spyderco versus al mar

[ledheded]

I recently ordered a delica lightweight, have not received it yet. a friend of mine has a spydie, and an al mar. he says al mar knives are much better. he says an al mar slb would have been a better choice. any comments?

[ledheded]

so, I guess it is verboten to mention another knifemaker here?! I am going by the lack of responses. spyderco spoken here, and nothing else?

[Sword and Shield]

Howdy Ledheded! Welcome to <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>Land! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

OK, the facts. Your Delica has VG-10 steel, while the SLB has AUS-8. For sheer performance, VG-10 wins every time, but AUS-8 is easier to sharpen, and less likely to chip.

Now, opinion. I personally would take the Delica any day of the week and twice on Sunday in a cutting match. The difference in sharpening difficulty is not that large, and the performance boost is well worth it.

I can't knock Al Mar's quality, but I believe <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> is easily on a par. For the price, and for other chits in it's favor, the Delica wins.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[J Smith]

What is the price differance.If the al mar is alot more the Delica would be better.I must say that I much prefer the older model Delicas with the AUS 8 steel.OH and welcome.

JEFF .............Sooooo I see the internet is on the computer now.-Homer Simpson

[ledheded]

doh!

[James Y]

It appears many of the knives manufactured for Al Mar in Japan are made by the same Seki-City makers who product Spyderco's Seki clipits. Therefore I would say overall the quality is very comparable. I do not own an Al Mar yet, but have had an on/off interest in the SERE 2000 and maybe a Hawk folder. I have handled Al Mar's enough to say they are an excellent product. But I do own more than 25 Spyderco's.
Jim

[Rex G]

Is brand loyalty the subject here? As I reach my forties, I have learned that brand loyalty can get way too too serious. I have an old Al Mar SERE folder from the 80's, and it is very well-made. I have also owned Spyderco products since the 80's, namely Police and Mariner. Both brands are of high quality. If it is a "using" knife as opposed to a collector piece, go with the knife that fits your hand the best. Am I sitting on a fence? No, I vote with my wallet, and I own 3 Al Mar knives, and at least 7 Spydercos, and have given as gifts countless Spydercos. One MAJOR advantage of the Delica is that you can get a training drone. If emergency use is a possibility, "muscle memory" is a good thing to have on your side. A training drone can be flipped open "every which way" without cutting yourself, so that when you pull your real blade in a real emergency, it is there without conscious thought. By emergency, I don't just mean fighting. Most emergencies solved with knives are not crime-related. The Delica is a good choice!

[dialex]

Hi, Ledheded, welcome aboard!
IMO, Al Mar are some nice decent knives that could do the job well, but Spyderco is far beyond them. If you carry a knife on a regular basis, you'll notice the difference. Just my very subjective oppinion <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
BTW, enjoy your Delica, it is a wise choice. Delica, my love...

Edited by - dialex on 8/12/2002 12:11:31 AM

[sam the man..]

*hee-hee!* interesting topic! If you ever visit Spyderco, there's a nice photo of the late Al Mar at the corporate office's conference room. Mr Mar had been a great influence to Spyderco and as far as quality comparison are made, I'd say that both brands have their distinctive advantages. My buddy, whose a proud owner of an Al Mar Sere 2000 had little to complain about his knife. Since Spyderco and Al Mar produces their knives in Japan, the quality, fit and finish are assured.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Well, I love Al Mar's legacy of the sharing philosophy which propelled Spyderco into the business of making high-tech knives which defies obsolescence.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have bone implant will travel..

[Tightwad]

I've been slobbering over an original Al Mar Eagle for months now.
Finally settled for a modern day micarta version finding it to be be an
excellent everyday work knife.

I say that because I can't bring myself to put my (2) large Calypso to
the hard work tasks I do. Besides I really like Aus-8 steel in an everyday
blade.

[spydernut2008]

I'm still very new with Spyders, but I can tell you my SS DelicaII will out do any of my Kershaws, bucks, or Gerbers. They also have much better pocket clips.


life without spyders sucks