My Manual Folders!

[Madmarco]

This is the less expensive Chinese made 9" oal Al Mar "Eagle" that displays an AUS-8 spear-point blade, SS bolsters, brass liners pins and lanyard tube, and jigged Honey bone covers.
It weighs-in at 4.2 oz.'s and as sharp as they come right outta the box.
This knife has a smooth and easy walk and talk, and coupled with its superb fit and finish make it a pleasure to handle.
I searched for a reasonably priced model with black micarta covers for a looong time with no success before settling on this model.
It's nice and I like it, although, I can't help wonder just how nice the model I want is, but at US$300.+ I'll keep-on wondering!

[Madmarco]

I have these 2 cool folders to show you today, guys and gals, and being made in France they actually belong in this thread, not like the occasional domestic made pieces I slip in now and again in order to preserve my knives in one thread!
Up first is a Lacroix Fishtail coke-bottle slip-joint, that measures to 6 3/4" when opened and sports a SS spear-point blade bolsters and pins, white liners, and blue ABS covers.
Really light coming in at just 1.1 oz.'s but it did arrive sharp.
Another knife that has a far too tight walk of likely 9, along with a similar talk when closing. Good thing I have a steel thumbnail, and I mean a knife-pick not literally, but that IS the official name of those picks. A perfect fit and finish softens that blow a bit.
The second piece is a Coursolle "Yatagan" 6 1/2" oal slip-joint with a SS drop-point blade and all brass hardware featuring raised figures on both sides of the covers, a male duck hunter and a female field worker or possibly duck fetcher! lol!
Even lighter than the first example weighing a paltry 1.0 oz. and equally sharp.
This one has a similar walk and talk as the first knife, and fortunately the same perfect fit and finish as well to help me overlook the silly walk and talk.
These knives are made in France and then shipped to Texas to be sold and distributed by knives-of-france.com , and they have a bunch more very cool knives to browse and/or buy! My 2 will make teriffic vest-pocket fingernail knives!

[Dan In MI]

Pretty cool, Mark! I'll be taking a look at what else they have on offer.

[Madmarco]

Thanks a bunch, Dan!
They have plenty of knives, so take your time and have a good look around, I'm sure you'll see something you like.
These 2 are heading for the unusual accumulation pile.
www.knives-of-france.com , it's safe!

[Madmarco]

This knife came from Armenia via Ebay, which isn't to say it was made there.
It's an unmarked unknown maker 8 1/2" oal Top-Lock that sports a modified SS Wharncliffe blade and features dual-studs, SS bolsters and liners, brass pins and lanyard tube, and creamy stag covers.
Nice weight of about 4 oz.'s which is likely due to the SS liners, and came lightly sharpened.
It displays an easy walk along with a firmer top-lock closing talk.
The fit and finish is flawless.
This knife is one of those that you like when you first see it, but love once you've handled it!

[Madmarco]

I have this big ole' Rough Rider lockback swinguard to add to my accumulation, and it's a BIG one!
6" folded/11" opened with a D2 clip-point blade that has a coined nail-nick and large fuller, satin finished NS ribbed bolsters guard shield and pins, brass liners, black micarta covers and a lanyard hole. Made in China.
Has a great weight of 9.6 oz.'s and arrived very sharp.
Also, a comfortably soft walk of about 4 with the same closing talk.
Displays a perfect factory fit and finish.
I was undecided about removing the guards, but I have other knives now that I've left the guards on and they look good, so even though I've stated many times my dislike of swinguards these stay on, otherwise it's just another large trapper and I have a couple of those already!
IMHO, the nicest Rough Rider so far!

[Kimzilla]

Next up is an Al Mar "Quicksilver" Secret Service stiletto that's 7 7/8" oal/SS modified spear-point blade with stud and upper swedge, single brass liner, SS 2-piece body with through cuts, and lanyard hole. All the SS gives this knife a respectable weight of about 5 oz.'s, and it arrived very sharp. Shows Al Mar logo and copy number "15/200" etches on the blade. Built in Seki, Japan. Although it can't be seen in my pic, there is a small lever at the butt-end that folds open/closed over the tip of the blade, and this is the only copy I've seen without a bail. I've wanted one of these ever since I first saw them close to 2 years ago, but their high price kept me at bay, and now I own one which came at a very reasonable price due to it being used!

I have one of these knives and my only issue with it is the lock tab to retain the blade when it is closed.Mine has for some reason loosened a bit and has a tendency to let the blade open when it is in my pocket. For that reason I stopped carrying it.More of a design flaw than anything else.

I just found one on Ebay where the seller was asking for $100 but was accepting offers, so I just scored one for $75, $85 with tax and shipping. Hopefully this one doesn't have any issues

[Kimzilla]

Very fine collection of folders you've got Marco! I really like that all stainless steel with the basket weave pattern on the handle
As usual, this site has put me on to a new knife company....Al Mar.

[Madmarco]

That's teriffic, Kim, be sure to show us your "Quicksilver" when it arrives, and unless it was terribly abused I'm certain it won't have any issues, they're very well made knives.

I'm glad you appreciate my knives, Kim, thanks, I put much effort into acquiring exactly what I wanted.
The knife you find attractive is a Mcusta Shinra Katana from their MC-3 series, and is the most asked about sought after Mcusta model made. It's the basket-weave covers that steal the show!
If this site has made you aware of Al Mar knives you're gonna love the Mcusta line, but be sure to bring a wheelbarrow of cash along when shopping for them, expensive but worth every bit!

[Quick Steel]

Marco, like you, I have never been drawn to swing guards. Yet I must admit, your big swing guard is quite the exception. Perhaps it's simply the fact that the guards are curved. Plus the knife's size. Looking good!

[Quick Steel]

Kim, I wonder if you know about the late Al Mar. He was a real-deal Green Beret who, after his service, became the chief designer for Gerber Knives. Ultimately he founded his own company producing superlative knives. The company passed out of the family's hands not long ago. I believe the knives are no longer produced in Japan. I have no experience of the quality of current production.

Our own Orvet who had his own knife store in Oregon knew Al Mar well.

[Madmarco]

Thank you, Garry.
Those guards are commonly referred to as "Moustache" guards, I'm sure you see why.
It's strange, with all my jabbering about not caring for swinguards, I now have half a dozen models that I left them on cuz they suit the knives so well. Who'd a thunk it!

[OSCAR]

Thank you, Garry.
Those guards are commonly referred to as "Moustache" guards, I'm sure you see why.
It's strange, with all my jabbering about not caring for swinguards, I now have half a dozen models that I left them on cuz they suit the knives so well. Who'd a thunk it!

Madmarco,
I like swing guards although I only have a few knives with them. On those that do, they belong there.
Here’s an old Robeson of mine that has ‘em. I can’t picture this knife without them.

[Madmarco]

Absolutely, Oscar, that beautiful HOK would look naked without the guards.
I find that on the models I remove the guards they look far better, IMO, but the models I left them on it would ruin their appearance if I too them off, which I just realized is pretty much what you said, duh!
I like your knife is what I'm trying to say!

[OSCAR]

Madmarco,
I know that Canadian knife laws are ridiculously restrictive. Not knowledgeable about what you can and can’t have. One thing though is that one very good dealer in the US WILL ship internationally for the exact cost of shipping.
https://agrussell.com/
I’m sure you heard of them. Good quality stuff only. Check them out.

[Madmarco]

Yah, I've browsed the Russell site many times, Oscar, but thanks for the link all the same.
I got very excited when I'd read that they will ship to Canada, until I read their "Terms".
They'll ship up here, BUT, they put a US$500. MINIMUM order stipulation on it. Although there have been times where a $500. order was doable for me, I refuse to buy anything from them on principle alone. I DO NOT like being told what I can and can't do, I'll make those decisions myself, thank you very much!
I sure do appreciate you having my back tough, by watching for ways to make shipping to me easier.
I guess I've beaten that topic to death when folks are thinking of me while shopping! lol!

[GSPTOPDOG]

I have this big ole' Rough Rider lockback swinguard to add to my accumulation, and it's a BIG one!
I was undecided about removing the guards, but I have other knives now that I've left the guards on and they look good, so even though I've stated many times my dislike of swinguards these stay on, otherwise it's just another large trapper and I have a couple of those already!
IMHO, the nicest Rough Rider so far!

" the nicest Rough Rider so far!" .... yes... yes ... I think that is a true statement ...

[GSPTOPDOG]

Yah, I've browsed the Russell site many times,

... Well, back in the day, I was always waiting for the AG Russel catalog to arrive in the mail, oh they had such good stuff ... Germany, Japan, and of course USA!!! I ordered some great knives from them...

[OSCAR]

Mint in box Schatt & Morgan

[Quick Steel]

Never saw that one before, Oscar.

[OSCAR]

Never saw that one before, Oscar.

QS, I haven’t seen one like it before either. That’s why I got it. Not sure what the black covers are made from. Possibly onyx. Inlay is gold mother of pearl. Very unique.

[doglegg]

Mint in box Schatt & Morgan

Exceptionally beautiful knife!

[OSCAR]

Mint in box Schatt & Morgan

Exceptionally beautiful knife!

Thanks Doglegg. Got it awhile ago. Can’t remember where I came across it.

[Kimzilla]

Mint in box Schatt & Morgan

BEAUTIFUL

[Kimzilla]

Mint in box Schatt & Morgan

Exceptionally beautiful knife!

Hey Doglegg, I was wondering if these look familiar to ya???

I recently acquired them from Q...