Anyone Take A Second Look at Ka-Bar's TDI Astro MP?

O

OrangeJoe

Joined
Jul 13, 2004
Messages
668
Just got mine in from SMKW. This is be the new US Space Force version of the venerable Ka-Bar TDI self defense knife. Before you ask, yes I considered the Shivworks Clinch Pick which I think is a better SD tool, but could not get over the manufacture location.

It looks like Ka-Bar finally got around to redesigning the sheath and clip but I'm not sure this is any better.

The default setup has me scratching my head. Does anyone have experience with the "new" TDI sheath/clip combo?

First impressions:

-Sharp (easy, clean slices through 22lb copy paper)
-Clip is plastic and large
-Looks better than the stock photo
-Even grind
-Good fit and finish (scales to handle fit/scale finish/texture)
-Extra sheath and scale screws included along with torx tool for scale
-Sheath is too big and retention is good but with no positive lock

Stock photo from Ka-Bar to grab your attention
1480sf-hero-2.jpg


kabar.com/products/product.jsp?item=1480SF
 
Others make stuff similar to the Ka-Bar.

Anyone remember the other models or manufacturers?
 
shane45-1911 said:
Truck bed-liner blade coating. No thanks. 😟
Click to expand...
Easily removed if you don't like it. Primarily there to protect the knife from idiots who don't know how to treat a knife when it gets wets from anything, e.g., rain, blood, watermelon juice, etc. It also protects the blades of backups while they are sitting in their boxes - no general maintenance required.

I strip the coating on all my USER Kabars/Beckers/Ontarios.
 
shane45-1911 said:
As do I.

I am just tired of manufacturers who do not offer a coating-free option.
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Well, from a manufacturing/inventory POV, one option makes it easier -
Reduces the options for mistakes in the factory; everything is the same.
For inventory, easier as well - only 1 shelf instead of 2.
For sales, only 1 - can't sell the wrong thing to the wrong person.
And finally, Joe Schmuckatelli in shipping can't make a mistake. :)
 
eveled said:
Easy to strip? Depends on what sins are hidden by the coating. Thick coatings give manufacturers the ability to hide flaws.
Click to expand...

I'm not into pristine, mirror finishes. If you really use a knife, that polish is going away in a heartbeat. I'd rather have a knife that takes and keeps an edge and doesn't fail when used as designed. Just my view of the world.
 
sabre cat said:
Others make stuff similar to the Ka-Bar.

Anyone remember the other models or manufacturers?
Click to expand...

with less of a curl
the blast from the past


explorimentdesign.wordpress.com

CRKT Ryan Plan B

Back in the fall of 2003, I got this CRKT (Columbia River Knife and Tool) Plan B, designed by Steven Ryan. (Which is no longer offered.)Like most of CRKT’s offerings, the price on this was very rea…
explorimentdesign.wordpress.com explorimentdesign.wordpress.com
 
Triton said:
I think the whole space force theme is fun in a tongue in cheek sort of way. I have always been mystified by that particular pattern though.
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It's a backup knife designed for cops , primarily . To use on the "weak side ", opposite the "strong" gun hand side .

Pistol grip knife , to be easy to draw and use for someone more used gun handling . That's the theory anyway .

So I guess that the idea here is that space cops will need something similar but with blue handle etc ...'cause it's space ! 🤪
 
zzyzzogeton said:
I'm not into pristine, mirror finishes. If you really use a knife, that polish is going away in a heartbeat. I'd rather have a knife that takes and keeps an edge and doesn't fail when used as designed. Just my view of the world.
Click to expand...

not into pristine mirrors either but some knives I’ve stripped looked like corduroy roads. My point is the they use the coating as BONDO and skimp on the final finish of the knife. Knowing the coating will hide the grind lines.
 
Triton said:
I think the whole space force theme is fun in a tongue in cheek sort of way. I have always been mystified by that particular pattern though.
Click to expand...
In addition to what DocJD DocJD said. When you hold the knife you realize that it would be very difficult to be turned against you while you are holding it.

That classic knife defense where you grip the attackers hand spin around and stab him with his own knife is useless against this design.

The knife is brilliantly designed for it intended purpose as a last ditch defense.

The whole space force thing is ridiculous in my eyes. The Coast Guardsmen have been waiting for another run of Coast Guard marked 1217’s. While the space force gets an entire line.
 
DocJD said:
...

So I guess that the idea here is that space cops will need something similar but with blue handle etc ...'cause it's space ! 🤪
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's why this model is called the "MP".

The TDI Astro MP brings a fan favorite on Earth in to orbit. The Astro MP includes a gray hard plastic sheath with belt clip to keep your knife from floating away. Ideal for opening freeze-dried food, mail from home, repairs to the ship, and self-defense.

Back to more serious stuff. I must say I'm surprised this knife and others like it are a new thing to some of the commenters here, this is not some esoteric stuff, at least not to people who also carry firearms. Retention devices are common and 'knife folks' should know this. I guess I'm getting to the point where there is nothing new under the sun for me.

So... anyone have any thoughts on this particular version versus what you currently carry, and yes again, this is a tool designed for self defense against violent people, not for slicing apples or packages, lots of us knife people carry a knife to be employed as part of a self defense setup (don't anybody start with the "knife make for poor self defense tools" that's a different discussion).

Do you like the new sheath/clip? Or are you still using an aftermarket version?

Edit: now =! know
 
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OrangeJoe said:
The TDI Astro MP brings a fan favorite on Earth in to orbit. The Astro MP includes a gray hard plastic sheath with belt clip to keep your knife from floating away. Ideal for opening freeze-dried food, mail from home, repairs to the ship, and self-defense.

Back to more serious stuff. I must say I'm surprised this knife and others like it are a new thing to some of the commenters here, this is not some esoteric stuff, at least not to people who also carry firearms. Retention devices are common and 'knife folks' should now this. I guess I'm getting to the point where there is nothing new under the sun for me.

So... anyone have any thoughts on this particular version versus what you currently carry, and yes again, this is a tool designed for self defense against violent people, not for slicing apples or packages, lots of us knife people carry a knife to be employed as part of a self defense setup (don't anybody start with the "knife make for poor self defense tools" that's a different discussion).

Do you like the new sheath/clip? Or are you still using an aftermarket version?
Click to expand...

While the blue handle is obviously different, I prefer the black handles/blades of the original TDI knives. Less visible when carried at the waistline "scout carry" style.

I use the TDI knives package/box openers. They work well to draw, slice down through the tape sealing the box/package shut and then put it away, just like any other knife or box cutter used to open something. Just like any other fixed blade I carry. It's smaller and less noticeable. While many folks will notice even 4" fixed blade sheaths, the TDI knife/sheath in original black disappears when backed by the black pants and dark shirts of my typical wardrobe,
 
you can find some really good custom sheaths for the tdi on ebay and other sites on the internet if you arent satisfied with the one it came with
 
One week update.

I used the knife to go get some Chipotle (sue me). As soon as I got to the back of order line I realized I no longer had a knife in my sheath. Looks like my seatbelt promptly and quietly pulled the knife off the factory sheath as I got off my car, good thing it landed inside the car and did not cut anything it should not have cut.

I'm still carrying horizontally (ClinchPick style) but now I make sure the seat belt clears the handle before I get off the vehicle.

I've ordered the T5 Custom Kydex sheath which shows a much higher retention level and has better hole locations, Tiffany blue of course.

I wish they still made the trainer.
 
OrangeJoe said:
Yeah, that's why this model is called the "MP".

The TDI Astro MP brings a fan favorite on Earth in to orbit. The Astro MP includes a gray hard plastic sheath with belt clip to keep your knife from floating away. Ideal for opening freeze-dried food, mail from home, repairs to the ship, and self-defense.

Back to more serious stuff. I must say I'm surprised this knife and others like it are a new thing to some of the commenters here, this is not some esoteric stuff, at least not to people who also carry firearms. Retention devices are common and 'knife folks' should know this. I guess I'm getting to the point where there is nothing new under the sun for me.

So... anyone have any thoughts on this particular version versus what you currently carry, and yes again, this is a tool designed for self defense against violent people, not for slicing apples or packages, lots of us knife people carry a knife to be employed as part of a self defense setup (don't anybody start with the "knife make for poor self defense tools" that's a different discussion).

Do you like the new sheath/clip? Or are you still using an aftermarket version?

Edit: now =! know
Click to expand...

I have an earlier model that I carried for a few years...I liked it, but it's a little small, and thin. I should dig it out again.....it's good, and a push dagger alternative.
 
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