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by Michael Janich |
 As a certified knife nut with over 20 years of experience in the field, I must admit that it takes a lot for me to get excited about a new design. Yet every once in a while, something truly unusual does come along and keeps me from getting jaded. The new Mission Knives MPT (Multi-Purpose Folder) is one such knife.
At first glance, the MPF is a rather traditional style liner-lock folder with a serious military look to it. This simple impression changes, however, as soon as you put the MPF in your hand and thumb open the blade. The unavoidable conclusion is that this is knife meant to tackle the most extreme conditions imaginable. The MPF is constructed entirely of titanium. Everything, including the handle slabs, screws, pivot pin, and even the blade is fabricated from high-strength titanium alloy. This yields a knife that is tremendously strong and impervious to saltwater and the elements, yet weighs a scant 5 ounces. The handle of the MPF is constructed of two pure titanium slabs and a titanium spacer. All edges are nicely beveled and each slab features three milled grooves for a secure grip. A lanyard hole and titanium pocket clip oriented for point down carry complete the package. The MPF's liner lock mechanism actually does not use a liner at all. Called a "spring handle tang block," it consists of a locking bar that is integral to the right handle slab in the style of Chris Reeves' popular Sebenza. |
 Utilitarian BowieThe blade of the MPF had a utilitarian Bowie flavor. It is flat ground from 0.15-inch stock for maximum strength and features a 1.25-inch serrated section near the heel of the blade and a nice long-belied curve on the conventional edge. A serrated ramp provides a secure purchase for the thumb, and an extra-long ambidexterous thumb stud facilitates rapid one-hand openings. Constructed of beta titanium alloy, the MPF's blade is heat treated to give it a hardness of RC45-46 through its entire thickness. This gives it an impressive 225,000 PSI minimum tensile strength and should make it virtually unbreakable. If all this sounds impressive, it is. But the question remains, why make such a knife? The answer is that the MPF was designed for Mission Knives by noted custom knifemaker Allen Elishewitz in response to request from a group of high-speed, low-drag people with some very special needs. They required a knife that was 1) impervious to the elements, 2) possessed extreme structural strength and would not break or become brittle, even when used in sub-zero temperatures, 3) could be easily deployed while wearing gloves, and 4) had absolutely no magnetic signature. With these unique requirments in mind, Elishewitz' mental gears started spinning and the result was the MPF. |
 Under normal conditions, I found that the MPF's unusual thumb stud and the knife's dual nylatron washers lubed with lithium grease resulted in a buttery-smooth opening action. To challenge the knfie and simulate one of the possible uses of this design, I placed the knife in a freezer for a few hours, donned a pair of thick winter gloves and tried it again. The MPF's slightly oversized design and lage thumb stud were clearly an advantage in this test. I was able to draw, open and close the MPF without difficulty, and its ample handle gave my gloved hand plenty of room.
For comparison, I tried the same drill with a few other folders in my collection and discovered that some of them were virtually impossible to open with gloves on, especially when their actions were tightened by freezing. By the way, some users who have examined the MPF have opined that its thumb stud is too large for everyday use. Mission Knives is therefore developing a lower profile rounded stud and will offer buyers a choice of either style when they buy a MPF. On to page 2 |
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