too. I guess, for those hoping to survive in an urban setting, a different knife choice would be in order.

 

[Peter Atwood]

Willie Boy,

Try putting a small piece of heat shrink tubing over the thumbstuds. It sucks up nicely and makes them a lot more comfortable. Won't help on the unwanted automatic opening but it really gives a more positive traction for your thumb without scraping it up. After playing with my new SERE for a couple of hours my thumb was SORE! The heat shrink tubing helped a lot.



------------------
Peter Atwood

email:fountainman@hotmail.com

 

[bad4u]

If the shiny clip is a concealment concern, consider carrying the knife clipped inside your waistband, with the clip under your belt.

I carry mine just forward of my jeans pocket, clipped inside the waistband and clip under belt, with the knife forward about 45 dgrees. The knife sits aligned with the crease between thigh and belly, clip concealed and no pressure to push the knife up. The knife pops up nicely with a thumb-and-forefinger draw.

Works for me.

 

[batangueno]

Mine also has a couple of scratches plus the grind is not symmetrical.

Overall, i still love this knife, especially that it's a gift from my wife.

It's my primary user.

 

[Professor]

The heat-shrink tubing on the thumb studs is a great idea! I've got to give that a try with some other folders. My BM710 and BM705 have worn a freakish permanent callous on my right thumb that is starting to resemble a bonsai tree.

Professor.

 

[svnimrod]

Hi,

I just received an email from an fellow bf member with whom I wanted to trade my NIB Sere 2000 for his lightly carried LCC SW.
He was asking about "scratches" on the blade and a slight "white" discolorated spot at the end of the G10 grip (opposite side of clip)
I got the feeling he thinks I used the knife but that's the way I received it from a reputable knifedealer just a month or two ago.
The knife has been out of the box and in my hands for a total of half an hour at most since I received it.

Still I think after reading this post and what I read from Bagheera (countryman) that the so often talked about superb finish of the SERE 2000 is not really the case.

OK, lockup is 200%, finish and thicknes of liners is 200% but no way is the blade finish up to an equal level.

I'm now stuck with an fellow BF member who thinks that I tried trading an used knife.

I offered him to pay back the large part of the postage costs to return the SERE to me as I'm an honourable person and stand behind my word.

For me, in future I stick with Spyderco, Microtech and Buck knives they stabd behind their product and can be reached.

Happy Christmas to all fellow BF members,

Helen


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[This message has been edited by svnimrod (edited 12-21-2000).]