Moki, Mcusta, Al Mar and other Seki Made Knives

[cody6268]

Excluding Glock (whose knife actually precedes the pistol), I think Beretta is the only firearm maker with a halfway decent line of knives. The majority of what they make comes from Italy or Japan, and all looks pretty good. While I've really wanted an Airlight (and the fixed blade Skinner in the store here looks great), I simply love that little lockback. Looks like it will cut above its compact size.

[kootenay joe]

Very good to have Ken Hash post here. I think he has more in depth factual knowledge about Hattori and other Seki Masters than anyone else.
kj

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I have just recently become aware that there is a new genre of knives called "neo-traditional." These are slip-joint with a more modern style or vibe to them. I believe the following is the only one I have that fits the category. I was going to suggest a thread for showing any of the new style knives, but there may be insufficient numbers as yet to warrant a separate thread. Any thoughts?

P1030103.JPGP1030102.JPG

Garry, those might fit better under the “other Seki made Knives”. Not really sure how many would fit under that category but you know we aren’t running out of space for another thread so if you want to start one maybe it will catch on.

[Quick Steel]

According to the article in Blade, many major companies are producing them, e.g. Cold Steel, Gerber, LionSteel, and Falkniven. All are slipjoints requiring two handed opening. Cold Steel's entry is Italian made, Falkniven is Japanese, Gerber is China, and of course Lion Steel is Italian made. They are using some interesting steels. I believe all come with pocket clips. Time will tell if these catch on within the AAPK. I rather doubt it, but we will see.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I noticed a few years back that A G Russell was having more and more of these in the catalog and the list of manufacturers was varied. The numbers haven’t slowed down. So maybe this is a trend that would deserve it’s own thread. Although if you include the non Seki made, it should go under the General knife discussion. I’m betting there would be some interest from a broader audience there and quite a few posts. Just my 2 cents.

[KenHash]

According to the article in Blade, many major companies are producing them, e.g. Cold Steel, Gerber, LionSteel, and Falkniven. All are slipjoints requiring two handed opening. Cold Steel's entry is Italian made, Falkniven is Japanese, Gerber is China, and of course Lion Steel is Italian made. They are using some interesting steels. I believe all come with pocket clips. Time will tell if these catch on within the AAPK. I rather doubt it, but we will see.

All Fallkniven folders including the U1 and LTC are made by Moki, Seki.

[doglegg]

According to the article in Blade, many major companies are producing them, e.g. Cold Steel, Gerber, LionSteel, and Falkniven. All are slipjoints requiring two handed opening. Cold Steel's entry is Italian made, Falkniven is Japanese, Gerber is China, and of course Lion Steel is Italian made. They are using some interesting steels. I believe all come with pocket clips. Time will tell if these catch on within the AAPK. I rather doubt it, but we will see.

QS, I have a Lion Steel and am very impressed with it.

[Quick Steel]

Everything I've seen and read about Lion Steel indicates it is excellent quality.

[KenHash]

About the Early Al Mar’s –
I checked all my Utility Series like the one on the left in the first picture, the two different patterns of the Utility Series in my store and a couple of them I sold and none of them had a USA-Seki stamp on them.
Al told me that my Utility Series in the first picture was from the first manufacturer that he had. I had purchased one for myself and one for my dad. When the spring broke on my dad's knife I took both knives to Al and asked him if he could fix the broken spring. That was when he told me, "Those were made by the first manufacturer I had, and they’re not that good. Let me give you a new knife." He was going to replace both knives and I said, "I really don't want to replace mine, it still works fine and I really like it." Al said, "That's fine, I'll replace the one with the broken spring. Huhay makes all of my knives now and he's the best in the world." That was the first time I had heard Huhay's name (I'm not sure of the spelling and I'm sure I have probably spelled it a couple of different ways, but it is pronounced like the English words "hue" and "hay"). I talked with Al on other occasions over the years and Huhay's name came up and it was always in the best context. I have no doubt that Al believed Huhay was absolutely the best knife maker in Japan.
A few years later when the new owner had taken over the company (Gary?) I talked to him at the OKCA show and I ask you if Huhay was still making Al Mar knives. He told me, "Oh no, we got rid of him, Huhay was f---ing Al."
I found that idea incredulous! The impression that I got from our conversation was that he had found someone to make the knives for him cheaper than Huhay and went with the lowest bidder. That is one of the most un-Al Mar things I have ever heard because Al Mar is all about Quality.
I don't know who made/makes Al Mar knives for the new owner, I only know all of the Al Mar knives that I have purchased since Al's death (in October 1982) were ones were made in 1992 or before. I'm sure the new one is are quality knives, but it is very difficult for me to believe that Al could have been so mistaken about the person who made his knives. I think anyone know how Al well would feel the same way.

A little late but reading this post I felt I should comment. I met Mr Yuhei Sakai (pronounced You-Hey) at the G.Sakai factory in Seki. He told me he first met Al Mar in the late 70s when Al Mar came to Seki representing Gerber. Both he and Al were young then, Yuhei was working under his father. The relationship between Al Mar and G.Sakai continued until after Al's passing. Until that time G.Sakai manufactured the Al Mar knives exclusively, with minor subtracting when needed due to time constraints. G.Sakai was making knives for Lynn Thompson(Cold Steel), Sal Glesser(Spyderco) and Spencer Fraser (SOG) at the time. The Fang daggers were subcontracted to Hattori, and the quality of Al Mar's Seki knives never faltered. There was a long, strong and close relationship between Al Mar and Yuhei Sakai. However after Al Mar passed away Gary Fadden took over the company, with considerable dispute with Al Mar's widow and family. Fadden tried to renegotiate the original contract with G.Sakai which permitted them to market and sell Al Mar brand knives outside of the US market. This is the same arrangement that G.Sakai has with Spyderco and SOG even today. Unable to renegotiate, Fadden terminated the decades long relationship with G.Sakai, and contracted with Moki, also of Seki City. Now in 2019, Fadden has sold Al Mar knives to Edge Technologies LLC of Maryland, and Al Mar Knives are now made in China. Not sure how Al Mar, who served in Vietnam would feel about that.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

About the Early Al Mar’s –
I checked all my Utility Series like the one on the left in the first picture, the two different patterns of the Utility Series in my store and a couple of them I sold and none of them had a USA-Seki stamp on them.
Al told me that my Utility Series in the first picture was from the first manufacturer that he had. I had purchased one for myself and one for my dad. When the spring broke on my dad's knife I took both knives to Al and asked him if he could fix the broken spring. That was when he told me, "Those were made by the first manufacturer I had, and they’re not that good. Let me give you a new knife." He was going to replace both knives and I said, "I really don't want to replace mine, it still works fine and I really like it." Al said, "That's fine, I'll replace the one with the broken spring. Huhay makes all of my knives now and he's the best in the world." That was the first time I had heard Huhay's name (I'm not sure of the spelling and I'm sure I have probably spelled it a couple of different ways, but it is pronounced like the English words "hue" and "hay"). I talked with Al on other occasions over the years and Huhay's name came up and it was always in the best context. I have no doubt that Al believed Huhay was absolutely the best knife maker in Japan.
A few years later when the new owner had taken over the company (Gary?) I talked to him at the OKCA show and I ask you if Huhay was still making Al Mar knives. He told me, "Oh no, we got rid of him, Huhay was f---ing Al."
I found that idea incredulous! The impression that I got from our conversation was that he had found someone to make the knives for him cheaper than Huhay and went with the lowest bidder. That is one of the most un-Al Mar things I have ever heard because Al Mar is all about Quality.
I don't know who made/makes Al Mar knives for the new owner, I only know all of the Al Mar knives that I have purchased since Al's death (in October 1982) were ones were made in 1992 or before. I'm sure the new one is are quality knives, but it is very difficult for me to believe that Al could have been so mistaken about the person who made his knives. I think anyone know how Al well would feel the same way.

A little late but reading this post I felt I should comment. I met Mr Yuhei Sakai (pronounced You-Hey) at the G.Sakai factory in Seki. He told me he first met Al Mar in the late 70s when Al Mar came to Seki representing Gerber. Both he and Al were young then, Yuhei was working under his father. The relationship between Al Mar and G.Sakai continued until after Al's passing. Until that time G.Sakai manufactured the Al Mar knives exclusively, with minor subtracting when needed due to time constraints. G.Sakai was making knives for Lynn Thompson(Cold Steel), Sal Glesser(Spyderco) and Spencer Fraser (SOG) at the time. The Fang daggers were subcontracted to Hattori, and the quality of Al Mar's Seki knives never faltered. There was a long, strong and close relationship between Al Mar and Yuhei Sakai. However after Al Mar passed away Gary Fadden took over the company, with considerable dispute with Al Mar's widow and family. Fadden tried to renegotiate the original contract with G.Sakai which permitted them to market and sell Al Mar brand knives outside of the US market. This is the same arrangement that G.Sakai has with Spyderco and SOG even today. Unable to renegotiate, Fadden terminated the decades long relationship with G.Sakai, and contracted with Moki, also of Seki City. Now in 2019, Fadden has sold Al Mar knives to Edge Technologies LLC of Maryland, and Al Mar Knives are now made in China. Not sure how Al Mar, who served in Vietnam would feel about that.

Thank you Ken for sharing this history. It’s unfortunate that history seems to repeat itself so much in the knife community. So many great brands sold out to the cheapest bidder. At least people who study and are in the know, like collectors, have helpful folks like you and others here on the forum to point us toward the truly best to own knives.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Thought I should add this Mcusta to this thread as well as the thread for just Mcusta’s. This is one of the annual knives that Mcusta makes. This one is called Jazz. Cocobolo and ebony wooden handles w/ a stainless musical accent. Blade is San Mai 33 layer Damascus on a VG-10 core. Ambidextrous thumb studs w/a liner lock. All the metal on this knife is stainless steel. Silky smooth action with the oiled washer that Mcusta uses on all their knives.
I thought my other Mcusta’s were over the top but this one is now my favorite.

[Quick Steel]

Wow, Mark. That is just........an amazing production. Outstanding. Gorgeous. Congratulations.

[WillyCamaro]

Mark, do not sell that knife, ever! I order you not too .

Beautiful knife deserves strong words .
Willy

[Toejammer]

Regarding Mcusta (and other wood handle knives) is there any need to use anything on the wood itself to prevent drying out ? I don't know much about some of these exotic woods, but I do know I have to rub down my guitar fretboard when I change strings, so ... ? (lemon oil, orange oil, linseed ?)

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Regarding Mcusta (and other wood handle knives) is there any need to use anything on the wood itself to prevent drying out ? I don't know much about some of these exotic woods, but I do know I have to rub down my guitar fretboard when I change strings, so ... ? (lemon oil, orange oil, linseed ?)

I use mineral oil on wood handles. I don’t have any experience with the others you mentioned. I also use mineral oil on stag and bone handles to give them moisture and a deep shine.

[WillyCamaro]

Regarding Mcusta (and other wood handle knives) is there any need to use anything on the wood itself to prevent drying out ? I don't know much about some of these exotic woods, but I do know I have to rub down my guitar fretboard when I change strings, so ... ? (lemon oil, orange oil, linseed ?)

Yup mate, I had the exact same quandary. Solved by just basic unscented baby (mineral) oil. Either dunk the whole knife into a container of the stuff, or rub it on with a soaked rag, work's exactly for what you need mate.
Hope that helps.

[Quick Steel]

I've been using pure mineral oil for years on wood, stag, and bone. As Willy said don't use the mineral oils with added chemicals primarily for making a scent.

[Toejammer]

Thanks all !

I've got a bottle of orange oil based guitar fretboard conditioner I'll try out. It works great on rosewood fretboards that tend to dry out frequently, depending on geographical location. I have one knife I rehandled with desert ironwood, and even as dense as that stuff is, it sucked up three coats of linseed oil !

[WillyCamaro]

Thanks all !

I've got a bottle of orange oil based guitar fretboard conditioner I'll try out. It works great on rosewood fretboards that tend to dry out frequently, depending on geographical location. I have one knife I rehandled with desert ironwood, and even as dense as that stuff is, it sucked up three coats of linseed oil !

Yesir mate, my fret boards dry out every other string change, use Dunlop Lemon Oil here, works great!

Yup, meet yours truly, TinLizzard, the learning guitarist/musician.

Nice to meet another nerd, such as yourself .
It's like gravity, we all eventually end up here...

[Toejammer]

Thanks all !

I've got a bottle of orange oil based guitar fretboard conditioner I'll try out. It works great on rosewood fretboards that tend to dry out frequently, depending on geographical location. I have one knife I rehandled with desert ironwood, and even as dense as that stuff is, it sucked up three coats of linseed oil !

Yesir mate, my fret boards dry out every other string change, use Dunlop Lemon Oil here, works great!

Yup, meet yours truly, TinLizzard, the learning guitarist/musician.

Nice to meet another nerd, such as yourself .
It's like gravity, we all eventually end up here...

<-- Drummer here actually, but when you grow up playing in bands, you wind up picking up guitar sooner or later And besides, when you can't sleep, it's much quieter to play guitar at 3am. I'm kinda a Dave Grohl wannabe lol !

[vchief]

New member looking for historical information about Al Mar. Particularly interested in his days at Gerber Knives. Anyone interested please reply as I have what I suspect is a rare concept knife created by him or others at Gerber in the early 1970s.

Thank you, and looking forward to conversing with you.

[Madmarco]

New member looking for historical information about Al Mar. Particularly interested in his days at Gerber Knives. Anyone interested please reply as I have what I suspect is a rare concept knife created by him or others at Gerber in the early 1970s.

Thank you, and looking forward to conversing with you.

Hey Chief! If you don't get any response to your inquiry on this thread, try contacting Gary Kennedy from Kennedy Knives, a member on this forum who also has a store, because he is a authority on Al Mar knives and I'm sure he also has plenty of info regarding history. BTW, to AAPK!

[vchief]

New member looking for historical information about Al Mar. Particularly interested in his days at Gerber Knives. Anyone interested please reply as I have what I suspect is a rare concept knife created by him or others at Gerber in the early 1970s.

Thank you, and looking forward to conversing with you.

Hey Chief! If you don't get any response to your inquiry on this thread, try contacting Gary Kennedy from Kennedy Knives, a member on this forum who also has a store, because he is a authority on Al Mar knives and I'm sure he also has plenty of info regarding history. BTW, to AAPK!

Thanks! I'll do that.

[vchief]

Well, I contacted Gary Kennedy through his website the day I was made aware of his history and email (Dec. 9, 2021), but so far no replies. If anyone's a friend of his maybe they can stimulate a contact? Pics attached may trigger some interest.

[Madmarco]

Well, I contacted Gary Kennedy through his website the day I was made aware of his history and email (Dec. 9, 2021), but so far no replies. If anyone's a friend of his maybe they can stimulate a contact? Pics attached may trigger some interest.

If you haven't be able to contact Gary, Chief, try sending him a Private Message right here on the forum. If you click-on the little quotation avatar at the bottom of his avatar it will open with the options for sending an email or private message, then just click-on PM. You could also try re-sending your email, because Gary is usually around and perhaps it was a PC glitch that didn't send the email the first time. Nice knife, BTW!