Why do I want an Al Mar Sere 2000? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why do I want an Al Mar Sere 2000?

Posted: 2/13/2020 4:50:48 PM EDT

I have wanted an Al Mar SERE 2000 for over a year now. Never seen one in person but the pictures of them give me that “they don’t make them like that anymore” feeling.

I have been unable to get past the premium price for mid-level materials though.

Not sure if I’m looking for people to talk me into it or out of it but we will see where it goes.

Posted: 2/13/2020 5:11:20 PM EDT

[#1]

They were all the rage back in the 1980s but they're kind of mediocre by today's standards.

My opinion... Pass.

Posted: 2/14/2020 12:05:21 AM EDT

[#2]

I love Al Mar and his knives but I've gone away from liner locks. I also agree with the other poster that they are likely overpriced (at retail, and retail-plus) for what you get. THAT BEING SAID-I have one I've had in my "sale box" for a while I haven't listed...I was going to send it to a consignment dealer... I would make you a good deal if you still want one. And no price gouging as you referred to. Only thing-I'm leaving early tomorrow for an out-of-town trip until late, late Saturday night. After that -if you're interested-we can talk.

Posted: 2/14/2020 4:25:59 AM EDT

[#3]

I agree about getting something else for the price, unless you just want one to throw in the knife collection. If you want to do that, I'd look for a deal on an original. But I might be biased.

The originals were a more traditional folding knife design compared to the newer models, and you had to deal with a back lock and nail nick. I'm not sure how the current construction and QC compares to the '80s/ '90s models. After handling the originals and then the 2000 when it was released, I preferred the original versions.

I've had a 3002-A since '90 time-frame. Banged around in my flight gear for the next 9 years, used off and on for stuff here and there. The micarta has some scuffs and dings, brass has taken a patina, some staining and wear rubs on the blade and the edge is a bit rough, and the blade pivot pin has a touch of rust. But it still locks up rock solid and the lock is still tight.

Posted: 2/14/2020 9:45:39 AM EDT

[#4]

Maybe not the best value any more with the myriad of options on the market these days but they're still really good knives with very smooth actions. I have one and carried it for years before eventually replacing it with a smaller and lighter Sebenza.

Posted: 2/18/2020 5:28:12 AM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Maybe not the best value any more with the myriad of options on the market these days but they're still really good knives with very smooth actions. I have one and carried it for years before eventually replacing it with a smaller and lighter Sebenza.

View Quote

I kind of agree. I've had my SERE 2000 for several years (I also have an Original Al Mar SERE folder and the SERE 2000 auto). The knife fit and finish is excellent, it's a smooth opener and good lock up. The blade design is pretty nostalgic, but well executed. it's a heavy beast with really thick stainless liners, I also love the deep pocket clip. My issue is simply the price for the materials as they are pretty mediocre. The cost is really for the brand, design origins, and really good QA/QC.

I see the Al Mar SERE 2000 much like my Emersons (and I own several). I'm paying for features, name, and reputation (I've used them for over 20 years), as they to are made of mediocre/average materials, and while the fit is excellent, the finish leaves a lot to be desired, but they are some of my trusted and most used folders.

If you can get over the cost, you won't be disappointed with the knife, but as others have mentioned, there are a lot of excellent knives in that price range, but it's really an iconic design.

ROCK6

Posted: 2/18/2020 8:15:12 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
I have wanted an Al Mar SERE 2000 for over a year now. Never seen one in person but the pictures of them give me that “they don’t make them like that anymore” feeling.

I have been unable to get past the premium price for mid-level materials though.

Not sure if I’m looking for people to talk me into it or out of it but we will see where it goes.

View Quote

Over the years I've miss out on several things I now wish I would have pulled the trigger on...

I'm not saying do it but will you look back and wish you had

For the record I'm a knife junkie and still keep finding more I want
Edit;
Like this one, a Blackjack Halo Attack 14

Posted: 2/19/2020 3:37:42 PM EDT

[#7]

Blackjack makes a nice knife for the $$$.

Posted: 2/23/2020 12:26:35 PM EDT

[#8]

Thanks to Sheepdogleader who gave me a fair deal on a perfect SERE 2000. Just got it today and it didn’t disappoint.

They definitely don’t make it like this anymore which isn't meant as a slight against new knives. Consumer tastes and advancements in materials and manufacturing are trending toward the 3oz working EDC (bugout etc...) but there is something to be said about brute size and heft.

I think it is the solid steel insert on the butt of the knife that makes me happy for whatever reason. One thing I didn’t notice in pictures or read in reviews is that there is not one single jimp on the entire knife. I can see it getting slippery.

Bottom line, I like it and am going to put it to work.

Posted: 2/23/2020 2:30:37 PM EDT

[#9]

Your knife's predecessor says "hello" and "enjoy".

You can see how little the design changed over the years.

Attached File

If anyone is interested in some history on the SERE lines, I can dig up some old links and see if they are still active.

Posted: 2/24/2020 4:44:40 PM EDT

[#10]

Yeah, the original SERE is the King (at the top...I like big folders

)

Posted: 3/9/2020 7:43:03 AM EDT

[#11]

I really like some of those.

Posted: 3/11/2020 6:04:53 AM EDT

[#12]

Double Damn Post

ROCK6

Posted: 3/11/2020 6:12:06 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
I really like some of those.

View Quote

Yeah, I've always been intrigued with large folders. The history around the Al Mar SERE design is still relevant in certain situations. The original Al Mar SERE was designed in collaboration with COL Rowe as a folder that a soldier could have on their person to handle all the scenarios they might encounter in a SERE situation; COL Rowe supposedly accepted the SERE folder as the "first" SERE knife for SERE school. I think much of the thinking at the time was a belt-mounted, heavy duty folder that remained compact yet could still do heavy duty cutting chores. Even today, given the typical kit and frequent ingress/egress from vehicles, fixed, and rotary wings, compact tools are pretty important. I would never say a folder can replace a fixed blade, but some folders can still offer a lot of performance in a compact package.

Every folder pictured has a blade length of 4" or greater.

ROCK6

Posted: 3/15/2020 12:29:02 AM EDT

[#14]

My biggest folder is a ZT 562 which is pretty darn light considering it’s size. When I picked up a Kershaw launch 8 the other day I looked at a ZT 308 which I desire as well.

Posted: 3/15/2020 12:32:04 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yeah, I've always been intrigued with large folders. The history around the Al Mar SERE design is still relevant in certain situations. The original Al Mar SERE was designed in collaboration with COL Rowe as a folder that a soldier could have on their person to handle all the scenarios they might encounter in a SERE situation; COL Rowe supposedly accepted the SERE folder as the "first" SERE knife for SERE school. I think much of the thinking at the time was a belt-mounted, heavy duty folder that remained compact yet could still do heavy duty cutting chores. Even today, given the typical kit and frequent ingress/egress from vehicles, fixed, and rotary wings, compact tools are pretty important. I would never say a folder can replace a fixed blade, but some folders can still offer a lot of performance in a compact package.

Every folder pictured has a blade length of 4" or greater.

ROCK6

View Quote

Almar in the past has had a booth at the Oregon knife collector show every April. It was always fun to talk to them. Who knows this year - I doubt.

Posted: 3/15/2020 9:05:18 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

Almar in the past has had a booth at the Oregon knife collector show every April. It was always fun to talk to them. Who knows this year - I doubt.

View Quote

The Al Mar team has really changed. I talked with them at the Atlanta Blade Show several years ago about them possibly fixing my original SERE that has a chip in the micarta handle....they weren't even interested at all. I like the new SERE 2000, not so much for the price, but they seem to have forgotten their roots.

ROCK6

Posted: 3/15/2020 11:00:46 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
Your knife's predecessor says "hello" and "enjoy".

You can see how little the design changed over the years.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/113647/_DSC0613_DxO_-_Copy_jpg-1288211.JPG

If anyone is interested in some history on the SERE lines, I can dig up some old links and see if they are still active.

View Quote

I recognize the cammo pattern in the background.

During the Gulf war all the aircrews wanted a night desert jacket- like way bad. I finally managed to talk a supply guy into giving me one and after that I was pestered constantly with trade offers. I didn't know they made a boonie...

Posted: 3/15/2020 11:23:08 AM EDT

[#18]

I’ve got an original SERE and a small one to go with it, too.

Posted: 3/15/2020 8:43:20 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

I recognize the cammo pattern in the background.

During the Gulf war all the aircrews wanted a night desert jacket- like way bad. I finally managed to talk a supply guy into giving me one and after that I was pestered constantly with trade offers. I didn't know they made a boonie...

View Quote

Also pants. One of the few things they would issue us was the night parka and liner.

We had problems even getting PASGT flak jackets to replace the old worn out, creased, cracked, and flaking Vietnam-era versions we had. Along with steel pots and 38 revolvers. Not enough survival vests, flak jackets or weapons to go around. Everything was shared. We had crews got out a few times with no survival vests. We also had outdated chem auto-injectors. And all of the aircraft armor packages had been sent for disposal years previously. USAFE unit. We watched most come from the States with new gear, Kevlar, desert camo, M9s... the supply and finance peeps showed up with all the new gear as personal issue.

Attached File

Posted: 3/15/2020 11:02:24 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:

Over the years I've miss out on several things I now wish I would have pulled the trigger on...

I'm not saying do it but will you look back and wish you had

For the record I'm a knife junkie and still keep finding more I want
Edit;
Like this one, a Blackjack Halo Attack 14

https://i.imgur.com/D31b4YB.jpg

View Quote

I've been looking for that BJ 14 for YEARS! DO
they even make them anymore?

Posted: 3/20/2020 8:10:38 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:

I've been looking for that BJ 14 for YEARS! DO
they even make them anymore?

View Quote

Limited runs but they are out there
Currently they are made by Bark River Knives

Posted: 3/20/2020 8:15:08 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

I've been looking for that BJ 14 for YEARS! DO
they even make them anymore?

View Quote

Limited runs but they are out there
Currently they are made by Bark River Knives

Knife center pre order

Posted: 3/23/2020 11:19:44 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
Yeah, the original SERE is the King (at the top...I like big folders

)

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/ROCK-6/Blades/20190918_114034_zps7ekyagxj.jpg

View Quote

What is the knife just above the Glock?

Posted: 3/29/2020 2:45:09 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
What is the knife just above the Glock?

View Quote

@crag_dt

Ontario Hossom Retribution

Posted: 4/2/2020 2:54:30 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

I recognize the cammo pattern in the background.

During the Gulf war all the aircrews wanted a night desert jacket- like way bad. I finally managed to talk a supply guy into giving me one and after that I was pestered constantly with trade offers. I didn't know they made a boonie...

View Quote

Says something about IR on the label in mine.

Paladin

Posted: 4/18/2020 6:30:53 PM EDT

[#26]

I have a Sere 2000 and there is just something about it that makes it feel more refined than most in its class. It’s like a dressy tactical folder, or a gentleman of action’s folder...

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why do I want an Al Mar Sere 2000?

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