MicroTech Medallion, or MOD Scorpion. Which one?

[Daniel Dorn]

I'm looking for a small fixed blade that can be used for everyday utility, and these two knives are at the top of my list. Carry options are fairly important, as well as ergonomics. I have med. size hands, and like the feel of a nice large handle, but anything would work.

So far, I really like the fact that the back of the MOD Scorpion has a set of serrations, but I've heard the handle on the Medallion is a little beefier. I've never handled anything that uses a TekLok, so don't know the comfort of carry. Can it be clipped to a belt, used as a neck knife, clipped to a jacket pocket? Overall, I love the looks of the Medallion, but really like the idea of the serrated top edge on the Scorpion.

Anyone, please let me know what you think, and why.

DD

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I'll contribute what I can here...

I used to have an MOD Scorpion...had it about 20minutes before my wife fell in love with it and commandeered it! She still lets me play with it once in awhile though. In all candor I REALLY, REALLY REALLY like the Scorpion ALOT. It's lightweight, compact, versatile, ergonomic, holds a great edge, and it's just designed REALLY well. It can be carried in a variety of different manners- neck knife, horizontal, vertical, cross draw, and any variation thereof ie: upside down, with the sheath in the inside or outside of the belt, etc, etc. I haven't found a way to really clip it to my jacket pocket yet though. I've got extra large forepaws, but the handle still fit my hands very well, and fit even better once my wife did a REALLY, REALLY NICE looking cord wrapping job with some bluish purple cord.

There's only two downers to the Scorpion that I've noted. One is that the sheath is just plain ole plastic. It works very well and all, but I guess I've come to expect the Kydex stuff for some reason.

The second and bigger issue is the sharpened false edge thingie on mine was very, very, dull. At a rather steep angle, so there wasn't much I could do with it myself. I took it to the local knife shop and had it reprofiled a bit so now it's kinda, sorta, shaving sharp, but it was an initial bummer. Mine was a plain edge though with no serrations, so I really can't say what yours would be like, just my own experience.

Now to further be painfully candid in regards to the only neck knife I've ever loved...even though I've never owned the MT Medallion, I've handled a few of them at the knife shop, and, they probably are a bit stouter knife, have all the exact same carry options, and it had a really, really cool retention system. Oh, and the handle was a little beefier.

So, in summary...from my rather limited persective, the MOD would basically handle and carry more nicely, and the MT would be a bit more capable of standing up to abuse. I think they come to an exact draw as far as carry methods.

Hope I've been able to add a little bit of a perspective to your debate there.

 

[Frank Castle]

Hi Dan,

Microtech has stopped further production of the Medallion to let you know. If your looking for an EDC utility my vote is for the Medallion. The thing says use me all over it. It feels good in the hand, has a flat profile, and IHMO a better utility design. They have a partial serrated blade also. I see the MOD suited more for a defensive blade. Another thing to consider is would the MOD be considered double edged?

The tek lock sheath the medallion comes with allows for it to be attached to things like a belt, pack straps, etc. It has a loop things can run through. It clips over the material you'd want it on. See here to give you an idea of what I mean. You can adjust it to multiple positions. vertical, horizontal, left, right, upside down, or straight up. Or the tek lock detaches for it to accept the black chain to convert into a neck knife.

 

[Daniel Dorn]

Well, I got to handle a Medallion at a Gun n Knife show this weekend, and I just did not like the ergonomics of the whole thing. Granted, it is really cool looking, and the Tek Lok is neat, but I just didn't like the way the blade lined up to the handle. Seemed like it was "up in the air" when holding the knife in a saber grip. If the edge of the blade were more aligned with the handle, i.e. closer to the Wharncliff style, I would probably like it better, but with that quickly ascending edge, it seems like it was a little too high and dry, and in order to do any slicing, I would be required to tilt my wrist at an uncomfortable angle. This all wouldn't come into the equation in a purely defensive knife, as it seems designed for slashing, but as an every day user, could become quite tiresome on the wrists.

Thanks for the reviews so far. My next step is to find a Scorpion to handle. As far as double edges go, it's not a problem for me, especially with a knife that small. I really like the idea of the serrations being on the top of the blade leaving plenty of slicing sharpness on the main edge.

DD

P.S. If anyone has an offer of a Scorpion, preferably not coated, with the serrated top, email me. Condition is not an issue. ddorn777@hotmail.com