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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Mercedes of Folding Knives, September 18, 2009
This review applies to the Mini SERE 2000, which is identical to it's big brother in construction, but shorter and lighter and legal to carry in more states. I've purchased many very good knives in the $20 to $90 price range, but this knife, made in Japan, just blew me away with its perfection in every detail.
Firstly, there is the sharpness, which is truly and frighteningly razor sharp. Then, there is the shape of the handle which seems to perfectly fit my hand in whatever way I grip it. The machined scales produce an incredible gripping surface that seems to cling to my hand. The knife's metal frame is fastened into a secure unit before the scales are fastened into place with additional fasteners (and probably a bit of cement as well) so the structural integrity is excellent. The weight, 3.6 ounces, gives a sense of significant heft without weighing down my pocket excessively. The smoothness of the blade pivot and lockup remind me of a bank vault closing and the fit and finish of the blade and handle are truly flawless. The pocket clip is the soul of discretion, and produces the absolute minimum of protruding metal frame from your clothing, if you choose to carry it that way.
The blade shape is tactical and clearly made for piercing, but there is just enough "belly" in the blade to make it practical for the standard everyday uses of cutting rope or slicing sandwiches, preparing food at the beach cottage, or whittling tinder to start a campfire. I'm not military or ex-military, but if I had to choose a single pocketable knife to handle expected or unexpected urban contingencies - which is why I carry a folding knife - this would be the one I'd choose. My budget won't manage a Mercedes right now, but it can manage this Mercedes of folding knives.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Too beautiful to be tactical folder, November 12, 2009
This review is from: Sere 2000, Stainless Steel
I couldn't find anything that I didn't like about this knife. It's just too well made; high precision/hard blade, rock solid handle, and it opens and closes very smoothly after a drop of oil to its pivot screw.
The blade is so sharp that I was able to actually shave with it. There was absolutely no blade movement at all when I wiggled it. All of the tactical knives I have, I had to adjust the pivot screw first day but for this one, I didn't have to adjust anything at all. Only complain I had was that the blade could be slightly longer (without considering the legal limits in many states). This blade can also be function as utility knife as survival knife since it's so sturdy.
Its liner could be a bit thicker to lock the blade solid for the stressful situations in combats. Anyway, for me, it's money well spent.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The full size SERE 2000 is one of the best, November 1, 2010
This review is from: Sere 2000, Stainless Steel
I own dozens of knives. My grandfather instilled in me a respect and enjoyment of knives over 50 years ago when he gave me my first pocket knife and taught me how to whittle while we were sitting in his backyard. I have a healthy fondness for knives and I find a good knife to be my most used tool. Of all the knives I've ever owned, the Al Mar SERE 2000 has been my favorite. If a knife was ever made to perfectly fit my hand and to balance perfectly while in use, this is the one.
The fit and finish of my SERE 2000 is impeccable. The G10 handles are virtually indestructible. The open back is easy to keep clean. The blade is polished to mirror brightness. It opens and closes smoothly and effortlessly using the thumb studs. The 3.6" VG10 blade came razor sharp and it's not hard to maintain or restore that sharp edge. There has never been an issue of "blade wobble" in the several years I have owned and used this knife. The liner lock is solid. I've owned other liner lock knives that were simply unsafe due to the poor contact at the locking point. The SERE 2000 locks up so well I forget it's not a fixed blade. The location of the pocket clip means the knife rides deep down inside the pocket with almost nothing except the clip showing. While the handle is big, it is "melted"--there are no sharp or square edges to abrade fabric or the hand when reaching into the pocket to retrieve keys, change or whatever.
The reason this knife works so well for me is the size, shape and weight of the handle. The blade is actually rather short in comparison to the gripping area. That weight in the handle makes the blade feel very agile and quick when cutting, slicing or chopping. It's hard to describe but it's quickly recognizable.
The downside to the knife is that it is large and heavy. For those with smaller hands, it may be too much. The blade is also a hair over 3.5" long. Some states consider a knife with a blade over 3.5" in length to be a dangerous weapon. I know it's silly but the legal system is a hodge-podge of silly laws that bog down justice ever actually being achieved. If you live in a state with a blade length limit, don't carry the SERE 2000. There is a "Mini" SERE 2000 with a 3" blade that may be preferable.
Yes, this IS an expensive knife and many people would consider it an unnecessary extravagance to spend this much for a pocket knife. From my viewpoint, I would have actually saved money over the years if I had just bought the best first instead of buying several less-than-the-best trying to be frugal.
11/01/2010: For some strange reason, my review of the full-sized knife from July 2009 got transferred to the Mini SERE here on Amazon. Seeing the full size SERE is now again available, I have transferred the original review to the proper item. Just for the record, I've tried the Mini SERE and found it to be disappointing. The original SERE 2000 is an outstanding knife in every way and I highly recommend it instead of the smaller knife.
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