Masters of Defense CQD: a knife of its time

[American1776]

Back in the early 2000s I remember seeing ads for Masters of Defense knives. These were American made knives designed by various ‘experts’ in the areas of bladed martial arts.

One model I always wanted was the Duane Dieter CQD, but I never got around to buying. These had a plunge lock, spear point blade and cord cutter and glass breaker. CNC machined aluminum handles.

Fast forward this year, and I found one that was NIB with the rare bead blasted finish. This one also omits the glass breaker, which make it rarer. Even though the price was sky high, it was worth it. The quality is custom level in my opinion. The action is very good, and the knife is a BEAST. Definitely larger and heavier than what most people are willing to carry, but I love it. These will never be made again (to this level of quality), and it’s a relic of its time.

Anyone here own one of these?

[Coastal]

No, but I own the smaller and less elaborate Point Man. I agree 100% about the quality and, in its day, this series wasn't especially expensive. Sadly, I sprung the clip on mine years ago and never looked for a replacement, choosing to carry it loose in the pocket with a lanyard instead. Wish I had a clip, but it has a weird 2-hole diagonal screw pattern that's probably impossible to match.

[Scandi Grind]

Is it an auto? It gives me Microtech SOCOM vibes.

[American1776]

This one is manual opening, though they did make an auto version.

[Manixguy@1994]

I liked the MOD when they first came out and the Dieter was what caught my eye as a lefty . The Keating and Janich models were beauties too . I handled one at a knife show just had my eye on someone else . MG2

[Michael Janich]

Dear American1776:

Congratulations on your purchase! You scored an early production of the CQD Mark I, before MOD added the glass breaker. I'm not sure how many of these were made, but compared to the version with the glass breaker, it was considerably fewer.

The reason the MOD knives give off "Microtech vibes" is that the original five models were in fact designed, engineered, and prototyped by Microtech. MOD was supposed to be a partnership between Jim Ray of White Wolf Knives and Microtech. Once launched at the 1998 SHOT and Blade Shows, Microtech was supposed to fade away to become the manufacturing arm of MOD. Unfortunately, Tony Marfione reneged on that deal and withdrew from the project, leaving Jim Ray with hundreds of thousands of dollars in orders. Jim was determined, however. He put his personal assets on the line, got some investment capitol from his brother, and found a company called Turnamics in Asheville, NC to do the manufacturing. Mark Olson, the former shop manager and lead CAD designer for Microtech, took exception to Marfione's behavior and left Microtech to help Jim Ray teach Turnamics how to make knives (they were a machining shop that mostly made bicycle parts and golf components). Together, Jim and Mark made MOD happen.

I was one of the original designers for MOD. When Jim Ray sold MOD to BlackHawk Products Group, he asked me to come on to lead new-product development. I left Paladin Press in 2004 to work for BlackHawk, and ultimately took over MOD and stood up a second knife brand--BlackHawk Blades. MOD was our premium brand and all made in the USA by Turnamics and one other vendor, whom we eventually dropped. BlackHawk Blades were more affordable, in some cases derived from MOD designs, and were produced by Paul Lin in Taiwan.

Mark Olson currently runs 5x5 Combat Solutions--an independent manufacturer who makes very cool "bolt-on" accessories for Spyderco knives. Jim Ray is retired. MOD is dead, but some of its designs were licensed by BlackHawk to Bear and Sons cutlery, who changed them substantially.

I personally did all of the warranty repair for MOD/BlackHawk Blades for about six months when BlackHawk chose to abandon that service for its customers and screw Turnamics out of promised production commitments. I was then kicked to the curb in 2009. Coastal, if you're looking for a clip for your Pointman, please PM me. I just might know a guy...

Stay safe,

Mike

[Scandi Grind]

Wow, thank you for sharing so much background info on this knife and the company who made it, Mr. Janich! It is a shame how hard it can be to keep a high quality American knife company operating over the years. This looks like a very nicely made knife. I'm sure if it were still being sold nowadays it would come with a significant price tag, but good products are worth it.

[Naperville]

Quite the story from Mr Janich.

The business world is treacherous. The longer that I live, less of it surprises me.

[VashHash]

I had a MOD Triton back in the day circa 2005 or 06. It was a used knife not sure when it was produced. Unfortunately it wasn't the most reliable at the time and I didn't know much about OTF knives either. Luckily the guy who sold it to me was a stand up guy and took it back. Of course now I wish I had kept it and bought more of the stuff he had. He had a treasure trove of 80s, 90s, and 00s"tactical" knives.

[American1776]

Dear American1776:

Congratulations on your purchase! You scored an early production of the CQD Mark I, before MOD added the glass breaker. I'm not sure how many of these were made, but compared to the version with the glass breaker, it was considerably fewer.

The reason the MOD knives give off "Microtech vibes" is that the original five models were in fact designed, engineered, and prototyped by Microtech. MOD was supposed to be a partnership between Jim Ray of White Wolf Knives and Microtech. Once launched at the 1998 SHOT and Blade Shows, Microtech was supposed to fade away to become the manufacturing arm of MOD. Unfortunately, Tony Marfione reneged on that deal and withdrew from the project, leaving Jim Ray with hundreds of thousands of dollars in orders. Jim was determined, however. He put his personal assets on the line, got some investment capitol from his brother, and found a company called Turnamics in Asheville, NC to do the manufacturing. Mark Olson, the former shop manager and lead CAD designer for Microtech, took exception to Marfione's behavior and left Microtech to help Jim Ray teach Turnamics how to make knives (they were a machining shop that mostly made bicycle parts and golf components). Together, Jim and Mark made MOD happen.

I was one of the original designers for MOD. When Jim Ray sold MOD to BlackHawk Products Group, he asked me to come on to lead new-product development. I left Paladin Press in 2004 to work for BlackHawk, and ultimately took over MOD and stood up a second knife brand--BlackHawk Blades. MOD was our premium brand and all made in the USA by Turnamics and one other vendor, whom we eventually dropped. BlackHawk Blades were more affordable, in some cases derived from MOD designs, and were produced by Paul Lin in Taiwan.

Mark Olson currently runs 5x5 Combat Solutions--an independent manufacturer who makes very cool "bolt-on" accessories for Spyderco knives. Jim Ray is retired. MOD is dead, but some of its designs were licensed by BlackHawk to Bear and Sons cutlery, who changed them substantially.

I personally did all of the warranty repair for MOD/BlackHawk Blades for about six months when BlackHawk chose to abandon that service for its customers and screw Turnamics out of promised production commitments. I was then kicked to the curb in 2009. Coastal, if you're looking for a clip for your Pointman, please PM me. I just might know a guy...

Stay safe,

Mike

Thanks very much, Mike, for sharing all that history and insight. It’s very interesting to learn the stories behind the knives and companies that produced them.

Your contributions to this space are invaluable.

[Coastal]

New replacement clip, courtesy of Mr. Janich. Thanks much, Mike!

[Mage7]

Wow, how cool! What are the odds? Imagine just randomly replying to a post like this and then having one of the integral parts of the company give a bunch of background AND hook you up with a part.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Great knife

[Michael Janich]

Dear Coastal:

I'm glad it arrived safely and that I was able to help.

When BlackHawk's management decided to discontinue US knife production, it was a huge blow to Turnamics--the company manufacturing MOD knives. They were also the ones responsible for fulfilling the brand's promise of a "Lifetime Guarantee." When BlackHawk kicked them to the curb, the justifiably suspended all their warranty repair services. BlackHawk's "solution" to warranty and repair claims was to offer an MSRP-to-MSRP credit toward knives made in Taiwan. I knew that was wrong and would not be well received, so I visited the Turnamics factory one last time, offered my personal apologies, and asked to scrounge as many parts as possible so I could continue warranty repair services myself. I did that for about six months before I joined Turnamics at the curb. I still have a very small stash of parts and, more than 16 years later, still can occasionally breathe life back into an MOD knife.

I hope it serves you well.

Stay safe,

Mike

[N. Brian Huegel]

Hi Mike:

Thank you for filling in the gaps of Masters of Defence's history and for your integrity for this legacy brand and all you do.

Best,

brian

[Michael Janich]

Dear Brian:

Thank you for your kind words.

Stay safe,

Mike

[aicolainen]

This thread delivered way above expectations.
Another interesting history lesson from mr. Janich and accidentally connecting (probably) one of the only persons in the world in possession of a rare, long since discontinued pocket clip with a member that had more or less given up on sourcing such a clip. What more can you ask for?

These are some of the best moments on the forum. When you've checked all the topics you think are of interest, and then open a random thread just to kill some time and it turns out to be gold.

[Manixguy@1994]

This thread delivered way above expectations.
Another interesting history lesson from mr. Janich and accidentally connecting (probably) one of the only persons in the world in possession of a rare, long since discontinued pocket clip with a member that had more or less given up on sourcing such a clip. What more can you ask for?

These are some of the best moments on the forum. When you've checked all the topics you think are of interest, and then open a random thread just to kill some time and it turns out to be gold.

Yes ! It is a wonderful example of why I appreciate the the Forum and one of its best qualities. Helping others and learning different aspects of knives is why I participate. MG2