It’s always a good day when we can write about a new Al Mar knife release. Debuting at SHOT Show this week is a new for 2025 rendition of the company’s classic SERE Operator fixed blade. This renovated favorite is made in collaboration with TOPS Knives, and is accompanied into the spotlight by a rescue-oriented folder.
SERE Operator
It’s safe to say that, as interesting as that folder is, the SERE is the headline act for Al Mar’s 2025 SHOT showing. Al Mar himself is a legendary figure, and this fixed blade, which takes its name from the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape training framework developed during World War II, is itself a near-mythic component of military training. The SERE Operator has been the flagship companion piece to the core folder lineup at Al Mar.
Like the previous iteration, the 2025 Operator is made from 154CM steel. TOPS, who did a lot of partnership pieces throughout last year, has been steadily expanding its output of stainless steel knives, so it’s not as surprising as it once might have been to see them producing something in a formulation other than 1095 carbon. In fact, one of the earlier instances of the company working with stainless was when they produced a Mini SERE Operator for Al Mar back in 2016.
Thankfully, not much has been changed on this icon. The classic SERE spear point blade shape is retained, with lots of straight edge and a modicum of belly as it moves towards tip. Of course, the false edge on the top – another signature element of this design – has been carried forward too. The handle is the same as well, right down to the hollow tube body pins.
Rescue Assist Knife
Alongside the 2025 Operator, Al Mar also showcased the Rescue Assist Knife which is – well, just that. Like many rescue knife designs it has a blunt-nose blade to prevent accidental puncturing. Here, the blade is a mild hawkbill shape, with straight edge and serrated sections, made from D2. It’s spring-assisted, and on the reverse side of the hi-viz orange handle there’s a seatbelt cutter and a glass breaker. It seems like Al Mar is getting in on the Axis-like lock game, with their particular rendition being called the Max-Lock.
Both of these are set to drop this year, but there has been no release date given at this time.
Knife in Featured Image: Al Mar Knives SERE Operator
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