The MOD 875 “Fighter”

 

 

From MOD:

 

 

Specifications:
-Blade Length: 3.750"
-Overall Length: 8.750"
-Blade Material: 154CM High-Carbon Stainless Steel Alloy
-Blade Finish: Diamond Black DLC
-Edge type: Plain or partially serrated
-Handle Material: Molded glass-filled nylon scales with wingwalk insert over stainless steel liners
-Optional Accessories: Ballistic nylon belt pouch available free of charge upon request

 

 

 

Overview

The MOD 975 series is marketed as a more affordable version of the MOD MPAK. It has the same blade material and options, but is made with steel liners and glass-filled nylon scales. Readers liking the 875 but wanting a little bit more would do well to examine the MPAK. Perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to review one at a later date.

 

The 875 was surprising almost every step of the way. I loved the design’s looks, brand name, apparent quality and even the price it was available at. Not being able to obtain a review piece though, I had to purchase the knife myself, which meant hunting around for the best price I could find. The knife has a slightly recurved 3.75in 154CM blade, available in three configurations- tanto, clip, and fighter. The version I tested was the “fighter,” but why this drop point would be called a “fighter” over the clip point is a little lost on me.  The blade is non-reflective DLC coated for corrosion and wear resistance.

 

The handle is glass-reinforced nylon over steel liners. An embedded tactile surface on one side of the knife provides improved grip, and the clip is reversible for right handed tip-up or tip-down carry. The locking system is a plunge lock- see below for more.  The butt of the knife is pointed and steel reinforced, allowing it to be used as an impact weapon. There is a solid back spacer making the whole knife seem solid and rigid.

 

 

 

First Surprises

The quality of the packaging was surprising. I couldn’t decide if it added to pride of ownership or made me curious about the quality of the knife inside. By the end of my review of the knife, I knew the answer. The presentation of the knife was great- a lot of thought and marketing went into it. But right out of the box the knife was near dull. I would have had to really apply pressure to get it to cut anything, even my skin. I was really surprised by that. I spent a few minute sharpening it on my Sharpmaker, and it was fine.

 

What else was surprising is the size of the knife. Plenty of knives are of similar size, both the blade size and overall.  This one appears to have its own optical illusion. In pictures to me it looked bigger. But in the hand it was small, comfortable, and quick. This is a full-sized knife, its just feels smaller in the hand. I’m betting that’s a function of how well balanced the knife is. The balance point is right where the first finger choil starts curving back outwards, making the whole knife fell light and fast. MOD has simply pared away anything that didn’t fulfill a specific function.

 

 

Another surprise was the “wingwalk” feature- this is a tactile insert (think skateboard tape or stair tread tape) that provides a rough(ish) surface to grip your hand. What was surprising was how little it interfered with my dress pants and jeans, and how well it worked to keep the knife in my hand. I worried that the wingwalk would abrade my pocket, but after carrying it for 6 weeks, it’s become clear that because the wingwalk is opposite the clip, it’s just not hitting anything but inside pocket material.

 

 

 

The Lock

MOD have used what’s called a “Plunge Lock.” The PL is like a spring loaded cylinder running through the width of the knife handle. The tang of the blade is rounded and two-tiered. As the blade opens, a gap in the round tang allows the cylinder to spring out. Due to expert machine tolerances, the cylinder perfectly locks up the tang. Because it goes clean through the handle, it forms a button on the knife face, allowing the user to press it with a thumb to close. Because of where it’s located, it might be possible to accidentally depress the lock, especially in a reverse grip or extreme usage, so MOD added a sliding safety. Located under the thumb in normal grip, the safety keeps the plunge lock from being disengaged. I’m a bit of a knife nut, and part of the reason I wanted this knife was to test this lock system. And while I can’t afford to test it to destruction, I can tell you that lock up was simple, secure, tight, and strong. I tested the knife repeatedly for lock failure in normal and extreme cold (New England in winter). It works, and with the safety engaged it may as well have been a sheath knife. The blade tang, when fully open, does not rest on a lock pin; the thumb studs appear to contact notches in the handle, and the blade tang is radiused like the inside of the knife, making a very long, positive contact point.

 

 

 

Ergonomics and Carrying

The angular shape and tactile parts of the knife made indexing intuitive- I always knew which way the knife was pointing, how it was oriented, and had no trouble manipulating it, even in light gloves. I couldn’t open the knife normally with gloves on; I could flick it open. The handle was extremely comfortable in both saber and reversed grips. The finger choil also serves as a thumb ramp for easier opening. There is a pinky catch, which makes the knife feel very secure in the hand. The edges of the handle are rounded enough not to create hot spots, and the lock safety naturally was engaged as my thumb found the thumb ramp. The choil and pinky catch, along with the wingwalk, made the knife feel very secure in my hand. The wingwalk didn’t irritate my skin.

 

One thing about this knife: while not especially bulky, its not easily concealed. I can usually wear any knife clipped to a pocket without it being noticed (especially with a blacked out clip like this), but this knife appears to be intentionally designed to “ride high.” The knife comes with one clip, and two sets of screws for tip-up/down carry. Out of the box, mine was prepped for tip down, but for me the exposed top of the knife stuck out way too far. This might be perfect for military or LE use, where a faster tactical grip can mean life and death, but on the street it got too much notice. The tip up carry was a bit of an improvement. Note that the wingwalk limits the clip to one side of the knife; you’d have to modify it for left side carry. Its green/gray coloring should blend in with BDU or LE clothing, and not stand out too much in darker colored civilian clothing. Just don’t think you can hide it in white pants.

 

 

 

Solid Performer

The 875 was a sturdy, efficient, high quality knife. It will serve as an emergency weapon with pride, and worked just fine as a comfortable, secure utility knife. I used the knife on hundreds of cardboard boxes, plastic strapping, rope and leather. I’ve become a big fan of 154CM, and this blade refused to dull, as I had expected. The finish on the blade had some scuffs but hasn’t worn off anywhere yet. I was quite pleased with the knife over all. If you need solid knife you could trust your life to, and aren’t concerned with the niceties of discreet carry, this knife should be on your “must see” list.