What on earth is this Al Mar?

t1mpani

t1mpani

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Jun 6, 2002
Messages
5,515
Hello all,
I have an Al Mar fighter that I received in trade from an old friend that he knows absolutely nothing about. I've been scouring the web for some list or gallery of Al Mar knives (and of course searched here) and I can't find anything. I'm going to be annoying and not have a pic here, as I don't have a digital camera, but see if this description strikes a chord in any of you afficianados out there:

Seven inch, single edged, spear point blade
Diamondwood handle
Brass double guard
Marked "168/200" on the side

We think it was possibly a Desert Storm offering, but don't really know.

Anybody have any thoughts?

If not, is there some collector's group for Al Mars that anyone knows about?
 
Yep, I'd found the website, but they're only listing current models. This is apparently some limited edition, and the customer service department hasn't returned any of my messages.
 
Please give more details,
is it full or hidden tang,
does it have a butt cap?
How far down does the back edge go?
How wide is the edge,
etc. etc.
thanks
 
Sorry for delay, WM, have been out painting a fence.

Blade is 1.5 inches wide, about .25" thick at the spine with a 3/4-height hollow grind. No top edge but the swedge (or clip) starts about an inch from the hilt, running nearly the full length of the blade. Right between that and the guard is a thumb-sized depression, though with the guard there you'd never get your thumb on it.

Handle construction is mortised hidden tang, secured with two cutler's rivets. No butt cap, just a lanyard hole about a half inch from the butt.
 
Designed and made before Al passed on. You would have one of the first 200 produced. Probably worth $200-$300 depending on who is buying it, and how much they want it. You can call Gary Fadden at Al Mar on Monday, and he should be able to help you out. Very knowledgeable fella, Gary is.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
The Grunt series used black micarta on the II GM model or stacked leather with pinned buttcap handles on the I and II models. With the description you gave, and if the model you described has wood (actually silver titanwood) handles with 2 large seperate finger rests, then it is most likely the Special Warfare II (3102) model, retailing at $243 in 1995.

N.
 
Thank you, too! Yes, having done a web search and found a picture, what I have is indeed a Special Warfare 2L. Hmmm...because I don't have a great deal of applications for fighters, I was planning on selling this, but I don't know now. Ultimate example of a knife knut--worried that down the road I won't be able to find another example a knife that I don't really have a use for. :D

Thank you again,
Warren
t1
 
Warren,
Would you post a link to the site you found the pic of your knife on, please? I'd like to see a bit of Al Mar's work myself. :D

Thanks!

Mike U.
 
Too cool. Thats a keeper!

The Thumb notch is for your index finger. Flip it edge up, wrap your index finger over the guard, thrust and rip upward. I think the feature gained popularity during WWII.
It has a good amount of utility as well, for control in skinning and cutting line or rope.
 
Warren
Id keep it i met AL way back when . if it is a knife made by him id keep it for sure . if it was made after his Passing id get rid of it .
Good to see ya Take care
 
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