Masters Of Defense knives

Kind of neat they used the exact same pivot geometry, in size and action.
 
Hi, folks. I'm a new guy. I joined the site because I have always loved good steel. Interesting thread, here.

I have a Janich "Tempest" auto w/serrated blade. Black, of course. I bought it at a gun show in the late nineties. My intent was to carry it at work (fire dept.). But for some reason I never did. Maybe I was a bit concerned about losing it. After all, it wasn't a cheapo. I paid a lot for it. So I just stuck it away in my gun safe in its box. Never carried. Never honed. Never even cut anything with it. For all practical purposes its still new.

Several years after buying it, I carried it to another gun show thinking that I might be able to trade it for several cheaper knives, but ones I wouldn't mind using. I handed the box to the largest knife dealer there for him to look at. He told me that he wasn't interested, and that MOD had gone out of business. He more or less told me to take a hike. OK. So until reading this thread today the Tempest has been in the dark back in the gun safe. I pulled it out and looked at it as I read through some of your comments. I guess that dealer did me a big favor! ;-)
 
Here's a pic of my personal favorites
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MOD-Jon said:
Here is a pic of an odd IMO Pointman. The box would indicate it is late MOD/BPG and appears to be a design change to the newer cheaper models yet still bearing the USA MOD logo. It is also an auto which looks correct to pre 04 models. Proto or production? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Masters-Of-...607?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item2c898a4e37
Click to expand...

^^^ That's my knife :). Acquired with others on USN from a guy that lives in NC I believe near the machine shop that made them for BlackHawk. I don't know the year of production, knives aren't marked. I also had a Hornet from the same time period at one time. I like that the clip has 4 options to carry the knife. It can go tip up or down and left or right.

My opinion is it's late model USA produced MOD done for BlackHawk. I've owned the original MOD models, the early USA BlackHawk models and late USA BlackHawk models. They've all been great knives although the early production MOD's are the best in my opinion. I heard somewhere (need to find the source) that Tony Marfione (Microtech founder) assisted with the initial production and design for MOD. Those early knives with liner locks and what look like thumb studs on the blade. The thumb studs are really to help with lock up, they line up flush with the handle when the knife is open.

I'll add some pictures in another post of some original production MOD's.



Check this whole thread with great information about Masters Of Defense - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...thentication?highlight=janich+masters+defense


Quote from Michael Janich in that thread:
Early Hornets--and other MOD knives--had Kraton inserts. Later versions had "wingwalk" material, similar to skateboard tape. Early versions had prominent blade markings that included the MOD logo and the designer's name and credentials. Later versions had simplified blade markings.

Post photos and I can probably determine if it's legit. If you have the packaging, post photos of it as well.

MOD was bought by BlackHawk in late 2003. Jim Ray ran it under BlackHawk for about two years, then I took over. BlackHawk severed its relationship with the MOD manufacturing facility in Feb 2009, effectively killing MOD; however, its latest packaging of some of its Taiwan-made models (the Dieter Mark I and II) includes the MOD logo--sans the "Made in U.S.A."

Stay safe,

Mike
Click to expand...
 
Here is another little beater that my wife uses in the garden. Her dad actually has an obscene number of this specific knife NIB, probably around 30 of them. I am not even sure which model this is, since I dont really care for or keep up with MOD knives, but it has been great for digging small holes, and opening mulch and fertilizer bags.

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NCCNC said:
Here is another little beater that my wife uses in the garden. Her dad actually has an obscene number of this specific knife NIB, probably around 30 of them. I am not even sure which model this is, since I dont really care for or keep up with MOD knives, but it has been great for digging small holes, and opening mulch and fertilizer bags.
Click to expand...

30?!? He looking to adopt? :D



Those are some great looking blade MOD-Jon, nice collection.
 
MOD-Jon said:
Here is a pic of an odd IMO Pointman. The box would indicate it is late MOD/BPG and appears to be a design change to the newer cheaper models yet still bearing the USA MOD logo. It is also an auto which looks correct to pre 04 models. Proto or production? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Masters-Of-...607?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item2c898a4e37
Click to expand...

Yeah, barely resembles the original one, esp. the handle...very plain. I thought the original 5 MOD's had the coolest handles...as good as anything currently out there.

Great link. Thanks.
 
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Jezcruzen said:
Hi, folks. I'm a new guy. I joined the site because I have always loved good steel. Interesting thread, here.

I have a Janich "Tempest" auto w/serrated blade. Black, of course. I bought it at a gun show in the late nineties. My intent was to carry it at work (fire dept.). But for some reason I never did. Maybe I was a bit concerned about losing it. After all, it wasn't a cheapo. I paid a lot for it. So I just stuck it away in my gun safe in its box. Never carried. Never honed. Never even cut anything with it. For all practical purposes its still new.

Several years after buying it, I carried it to another gun show thinking that I might be able to trade it for several cheaper knives, but ones I wouldn't mind using. I handed the box to the largest knife dealer there for him to look at. He told me that he wasn't interested, and that MOD had gone out of business. He more or less told me to take a hike. OK. So until reading this thread today the Tempest has been in the dark back in the gun safe. I pulled it out and looked at it as I read through some of your comments. I guess that dealer did me a big favor! ;-)
Click to expand...

IMO he did you a favor. You have a hell of a knife there if it's '90;s. Certainly one I want. Hope you start using it a little and report back to us....
 
robcelani said:
^^^ That's my knife :). Acquired with others on USN from a guy that lives in NC I believe near the machine shop that made them for BlackHawk. I don't know the year of production, knives aren't marked. I also had a Hornet from the same time period at one time. I like that the clip has 4 options to carry the knife. It can go tip up or down and left or right.

My opinion is it's late model USA produced MOD done for BlackHawk. I've owned the original MOD models, the early USA BlackHawk models and late USA BlackHawk models. They've all been great knives although the early production MOD's are the best in my opinion. I heard somewhere (need to find the source) that Tony Marfione (Microtech founder) assisted with the initial production and design for MOD. Those early knives with liner locks and what look like thumb studs on the blade. The thumb studs are really to help with lock up, they line up flush with the handle when the knife is open.

I'll add some pictures in another post of some original production MOD's.
Click to expand...


Great info, man. Thanks.
 
NCCNC said:
Here is another little beater that my wife uses in the garden. Her dad actually has an obscene number of this specific knife NIB, probably around 30 of them. I am not even sure which model this is, since I dont really care for or keep up with MOD knives, but it has been great for digging small holes, and opening mulch and fertilizer bags.
Click to expand...

God, this is a hoot.... You're swimming in the things. :triumphant:

Is that a button-lock?
 
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