- a new venture from a classic brand
Since long I have an Al Mar Falcon Ultralight with micarta scales. A knife which by now may be considered vintage. A by me much-appreciated pocket knife that is archetypal of the brand in such a way that it has a clearly dated design which I, however, find appealing. It has a similarly outdated construction since it is a back lock and besides that lacks frame and liners. Even the steel is slightly obsolete as it is AUS8.
For a long time, I considered buying the big brother in the series, Eagle, and also the gentlemen's version of the Falcon in the Classic line. A knife that was two-handed opening with bolsters and natural materials in the handle. But both those models went out of production and prices are going up. Then, some years ago, a new version of the Eagle with G10 scales was released. It was called "Heavy Duty". After that, there was silence from Al Mar. Suddenly they re-emerged with a couple of collaborations with Kershaw not too long ago. Then more silence.
But recently the brand appeared again under its own name with new revised versions of some of the old models. However, much has changed since the beginning and the question is what position Al Mar Knives holds in the modern knife market?
I will try to find out in a series of reviews of their latest products. First is the Eagle UL Titanium.
For a long time, I considered buying the big brother in the series, Eagle, and also the gentlemen's version of the Falcon in the Classic line. A knife that was two-handed opening with bolsters and natural materials in the handle. But both those models went out of production and prices are going up. Then, some years ago, a new version of the Eagle with G10 scales was released. It was called "Heavy Duty". After that, there was silence from Al Mar. Suddenly they re-emerged with a couple of collaborations with Kershaw not too long ago. Then more silence.
But recently the brand appeared again under its own name with new revised versions of some of the old models. However, much has changed since the beginning and the question is what position Al Mar Knives holds in the modern knife market?
I will try to find out in a series of reviews of their latest products. First is the Eagle UL Titanium.
Al Mar 4" Ultralight Titanium Eagle
Al Mar has always divided these knives by size and named them after birds. More specifically, birds of prey. The smallest was the Osprey, followed by Hawk, Falcon, and Eagle in that order. The lightweight-series lacked the miniature Osprey. It could only be had in the classic series.
Today's review object is the Eagle and thus the largest of the knives. In addition to the Classic version with handles in honey jigged bone, it nowadays comes in two lightweight versions where one has a handle in FRN and then there is this more exclusive knife made of titanium.
Today's review object is the Eagle and thus the largest of the knives. In addition to the Classic version with handles in honey jigged bone, it nowadays comes in two lightweight versions where one has a handle in FRN and then there is this more exclusive knife made of titanium.
Eagle, the largest of the UL-knives that got new life not once, but several times
Twitter version: Al Mar, a classic brand that dusts off and renews
an equally classic knife model - the Eagle
an equally classic knife model - the Eagle
Blade
Al Mars folding knives used to come in two different blade designs. One was a full flat-ground version and then this variant they call Talon. At present, however, this is the only available option. It is basically a drop point that is so close to being symmetrical that it approaches a spear point in overall shape. Especially as the blade has a very pronounced swedge which thins out the blade considerably. The blade oozes classic Al Mar and thus acts as a link to earlier editions of the knife.
The shape gives a long edge to work with and a very sharp tip excellent for penetrating cuts.
The blade shape and proportions are typical of Al Mars lightweight knives
The name Eagle tells us that it is the largest knife in the series and it means a blade of 4" or just over a decimeter in length. But even more distinctive is how thin the blade is. It measures only 0.1" or 2.54 mm! It is not common for a modern folding knife to have such a thin blade stock. The blade is saber ground to just above half of the blade height, which by the way is 20 mm at its highest.
The steel is one of the areas that has received an overhaul compared to previous editions of the model. In the past, virtually all knives from Al Mar were equipped with Japanese AUS8 and later VG10, regardless of model and price range. This model is upgraded to D2 steel. Certainly not as stainless as the old AUS8 but it keeps an edge substantially better I have noted during the test period. There was nothing wrong with their old AUS8 but it wasn't very durable.
The rust protection on this knife blade has been improved by the finish which is a shiny satin. This has resulted in the blade still looking almost new after the testing period. But it should be added that I did not directly put it in brine either. If I had lived by the sea or intended to use the knife when fishing, I would have not chosen D2.
The steel is one of the areas that has received an overhaul compared to previous editions of the model. In the past, virtually all knives from Al Mar were equipped with Japanese AUS8 and later VG10, regardless of model and price range. This model is upgraded to D2 steel. Certainly not as stainless as the old AUS8 but it keeps an edge substantially better I have noted during the test period. There was nothing wrong with their old AUS8 but it wasn't very durable.
The rust protection on this knife blade has been improved by the finish which is a shiny satin. This has resulted in the blade still looking almost new after the testing period. But it should be added that I did not directly put it in brine either. If I had lived by the sea or intended to use the knife when fishing, I would have not chosen D2.
The material used in this blade is D2 of some variety
The factory edge on my specimen was decent. Sharp but a bit steep and not quite even truth be told. There is potential for improvement here. That being said, Eagle cuts perfectly fine. The secret behind that ability is not really that secret at all. Al Mar has not made the mistake that so many modern manufacturers do. That is to provide all modern folding knives with 3,5-4,5 mm thick blades whether they need it or not. Despite the size, this, as I said earlier, measures no more than two and a half millimeters and it is quite noticeable in use!
The thickness is almost "kitchen knife-thin" and the blade glides through tomatoes and onions in an exemplary way. Sure, it's not a chef's knife, but the kitchen is, as always, a good place to test knives. Also, it reveals that this knife is excellent for outdoor cooking. The blade is long enough to handle a loaf of bread and a large tomato without too many cuts.
For the same reason, this knife is the cardboard nemesis. A thin blade made of D2 literally kills boxes and other types of packaging. The same goes for detail work that requires a precision tip. In this case, prying small pieces of glass out of someone's foot. I suspect that the smaller cousin is even better at such jobs though since this blade is on the verge of being too long.
For heavier jobs, I must admit that I prefer other knives including other knives from the Al Mar range. This is, as I said, an "ultralight" knife and that means a thin and not very tall handle. That combination is not exactly perfect for carving or cutting old carpet. Eagle can handle all tasks but for some, the format imposes some limitations.
The thickness is almost "kitchen knife-thin" and the blade glides through tomatoes and onions in an exemplary way. Sure, it's not a chef's knife, but the kitchen is, as always, a good place to test knives. Also, it reveals that this knife is excellent for outdoor cooking. The blade is long enough to handle a loaf of bread and a large tomato without too many cuts.
The long thin blade makes Eagle a good slicer in most materials, including grilled chicken
For the same reason, this knife is the cardboard nemesis. A thin blade made of D2 literally kills boxes and other types of packaging. The same goes for detail work that requires a precision tip. In this case, prying small pieces of glass out of someone's foot. I suspect that the smaller cousin is even better at such jobs though since this blade is on the verge of being too long.
For heavier jobs, I must admit that I prefer other knives including other knives from the Al Mar range. This is, as I said, an "ultralight" knife and that means a thin and not very tall handle. That combination is not exactly perfect for carving or cutting old carpet. Eagle can handle all tasks but for some, the format imposes some limitations.
Handle
The handle is another area where this knife has received an overhaul. This model has previously been available in steel, micarta, and before it disappeared, G10. Now it is titanium, more specifically the TC4 variety. With that material, Al Mar has been stingy. Now, that's a good thing if you name a knife "Ultralight". The sides are thin from the beginning but they are also milled on the inside to further reduce the weight.
They are also well made in such a way that all edges and corners have been smoothly rounded. There are no sharp edges at all on this knife. The look is sober titanium gray.
They are also well made in such a way that all edges and corners have been smoothly rounded. There are no sharp edges at all on this knife. The look is sober titanium gray.
A well-rounded handle in elegant titanium gray
In addition to the material being updated, so is the construction. The earlier Japan made Al Mars were riveted. This is a modern knife in such a way that it is screwed and has an open back. The screw size used is T8 for the adjustable pivot and T6 for the two screws holding the handle together. Between the handle slabs, you find two spacers, which together with the stop pins are provided with a pop of blue color.
The handle is very thin and also weight relieved
The shape of this handle is very neutral and well-proven by now. If you do not find a comfortable grip on this handle, it is your hands that deviate. The length is more than enough to cover even very large hands or if you wear gloves.
The titanium is quite slippery which gives a hint of which role this knife is mainly supposed to fulfill. It is an EDC-knife plain and simple. But thankfully the finger guard provided by the flipper tab works excellent in this case.
Two tiny details that significantly enhance the appearance of the flipper tab design are how the front of the finger guard harmonizes with the front of the handle and how the back forms a line with the handle. It's nicely done.
A very neutral and spacious handle
The clip's location brings with it both pros and cons, something I will return to. But the advantage with the way it's situated is that it does not create a hot spot when using the knife.
The handle can be gripped in whatever position the user prefers. With this simple and basic form, there is nothing that tells you how to hold your knife. Hammer grips work well, saber grip even better but reverse grips, as well as sideway grips, are viable alternatives.
For really heavy work, the handle is too thin as mentioned before. The width is a meager 9.6 mm. So despite its large impression, this is hardly an outdoor knife.
The titanium is quite slippery which gives a hint of which role this knife is mainly supposed to fulfill. It is an EDC-knife plain and simple. But thankfully the finger guard provided by the flipper tab works excellent in this case.
Two tiny details that significantly enhance the appearance of the flipper tab design are how the front of the finger guard harmonizes with the front of the handle and how the back forms a line with the handle. It's nicely done.
A very neutral and spacious handle
The clip's location brings with it both pros and cons, something I will return to. But the advantage with the way it's situated is that it does not create a hot spot when using the knife.
The handle can be gripped in whatever position the user prefers. With this simple and basic form, there is nothing that tells you how to hold your knife. Hammer grips work well, saber grip even better but reverse grips, as well as sideway grips, are viable alternatives.
For really heavy work, the handle is too thin as mentioned before. The width is a meager 9.6 mm. So despite its large impression, this is hardly an outdoor knife.
Opening and Lock
Earlier versions of this model have been both two-handed and one-handed opened but in this embodiment, it is a flipper knife. It is also a good flipper knife, something that is not given when you take an existing design and change the opening method.
The flipper tab itself is excellent. It is quite small and discreet, which I appreciate, but still large enough and above all correctly placed to carry out its task. Furthermore, it has been fitted with micro-grooves, which is an exemplary way of creating traction without the metal acting as a file.
The flipper tab itself is excellent. It is quite small and discreet, which I appreciate, but still large enough and above all correctly placed to carry out its task. Furthermore, it has been fitted with micro-grooves, which is an exemplary way of creating traction without the metal acting as a file.
An exemplary discreet but yet well functioning flipper tab
The function is good, which in this case means reliable and decently fast without being the quickest knife on the market. To achieve a higher speed, this knife would have needed a bit more resistance from the detent ball.
The knife is equipped with ceramic ball bearings. The knife blade does not fall shut under its own weight but a slight shake and it glides into place after the detent ball releases its grip on the blade. That's pretty impressive considering how light the blade is
The knife is equipped with ceramic ball bearings. The knife blade does not fall shut under its own weight but a slight shake and it glides into place after the detent ball releases its grip on the blade. That's pretty impressive considering how light the blade is
The lock bar is well designed. Easy to access and disengage
The lock is also new compared to older generations of the knife. In the past, Al Mar's characteristic mid-lock was used. But with the material being titanium, the lock type comes as no surprise. It's a frame lock and a very good one at that. It holds the blade in place with no play in any direction. The lock engages about 40 percent. The lock bar is also steel reinforced for increased service life and has an overtravel stop. In this case, I don't find that detail superfluous. The lock bar is relatively long and above all thin, so it could easily have been bent too far without that extra security.
The lock is also easy to disengage because of one unusual detail. Not only have they rounded and beveled the edge of the lock bar to give the thumb a small platform, but it's also slightly elevated. An excellent idea that more makers should embrace.
The lock is also easy to disengage because of one unusual detail. Not only have they rounded and beveled the edge of the lock bar to give the thumb a small platform, but it's also slightly elevated. An excellent idea that more makers should embrace.
To Carry
For being such a large knife, the Eagle is a joy to carry. An overall delight with a small fly in the ointment. The soft surfaces paired with a clip with a large ramp make it easy to both draw and put away. But what mainly contributes to Eagle being easily carried is the overall shape and not least the weight. It is rounded and soft and, unlike on my older Al Mar, they have managed to hide the heel of the blade when the knife is closed.
And as mentioned above the knife is exceptionally thin. It measures under a centimeter in width. It is thin in general but especially for a knife that offers a four-inch blade. As icing on the cake, it earns the epithet Ultralight. The weight is 96 grams. Again, for a knife of this size class, it's modest.
And as mentioned above the knife is exceptionally thin. It measures under a centimeter in width. It is thin in general but especially for a knife that offers a four-inch blade. As icing on the cake, it earns the epithet Ultralight. The weight is 96 grams. Again, for a knife of this size class, it's modest.
The function of the clip is good and it feels very little in the hand when using the knife
Everything is topped off with a really good clip in terms of functionality. The tension is sufficient to hold the knife in place, the ramp big enough to allow it to move smoothly over pocket edges and the space underneath large enough to accommodate even thicker jeans fabric. Besides, Al Mar has understood that the tip of a clip should not point outwards. But there is one problem, however.
Every rose has its thorns, I prefer less
knife handle visible
knife handle visible
It is also one of the most visible clips I've seen and that is something I'm not a big fan of. Not only does it show several centimeters of the knife handle itself, but the clip is also provided with text and logo. Certainly a nice logo but still. I would much prefer it if the knife was less visible when carried in a pocket.
To Conclude
I've always liked Al Mar as a brand. There was a time, before the internet when they were practically impossible to get hold of where I live. I was browsing through knife catalogs in the early nineties and wished I could afford to buy one of those exotic knives. But it's always been Al Mars' Achilles heel. They have never been cheap. Maybe they were affordable but not cheap.
Rather, some have considered them a bit overpriced, especially in recent times. Much because they stuck to old models and made them with the same materials and in the same way they always did. Sooner or later, that situation becomes unsustainable. Selling knives that were hot and innovative thirty years ago at prices that were not even low back then ultimately becomes tough despite excellent reputation grounded in history.
The question then remains, is the new venture a succéss? It is largely based on old models, which have, however, been overhauled to fit modern times. Some brand new models may be in the pipeline. But meanwhile, we can enjoy this new incarnation of the elder, Eagle Ultralight.
Rather, some have considered them a bit overpriced, especially in recent times. Much because they stuck to old models and made them with the same materials and in the same way they always did. Sooner or later, that situation becomes unsustainable. Selling knives that were hot and innovative thirty years ago at prices that were not even low back then ultimately becomes tough despite excellent reputation grounded in history.
The question then remains, is the new venture a succéss? It is largely based on old models, which have, however, been overhauled to fit modern times. Some brand new models may be in the pipeline. But meanwhile, we can enjoy this new incarnation of the elder, Eagle Ultralight.
The titanium version of the Eagle really is "UL" as in Ultra Light...and large
This knife symbolizes the new Al Mar in a good way I believe. It offers some new features while being firmly rooted in tradition. What remains are primarily the overall lines. It's no problem too see what model and brand this is. The blade shape is the same as it used to and so is the thin blade stock. Unfortunately, the placement of the clip is also a reminder of the good old days.
Less traditional is the transformation of this classic model into a TFF - a Titanium Frame lock Flipper. Besides adding a flipper tab for opening and bearings for speed it also meant a change of materials to titanium as handle material and D2-steel in the blade. Included in the package are a frame lock with a steel-reinforced lock bar and an overtravel stop. So all boxes are checked.
In particular, I appreciate how they managed to incorporate a flipper tab into the design without ruining the look of the knife. With such an iconic knife model that feels especially important.
Then there is a small elephant in the room. Something that might upset others more than me. But the production that was previously done in Seki City Japan by Moki and later Sakai is now located in China. The motive is, of course, primarily cost-driven. This has also led to some material changes. However, the burning issue is whether it has also led to a lesser quality which was a concern of some knife enthusiasts.
I cannot fully answer that question yet as I have too little evidence so far. But for this specific model, the answer is that the quality is there for sure. But a fair comparison can not be made until I get a knife more constructionally similar to the older one I have. In Japan, no titanium frame lock flippers were ever made, making this knife unique in Al Mars history.
Al Mar Eagle, an elegant and nowadays quite modern EDC-knife
But despite the marked differences between then and now, much of the knife's "soul" has been preserved. It can be found in three different areas. The number one is the look that can be described as kind of retro, even if timeless is just as close at hand. There is a reason why some models do not become obsolete.
The second is, of course, about weight. If you call something Ultralight, it should be just that. By choosing titanium that has been lightened and then pairing it with a slim handle and a really thin blade, you live up to that epithet. This is both a very light and well-balanced knife.
The third link between now and then is cutting performance. Ok, the modern one is not like their FFG older relatives but still. Such a thin blade as this in D2 is no joke. Not many modern manufacturers keep a blade with this length under three millimeters in thickness. It is excellent. Al Mar has other models in the catalog for those who like more of a "tank feeling" in their knives.
I think that Al Mar with this ultralight titanium version of the classic Eagle has succeeded in the synthesis of old and new. The tradition lives on but in a new suit. So if that sounds appealing, this is the knife for you! It will be exciting to see what Al Mar will offer in the future
The second is, of course, about weight. If you call something Ultralight, it should be just that. By choosing titanium that has been lightened and then pairing it with a slim handle and a really thin blade, you live up to that epithet. This is both a very light and well-balanced knife.
The third link between now and then is cutting performance. Ok, the modern one is not like their FFG older relatives but still. Such a thin blade as this in D2 is no joke. Not many modern manufacturers keep a blade with this length under three millimeters in thickness. It is excellent. Al Mar has other models in the catalog for those who like more of a "tank feeling" in their knives.
I think that Al Mar with this ultralight titanium version of the classic Eagle has succeeded in the synthesis of old and new. The tradition lives on but in a new suit. So if that sounds appealing, this is the knife for you! It will be exciting to see what Al Mar will offer in the future
Specification:
Length overall: 227 mm
Length folded: 127 mm
Weight: 96 g (weighed by me)
Blade length: 101,6 mm
Blade thickness: 2,54 mm
Blade steel: D2, HRC 58-60
Handle: Titan, TC4
Lock: Frame Lock
Produced by: Al Mar, made in China
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