Al Mar Prototypes

[Retired W4]

Many years ago I purchased from Gary Fadden, the president of Al Mar at the time, a prototype, number 8 of 10 of their new auto knife for 2007. Yesterday, at the ODT gun show and swap meet, I found another Al Mar prototype of the same model of 2007. The knives are absolutely identical except for two things, the prototype markings and dates on the right side of the blade AND my new acquisition has not had the edge ground (unsharpened). I contacted Al Mar customer service this morning, inquiring about my new knife, and I expect to hear from them early this coming week.

I will post their response when I receive it. In the mean time, here are some pictures. The first two are of my new purchase and the third is the knife I got from Gary at The Blade Show, pre-production of their new model. As a collector of Al Mar knives (and Chris Reeves) these prototype, and other rarities, are important.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Thank you for sharing. It is interesting to me that this prototype and a CR prototype a friend has look very similar in design. Cool.

 

[swagmeister]

Very nice. They made outstanding blades!

 

[Retired W4]

Very nice. They made outstanding blades!

Sadly, that is in the past tense. I have not examined any of their new produces in person but just looking at the current catalogue my confidence level is not very high. I don't know who is running the company now. Gary kept thing going after Al died but it appears the quality is now fading. I do like my older Gerbers and Al Mars.

The quinced Chinese burl 25th Anniversary model is #3 of 500.

 

[robvious]

always appreciated the simple rugged elegance of Al Mar designs... couldn't quite afford them as a kid collecting knives.. thanks for sharing.

 

[chief38]

I have heard about them and have read about them for a while now but have never seen, handled or used an Al Mar knife. Actually I don't personally know anyone who actually owns one. Maybe one day I will actually get to see and handle one - so to me Al Mar knives are pretty much an unknown item.

At this point in my life I have well over 50+ pocket and sheath knives - many of high quality, so I am not in need of any more and don't seek them out. Maybe that is why I've not seen one.......

 

[Retired W4]

They will make you bleed if you look at them the wrong way. Very sharp.

 

[swagmeister]

Retired W4: You are exactly correct. My statement which included "made" was intentional. In my opinion, just like handguns (of any make or model), the older, the better when it comes to knives. It seems that the pride of craftsmanship and quality built into the product has just not been the same for many years in most knives or firearms. Many years ago, I gave my grandson an Al Mar black blade knife that looked exactly like yours except it was a manual opening knife. That thing was sharp as a razor new out of the box. Take care.

 

[A10]

Sadly, that is in the past tense. I have not examined any of their new produces in person but just looking at the current catalogue my confidence level is not very high. I don't know who is running the company now. Gary kept thing going after Al died but it appears the quality is now fading. I do like my older Gerbers and Al Mars.

The quinced Chinese burl 25th Anniversary model is #3 of 500.

I ran into Gary at their shop in Oregon, he was a great guy. Had some rather interesting stories....
I've owned several Al Mar's, gave one to my honey that was stolen with her purse in the early 2K's. Still have my SERE II, it's a little worse for wear. got it in '83. The little brass medallions that were inset in the rubber handle are long gone....that happened a lot.

 

[Retired W4]

I ran into Gary at their shop in Oregon, he was a great guy. Had some rather interesting stories....
I've owned several Al Mar's, gave one to my honey that was stolen with her purse in the early 2K's. Still have my SERE II, it's a little worse for wear. got it in '83. The little brass medallions that were inset in the rubber handle are long gone....that happened a lot.

So Gary is still with AMK? I have some knives marked FM Co./Japan which I believe is about Garry Fadden but I don't know. I spent a lot of time in Portland between 2000 and 2007. Stayed at the Shilo Inn near the airport. Danner Boots was right down the street as well as so many knife companies within driving distance. Portland is indeed knife central. You could go into a cutlery shop in the mall and buy automatics.

Of course Atlanta is pretty good, once a year, with The Blade Show, the largest knife show in the world. I'm still waiting for a response from AMK about that prototype.