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Al Mar knife pics

These are some of the Al Mar knives I just inherited. Anybody know about them? They are all in like new condition and I have sheaths for them.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on September 8, 2015 at 13:00

Al- A little general info-- Al Mar started the company in 1979 -He passed away in 1992 from an aneurysm, but the company continues on today.These appear to be from the early period of the company, when Al Mar was still alive.Very well made & highly collectible.General price range for each is in the $150-$350 price range. I would need further information to give you a more accurate date or price.No offense intended, but your pictures are a little blurry, and I can't read the tang stamps or see some other important details. Even the sheath for each knife is important, or if you have the box. Some points just to give you an idea--If the knife was numbered-Al Mar always ordered 200 of a new knife, and they were numbered accordingly, and shipped to dealers. Whether they sold or not determined if they went into full production . Either way, they are the most valuable, unless you find one marked prototype. Secondly, the first 5000 made had USA Seki, Japan on the tang stamp,after the first 5000 made, the USA was then dropped-- The USA ones are more valuable and scarcer. Early Al Mars did not have the blade steel stamped on them. In addition, the red Al Mar stamp is evident on some of your knives, but not evident on others. Whether it is red, gold, or has no color also has a bearing on price,as well as the type and markings of the sheaths.All of these are what Al Mar patented and called the front lock design.They were the first production knives to be retailed for over $100 in USA history.If you can tell me more I can help you further. You have some great knives there !!

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Permalink Reply by Scott Carl on May 27, 2016 at 22:55

Nice knives. I'm sorry that I'm a little late to the conversation - you probably know all this already but the models shown in white micarta are: vulture (curved), falcon (large), hawk, osprey (smallest).

The two wood grain looking ones are actually green micarta falcon (larger) and hawk.

And the rounded handle knife is known as the Utility - I'm not sure if it's the I or II.

John is 100% correct about the tang stamps & al mar chop logos. They can matter, a lot. All the best.