Spyderco Forums

Ned's thread just a few days ago really got me amped up for a small gents folder :) . I was considering an Al Mar just because of the classic lines, nice point, and polished micarta. The Air seems vastly superior (in materials) though for not much more money.

Does anyone have both or even just the Al Mar to say some words about it? I was thinking about the Falcon model with the 3.15" blade and pocket clip vs the Air. I really have no problem with AUS-8 and a thin blade; it would mostly be a light duty office knife or one to carry when I'm around people who aren't cutlery fans. Ease of sharpening and not fussing with patina isn't a bad thing either.

The Air is a nice piece, but I wasn't totally convinced.
I think the second cutout for the lock is quite useless.
My Al Mar Hawk in the European variant with nailnick sees definitely more pocket time, feels more classy to me.

Having owned an Air and having normal-size fingers, I agree with Marcus. I love the look of those Ultralights with the black linen micarta.

Perhaps the Air would be a more classic looking knife with scales like these

Thanks for the feedback guys! Those Viele's are certainly class. :D

The Al Mar is made by Moki, a FINE knife.

Don't have the Al Mar, but love my GB Air!

I've never seen the Al Mar, it looks like a very well crafted piece. I think at some point I will get a true pocket-knife/gentlemans folder I have not ruled out the Air. I really do like the look of the Memory.

I think the Al Mar's looks really great, but the one's I've handled have been pretty stiff to open.

The other issue to consider is that if this is going to be your "public knife" for use around the knife adverse, a 3", ultra pointy, black handled knife may not be the answer. For guys like us, the Al Mar is the height of class; for many sheeple, it's going to look like a pretty menacing shiv.

Personally for public use, I like to go for something that can't be construed as a weapon. The G10 Manbug is a great option. It's classy, capable, and non-threatening - very much the gentleman's backup blade.

mark greenman wrote:I think the Al Mar's looks really great, but the one's I've handled have been pretty stiff to open.

The other issue to consider is that if this is going to be your "public knife" for use around the knife adverse, a 3", ultra pointy, black handled knife may not be the answer. For guys like us, the Al Mar is the height of class; for many sheeple, it's going to look like a pretty menacing shiv.

Personally for public use, I like to go for something that can't be construed as a weapon. The G10 Manbug is a great option. It's classy, capable, and non-threatening - very much the gentleman's backup blade.

Thanks for the input, Mark.

At the moment I'm considering saying goodbye to a CF Kiwi for a different gents knife. Maybe a regrind like Paul had done would make for the ultimate little sleeper.

Blerv wrote:At the moment I'm considering saying goodbye to a CF Kiwi for a different gents knife.

Don't do it, you're gonna miss a beauty like this

MarcusH wrote:Don't do it, you're gonna miss a beauty like this

Is this Kiwi easier to open than the Kiwi 3; I find my K3 nearly impossible to open one handed? I have big hands with long fingers.

MarcusH wrote:Don't do it, you're gonna miss a beauty like this

Yea, regret is quickly becoming my middle name :o

Ned wrote:Is this Kiwi easier to open than the Kiwi 3; I find my K3 nearly impossible to open one handed? I have big hands with long fingers.

The one I have is really easy to open. The Slipit lockspring of the 4 adds a TON of detent pressure. Great for traveling, not so much for one-hand use.

Ned wrote:Is this Kiwi easier to open than the Kiwi 3; I find my K3 nearly impossible to open one handed? I have big hands with long fingers.

Don't have a Kiwi 3, but all my Kiwi lockbacks are perfectly easy to open one-handed.
Just pure Moki-made perfection...

MarcusH wrote:Perhaps the Air would be a more classic looking knife with scales like these

Wow. This is beautiful.

What is this ? More pics w/ blade open and info, please.

Very nice.

Icky Thump wrote:Wow. This is beautiful.

What is this ? More pics w/ blade open and info, please.

Very nice.

These are the two variants of the C42 Viele.
AUS-8 with the visible stop-pin and VG-10 with the hidden stop-pin, some pics of the original Viele with AUS-8

Thank you. First time I have seen this model. Very nice indeed. Hard to find these days I imagine.

Icky Thump wrote:Thank you. First time I have seen this model. Very nice indeed. Hard to find these days I imagine.

Don't know much about the availability in the U.S., but here in Europe you see them pop up in NIB condition once in a blue moon.
It took me quite a while to get both variants.

Oh yea, got side tracked w/ disco'ed models and purple Mercedes collaborations..lol


The Air was my choice in a sub 3" Gentleman's Folder...actively seeking to trade it for the GB folder, as it were. (shameless plug, perhaps)

MarcusH wrote:Don't know much about the availability in the U.S., but here in Europe you see them pop up in NIB condition once in a blue moon.
It took me quite a while to get both variants.

Seems all the knives I really dig, are discontinued...no matter the manufacturer. Hunting is half the fun Ive learned. Very nice pics by the way...was just looking over your gallery, Marcus. Very fine.