Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

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Mr Blonde
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Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#1

Post by Mr Blonde »

I'm a diehard Spyderco user, collector and allround fan. I can't imagine that will ever change. However, I also have a soft spot for Al Mar knives. I'm especially fond of the vintage Al Mar knives. This fall, I scored a vintage Al Mar model 4009 Commemorative Presidential Bowie knife. I had been pining for this knife since I first got into knives in the early 90s. Now, after more than twenty years, this very same knife is mine!

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If you're interested, more pics and the complete story can be found here.
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The Deacon
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#2

Post by The Deacon »

Congrats Wouter! Image Think even Crocodile Dundee would have to say "That's a knife!". :D
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Jazz
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#3

Post by Jazz »

Congratulations, Wouter. Very nice. I didn't know they made a bowie. Nice pics too.
- best wishes, Jazz.
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Evil D
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#4

Post by Evil D »

Really cool, congrats. I don't think there exists a particular knife that I want this bad. I'd like to eventually get a Strider, preferably the S110V Nightmare grind version which typically goes for about $1000 or so, which is more than I'd probably pay for one so I may never get one. Otherwise, I have some custom ideas I'd like to see happen someday but no existing grails.
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GoldenSpydie
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#5

Post by GoldenSpydie »

Very nice! Congrats on achieving a grail. :)

My "ultimate grail knife" would probably be a Kressler damascus fighter.
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SpyderEdgeForever
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#6

Post by SpyderEdgeForever »

Wow! Amazing find! Congrats! Imagine if one could get an original AL MAR WARRIOR?
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kbuzbee
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#7

Post by kbuzbee »

Nice Wouter! Are you going to use it? (had to be asked)

Ken
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#8

Post by David from NC »

Congrats!

Al Mar was one of the earliest brands of knives I became aware of that I sought out. I bought a Woodsman at a gunshow and thought the world of it. After I got to meet Al at a trade show in 1991 or 1992 (?) not long before his untimely death... :(

Meeting Al Mar for me, even if just for a few minutes was like meeting a celebrity!

Ended up buying many more Al Mars and ALL have been used/carried. The only exception is a black SERE 2000 that I haven't 100 % decided to keep yet - only had it 2 years!)
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Blerv
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#9

Post by Blerv »

Dang Wouter :). Nice score! A subtle one for sure :p.
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#10

Post by RanCoWeAla »

What kind of steel is the Bowie made of? Do you have any idea
OldSarSwmr
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#11

Post by OldSarSwmr »

Beautiful knife! I love a lot of the vintage Al Mar knives, some beautiful blades. I have a few and really enjoy them.
This is my favorite
Image
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SpyderEdgeForever
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#12

Post by SpyderEdgeForever »

WOWOWOWOWOWOWWO! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAN OH MAN! I LOVE THE AL MAR WARRIOR even though I have never owned one.
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Mr Blonde
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#13

Post by Mr Blonde »

Jazz wrote:Congratulations, Wouter. Very nice. I didn't know they made a bowie. Nice pics too.
They actually made more bowies from this pattern. A more simple and hollow grind variant was listed as the 'Alaskan Bowie' in catalogs. Another variant was much like this one, it featured a flat grind with a coffin shaped handle that was partially white and dark brown or black. This was a tenth anniversary 'power' bowie to celebrate 10 years of the Al Mar knife brand. The SFO had one on display two years ago, to illustrate the link between Spyderco and Al Mar. This display also featured the Sage 4.
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Mr Blonde
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#14

Post by Mr Blonde »

kbuzbee wrote:Nice Wouter! Are you going to use it? (had to be asked)

Ken
You are a funny man! Heck no, maybe for some cake at both my daughter wedding. But before that could happen I want to teach my girls a proper bowie 'back cut' :p
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Mr Blonde
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#15

Post by Mr Blonde »

RanCoWeAla wrote:What kind of steel is the Bowie made of? Do you have any idea
I'm not too sure. I've read a catalog that mentions 440c for this particular knife, but Al Mar also used a lot of 6A or AUS-6 in their fixed blades. Considering the excellent condition after all this time, this blade certainly has high rust resistance.
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Mr Blonde
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#16

Post by Mr Blonde »

OldSarSwmr wrote:Beautiful knife! I love a lot of the vintage Al Mar knives, some beautiful blades. I have a few and really enjoy them.
This is my favorite....
Very nice, if you'd like do share some more Al Mar vintage knives with us. I'd love to see them!

Geat pairing you got there. I got something similar but a tiny bit darker. My Al Mar Warrior has a black blade and camo handle, naturally that 'had' to have black Spyderco warrior to complement it. I've talked to warrior-researcher-extraordinaire Michael Janich about my Warrior. And judging from my description of the knife and sheath, my Warrior might be from the first production run - although not one of the numbered first 200.
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bh49
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#17

Post by bh49 »

Congrats Wouter. It is trully beatiful knife
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kbuzbee
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#18

Post by kbuzbee »

bh49 wrote:Congrats Wouter. It is trully beatiful knife
Hey Roman. WIFI day?

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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#19

Post by DeathBySnooSnoo »

That is one stunning knife! Congrats on your persistence and your good taste.
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Re: Scored my ultimate grail knife: vintage Al Mar bowie

#20

Post by MacLaren »

That Al Mar Warrior is incredible!!
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