MOD Trident--another look...

[dano]

Firstly, check out the review section for Dexter's look at the Trident. Here, I'll just add my own experiences...

I picked up a straight edge version at the last jerky/gun/hot wheels show at the historic Cow Palace in Daly City (not S.F.) California...

What really struck me was that the knife is small, though not an un-usable size...Handle configuration is suparb for my average sized hands, and the clip does not interfere with gripping, though I have noticed that a tight grip does cause a very slight disengagementof the leaf lock...Construction is excellent, with no gaps between handles. Blade grinds and edges are also very symmetrical...Lock up occurs at the first third or so part of the blade, and does not tighten when a hard snappy opening motion is used...Overall, I like it alot, but have a few minor misgivings:

1. the pocket clip forces the knife to ride fairly high in th pocket, but it isn't uncomfy--but does advertise the knife a bit too much (though the knife can fit in a pocket without using the clip, and not feel cumbersome or uncomfortable)

2. Those damn spline drive screws.

3. 145CM blade steel is somewhat of a mystery to me, though i've heard it's essentially an American version of ATS34.

My grade: A-; an excellent knife...

--dan

 

[Dexter Ewing]

Hi Dan - thanks for posting. I share your sentiments about those friggin' spline drive screws. After I wrote the review, the clip on mine has become loose, with noticable side-to-side movement, but it is still able to be carried by the clip. This has finally forced me to buy a set of spline drive wrenches to remedy this. If they are going to use spline drives for the handle assembly - fine with me. But use something like Torx or hex for the dang clip screws and/or use a conventional 3 screw clip instead of the cursed 2 screw ones. This is exactly why I hate two screw clips...but with a knife as good as the Trident, this is insignificant

------------------
Dexter Ewing
Knife Reviews Moderator

"The keystroke is mightier than the sword"

 

[Joe Talmadge]

dano --

Thanks for the update. In my experience, if a tight grip makes any kind of movement on the liner lock at all, then during a hard stab the lock can auto-disengage. Movement means you're moving the liner slightly to the left, that introduces a tiny bit of space between the tang and liner, and that compromises the lock integrity. My totally speculative hypothesis is that this makes force on the blade snap back through the space against the liner, and that makes it seem to duplicate the spine-impact tests only worse. In other words, I find the slight movement you mention to be worrisome (if not unacceptable).

If you're not using the knife for defense and you'll never do a hard thrust with it, and you'll never stick the knife into something and then torque it or put pressure on the spine while withdrawing it, no big deal. Otherwise, if you have some kevlar gloves, you might want to try some tests. Tape up the blade, put on the kevlar gloves, then: Hold the knife in a nice tight grip so that you get the slight liner movement, then carefully increase thrusting force into wood or a phone book. So far, when I've gotten a liner lock to move at all when white-knuckling, I think something like 100% of the time I can make 'em fail.

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

the easy remedy to the gorilla-grip auto unlock is to file the liner flush with the scales.

(take a look at the AFCK)

If you really like a knife and the only downside is that some of the liner is exposed and grabs your fingers, dont be afraid to void your warranty and make it right.

Most knives that have any type of serrations on the liner where it meets the tang should have them polshed off, IMHO.

Most makers have no idea what we put their knives through. If more of them would start talking to us hard core knife testers their product would be enhanced greatly.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Anthony --

Your last paragraph is really worth repeating. Not to pat ourselves on the back or anything, but I think we in the forums are a kind of leading-edge of knife users. We have a few advantages that many other knife users don't.

First of all, we have easy access to a lot of really knowledgeable guys, both knife users and knife makers. We can bounce ideas off each other, theorize or test which features work or don't, etc.

Second, we can communicate with each other frequently, and that's really a new development for knife customers. When one guy notices his X Industries knife blade doesn't cut well, he posts about it, and then lots of other people might respond saying they've (seen/haven't seen) the same thing. In this way, we can spot trends way before anyone else can. We can spot trends way before even the knife manufacturers themselves.

If I were a custom maker or a knife manufacturer, I'd definitely be perusing the forums and rec.knives...

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com