new guy with a question on Al Mar value

H

hivoltg

Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Messages
46
Hello all.
I'm a new member here and don't know a lot about knives. I like Benchmade and Spyderco folders, but am not real educated on Al Mar knives. I'm an avid hunter and outdoorsman and am here to learn more about quality knives. I thought I should introduce myself before jumping right in to asking questions about my knives.

I wasn't sure where to post about trying to find the value of an Al Mar set and figured someone here would let me know where to start.

Thanks for the help
VOLT
 
Welcome to the forum. I have purchased 2 Al Mar knives. One was a Mother of Pearl *MOP Osprey, and the other a cigar cutter for my dad. The first is a tiny little knife that was a stocking stuffer for my wife. In my opinion, Al Mar makes a very good quality knife with good fit and finish that comes razor sharp from the factory. Their folders open and close very smooth. I am no expert on blade steel, so I will let another knowledgeable knife knut chime in on Al Mar steel. What I do know, is if you purchase one, you will not be disappointed with the performance. If you stick around, you will learn alot here. As per value, you can search Nextag.com to see what internet retail prices are, or just do an advanced search on completed listings on ebay.
 
Al just passed away several months ago, leaving behind an incredible collection of knives which he had amassed over many years in the business (most of which have now been sold by his wife). He got his start with Gerber back in their early days, and had the opportunity to work there with some of the greatest knife designers of modern times. The world is a lesser place without him.

His company has earned a reputation for making well-designed, well-made knives at very reasonable prices. In recent years, much of the work has been outsourced to the Far East. (This is true of most American knife manufacturers at this point.) If you're a stickler for "buying American" (and some of us are), you'll want to look at other manufacturers' knives. But the Al Mar knife line continues to provide a very good "bang for the buck."

Welcome to the forum, and I hope you enjoy it and learn a lot here. One of the real advantages of BladeForums is that some unbelievably talented and experienced people are members - people like Sal Glesser of Spyderco, A. G. Russell, and Gil Hibben - and you can actually get the opportunity to converse with them and pick their brains.
 
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Samael-
Thanks for the response. You sound like you are pretty educated in the way of Al Mar knives. This set is 2 small skinners with ivory handles. I've had them for over 15 years I guess. I don't even remember where I got them, but am interested in the value of them. Can you help in this area? Would pictures help?

Thanks for your time
VOLT
 
knives001.jpg


knives002.jpg


knives006.jpg
 
I have more pics if you want to see them, but this should give everyone an idea of what I have

thanks
 
I've played with several Al Mars and they were great. But they're quite expensive, in my opinion. If I was in love with one of the models, I would definitely buy it, but for pure function, you can get the same results for less money.

I do like the Payara a lot though...and the Nomad.
 
It's next to impossible to guess at value based on those photos. Perhaps based on any photos. If that's elephant ivory, they're worth quite a bit. More likely, it's some form of micarta, in which case, not so much, though they would still have some value due to their age. They're in beautiful condition; it doesn't look like they've been used much, if at all - even the sheath looks fantastic. That's about the best I can probably tell you without actually seeing them up close.
 
It could also be some sort of bone. Or even polished stag. I'm not putting them down, just telling you why it's so hard to value them based on photos alone.

If it IS ivory, $1,000 for the pair wouldn't be a crazy number.
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll post a thread there tonight.

Here are the pics of the handle that I spoke of. They do not have the grains like micarta. I was told they were ivory. How would I find out for sure?


knives010-1.jpg


knives013.jpg
 
Somebody who really knows his stuff is probably going to have to take a good look at the knife in person. I tried taking a photo of a knife of mine that I know has an ivory handle, and you know what? You just can't tell much of anything from looking at a photo.
 
To me they look like the old ivory/yellow Micarta that Mar offered many years ago. They switched to a whiter micarta a few years later.

The older yellow micarta models are very wanted. Watch Ebay, but I'd bet they'd sell in the $300-400 range.
 
That was my first impression too - same "grain" structure, typical yellowing. Pretty classic old Westinghouse micarta. And I'd also be a little surprised if Al Mar was putting ivory on anything as a production knife.

He seemed pretty insistent that it wasn't micarta, though, so I figured I'd just direct him towards someone who can look at the knife in person. And it really is hard to say anything definitive from looking at a photo.
 
hivoltg said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll post a thread there tonight.

Here are the pics of the handle that I spoke of. They do not have the grains like micarta. I was told they were ivory. How would I find out for sure?


knives010-1.jpg


knives013.jpg
Click to expand...

From your pictures I think I see laminations and if so it's not ivory. Paper micarta is very smooth looking so maybe that is what it is.
 
Could be that you guys are right. I'm not sure, that is why I asked here. Thanks for all the help, now I have an idea of where to start.

VOLT
 
Samael said:
Al just passed away several months ago...
Click to expand...

Try several YEARS ago. 1992 to be exact. He did not just work with great designers, he WAS one.

Those blades have "ivory" micarta grips. That's a Pack Rat I and a Pack Rat II set. ATS-34 steel.
Very nice.
 
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