Thoughts on Al Mar Knives

Hairlesstwinkie

Hairlesstwinkie

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Feb 4, 2013
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I've been looking at some Al Mar knives on and off. They look quite beautiful, but I'm just wondering how do you feel about them? How are the fit and finish? On their folders, how are the lock ups? I would like to pick one up, but what would be a good representation of them? I guess the biggest thing that's blocking my trigger finger is that the ones I've looked at are all AUS8, and I have a hard time justifying spending over $100 on an AUS8 when I can spend the same amount on a Manix or Sage in S30V. I'm sure that they use other steel, but it seems like AUS8 is their signature steel. I guess the million dollar question is how is the knife to price ratio or the value of the knives themselves?
 
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I would say a good representation of the companies quality and F&F wood be the 2000 SERE I had th pleasure of handling one at a gun show and it felt great! Although I think for the money, there's better options....I still think it would be a good knife.

Again I only handled one, so take what I said with a grain of salt...
 
I have two, both fixed: a SERE Operator in VG-10 and a Shiva in VG-10. The design, fit, and finish on both of them is amazing. The blades are perfectly ground, extremely sharp out of the box, and I would say made of very high quality Japanese VG-10 laminated steel. The edge retention is very good on them too. The micarta work is superb. As for the price to quality ratio, I would say it's on the high side. The shiva was ridiculously expensive, and I got buyers remorse once I got it. But can't part with it either. They don't mass produce like the other big guys, so I'd imagine it's hard to compete on cost. I've heard the fit and finish on the folders is equally as good. I would imagine that they do about as good a job as they can with AUS-8, but would have the same concerns as you over the price for it. If you liked the SERE 2000 or mini version, that would be a good folder in VG-10. They're not cheap either though.
 
Check the prices on FEEBAY.. u can get a deal sometimes.. The newer al mar knives (after AL MARS passing) are great quality in my opinion for a production knife, but will never have the collectable value that a small group of people desire like the vintage ones designed by AL MAR. I cannot get enough of the old ones..
 
I would not back up from pulling the trigger on one if I wanted it and liked the way it looked and operated, just because it has AUS8 blade steel. AUS8 will cut anything that S30V will cut and then when it needs re-sharpened, you can resharpen and be using it while getting your expensive sharpener system set up to work on your "Super Steel". Don't get me wrong, as there is a place for these Super Steels, but there is a lot of hype about them making you think what used to be the "Latest and Greatest" AUS8, suddenly is no longer worth having. My shaving cream that I have been using for years successfully is now no longer useable, so I need to buy the "New and Improved" shaving soap, or suffer permanent face damage. :eek:
One word! MARKETING!

Blessings,

Omar
 
OHALLUM said:
I would not back up from pulling the trigger on one if I wanted it and liked the way it looked and operated, just because it has AUS8 blade steel. AUS8 will cut anything that S30V will cut and then when it needs re-sharpened, you can resharpen and be using it while getting your expensive sharpener system set up to work on your "Super Steel". Don't get me wrong, as there is a place for these Super Steels, but there is a lot of hype about them making you think what used to be the "Latest and Greatest" AUS8, suddenly is no longer worth having. My shaving cream that I have been using for years successfully is now no longer useable, so I need to buy the "New and Improved" shaving soap, or suffer permanent face damage. :eek:
One word! MARKETING!

Blessings,

Omar
Click to expand...

I understand where you come from, and I still enjoy AUS8 knives. I love my Cold Steels. The value of material is a nice way to justify if the product is actually worth purchasing, but that's not the only aspect of it that I'm looking at. I want to know about the value of the knives. In this hobby, we really learn about value vs price. Without knowing anything about craftsmanship or performance of the knife, the best preliminary judgement is the materials used for it.
 
I have a full sized SERE 2000 folder and an older model SERE Operator fixed-blade (s30v blade, prylon handles).

The SERE 2000 is a knife I bought back when I bought knives just because I liked them, not because I felt the need for them or because I planned on carrying and using them. I would describe the fit and finish as excellent. The blade is perfectly centered between the liners, the opening is smooth and easy, the lockup is solid, and it came with the sharpest factory edge I ever had on a knife. I could cut off the tops of the hairs on my arm by just passing the blade through them, not even touching the skin with the blade. The g10 handles are also very grippy and the knife feels very comfortable in my hand.

The negatives about the knife in my opinion are- The inner edges of the liners were a bit sharp, but a little light sanding with sandpaper fixed that (didn't even have to disassemble the knife). The pivot washers are plastic, but they work fine and can be replaced with aftermarket bronze washers. I didn't like the large ambidextrous thumbstud so I removed it and replaced it with a single-sided aftermarket stud. And I'm not a fan of the low-ride pocket clip as it doesn't leave any of the knife above the pocket rim to grab onto.

All that being said, it's one of my top favorite knives, even moreso than other more expensive knives I own. Some say it's heavy (due to the steel liners), but the steel liners make it a very solid knife, there's no "flex" in this knife like there is in other folders I own with titanium liners. So the knife feels very solid in my hand.

Visually I consider it to be the most appealing knife I own. Almost "jewel-like", and I'm not a fan of "tactical"-looking knives.

I rarely carry my SERE 2000 as I have several other quality folders that I don't mind scratching up. My SERE 2000 is the closest thing I have to a safe-queen. I think of it as my little "knife treasure" and a part of me wants to keep it pristine.

As for my SERE operator, since my model has been discontinued and is no longer available I won't bother to go into it.
 
I also have the SERE 2000 folder and the fit & finish are outstanding. Steel liners, smooth opening, solid lock-up, and the blade is perfectly centered. The VG10 is easy to sharpen and takes a great edge. And I REALLY like the deep, low-ride pocket clip as it doesn't leave any of the knife above the pocket rim. It's a bit more than $100 but for a utility knife, it's definitely worth every penny.
 
I would say their fit and finish is pretty easily on par with CRK. However, like CRK, you pay a premium for the top notch F&F and tight tolerances you get from them. As mentioned above, they come with not only sharper but with better edge geometry than any other knife I've owned. This, combined with the heat treatment of the AUS8, means they can hold an edge for much longer than you might think. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Al Mar, but just realize that you're paying as much for their precision manufacturing as for the materials involved.
 
I have an Eagle and a Falcon. Very nice fit & finish on both. I have no complaints about aus8 steel, and find it very easy to sharpen. Al Mars are excellent knives in my opinion. I don't think you'd be disappointed with a purchase of one.
 
I'm still sore at them for changing the specs on the Nomad without telling anybody. Their website still lists it as sporting a 0.15 thick blade, I believe. Of course a thinner blade slices better, but is that really the point? A double edge razor is REALLY thin, and slices REALLY well, but who wants to carry that!? Sheesh...
Sorry... </rant>
 
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