Hello all
I know, its maybe the wrong question in the right forum : I have to decide between the Spyderco Zowada or the Al Mar Mini S.E.R.E.
I like the look but cannot compare them side by side.
I think they are similar but maybe one of you has some thoughts on the matter.
Well I don't have any experience in either of them, but I would probably pick the zowada because its got a spydie hole. Im sure someone else will answer your question.
Adam
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Manix 2, Para 2, Frn/Wooden UKPK
I chose the Spyderco Zowada over Al Mar's because I find the Spydie hole MUCH more efficient than thumb studs. The hole may be smaller than standard, but after a few minutes practice I find it very easy to use. Opening via the "spydie drop" technique is also practical. (Guess it depends on how big your hands/fingers are, I wear medium size gloves).
The Zowada also has a slightly longer blade and CF scales.
At 4.0 oz the Zowada is 0.5 oz heavier than the Mini SERE.
I've never used an Al Mar knife, but I strongly prefer the Spydie hole over thumb studs. Someone gave me a knife a number of years ago with a stud. That was before I got into Spydercos, so I carried it for a while. I really didn't like the stud opening at all and was never happy with it. Once I tried the Spydie hole approach, there was no going back.
Last week, I was playing with another company's assisted openers just to see what all fuss was about. They used a thumb stud to start the blade open. Although the assist mechanism worked well, I found the stud annoying again. It took me longer to open the blade with the stud and assist than it does to open a Spyderco manually using the Spydie hole.
Everyone is different, but for me, the Spydie hole provides the fastest, most comfortable non-auto blade opening.
:spyder:: Advocate, Slysz Bowie Ti, Southard Black Blade, Stretch Carbon Fiber w/ZDP-189, Fluted Ti Native5, Terzuola Starmate, Terzuola SLIPIT, Leaf Storm, Gayle Bradley, Roadie, Chaparral CF, Chaparral Ti Stealth, Des Horn, Stretch FRN (Blue) ZDP-189, Centofante Memory, Military Black Blade CE, Delica4 FRN CE, Endura4 FRN Black Blade CE, Assist Orange FRN, Manbug ZDP-189, Ladybug 3 FRN SE, Delica4 Blue NLEOMF, Moran Drop Point BB, et al. :spyder: Spydie Fanatic #179 :spyder:
You do realize you're asking whether to pick a Spyderco or an Al Mar on a Spyderco forum...results are probably biased.
I BLEED TOXIC GREEN
:spyder: SPYDIE NUT:spyder:
:spyder: Spyderco OG Manix PE
:spyder: Spyderco Black Dodo SE *gone*
:spyder: Spyderco Black Paramilitary PE *gone*
:spyder: Spyderco SPOT PE *gone*
:spyder: Spyderco OG Blackhawk SE *gone*
:spyder: Spyderco Ladybug/Photon *gone*
The SERE, even in the mini version, is a more stout knife. Not that the Zowada is dainty with its full steel liners but compared to the SERE it's not the same kind of knife in terms of heft. The SERE does have the ambi clip as well as better access to the thumbstud on the left side than the Zowada has access to the Spyderhole on the left side. So if you're a lefty that's a consideration. I like the Zowada but if it's just between those two I prefer the SERE.
Mini Sere all the way, traded off my ZOOO-WADA. To me the blade shape reminded me of an ice pick, or prison shank just a little too much. I love spydercos, but the Al Mare SERE and Mini are 2 knives that I have and will keep. They just feel right in the hand, besides the full size SERE being a little heavy for my EDC taste.
: I have to decide between the Spyderco Zowada or the Al Mar Mini S.E.R.E.
