The Legacy of Al Mar and His Knives

Al Mar was a remarkable man, whose background as a Green Beret and passion for design led him to create a renowned brand of knives. In this article, we will explore the history of Al Mar Knives and the influence of Al Mar's personal experiences on his creations. Additionally, we will incorporate insights from a 1985 interview with Al Mar in Soldier of Fortune magazine and personal anecdotes from a close friend who knew him well, offering a rare glimpse into his thoughts on the specialty cutlery market and the factors that contributed to the success of Al Mar Knives.

Early Life and Education

Al Mar, the son of Chinese immigrants, was born in the United States. He had an impressive military background, serving in a Special Forces Reserve Unit and volunteering for a Green Beret special operations group during the Vietnam War. After his time in Vietnam, Al completed his education by earning a master's degree in industrial design from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.

Career at Gerber Legendary Blades

Upon graduating, Al Mar joined Gerber® Legendary Blades, working under Pete Gerber. He eventually rose through the ranks to become the Head of Knife Design. In 1979, Mar left Gerber to form his own company: Al Mar Knives.

Founding AL MAR® Knives

Al Mar Knives were initially manufactured in Seki City, Japan, a 1,000-year-old sword-making city, with nearly all the knives produced by G.Sakai. Al Mar's relationship with G.Sakai began in 1976/77 when he worked for Gerber, and G.Sakai was awarded the contract to manufacture the "Gerber Silver Knight" folders.

In the Soldier of Fortune interview, Al Mar credited the success of his company to three key factors: his superb education in industrial design, real-world input from knife users, and his broad background, particularly in the military. This combination allowed Al Mar Knives to build products based on experience rather than conjecture or fantasy.

Personal Anecdotes

Dale Vincent (AAPK Administrator and close friend of Al Mar) managed a cutlery store in Oregon during the 1980s. He shared his personal experiences with Al in an All About Pocket Knives forum post. According to Dale, whenever he visited Al Mar's office to pick up an order, they would often enjoy coffee and cigars together. Al would share his knowledge and insights during these conversations, displaying his personal side and generosity.

Dale also mentioned that when Al released a new knife, the first 200 knives were numbered for collectors and friends. Dale was assigned the number 43/200, showcasing the personal connection Al had with those close to him.

Al Mar's Achievements and Legacy

Al Mar was inducted into the Fighting Knives Magazine Hall of Fame in the late 1980s and the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2009. Al was a life member of the Special Forces Association as well as the Special Operations Association (Al Mar Knives, n.d.). He was a close friend of Colonel James "Nick" Rowe and other well-known and respected Special Forces ("Green Berets") luminaries.

Colonel Row & Al’s friendship led to a collaboration between the two that resulted in the creation of the very popular SERE folding knife in 1985. This knife was designed to serve soldiers in the field as both a survival tool and, if necessary, a weapon. The collaboration was inspired by Col. Rowe's personal experiences as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and his subsequent establishment of the U.S. Army's SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) training program. The SERE knife remains a lasting symbol of their combined expertise and the enduring impact they had on the military, law enforcement, martial arts, and knife-making communities.

Transition and New Direction

After Al Mar's death in 1992, the company faced some internal conflicts and eventually ended up under the control of Gary Fadden. In early 2019, Edge Technologies Engineering LLC acquired Al Mar Knives, with Fadden remaining on the Board. With the original Al Mar designs running out, the company started producing knives from other designers, leading to a differentiation between the original knives and the newer creations.

Collaborations and Industry Influence

Al Mar Knives was also known for collaborating with other industry leaders, such as SPYDERCO. In the interview, Al Mar mentioned their joint projects, incorporating SPYDER serration into some Al Mar Knives models. One standout model was the SERE VIII, which featured two different styles of serration and a standard cutting edge, providing exceptional performance and ease of sharpening.

When discussing his work with military and law enforcement personnel, Al Mar emphasized the importance of understanding the strengths and limitations of a knife in combat. He believed that a knife is a tool and should be used in combination with proper training and attitude.

Al Mar's Enduring Legacy

Al Mar's personal experiences, passion for design, and connections with close friends and colleagues led to the creation of a brand that has become synonymous with quality and innovation. His legacy lives on in the knives produced under his leadership, and his contributions to the industry will never be forgotten. With insights from his Soldier of Fortune interview and personal anecdotes shared by a friend who knew him well, we see how Al Mar's dedication to originality, collaboration, and meeting the needs of customers in a wide range of applications set the standard for specialty cutlery around the world.

More Al Mar Knife Resources

AAPK Forum Thread With Some Great Looking Al Mar Knife Pictures

Informative Forum Thread With Posts from Dale Vincent that also includes Al Mar's Full Soldier of Fortune Interview

Al Mar Knives For Sale at AAPK

Archived Al Mar Knife AAPK Store Sales

Article References