The MPK cut through six of the rope's ¾-inch strands before loosing an edge. A 440C comparison blade achieved seven cuts. Not bad for a material that's supposedly not good for knife blades.

The cover knife for the July/August '94 "Blade" was the MPK (Multi-Purpose Knife) by Mission Knives. The Cover read: "Breakthrough! Titanium That Cuts Like Steel". The accompanying story reported that the MPK successfully had completed all the tests that the Navy SEALs could concoct for a non-magnetic diving tool. Everybody seems to know how tough titanium is but the big question is, will it hold an edge?

The Blade
The beta-titanium used in the MPK is hardened to 44-46. William Love of Mission Knives said he plans to raise the material's hardness a point or two. Love also stated that you do not need the normal hardness of 57-59 to have an excellent cutting tool made from beta-titanium. The extreme abrasion resistance makes up the difference. Love posed the following question: How often do you actually use a knife to cut material that is over 45 on the Rc scale? He definitely has a good point there!
At the '94 Blade show in Atlanta, I bought an MPK to replace my rusted-out dive tool and to conduct tests to see if the edge would hold up. During the show I was bombarded by questions about the edge holding ability of the beta titanium from custom knife makers. Just think of the color combinations possible from anodizing the beta titanium!

The Straight Edge
I divided my cutting test into two parts: 1)using the straight edge and 2) using the serrations. The MPK comes with a V-ground edge designed to withstand heavy prying or chopping. To obtain a slicing edge I used diamond stones until the blade would shave my hair from my arm. (Author's note: Beta titanium will ruin a good wet or oil stone due to its abrasion resistance.) Then I went straight to manila rope. The MPK cut through six of the rope's ¾-inch strands before loosing an edge. A 440C comparison blade achieved seven cuts. Not bad for a material that's supposedly not good for knife blades.
Since I had tapered the edge down I wanted to see if the edge would chip out, so I chopped and twisted the embedded edge on a seasoned hardwood log. The MPK did not chip out, nor did it dull from the effort. I didn't receive any hot spots from the handle either.

The reverse serrations quickly bit through the rope -eight full cuts and it was ready for more. There were no signs of dulling. I think Mission Knives really hit the mark with the reverse serrations.

The Serrations
For the second part of the test, I used 1 ¼-inch manila rope taped together with 100-mph (duct) tape to prevent unraveling. The reverse serrations quickly bit through the rope -eight full cuts and it was ready for more. There were no signs of dulling. I think Mission Knives really hit the mark with the reverse serrations. Beta titanium more than qualifies to be used on knife blades. It is tough, impervious to saltwater corrosion, non-magnetic, and can be anodized in multi-color combinations. And it's lightweight to boot.

I chopped and twisted the embedded edge on a seasoned hardwood log. The MPK did not chip out, nor did it dull from the effort. I didn't receive any hot spots from the handle either.

The MPK is just the start of something great. I can see custom knifemakers having a field day with this new idea for titanium!

For more information contact: Mission Knives, Inc., atten: R. Shultz or W. Love, Dept. BL, P.O. Box 1616, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693 (714) 661-3879

SPEC CHART
Knife: MPK
Pattern: Scuba Knife
Blade Material: Beta alloy titanium
Blade Length: 7.125 inches
Edge: V ground w/reverse serrations
Weight: 9.1/2 ozs.
Rockwell Hardness: 44-46
Handle & Sheath: Kevlar in a Hytrel base
Special Features: Non-magnetic, corrosion resistant & lightweight