MOD- Worth it??

D

Deputydog

Joined
Sep 3, 2000
Messages
18
I'm thinking of purchasing a MOD knife. Are they all they are cracked up to be? Fit, finish and quality? How do any of you MOD knife owners out there feel about yours, how have they held up? I'd like to get an Auto maybe. Anyone have thoughts on which of thier blade finishes seems to hold up the best? They seem well priced and I hear Mircotech makes them? This should be a good thing, right?


Scott


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Indeed, if thou hurteth in thy efforts and thou
suffer painful dings, then thou art Doing It Right
RW
 
I have had a MOD Trident for about a month now. It's the manual version and I like it alot. Lockup is solid with no blade play.
Fit and finish are top notch, just a shade below Microtech. The handle is awesome, very comfortable. This is my daily carry for work and it has held up well. I have the grey finish and it holds up fairly well, not easy to scratch but possible.
It was sharp out of box and very stiff. I lubed it with RemOil and a couple of days later the action became very smooth.
Overall I think a great knife for a heavy user.
I don't think they are made my MT. I think the guy who runs the joint used to run White Wolf Knives.
 
DD, check your post on the auto forum. I posted a reply there and just don't have the energy to post here. Poor, pitiful me.

Art Sigmon
 
DeputyDog,

I've posted a couple of threads asking the same question, and have "searched" old threads regarding MOD products.

It seems almost unanimous that they are very well-respected knives.

The Microtech affiliation is also frequently asked and is, so far, inconclusive. North West Cutlery's website says that MOD is a joint collaboration between Microtech, and White Wolf (maybe it's a subsidiary). As you can tell the Tempest/Hornet/Trident look very much and are built with similar materials as some Microtech and White Wolf knives.

I'm still unsure whether I want to spend $150 on an aluminum/kraton handled knife. At this price, I expect titanium.

FYI, the cheapest I've seen MOD's going for are at http://www.americanoutdoorsports.com

 
I don't know if it is true or not but the fellow at the largest knife store in South Florida said they are built by Microtech. He also mentioned White Wolf but I don't recall exactly what he said. They do look an awful lot alike.

[This message has been edited by Big Al (edited 09-03-2000).]
 
From what I have read, MOD was in some way associated with MT very early on. It may have been that MT did the first few proto-types? However, contrary to popular belief, I dont think the two companies are associated in any way at all now.



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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795
UPDATED and REVISED
 
Well, it seems there is some mystery as to who actually makes the MODs. Full Tang, the site you listed is indeed the cheapest I've seen for MOD knives, and by a good deal.

Artsig, just so you know, I'm not really new, I used to be Devilmutt, but due to a long lag in coming here, forgetting my password and changing my email, it was easier to just start a new profile.

I believe I may purchase myself a Trident.

Scott

------------------
Indeed, if thou hurteth in thy efforts and thou
suffer painful dings, then thou art Doing It Right
RW
 
Jim Ray collaborated with Microtech at the beginning of MOD's inception. Mt may have made some prototypes. MOD is not associated with Microtech now. I know that there are similarties between the two, but MOD is manufactured in Asheville, North Carolina. Jim's other company, Whitewolf, is now in the hands of Buck Woodward, who is/was a partner. Jim is a super guy with no BS about him. He had five specialists design the knives which were then "adjusted" to fit the machining equipment. As far as I know, and I've read several articles in the knife mags, MOD is not a part of Microtech. BTW these articles are where I got my info. on MOD and MT. Hope this helps.

Art Sigmon

ps Deputy Dog you won't go wrong with a Trident or Tempest. Both are super knives! Didn't think your post sounded like a newbie.
 
In my opinion, the one fixed blade (the Ayoob) has too thick an edge...the BM Nimravus or any number of other small FBs are better. The hawksbill is too small (sub 3" blade) and the others...well, they're OK, but they're linerlocks. For just a bit more bucks, get a REKAT Carnivore with a lock from hell, or if that's too "gonzo" for ya get a Benchmade Axis lock 4" class blade.

If MOD re-did those designs with a serious modern lock like the Axis, Rolling or Integral, I'd change opinions. Fast.

Jim
 
Jim,

I see where you're getting at. However,
you are almost implying that linerlocks are obsolete with your statement. Hey, I'm not disagreeing with you; heck, I'm a BM 710 owner myself. I'm just saying that you're opening up a can-o-worms if you know what I mean.

There are people who prefer the simplicity of the linerlock over others. Cerulean, at another thread made a good point in that any new-fangled lock is useless to anyone who doesn't feel comfortable with it.

There are good linerlocks out there that do not have inherent problems in secure locking as long as it is used to a reasonable level. Besides, there is more to a knife than just its locking mechanism.

As another person who's considering MOD knives, I can tell you why I would buy it before a REKAT Carnivour:

1. I'm getting tired of synthetic scales. I want a knife with aluminum, or ti-handles.

2. It has that "tac" look. Nice to look at.

3. MOD associates itself with Military, and martial arts experts although I don't know to what point they actually have design input. Personally, I'm more impressed by seeing Howard Viele, or Pat Crawford on a knife. With all do respect to Jim Watson, an ex-Navy Seal may know a lot about tactical manoevres, but does that make him a knife-making expert?

4. I already own the similar BM 710 Axis.

Speaking of rolling locks. Just between you and me, Jim. I'm constantly resisting the urge to click the [add to cart] at the REKAT Sifu 2000 thread!



[This message has been edited by Full Tang Clan (edited 09-04-2000).]
 
Pardon my ignorance, when Jim talked about the razorback having too thick of an edge, are you talking about the thickness of the blade(spine?) or the actually cutting edge?? And what's the big disadvantage of having a "too thick of edge"?? I'm quite interested in getting this knife, it has a very "tactical" look in my book and the shealth is quite nice too. Is there any difficulties of sharpening this blade on Sharpmaker??
Thanks
 
Hey, alot of good information guys.
Can anyone tell me about the Titanium CarboNitride coating they offer? Is this pretty damn good protection vs the double bead blast finish? I understand 154 CM can be prone to rust a touch if not cared for. Eh..I however DO care for my knives, I'm just curious. I've read 154 is a very good steel in reguard to edge holding and sharpening.
I really like liner locks, so a liner Auto shoulder not bother me one bit, not having owned any others to bias me. Hehehe.

Scott

------------------
Indeed, if thou hurteth in thy efforts and thou
suffer painful dings, then thou art Doing It Right
RW
 
Thought I'd lob my hat into the ring with my 2 cents on the razorback...I got mine as a trade on a CQB1 thinking it would be more appropriate for urban carry...it was, but the sheath is pretty average and resheathing the knife was awkward (USD left carry). It was also a bitch to sharpen and due to the aforementioned thick spine wouldn't hold an edge for long. Plus it performed poorly cutting rope leading me to wonder as to its defensive capabilities as a slasher (:eek
smile.gif
. However, as a stabbing intrument (tested on innocent matresses) it performs wonderfully. All up, a very comfortable and well made shiv but not what I'd rely on as my only defensive weapon...which is why I sold it on.
smile.gif
 
One of mortal humans' many questions are: Is there life after death?, do U.F.O.'s really exist?, and of course...are Microtech and MOD affiliated in any way?

I got this off the Cutlery-to-go website:

"...the Masters of Defense Project is designed to answer that question. Tony Marfione and Jim Ray have combined their engineering and production skills with a design team of some of America's most respected self-defense experts..."

Tony Marfione is the founder of Microtech, is he not?
confused.gif


[This message has been edited by Full Tang Clan (edited 09-07-2000).]
 
The combination of Jim Ray and Tony Marfione took place at the start up of Masters of Defense. Manufacturing techniques were obviously exchanged due to MOD's similarity to Microtech. The numbered sets of the 5 original knives had blades hand ground by a S.C. knifemaker who's name escapes me at the moment. So this project did originally include MT at its inception, but no longer. If I am not mistaken Jim had exclusive rights to sell certain MT otf's. I guess this is where the partnership originally started. I do know for sure that Jim Ray is a stand up guy who will stand behind his product, and in the end that is what counts! Hope this helps to clear up the confusion and not hinder it.

Art Sigmon
 
Artsig,

Thanks for your input, as it happens I just picked up the latest copy of Tactical Knives and they had a couple articles on MOD knives, one on just the autos, lucky me. My choice is made, as soon as I scout out the lowest price then I'll buy. No doubts. I showed my wife the model I want to get..she thought I was showing her one I already had. Oh well. She's says they all look alike to her. Haha.
Long as I get to buy them, thats what counts.

Scott

------------------
Indeed, if thou hurteth in thy efforts and thou
suffer painful dings, then thou art Doing It Right
RW
 
ArtSig,

I'm set on the Trident model. Auto version with no serrations and matte black finish.
2/3 is too much if I got serrations.

Scott
 
A man after my own heart! The Trident with a plain blade was my favorite. The serrated model did have too many, 1/3 would have been acceptable. The grind on this model is something else. Pictures do not do justice. This point is well supported by the thickness of the blade extending all the way out. The point on this model is sharper than you would think. All in all an excellent choice. Let us know how you like it when you get one.

Art Sigmon

P.S. the only reason I got rid of mine was a bad, bad case of microtechitis.
 
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