Unconventional Knife, Chad Los Banos MPT

zenheretic

zenheretic

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
Messages
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I recently received a Boker MPT, one of the new designs by Chad Los Banos. Like all his work, it seems defy a conventional knife design. Hardly anyone mentions these knives, so I thought I would bring it up.

This particular knife is a fixed blade, whose grip is similar to the two to three fingered grip of his popular Subcom designs. The nice thing about it is how flat it is. I've seen pancakes that are thicker, so a IWB carry option is ideal. With the three finger grip, little of the handle exists to give a "print", so that is an option that may appeal to some.

The stats given on a webstore state: Blade length: 3.75"c Overall length: 6.8"
Weight: 3 oz, which makes a nice in the pocket option for those who are into that mode of carry. Simply attach an indescrete fob onto the botton of the sheath and fix to your belt for ease of draw.

The handle is said to be made of two types of plastic. A firm plastic is molded to the blade tang for rigidity, and a softer plastic molded over that for a firm grip. It isn't as soft as rubber though...much firmer than that.

I'm not all that keen on American tanto tips, but this one is subtle. Subtle enough that you could take the diamond stones of a Sharpmaker and hone them out for a more Drop pointed grind.

This isn't really a review, just my attempt to raise awareness of this unique design by Chad Los Banos. He seems to be an up and coming designer with many unique projects. He has designs with both Spyderco and Boker. I can hardly keep up with his Boker designs.

Anyone else out there who like the MPT?

Here are a few photos to illustrate about what I'm discussing.




With a Spyderco Delica to show size:


The unique knife handle:


A couple of grips:



The designer:
 
Good job. A bit of review but more information than usual I think. The comparison shots with the Delica were much appreciated.
 
Do I like it? Yep, especially with CF:

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Anyone have/use his folding knives, also done by Boker? Been thinking about buying one of those.

Dave
 
I have two folders with a third on the way, which may become my favorite.

I started with the original Subcom, which I always keep handy. It's the perfect little personal folder, tucks in anywhere, great grip, scares no one (no one sane, anyway) and cuts very nicely, super thin blade is easy to keep sharp.

I also picked up a Trance. The Subcom is small so if I need a real working blade but still want a thin, compact, unobtrusive knife, the Trance is it. Also a tough little framelock, great ergonomics, and a peculiar and effective blade, broad but thin with a short clip at the tip.

I have a Subclaw on the way. Even more than the others, this one looks like its designed function as a self-defense tool. Like the others, it is a real working knife, with no need to trumpet any self-defense credentials to be worth carrying.

Based on some deliberate hard use when I first got them, I find the steel holds a good edge. Of course sharpening was a breeze. The blades are thin and flat ground AUS8.
 
corwise said:
Anyone have/use his folding knives, also done by Boker? Been thinking about buying one of those.

Dave
Click to expand...

I have most of the variations of his folders corwise. The Subcom is a great little knife that will easily fit in a jeans watch pocket or as a money clip, as well as a traditional pocket knife. It is a great size to absentmindedly do spyder drops and other finger manipulation exercises as you watch tv or other similar activities.

My favorite Chad knife is his Trance, however. Like the subcom, it is very thin and light, but has more length. About perfect for a pocket knife, IMO.
 
Nice looking little fixed blade, but the first thing that popped into my mind is that it looks like an SLCC minus the big hole in the handle


.
 
I've been using it for utility, in short the results have been that it's a sturdy little knife, given the blade thickness it's evidently not as good at cutting as some other knives (full flat ground, 2 mm thick blade anyone?) out there, but no worries about tip breakage or stuff like that. Managed to cut everything I've needed it to, although it took a bit of getting used to since I could only get a 3 fingered grip on the knife. All in all, a good knife in a very compact package.

I haven't done much SD testing, but I can refer you to a review on Chad's site here.

Edit:
HT, just looked up the SLCC, evidently I've never held one, but from looking at the pics, I can definitely see some similarities about them. However, it appears to me that the SLCC has a much greater negative angle for the blade compared to the MPT (and a more rounded handle compared to the MPT). I'm pretty sure Zenheretic will correct me on this one since I don't have a stock MPT with me, but the differences in the handle materials are also considerable with the MPT giving a bit of cushioning in the ribbed areas.
 
Th232 said:
HT, just looked up the SLCC, evidently I've never held one, but from looking at the pics, I can definitely see some similarities about them. However, it appears to me that the SLCC has a much greater negative angle for the blade compared to the MPT (and a more rounded handle compared to the MPT). I'm pretty sure Zenheretic will correct me on this one since I don't have a stock MPT with me, but the differences in the handle materials are also considerable with the MPT giving a bit of cushioning in the ribbed areas.
Click to expand...
I'd be happy to apply any input I was capable of, but I have no idea what a SLCC is... :o
 
Twindog said:
I laughed out loud at this phrase because it summed up so beautifully the excitement and promise of knife collecting.
Click to expand...

+1 The one on the way is going to become his favourite just for a a few days... just when he spots another one and goes after it... and the story continues forever!

Mikel
 
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