Al Mar SERE 2020

Is the Al Mar SERE 2020 worth the price?

  • Yes

    Votes: 4 11.1%
  • No

    Votes: 28 77.8%
  • Maybe

    Votes: 4 11.1%

  • Total voters
    36

MBG

Joined
May 21, 2020
Messages
167
I want one of these knives but I have a hard time justifying the price vs the materials. Two knives that I own for comparison are the RAT-1 and the Spyderco Tenacious. All three of these knives seem to be very comparable. Regardless of steel choice though, the price is significantly higher for the Al Mar. I know that the 2020 is assisted opening, which I guess adds to the price, but is not a desirable feature for me personally and the assisted RAT-1A is still a better value.

So, is there any justification for the price? Is the fit and finish a cut above the others? Superior heat treat? Is it just the name?

If I get one it will go into my rotation as an EDC knife, assuming I like it. I usually carry one of my nicer knives and a value knife that I don't mind lending out, the SERE 2020 would be a secondary/lend out knife.
 
I am not sure that I would use one but for $30 to $50 the D2 models don't seem too bad, although they are china products.
 
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Welllll.... you are asking for opinions, so take this post for what you paid for it!

I have seen some of the newer AlMar offerings at gun shows and even a couple at one of our local gun stores. I don't see the fit/finish/operation that they built their reputation on years ago. I had 2 Al Mar folders gifted to me about 30 years ago, and they are like little Swiss made watches. Fit/finish some of the best I have ever seen on small folders.

Fast forward to today. To me, those designs look like the real designers took the day off. Definitely a gas station kind of vibe. Again, this is to me, I think they look like a bunch of other Chinese knives. And without refiring the heated debate over what exactly constitutes D2, Chinese D2, metals being called D2, etc., at +/- $100 that is a lot of dough for a Chinese D2 knife. Worse, if you get one of their 8Cr13MoV models, they are $65!!! If you are looking for a larger work knife, there are a lot of great options out there that won't break the bank. I wouldn't pay more than $35 for one of those knives, 8Cr or D2.

Since you aren't craving the assisted feature, take a look at all the Cold Steel knives that are in that same price range. They have significantly better steel of a known pedigree, better designs, and the Demko lock. Plenty of other knives in that range, too. Search around here on the forum for some good ideas.

Robert
 
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I just saw this on Drop for $108. To be fair, I haven't held one in hand. I don't know what the fit and finish is like. I don't know if it'll shine my shoes or buy me a drink. All I know is what I can see: Chinese D2, G-10 scales, and an assisted action. Based on the current market, I'd struggle to justify this at half the price.
 
I voted No. I too haven't held one in my hand but given the list of materials, not sure how you justify the price. The old Al Mars were very well built knives made in Japan and it looks like they are cashing on the name and reputation. It is possible that the fit n finish is excellent (Kizer, WE, etc from China do a great job) but I would be wary.

If you are looking for another inexpensive folder to lend out, maybe a Bestech, CJRB, or CIVIVI would work. Same materials (D2, G10, from China) at half the price.
 
I say "no".

An Assisted Open Flipper is nothing like an Al Mar design. The look and lines are there, but the quality and performance definitely isn't. If you're already onboard for an imported knife, the same dollars can get you a much better knife if you look at CIVIVI or Kizer.
 
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I got one on sale for 35.00 shipped. On the plus side, the knife was as sharp as a spyderco .It was pretty well made ,but i still sold it a few hours later. One thing that i knew bugged me is the tang is huge.it reduces the cutting edge to 3" and it looks funny. assisted open was average speed good lockup . another quirk is theres a notch on the handle for thumb stud relief, meanwhile theres no thumb stud..kind of makes no sense. The worst is the pocket clip. Its too big, and when it curves up and ends,its too high off the handle.It didnt create a hot spot,but i didnt like that either.And since its mounted to the back of the handle, you can grab it and rock it back and forth slightly cause its so long and thin. Its a shadow of the Seki Sere's.Its only been out a few months and its already on sale by some dealers. Never seen that before.Id try to get one from a place that has a good return policy in case you dont like it.
 
I accidentally voted "yes" thinking it was the classic Al Mar SERE... I have a SERE Operator in S30V that I got over 15 years ago. So, that's what I was thinking of when I clicked yes--my bad. I don't know anything about the re-boot, but from what I've heard it makes me mad. I don't remember where my "true" SERE was made (Japan?) but, the Al Mar SERE is such a classic and respected name for a classic, proven tactical knife... I guess the only upside is if I'm ever in a situation where I'm carrying my SERE and I run into someone with one of these new chinese, gas station SEREs, I can be like "no, THIS is an Al Mar SERE".
 
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I can understand why they did them with flipper openers.

I don't understand why they had to do all of them with assisted-opening though.

They really need to offer them with manual opening.
 
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I can understand why they did them with flipper openers.

I don't understand why they had to do all of them with assisted-opening though.

They really need to offer them with manual opening.
I don't even understand the flipper... It's like they took the classic SERE design, added the two fad-ish features of the past decade that it didn't need, and then shit on it.
 
It's like dopes who bolt stupid accessories on a classic car. Like putting a spoiler on a car that shouldn't have one.
 
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^ oh, like a huge rear wing on a ford taurus like i once saw ? thats what Al Mar seems to be doing.
 
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