ALMAR ALMS2K Mini S.E.R.E. G-10 Handle Plain

by Al Mar

Product Features

• Mini S.E.R.E.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000UB2296
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,040 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Features a 3.00 in. VG-10 steel blade and a G-10 handle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The MINI was a serious disappointment over the full size model, July 10, 2009

By 

A photographer (Planet Earth) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: ALMAR ALMS2K Mini S.E.R.E. G-10 Handle Plain

NOTE: This review is being written November 1, 2010.

I originally wrote a review of the full-sized SERE 2000 in July 2009 but the computer gods must have frowned on the process because it ended up appearing for the Mini SERE instead. Today, I'm finally getting around to correcting this and transferring the original review to the correct item. Since I've also owned a Mini (actually I've tried to own two of them...we'll get into that in a minute), I decided to edit and correct my opinion of that knife.

The full sized SERE 2000 is the best knife I've ever owned. After several years of using it almost exclusively, I went looking for a smaller knife that is easier to carry in the pocket and not so offensive to people who consider knives to be dangerous weapons as opposed to useful tools. After being disappointed in several small knives, I decided it was best to bite the bullet and buy a Mini SERE 2000--the smaller version of my best ever knife. My first knife came in and I was very excited until I opened the box. Whereas the original SERE was a smooth, refined knife with that indefinable "feel" that set it apart from other knives, the Mini was crudely made and lacking in refinement. The blade did not have the smooth finish and the G-10 handle was blocky and square instead of rounded and comfortable like the full-sized knife. I'm one to believe in the adaptability of human beings, so I decided to just put aside my original impression and give it a try. That led to further disappointment. Upon closer examination, the Mini blade was loose and wobbly when "locked" open--not a great deal of slack was present but more than should be there on a knife costing this much. I have a $10 Smith and Wesson knife that locks up tighter than this Al Mar did. Considering this, I returned it for an exchange. The seller I used (not one from Amazon) contacted Al Mar Knives on my behalf, returned the knife to them and had them send me a replacement. The replacement came directly from the Al Mar company, not the original seller. That knife also displayed rough finish-work and poor lock-up and blade wobble. This is not what one would expect from Al Mar, especially as a factory replacement for a defective knife.

The story had a happy ending. I received credit for the second knife and eventually ordered another brand of knife that I've found useful. The sad part of the story is that the quality control for the Mini SERE obviously is lacking. It appears to me that Al Mar (a company that has always used the best Japanese cutlery makers for their products) changed makers for the Mini SERE line of knives and this maker's work is inferior and defective. I hope Al Mar has worked out the problems with these knives by now and that the quality has improved. Unfortunately, when one considers the defective product from the supplier and the poor quality control at Al Mar that ensued for the replacement, I recommend not buying the Mini SERE 2000 online. Only buy one that you can examine prior to purchase to be sure you're getting a knife worth the rather high price.