Al Mar Eagle HD, Black G-10

[mwhich50]

The Al Mar Eagle HD is finally in stock again at my favorite online knifestore. I am looking for a large lightweight carry knife. I have handled the regular micarta Ultralite version and it seemed too flimsy for the $100 price tag.
$115 doesn't seem too bad for an Al Mar HD, but the mid-grade Aus 8 blade metal is disappointing. I wish they would use VG-10! I went to Youtube to look at some reviews and there are only a couple, indicating that this model is not very popular yet. I live in a humid climate. I have read that the ZDP-189 versions are more susceptable to rust. Some have compared the it's rust resistance to that of Aus 8.
I'm not sure if this knife is worth the pricetag? Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike.

 

[RamZar]

The Al Mar Eagle HD with black G-10 only comes with AUS-8 steel.

ZDP-189 is extremely corrossion resistant.

There is an Al Mar Eagle HD - Orange G-10 Scales - ZDP-189 Laminted Talon Plain Edge Blade exclusively at an online shop that sells cutlery.

There's an earth brown G-10 in ZDP-189 coming out soon.

 

[mwhich50]

The Al Mar Eagle HD with black G-10 only comes with AUS-8 steel.

ZDP-189 is extremely corrossion resistant.

There is an Al Mar Eagle HD - Orange G-10 Scales - ZDP-189 Laminted Talon Plain Edge Blade exclusively at an online shop that sells cutlery.

There's an earth brown G-10 in ZDP-189 coming out soon.

See? Not too many responses on this knife, lol.
Ramzar, we both order from the same online company.
I have read many opinions about ZDP, but I have yet to read that it is highly resistant.
At best, I think it may have average rust resistance. One compared it to Aus 8, which I have had good luck with. It has one of the metalurgical elements (forgot name)that is highly rust resistant, but is also high in carbon. These characteristics in the authors opinion, cancel eachother out, making it average overall.
You live in a very dry climate. I live on the Florida Panhandle 2 miles from the Gulf. If I lived out west, I wouldn't hesitate to buy knives with ZDP-189.

 

[RamZar]

See? Not too many responses on this knife, lol.
Ramzar, we both order from the same online company.
I have read many opinions about ZDP, but I have yet to read that it is highly resistant.
At best, I think it may have average rust resistance. One compared it to Aus 8, which I have had good luck with. It has one of the metalurgical elements (forgot name)that is highly rust resistant, but is also high in carbon. These characteristics in the authors opinion, cancel each other out, making it average overall.
You live in a very dry climate. I live on the Florida Panhandle 2 miles from the Gulf. If I lived out west, I wouldn't hesitate to buy knives with ZDP-189.

I live about 8 miles from Pacific Ocean so we have some humidity but nothing like yours near the Gulf. I've had no rust issues with my William Henry B12 Atlas which also has a ZDP-189 laminated blade like the Al Mar Eagle HD (Orange or Earth G-10).

The high chromium content helps check corrosion but that's countered by the high carbon content and then heat-treated to such high hardness of 67HRC. It helps to frequently wash in soap, dry and put a thin layer of Tuf-Glide or some lube on the blade. I do get your point since it needs extra maintenance. I'm going to retract my comment about ZDP-189 being "extremely" corrosion resistant to just "somewhat" corrosion resistant.

 

[GCG199]

All of the ZDP-189 Heavy-Duty versions were supposed to be 2013 models.

Including a blue G10 handle version with the others shown above.

Al Mar needs to do a better job promoting their knife line.

 

[Hawk45]

I've had a few Al Mar knives. One (SERE) was built excellent. I also tried a Shrike and it had blade play in every direction. If these were in the $70 (AUS8) - $110 range (ZDP) I may give one a shot, but for the current prices I think there are much better options available for same or much less.

 

[mwhich50]

I read the core is ZDP, but the outside is 420j2 which is an inexpensive but decent surgical steel engineered to be rust resistant among othe things. I give up.

 

[lreed]

I tried to purchase one of those zdp-189 eagles last year and the one I got had severe QA issues.

Gaps between the slab and the liner, uneven grind at the tip, very tight operations, and very dull edge out of the box. I am a very picky knife owner but I did own 2 sere 2k and 1 eagle lightweight before , their build and finish were all top notch. So this is a whole new Al Mar experience for me.

It's a shame because it's such a lovely design and Al Mar has been known for great finish. I asked the dealer for a replacement, which he did with a first batch limited run version. This one turned out to have much smoother operation but still very dull -- not what you would expect on a zdp-189 blade at that price. I ended up return it.

Maybe Al Mar contracted a different factory in Seki city to make this knife?

Another possibility is Al Mar may have chosen to use a thicker edge profile to avoid showing significantly uneven lamination lines? Those who owned Fallkniven laminated knives will know what I am talking about.

 

[RevDevil]

I read the core is ZDP, but the outside is 420j2 which is an inexpensive but decent surgical steel engineered to be rust resistant among othe things. I give up.

Yep, built exactly like the Spyderco Caly series. Is this confusing somehow for some? If you want a similar design, in VG10 pick up a Caly 3.5, it's a great piece.

 

[mwhich50]

Thats a good idea. I have been eyeing that blade for a long time. I previously decided against it because my Paras were similar plus s30v. Your right though they are pretty similar with the closed construction and I'm assuming light weight. I will have to take a second look.

 

[mwhich50]

I found a Caly 3.5 on sale for $95 and snatched it up. Very nice, compact knife. Thanks for the nudge.