SERE 2000 & A.G. Russell's Stikeforce. Are they cousins?

T

Tightwad

Joined
Jul 22, 2001
Messages
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Hi folk's , I've just been reading the thread comparing the SERE 200 & the Spyderco Military .
When I looked at the photo of the SERE 2000 I just about fell out of my chair. There ,with
minor differences, was the new Strikeforce that A.G. Russell just brought out. I'm not saying
that's a bad thing just a striking similarity that's all. For me the Strikeforce fixed all the things I
don't like about the SERE 2000. Namely the linerlock, thumbstud and clip.Wasn't really
in love with the all g-10 handle either.

Has anyone else notice the similarity??
 
I haven't received an A.G. Russel catalog in a while, so I haven't seen the Strike Force, but I agree with you about the overall design of the SERE 2K. Great blade shape and steel, overall looks realy nice, but I don't trust liner locks. And I've never seen the sense in ambidexterous thumb studs on what is basically a right handed knife. So anyway, what kind of lock does the Strike Force use, and what about the handle material? An "improvement" in the right areas would certainly make a SERE 2K type knife more appealing, at least to me and other lefties. Thanks for any answers.
 
Check out A.G.'s web site for a picture. The Strikeforce is a good old fashioned lockback with a hole in the
blade to open one handed. It had a pocket clip and hardend aluminum handels with G-10 scales. I've saved
the best part for last......the blade is VG-10 steel. A.G. has been in the knife business a long time and knows
how to design knives that work well in the hand and in daily life. I liked it so much in the catalogue I sold
two (yes, two) of the knives I don't use to pay for the Strikeforce I bought. I can honestly tell you it was
worth money. I stuck this knife in my back pocket ,dropped my stockman in the front and never looked
back. It's so light and strong you really don't feel the weight of it. I've found not one nit to pick about
any feature of this knife. Like I said A.G. know how to make working knives. Plus it
don't look to shabby either.
 
Excellent news. Thanks for the report. It sounds like they took everything good from the SERE 2K and improved all the "bad" parts; great knife. Now to do a search and find the A.G. Russel site...
 
They've got the same blade steel and perhaps a rather similar blade shape (neither of which is very unique), they're approximately the same size, G-10 handle scale, but they're different weights, different internal construction (including material) and seems to have <b>quite</b> different handle shapes:

<a href="http://www.agrussell.com/almar/amk-s2k.html">SERE 2000</a>

<a href="http://www.agrussell.com/agrussell/rus-mo1.html">StrikeForce</a>
 
Griffon, you're right, the handles are quite a bit different. While the 2K has a more "agressive" handle, the Strikeforce is more like a Buck 110, with a more pronounced lower "guard". While it doesn't look as "cool" as the 2K, it's still a good handle design, with a definite improvement in that bottom swell for keeping the finger from sliding forward.

The things *I* really like about the Strikforce is that it has the same basic blade shape and steel as the 2K, but it has (for me) a better locking mechanism. It's also a LOT cheaper. I'm definitely going to get one, soon as I can swing the cash. I like my Voyager, but the Strikforce is sweet! And I really prefer the spear point blade shape, even over a clip point.

Does anyone have experience sharpening VG-10? My most "modern" steel is AUS-8A. I've read some articles on VG-10, and it seems to be relatively easy to sharpen, but anyone with experience, I would appreciate your input. Thanks.
 
V Shrake...I have several knives in both Vg10 & Aus8 steel. While Aus8 has become a favorite steel for ease
of use a well as ease of sharpening. I also own three (various models) os fht Spyderco Calypso in Vg10.
I have found the Vg 10 very closely matches the Aus8 in ease of use and sharpening with a distinct
advantage holding the edge. The blade shape of the Strikeforce is both visually appealing and very
useful in daly useage while making the most of the Vg10 use. I like the knife so much I wrote
to A.G. suggesting that he consider a price version of the Strikeforce in Aus8 to make it more
affordable to folk's who couldn't but the Vg10 model. It's true that it does look like a Buck 110.
In fact it looks very much like a proto type "next generation" Buck 110 that I saw once for sale
on E-bay. The proto fixed all the complaints folk's had about the older 110. Very nice looking
knife. Cousins seldom look exactly alike but usally one will be more talented that the other. So
for myself I find the Strikeforce to be the best balance of handle shape, material selection, blade
steel and fit the my hand. Like I said this is an" everyday always in my pocket knife I use for
everything " just like A.G. says in the cataloge.
 
Thanks, Tightwad. I tried to post this earlier today, but couldn't.

I plan on ordering one of the StrikeForces the first of next month. Of course, I have to convince myself that I *need* a new knife, as opposed to merely *wanting* a new knife. There are so many things that I should or could buy with that $100.00, but the Siren call of a new blade, in a steel I've never tried but heard many good things about, is strong. So, I'll order the knife and feel guilty about it until I actually have it in hand, then I'll be so busy playing with it I won't care about the guilt.

Thanks for all the info.
 
You're welcome, V shrake. My guess is that you'll like the knife so much that it will quickly become
a daily carry. I too have way more knives than I'll ever actually use. I worried that the Strikeforce would
become another "drawer knife" in my dresser to be taken out and played with from time to time. Not so.
Like a great many of A.G.'s knives.....They ain't always the best lookin' nor the most trick,but they always
do what they were designed to do...... work when you need 'em & be just right.
 
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