Anybody with bad experiences with MOD knives?

[Full Tang Clan]

I'm thinking about getting either the MOD Trident, or Tempest.

I've heard good things about MOD's. However, have any of you MOD owners had any problems with them?

Can anyone verify the claim made at NorthWest Cutlery's site that MOD is a collaboration between Microtech, and White Wolf knives? I guess this would explain why some MOD knives look a little like SOCOMs.

Finally, which has the thicker blade: Tempest, or Trident?



[This message has been edited by Full Tang Clan (edited 09-01-2000).]

 

[rdnzl]

I have a Hornet and am very satisfied with it. Quality is excellent. It's a little smaller knife, but it carries real sweet, opens very fast and is plenty big for serious work.

RC

 

[TomW]

I have the folders and have had no problems.

 

[ARtsig1]

Full Tang, the specs. on these are the same. Blade thickness is the same on both and is about 5/32". I have had three of each of the models you are looking at( I end up trading a lot!) and also the autos in both the Tempest and Trident. ALL of these performed to the highest level for me. They all came sharp, very sharp. They all shut with the blade centered in the handles and no rubbing. Lock up is tight with no wobble at all. The finish is good, but for some reason just doesn't seem to be up to MT. Can't really explain it, its just there. Only negatives I ever had was the placement of the clip( too much handle sticking out for me ) and the serrations on the Trident( too much serration for me ). Other than that, and that is very minor, MOD is an outstanding knife. I still have one Tempest manual that I carry sometimes. BTW Jim Ray, head honcho for MOD, is one more super guy. If you had a problem I am sure that he would stand behind his product as much as MT does! I believe that Jim sold a series of MT knives as an exclusive. From there he branched out to MOD using the same technique as MT does. Hence the appearance. MOD is not a part of MT. MOD is headquartered in the great state of North Carolina, about 45 minutes west of me.
Hope this helps.

Art Sigmon

 

[chitwang]

I've had my MOD Trident for about a month now. I like it alot. A heavy duty user.
It does have a few very minor flaws. The grind lines on the blade aren't perfectly even. The blade when stowed is just a smidgen off center. One of the kraton inserts has minor minor mismatch. None of this really bothers me. Lock up is solid and you can grip this knife many different ways that are very comfortable. I have the manual version and it passes the spine whack test every time.
Overall a very solid knife.

 

[greg c]

Had one of the first Tridents, failed the spine whack miserable each time. Now I hear they are doing a better job. I wish their autos were button locks.

 

[SharpEdge]

Handled a couple Tempest before, the liner lock sticks. It might be cuz just out of box, but it's quite annoying sometimes. Like MT's style better. Just my .02.

 

[RICH LITTLE]

I have a Trident auto without serrations!I must be very lucky cuz my knife is perfect!! Passses spine whack test every time!!! and the grind lines are even on mine!!I have to say that they are Microtechs ONLY competition!! the Tempest is a little longer but not thicker the thickness is the same!!

 

[shootist16]

I have a hornet and a tempest. Both are top notch quality. No blade play, locks up solid. They use one of the thickest liners I have seen. The hornet is a little on the smaller side. The trident is a very comfortable knife. Probably my favorite of the bunch.

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Dennis Bible

 

[jc]

I've got 3 MODs. Manual Trident, Auto Trident and Ladyhawk Manual.

The Tridents are good knives and both pass the liner lock tests. The Manual Trident is one of the first ones and has a noticable defect in the blade grind. A "dent" near the tip---others have complained of this defect. The Ladyhawk's liner failed the liner lock tests and now it has vertical play as the liner seems to have lost its spring memory.

Overall, the Tridents are nice knives but will never see use---as well as every liner lock knife I own. Trips to the hospital because of a liner lock failure are unacceptable, especially when there are very good alternative locks available.

jc

 

[Richard]

I just recieved my first MOD about a week ago, its the Ladyhawk model. I have carried it everyday, although have only used it a little bit. The overall workmanship is very, very good. The lock is rock solid and has no play whatsoever. The edge out of the box is first class, very sharp. I will try to give this knife a good workout for all jobs it is suited for and see how it does.



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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795
UPDATED and REVISED

 

[Parker]

FTC, MOD is a collaboration of WWK and Micro to an extent, and yes they are damn similar, but Micro is not involved in production nor has it been from the beginning. I called MOD and spoke to I believe Bill Ray less than a week after release of the Hornet (I bought one day after they were available, good choice, too small for my paw but fine knife, excellent workmanship) and he confirmed the micro influence but went on to let me know Tony Marfione was going on to further projects of his own. Hornet without serations will even pass as a yuppie knife (but in my case, I am a yuppie who owns a Hell's Belle, so in some context that is a yuppie knife, neh?) suitable for corporate knife, but with size large hands and the taper of the handle, I will give the thumbs up to the tempest for serious urban use (or a Randall or Busse)