Mission MPT A2 knife.....

T

Tracker

Joined
Nov 6, 2004
Messages
27
:(
Hey folks,
I just wanted to share a dissapointing story with all of you. I have waited for 14 years for Mission Knives and Tools to produce their MPT model in a tough, durable and dependable A2 steel version (similar to the MPK model). Well, it became available recently, and today was the day I received it in the mail!! Unfortunately, the knife is not at all what I expected. They have reduced the thickness from 1/4 in. to 3/16 so the knife is too thin. Secondarily, I put it through a basic, and I mean BASIC chop and snap out test and the knife FAILED miserably. The edge on the serrations bent completely backward during chopping (maybe 7-9 strokes) and the tip (about the first centimeter) bent to 5-7 degrees on the first snap out test!!! The test was done on 1inch thick lumber (pretty soft) and all of the damage was done in a matter of seconds not minutes. Knowing that there was no way I was too hard on this knife, I decided to duplicate the same test, except even tougher, on my R.A.T. 7 in. blade in 1095 carbon steel. It is also 3/16 in. thick. The R.A.T. destroyed the wood with absolutely no problems and absolutely NO DAMAGE TO THE BLADE OR EDGE. Next, I placed the Mission in a vice-grip and applied "minimal" tensile pressure and the knife bent again!!!...probably 3-5 degrees!!! WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!! I duplicated the same test with the RAT and again, no bends and no problems. Now, I am not here to bash Mission knives, because I own an MPK in A2, and I have really put it through "extremely hard use" before and it just comes back for more...I mean the MPK is a truly unbelievable knife and I will always have the MPK by my side. (no bends, no chips in the blade edge...NOTHING!!!) I spoke to a representative from Mission and he was not very accomodating and assured that it was only because the knife was 3/16 of and inch and should not be abused like this. Sorry pal, I did not abuse this knife....this knife FAILED a very simple test. The only explanation is that they "accidentally" sent me an aluminum prototype...but they assured me that was not the case. Anyhow, I am sending the knife back for them to review and I hope they find a mistake and send me A REAL MISSION KNIFE!!!!!!!!!! Sad, sad day for me. Please respond with any info. or similar experience.

-jeff
 
sounds like a problem with the heat treating:confused: 3/16" stock of any kind of steel even 420J should be able to handle those tests imo:(
 
as opposed to a bad heat treat i would say maybe no heat treat...i have been working annealed A2 the last couple of days and that is roughly how i would expect it to perform. could have somehow slipped through?

i think if you got an aluminum prototype you would know...the weight would not be there at all next to a steel knife.

shame about the knife, hopefully they will make it right.
 
yeah, the weight was the other thing I forgot to mention. It was really light-weight. Holding the RAT in one hand and the Mission in the other, there was considerable difference in weight and it WAS NOT handle weight difference. It's really a damn shame because the design is really genius, but the product is nothing like a "mission knife" that I am used to. Thanks for the replies. Do you think I should post a similar message on their websites forum?

-jeff
 
photos would be good, parrotting dutchv

if the weight was way low then aluminum prototype sounds about right to me...
 
Got a magnet? That's the first test - aluminum is non-ferrous. For their sake, I hope that's what happened. Seems like a $30 Ka-Bar would have done better on the tests.

You could also try dragging a file over it to see if it seems soft or not, if it's actually steel.
 
I would like to see pics of the knife, it would lend some credit to the claims.. not saying you are making it up, its just that I have never heard a single complaint about mission knives.
 
Like I said, I have a Mission MPK in A2 steel that is my #1 knife. I have put that knife through as much HELL as possible without it being considered "abuse". But I tell you, when I buy a knife, especially one of these, that is the first thing I do is...well..."abuse" it to see if it will ever fail me. The MPK has not only been able to withstand anything so far...it seems like it gets tougher with hard use. Now, I have never been able to figure out how to post pictures...so please post the instructions and I would be glad to show you all the damage. Again, Mission Knives and Tools is my VERY FIRST CHOICE for knives...this is not a flame...just pure dissapointment in the MPT in A2.

-Jeff
 
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