RR: MOD Trident

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
6,104
Who uses one?
What do you think?

I handled one of these the other day, and my initial impressions were really favorable. Fit my hand well, solid lockup, and outstanding edge out of the box. I really like the blade. Fit and finish were very good, too, but not quite up to some of the Microtechs I've checked out.
The action kind of sucked, I thought it would be much smoother, since MOD makes a big deal about their bearing tolerances. Maybe it just needed some lube.
I really wasn't interested in any more folders, but this one seems to have alot going for it (ok, I just want it, so I'm looking for an excuse to buy one;)).
 
I had one of the MOD Trident knives, but I did really like it much.

The biography of "patches" watson on the blade did not appeal to me, the liner failed the spine whack test regularly, and the pocket clip made the knife ride way too high for me.

If MOD would just get rid of the mini-bios on all of the blades they sell, and move the clips a bit closer to the end so the knife would ride a bit lower, I would buy a few.

This is just my opinion really, and I would not post it except that it sounds as if you have not bought one yet and are trying to decide if you should or not.
If you had already bought one, I would be quiet so as not to "rain on your parade".
 
Thanks, mike.
No danger of raining on my parade. I think we'd be doing each other a disservice if we didn't mention the bad, along with the good, when asked about a product.
I haven't bought one, just thinking about it.
I'm really not asking whether to buy one or not (look how many different experiences some of us have had with the same model knives), but would like to know what to look for if I do.

Sucks that the lock on yours failed, and the lock will be getting tested immediately if I get one, and the knife sent back if it's not up to par.
Something I don't always check at first:o Going to get me bit one of these days....
The clip doesn't bother me, 'cause it would come off as soon as the knife came out of the box (got to where I don't care much for clips, and that one's on the wrong end, anyway:p).

Any problems disassembling or maintaining the one you had?
Do you know what the washer material was?
Develop any blade play from use?
I imagine the handles get scratched up, but I don't care about stuff like that. I do wonder if those inlays wear badly, or come off. Are they Kraton?


Anybody else?
 
OwenM,

I never took mine apart, because I honestly did not think I could fix whatever might be wrong with the liner lock. The action was pretty good overall, so no problems there.

When I first got it, I really like it alot. Then I read about people have the liner lock fail, and sure enough mine did to. I'm not a big proponent of the "spine whack test", but I lost faith when my Trident failed so easily and regularly. It was like the straw that broke the camels back, after the mini-bio irritation and the clip placement.
 
I've had one for over a year, and have not experienced any liner lock probs.

It's a good, rugged folder.
 
Masters of Defense had knives specifications in downloadable PDF files. According to them liner locks on Hornet, Tempest and Trident are guaranteed to stand only 100 pounds of closing force, no more. If one is looking selfdefence knife- look elsewhere. For example Benchmade Axis - takes 750 pounds to force open and fixed knife to close, Spyderco Gunting - 1000 pounds, Spyderco chinook - 800 pounds, REKAT SIFU - 800 pounds.
 
I've got MOD Hornet Auto (the same series of knives) and IMHO it's a really very strong folder. Liner-Lock never failed the spine whack test. I really like the linerlock in auto version. When you are "in action" and under pressure you don't have to worry if a just fired blade is locked, or not. In plunge lock autos (like UDT) you have to "remember" to loose the pressure of your thumb to lock the blade, which can cost you MUCH in a high-stress situation (few fingers at least). Blade is a strong "pro" in MOD knives (.148") - as an example, in a Benchmade 710 you have .115" only. Blade opens rather smooth (not microtech-smooooth) but moderate fast.

Frankly speaking my UDT opens MUCH smoother, quicker, and production tolerances are much better as well. But MOD is a very good "the last line of defence" knife for me...

PiterM
www.Guns.com.pl
My Airguns & Knives Page
 
I have to agree. I have the Hornet auto also. vesides the silly Bio on the blade, the knife fires with a snap, locks tight and although the stats say it can only withstand 100 pounds, IMO I think thats just warranty CYA. I think it can withstand a hell of a lot more........wolf
 
I had a trident for a while. It was pretty nice, but I also had lock problems with it. I could grab ahold of the back of the blade and the handle and force the knife close without using any kind of lever. I contacted MOD about this and they fixed it for free. Seems they designed it with one lock bar that really sucked and had to come up with an upgrade. You need to make sure it has the new lock bar in it or else it will probably be in need of a trip back to MOD before it will be worth anything as a user.
 
We' ll all never get every desireable feature we want in a PRODUCTION folder. That being said, I currently put mine to use while in the shop at one of my jobs. For utility and no more. Yes the clip is mounted a bit high; it' s action is okay- not super smooth; the thumb lugs are a bit on the sharp side due to its tip; I can live without the bio; the edge bevel was/ is a bit on the steep side (returned 2X to have it reworked). But the worst culprit is the liner being inadvertently moved that leads to partial unlocking of the blade. This is fully realized while in a convulsive sabre grip where the forefinger is wedged tightly under/ against the PROTRUDING liner. That notched liner needs to be reduced til it is at least flush with its respective scale. But again, I do not have the Trident for any other purpose than utility as is accordingly named.

But on the plus side, it does have decent ergonomics with an ample finger groove for indexing and to aid in minimizing forward slipping of the hand; a serrated thumb rest/ ramp on the blades spine and near top of scale for additional leverage when needing to choke up; A very useful blade shape; dual thumbstuds for ambi opening capability; and a slightly dropped handle design and a slight pinky hook to aid in retention. All in all a good using knife.

Nakano
 
Just in case anyone from MOD reads these things....."what's the deal with the personal ads on your blades?" I keep expecting to pick up one of their knives and see that the designer also likes to take long walks on the beach at sunset....

On a serious note...I have a Trident and my only gripe with it is the blade bio. All around I think it's a great knife...no lock problems or any other for that matter.
 
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