All About Pocket Knives

Hello everyone,
I'm a knife collector based in Kagoshima, Japan. My main interest is vintage Al Mar and SOG pieces from the Seki production era, and I also collect Native American silver work. By trade I build custom motorcycles.
I've joined because I have an Al Mar with markings I can't identify, and after exhausting Japanese and English sources I'm hoping someone here has seen something similar. I'll post details in the appropriate forum.
Looking forward to learning from you all.

Welcome from Sweet Home Alabama, USA!
I look forward to seeing your collection!

Welcome to AAPK!
If you post some pictures here of the knife and the markings you are trying to identify, perhaps someone here can help you. I have a few older Al Mar knives that I collected before Al passed away, and a few I have added since then that I know were made prior to his death. I managed a cutlery store and often went to Al's office in Lake Oswego to pick up knife orders. When our schedules would allow it we will take a little time in Al's office for a coffee and cigars. He was a good friend who passed away too soon!
I don't know everything about Al Mar’s knives, but I do know some things. I was on his list to receive number 43 of each new knife. I only wished I had been able to purchase each he introduced in those years!

There are others here on AAPK who are knowledgeable about Al Mar knives as well. Hopefully we will be able to answer your questions!

Again, welcome to AAPK,
Dale

swallowtail wrote: ↑Sat Jul 18, 2026 3:24 pm Hello everyone,
I'm a knife collector based in Kagoshima, Japan. My main interest is vintage Al Mar and SOG pieces from the Seki production era, and I also collect Native American silver work. By trade I build custom motorcycles.
I've joined because I have an Al Mar with markings I can't identify, and after exhausting Japanese and English sources I'm hoping someone here has seen something similar. I'll post details in the appropriate forum.
Looking forward to learning from you all.

Welcome swallowtail. I have a vast collection of Seki made knives and enjoy collecting them and getting others fired up about them. Look forward to your posts.

Welcome aboard!

to AAPK! Lots of great knife information here, and then some.

Thank you all for the warm welcome — much appreciated.

I've posted my Al Mar question over in the Military Related Knives forum: a 25th Anniversary Green Berets blade marked CINCS 1963 instead of the usual SINCE 1963, with a separately stamped serial 027. Any thoughts would be very welcome.

Thank you all for the warm welcome — much appreciated.

Dale, thank you especially. Your name is familiar to me: I came across your account of being on Al's list to receive number 43 of each new knife while researching this piece. That is exactly why I'm here.

I've posted the knife in the Military Related Knives forum with photos:


Briefly: a 25th Anniversary Green Berets fixed blade, but the blade reads CINCS 1963 rather than the usual SINCE 1963 — engraved and ink-filled, so not a misprint — with a separately stamped serial 027, and no SEKI-JAPAN or model number anywhere on the knife.

If you have any recollection of a CINCS-marked batch, or of who Al was numbering pieces for around the 25th anniversary, I would be very grateful.