- everything wasn't better back in the days
Recently, I reviewed an upgraded version of a famous Spyderco knife and then discussed when it might be appropriate to rework an existing knife model. That theme is relevant today as well.
The reason is that today's review item rests on the laurels of a true classic among robust folding knives and comes from Al Mar Knives. This version has been named S.E.R.E T36 or 3.6" SERE Taiwan.
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| Al Mar SERE T36 |
SERE Folder is a folding knife with a long history, as the first version saw the light of day in 1979. That knife was quite different compared to today's edition given the technology of the time. The strongest lock known was chosen with a back lock and the knife was considerably larger in size. So much so that its successors are actually smaller.
It was also one of the first "tactical" folding knives on the market. I'm not talking about wannabe-mall ninja knives, but one that was actually designed to fill a niche among soldiers. I discuss that story in more detail in my review of the previous version of this knife, the SERE 2020. That knife modernized and revived the old icon.
But there's no denying that even though I appreciated that model, there were a few signs that it wasn't completely well thought out. The modernization with a flipper that was perhaps not perfectly executed required that the knife be assisted, which both makes the knife heavier and more sensitive to dirt. The blade steel was certainly functional but not quite on par with the price tag and so was the build quality itself. Not because it's bad but because it was and is a step down compared to the older AL Mar knives made in Seki City, Japan.
That's where this knife comes into the picture and it addresses all those areas.
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| The new, fine-tuned version of the SERE folder is, in my opinion, the best |
Short version: Al Mar SERE Folder T36, when an addition to the name means everything
Blade
The blade shape is not much to talk about but is one of the things that has been inherited through all generations and it would be strange otherwise, as it has become something of a signature for Al Mar and also appears in other models. Last time I wrote that the contours are almost dagger-like and that is true. This is a typical example of a spear point which includes a substantial false edge. In that area, this blade differs slightly from the previous version as the false edge has become slightly longer.
The length of the blade otherwise remains and is evident from the model designation. In other words, it is 3.6 inches, which is just over nine centimeters. The thickness is also the same as before, 4 mm. The height of the blade is at most 2.55 cm.
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| The blade shape is recognizable as a classic spear point that Al Mar has chosen to call a talon. |
The rest of the appearance is also reminiscent of its predecessor, but there are a couple of significant differences. To begin with, the coating is of better quality on this version. It is a matte black TiNi coating. The one on SERE 2020 is much shinier and looks cheaper, which it probably is. Speaking of appearance, the markings have also been given a major overhaul. To highlight the newness, there is no longer any red in the logo itself. Then the text is smaller and in a more discreet color tone.
The name and logo are on the presentation side of the blade, and the model designation, name of the knife, and country of manufacture are on the other side.
An interesting detail is that both the previous edition and the representative of this knife on the website are equipped with "sharpening choils". This specimen does not have them!
And while we are on the subject of sharpening, the step is not too far to talk about edges. This factory edge is significantly sharper than the 2020 variant. It is noticeable that they have changed factories. All quality markers are simply better.
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| The material of both blade and coating is upgraded to TiNi-blackened S35VN |
There is no doubt that this blade is designed to stab considering the design of the tip. But it is also designed to be strong. The blade is four millimeters thick as mentioned and a large part of it is maintained by a flat saber grind that is about 13 mm high. Behind the edge is quite a lot of steel, about 1 mm. This means that the Al Mar SERE T36 is not the world's best knife for peeling apples, but on the other hand, it was not intended to be that way either.
However, this is a better blade for particularly tough work than you might think. Especially with this sharp edge and not least the steel. In that area, the biggest difference between the T36 and 2020 editions is found. CPM S35VN has been used in this knife. It is a real premium steel and a substantial upgrade compared to D2. The latter has its qualities, but S35VN is simply better, especially as it is stainless or significantly more rust-resistant to be exact. In any case, it is preferable for a knife that is to be carried in different climates and weather and close to the body.
In this case, the material has been taken to a stated 60-61HRC and that may very well be true because the knife holds its sharpness pretty damn well, it must be said. A little maintenance with a strop and it shaves hair with ease again. When I have to resharpen the knife for real, I may end up thinning the edge a bit. I don't need a knife with such a strong edge. But on the other hand, I have plenty of other knives if I really need a slicey blade.
Handle
SERE still has one of the most ergonomic folding knife handles ever made. Maybe not THE best, but one of them. That fact remains and has even been improved a bit. The T36 has been tweaked a little here and there.
Concretely, this means that you still find a strong steel frame as the basis. But in this case, it has been lightened a bit. This means that the knife weighs slightly less than the previous edition, which is 189 g. The T36 weighs 177 grams. This also improves the balance a little.
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| The handle has also been adjusted with higher-quality G10 sides. |
The knife is open at the back and there are a couple of simple spacers and a very small back spacer that stabilizes the construction and serves as a mount for the clip.
Another quality improvement is found in the handle sides. It is still G10 that is used but this one gives a better grip because it is coarser patterned and feels less plastic.
The sides are otherwise flat but beveled and rounded where they should be.
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| SERE is open in the back except for the small backspacer |
It is easy to see the legacy of fixed-blade knives in this handle. It is spacious, wide, and fills the hand well. In addition, there is a finger guard which consists of the entire front part of the handle widening both up and down. This protection is of course reinforced by the flipper tab when the knife is open. To prevent slipping backward, there is a classic "beak" towards the rear end.
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| The handle is still just as comfortable. As long as you stay behind the finger guard, that is. |
The adaptation to more robust tasks is noticeable when you then grip the knife. Holding the knife in a pinch feels a bit clumsy as the handle sides are thick and the flipper feels like it is in the way. The same applies when an index finger or thumb is to be placed on the blade spine. It is possible but you have to "stretch" over the finger guard.
It is different when the knife is held in a hammer grip or in a saber grip. Both grips are exemplary and the same can be said about reverse grips and when the knife is held in an ice pick grip. That is, all ways of holding a knife when you need to grip it properly, whether it is cutting something hard like thick rope or piercing something. In that case, this handle works exceptionally well. This also applies with gloves on because it is so spacious.
Opening and Lock
The way you open the T36 has also been given a facelift. You can still open the knife with two hands like in the old days, but it is essentially a flipper knife. But now it is for real, so to speak.
At SERE 2020 it felt a bit like a makeshift solution. The geometry was not fully thought out and it resulted in a spring-assisted knife. It is not good for several reasons, such as more things can break, it is much slower to close the blade and the knife is a bit heavier. Then it feels cheaper, for lack of other words.
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| The flipper has received a major facelift with grooves, a small hole, and, not least, better geometry. |
Now that boring detail has been removed. Obviously, the geometry has been overlooked, as this flipper works great. It is also nicer to look at and more comfortable to use. This is because it is partly openwork and partly has more rounded edges and a grooved pattern for better grip.
This is still not the world's fastest knife, but it is at least as nimble as before. Much thanks to the fact that the relatively heavy blade now runs on ceramic ball bearings.
The flipper itself is easy to access and you can approach it any way you like, push, pull or something in between. The blade comes out anyway. You could possibly get stuck on the way out if you are a little too half-hearted. As I said, the flipper function is good but not the best.
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| The strong liner lock is now easier to access |
The lock is still a liner lock and this version is at least as solid as previous models. But here too it has been tweaked somewhat. The recess that is on the opposite side of the handle to facilitate access to the lock bar has been given a better shape while the lock bar has been provided with grooves. Small but distinct improvements.
The lock is set deep to prevent accidental release if you use twisting movements with the knife but is still easy to release. The function is excellent and the blade stays in place without any notable play in any direction.
To Carry
In this respect, the knife has not changed much compared to its predecessors. Sure, it is slightly lighter as mentioned, but that is marginal in the context since it is the outer dimensions that are substantial. On the other hand, it naturally follows that you have a folding knife that is more or less intended to replace a fixed-blade knife in an emergency and add to that fundamentally good ergonomics.
The handle is still 12.2 cm long, 2.7-3.8 cm high, and 14.8 mm thick. This gives it a lot of volume.
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| This specimen of the clip isn't the best |
However, I'm starting to wonder a bit about how Al Mar weighs their knives. The last time I reviewed a knife it was wrong and it is now too. On the website, the weight is stated as 5.1 oz which is 142 grams. After double checking I still get the weight as 177 grams. So they probably need to get new scales.
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| Here you can see the reason why my clip is not good, the ramp is basically gone. Something I intend to adjust |
The clip is the same as before, although the material has also been given a makeover. My specific copy has taken a hit at some point, which means that it is basically unusable at the moment because it is right next to the handle. But even before that, I can say that the ramp was a bit too small and needs to be tweaked a bit to be optimal, especially when combined with slightly thicker fabrics of various types.
Otherwise, it can be said that it is a spring steel clip that has been colored black to match the rest of the knife's theme. It is also mounted at the back of the handle, which means that the knife sits very deep in a pocket. The purpose is of course that it should sit as securely as possible so that the user does not suddenly discover that the vital backup knife has disappeared. The construction also means that it is reversible if desired. The clip has the Al Mar logo, which is still in a discreet format, thank goodness.
To Conclude
If you follow the history and development of this knife, it gets an overhaul about every twenty years or so. First came the original with its variants, then came the SERE 2000 or S2K as it was also called. It was with that version modern materials made their entrance in earnest and one-handed opening became an option. It was later followed by the SERE 2020, which was the one you had to make do with if you didn't want to spend half a fortune on the second-hand market. It was a nice enough version, at least concerning the price after it was adjusted downwards here in Europe after it had been available for purchase for a few years.
But then came the upgrade with this knife or rather it should perhaps be considered a complement as the SERE 2020 is still in the range.
SERE Taiwan, T36 however, it is only the same knife in terms of the shell. Everything is simply better.
SERE T36 can be forced into the role of EDC knife but is too big in many contexts
One of the biggest quality improvements that can be noted is a significantly better steel. This applies to both the basic material and the treatment. A properly hardened S35VN beats an AUS8 every day of the week and twice on a Sunday. In addition, the knife has got both a better look and, above all, a better coating This TiNi does not look painted and lasts better. A real step up.
In addition, the handling has become more sympathetic too. Gone is the assisted opening and instead, we have a better-designed flipper geometry and ball bearings. In addition, a nicer and more functional flipper tab with a milled pattern that prevents the finger from slipping off. It is also nicer because it looks more worked with the little hole.
When we talk about appearance, it can be mentioned that the new more discreet marking is preferable and the same can be said about both the blade coating and the handle material that looks less plastic even though it is basically the same as before. But not all G10 is the same and this one both looks and feels better and above all it gives a better grip.
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| Outdoors, the Al Mar SERE T36 performs better! |
Overall, I think this knife is preferable on all parameters. It doesn't just look better, it is better! I've always liked and coveted the basic model and I still wouldn't mind an original knife from the eighties. Instead, I got the 2020 edition and although I actually like it, it has some shortcomings.
All of those have been addressed with the T36. It's distilled down to a damn nice folding knife for those looking for something really robust with an iconic look and feel.*
Specifications:
Length Overall: 214 mm
Length Folded: 122 mm
Weight: 176 g (weighed by me, stated 42 g/5,1 oz!)
Blade Length: 91 mm
Blade Thickness: 4 mm
Blade Steel: CPM S35VN
Handle: G10 on a steel frame
Lock: Liner lock
Produced by: Al Mar, made in Taiwan
/ J - rate this one the highest
* It can be difficult to get hold of in Europe but costs around €240 when you find it.
