Master of Arms - James Keating - Comtech (Microtech?)

Karlug

Karlug

Joined
Jul 25, 2011
Messages
352
Just purchased a Comtech knife, great knife, excellent quality. It sure resembles Microtech by design and quality. Almost looks like a a Mini Socom & Socom hybrid. They also produce a Masters of Defense knife that seems to have a small following. Does anybody know if the Comtech/Masters of Defense line of knives were actually made by Microtech?
 
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The original Masters of Defense knife company was started back in the late 1990s.

They were based in North Carolina, and Microtech was based in Florida back then.

I am unsure if they had anything to do with Microtech back then though.

They got bought by the Blackhawk tactical nylon company by the early 2000s.

I think both companies had been using the same advertising company for their ads, because they looked similar too.

The American-made masters of Defense knives slowly were phased out and imported versions took their place.

Which is still the case today. I have one and it is a very well-made knife.
 
I dont believe the companies were connected in any way. There have been rumors that microtech had made parts for mod but I have never seen any evidence to support that. I Think the reason the two get compared is it would seem someone was a fan of someone elses work but it isnt clear who that would be. Still when i look at most MOD products i also see alot of paragon (asheville steel) aesthetic as well. I do believe there was some connection between microtech and guardian tactical. Something about guardian having employed past microtech employees explaining why they look a lot like a micro.
 
PURPLEDC said:
I dont believe the companies were connected in any way. There have been rumors that microtech had made parts for mod but I have never seen any evidence to support that. I Think the reason the two get compared is it would seem someone was a fan of someone elses work but it isnt clear who that would be. Still when i look at most MOD products i also see alot of paragon (asheville steel) aesthetic as well. I do believe there was some connection between microtech and guardian tactical. Something about guardian having employed past microtech employees explaining why they look a lot like a micro.
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Thanks for the imput. I'm a big Microtech fan and think this knife is equal to it. Purchased it on impulse, as new on Ebay and was sure pleasantly surprised with the excellent overall quality. Thumbs up for Masters of Defense. Will be looking to purchase more on the secondary market.
 
The original Masters of Defense started mid-90's in NC, and lasted until about 2000 or so. They made 5 excellent knives, (2 manual, auto, fixed, and Lady Hawk karambit) designed by five people, 1 lady, of different tactical backgrounds. They had a rather small, cult following, including myself and a few others around here, and you can pull up a few threads on MOD via search here I'm sure. A few of them are very well texted from people who knew the company well.

I have the s/n'd, spec. edition Watson "Patches" Trident utility folder from a split-up boxed set.

When MOD was purchased by Blackhawk in the early '00's, the product was immediately spun down drastically under the rationalization, "We're now able to make these knives available to more of those who wanted them but were not able to afford...blah, blah, BLAH."

In it's current iteration I would not even relate it in ANY way to the original MOD knives. To the best of my knowledge there was no connection to Microtech. I believe the rumor resulted from an OTF of Janich (one of the original Masters) design, that has become a classic in the D/A genre.

If you're interested there are beautiful boxed grail sets of the original five models, numbered, etc., to be found on the www with a brief search.....

EDIT: Here ya go:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...fe-Set-from-1998-13-in-Custom-Walnut-Burl-Box
 
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There was a connection between Microtechnology and MOD in the beginning. When I started with Microtech the relationship had just ended that was in late 1998.

An easy way to confirm would be to disassble a MOD knife and see if there is a CRK style bushing in the pivot. Back then every side opener from MT used a bushing pivot and besides CRK Microtech was the only company to do so and you can rest assured CRK did not make the MOD knives, lol
 
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