Jim Ray stopped by the shop last week and one of the things he brought with him was the new Masters of Defense / Duane Dieter collaboration: The Close Quarters Defense (CQD) Special Operations Trainer.
<table width="206" border="0" align="left" vspace="5" hspace="5"><tr bgcolor="#CCCC99"><td><table width="200" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3"><tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td><a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/spark/cqd2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.bladeforums.com/spark/cqd2_sm.jpg" width="200" height="128" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger version of this picture"></a></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td><div align="center"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/spark/cqd2.jpg" target="_blank">
Medium Version</a> (600 x 384)</font></div></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td><div align="center"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/spark/cqd2_lg.jpg" target="_blank">
Large Version</a> (800 x 512)</font></div></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>The first impression you get when you see it is that it's a big knife. It's designed to be used, and used heavily, in military or police situations. Everything about the knife is beefy and solid, and using it while wearing gloves isn't going to be a problem.
The knife opens via the ambidextrous conical thumbstuds, and what's even better is that this knife is *truly* lefty friendly. Not only can it be opened with either hand, but as you can see from the pictures, the handles are drilled and tapped so that the tip up pocket clip (included) can be mounted on either side.
The 154CM blade features a drop point design that's heavy on tip strength, yet thin enough to be a good penetrator. The partial serrations lend to better cutting ability through thicker materials, and the blade has a subdued finish to prevent overt light reflection.
Though you can't see it in the pictures, the top edge is polished and can be sharpened if the user desires. Current models do *not* feature a sharpened top edge, however future military models will. One thing to keep in mind though is that the typical knife owner will use both hands to close their knife - a recipe for stitches if you aren't careful. This is one of the reasons why only the military models will come with a sharpened top edge standard.
Moving back further, you come to the button lock, which is surrounded by a raised lip that prevents unintentional closings, while keeping the button accessible for easy use. As an additional safeguard, there is a sliding safety button on the back of the handle that will lock the knife open while in use - a truly necessary touch in my opinion for any serious duty knife. Lockup is solid with no blade play, which is typical for the MOD line.
<table width="206" border="0" align="right" vspace="5" hspace="5"><tr bgcolor="#CCCC99"><td><table width="200" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3"><tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td><a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/spark/cqd1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.bladeforums.com/spark/cqd1_sm.jpg" width="200" height="81" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger version of this picture"></a></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td><div align="center"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/spark/cqd1.jpg" target="_blank">
Medium Version</a> (600 x 243)</font></div></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><td><div align="center"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/spark/cqd1_lg.jpg" target="_blank">
Large Version</a> (800 x 324)</font></div></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>Neither Mike nor myself had any time to really perform tests on the knife, but we did run through the standard gamut. The knife is ergonomically designed so that it's comfortable in either the forward or reverse grip, and there are no difficulties changing your grip position while the knife is deployed. There are ridges machined into all the primary gripping areas for extra security, and the knife is easy to index in the hand, while the 3 humps at the finger swells are comfortable in both the reverse and saber grips.
The 6061 T6 Aluminum handles have several interesting features incorporated into them that set this knife apart from the rest.
Below the button lock, you can see a upraised ridge machined into the knife. Present on both sides, the ridge is there to aid in getting the knife out of the pocket or sheath and into action quickly. Believe me, they certainly made getting the knife out easier for me; fishing it out of my pockets was a breeze.
Instead of your typical Kraton inserts, MOD decided to go a different route and use "WingWalk" material for an extra "grabby" gripping surface. Unlike Kraton, the material will not swell or rub away, and if wet will still provide enhanced surface traction for your fingers. Furthermore, when wearing gloves the material gives that little extra security to prevent the knife from flying away due to wet or slippery conditions. The skeletonized handles also add to grip surety, and lighten the weight of the knife at the same time.
At the rear end of the knife you can see a notch with a pair of blades mounted in a scissors position. My first thought when I saw that was that it was intended for cutting parachute shroud lines, something sorely needed for any paratrooper caught up in their deployed chute. However, Jim informed me that their primary purpose was for the cutting of "flexi-cuffs", the zip-tie type handcuffs carried by police officers and tactical units worldwide, and I have to admit, it makes a lot of sense. Instead of having to deploy the knife to cut the flexi-cuffs free, or remembering to bring along the wire cutters, all you have to do is slip the edge under and pull. Since the blades are shielded like a letter openers, there is no risk to the 'cuffed party, and no chance of the user cutting themselves, or something else. Should these blades dull, the user can simply remove the Torx screws holding them in place and sharpen the blades with any common sharpening system.
A lanyard hole completes this rugged knife, and while I'm not sure if a sheath will come standard (Jim had it in one, but I forgot to ask if it's standard), I will make this recommendation: carry the knife in a belt sheath, or in a pouch. I find the knife a bit too bulky for pocket carry, and since it's designed as a military / law enforcement tool having the extra security is worth it, because it doesn't do you any good if it falls out of your pocket.
All in all, this is one rugged utility or duty tool that most professionals would find handy to have. It's big enough and rugged enough to take the punishment that typical duty equipment needs to endure, yet is decidedly non threatening looking (a big plus in my book), and has all the appropriate features that raise it above the competition.
This is one of the few folders that I feel will do well in military, police and heavy utility situations.
Spark
