Which version of the Al Mar Sere 2000 folder is best?

[jeepin]

So I’m wanting to try out another Al Mar Sere 2000 folder. I’ve been reading reviews lately and checking out videos on them.

I read that the older ones had issues with the liners, and I also read the thumb studs on previous versions were too long so they were shortened. Also I heard they were made by a couple different companies in Japan.

How do I tell if I’m getting the most refined version?

 

[KenHash]

So I’m wanting to try out another Al Mar Sere 2000 folder. I’ve been reading reviews lately and checking out videos on them.

I read that the older ones had issues with the liners, and I also read the thumb studs on previous versions were too long so they were shortened. Also I heard they were made by a couple different companies in Japan.

How do I tell if I’m getting the most refined version?

The SERE 2000 was made by only 2 companies in Seki. Originally by G.Sakai, who made just about everything for Al Mar, and later by Moki after Al Mar was gone and Fadden terminated that relationship and contracted under the FM co (Fadden Mar Co.) label.

 

[jfk1110]

I have one of the Butch Vallottin conversions to double action!!!!!! The 2000 model by Moki
Great blade, great quality.....There is or was one on the forums for sale thread.....
I had one of the older bigger models in the early 90's but it disappeared during my drinkng days.
The shrike and nomad are great too!!! K KenHash you are a limitless font of wonderful info!!!!!

 

[Chuck_Nunface]

I think this is a Moki or FM. It's one of the last before they went to pot. It's posted in the exchange.

 

[jeepin]

Disregard.

 

[jeepin]

So which blade marking should I be looking for that has the issues fixed? I know of the Sere 2000, the Seki Japan one and the latest with the FM Co stamped on it.

 

[killgar]

Well, if were posting pics of our SERE's, I'll play. It's a safe bet mine is different from most.

The SERE 2000 was one of the first "modern" folding knives I purchased (Moki version), after starting with Gerber, then Benchmade, then trying Spyderco. The SERE impressed me as a very high-quality knife, more so than those others. It felt a lot more "solid", the action was smooth as glass, and the blade always stayed perfectly centered. It was also the sharpest modern folder I had purchased.

That being said, there were a few things I didn't like about it. I never liked the double-sided thumbstud, nor the "hump" on the top of the handle above the pivot. So I replaced the original thumbstud with a single-sided one, and I ground the "hump" down. Removing the hump made it a lot easier to carry the knife in the ways that I wanted to (examples below).

Although I liked the knife, and although it was/is very high-quality, It didn't get carried or used it much. I guess I was just more willing to let my other knives get banged up at work. The SERE was more of a non-work-days knife.

For awhile I carried the knife in a belt sheath. Made easier by the removal of the top hump as that made it possible to wedge the knife securely in the sheath.

And I would also occasionally carry it like this, stuck in a section of bicycle inner tube looped onto my belt. There too the removal of the hump made this method of carry possible.

 

[jeepin]

Well, if were posting pics of our SERE's, I'll play. It's a safe bet mine is different from most.

The SERE 2000 was one of the first "modern" folding knives I purchased (Moki version), after starting with Gerber, then Benchmade, then trying Spyderco. The SERE impressed me as a very high-quality knife, more so than those others. It felt a lot more "solid", the action was smooth as glass, and the blade always stayed perfectly centered. It was also the sharpest modern folder I had purchased.

That being said, there were a few things I didn't like about it. I never liked the double-sided thumbstud, nor the "hump" on the top of the handle above the pivot. So I replaced the original thumbstud with a single-sided one, and I ground the "hump" down. Removing the hump made it a lot easier to carry the knife in the ways that I wanted to (examples below).

Although I liked the knife, and although it was/is very high-quality, It didn't get carried or used it much. I guess I was just more willing to let my other knives get banged up at work. The SERE was more of a non-work-days knife.

For awhile I carried the knife in a belt sheath. Made easier by the removal of the top hump as that made it possible to wedge the knife securely in the sheath.

And I would also occasionally carry it like this, stuck in a section of bicycle inner tube looped onto my belt. There too the removal of the hump made this method of carry possible.

I love double thumb studs myself.

I just need to figure out which version is the one where they shortened them so they don’t catch on the pocket.

 

[jeepin]

So between the Seki and Moki versions, which one has better quality overall?

 

[jfk1110]

Its been a looonnnggg time since I held a Seki made Al Mar. However, I do remember it being top notch!!!
Moki's version is as well....I usually refer to my Al Mar sere 2k as a custom quality production knife...
The Seki would be harder to come across. I think. I haven't seen one in a good while, but I haven't searched for it either...

I guess it comes down to your preferences and cost & availability... Are you looking to buy either or both!!???


I used to carry mine more frequently but now that I'm pushing 75+ knives it takes a bit to work back to it in the rotation... Just the other day I carried it....

 

[jeepin]

Its been a looonnnggg time since I held a Seki made Al Mar. However, I do remember it being top notch!!!
Moki's version is as well....I usually refer to my Al Mar sere 2k as a custom quality production knife...
The Seki would be harder to come across. I think. I haven't seen one in a good while, but I haven't searched for it either...

I guess it comes down to your preferences and cost & availability... Are you looking to buy either or both!!???


I used to carry mine more frequently but now that I'm pushing 75+ knives it takes a bit to work back to it in the rotation... Just the other day I carried it....

No just one to carry is all I need.