Featured Master Proven’s MP01 Fixed Blade David Reeder October 13, 2013 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. This is the Master Proven MP01 fixed blade. It was designed by Master Proven's Grady Burrell and built by Darrel Ralph of HTM Knives. It's made of 154CM steel with 65 Rockwell hardness in Mr. Ralph's shop in Texas (when he's not fishing, that is). It is made with an aggressively textured handle that has a matching lanyard hole that corresponds to a spur at the rear of the blade. These two features provide this knife's most unique feature – not just to ‘dummy cord' it via the lanyard whole, but the capacity to wrap 550 cord (or other material) around the outside as a de facto ‘closed grip' to maintain weapon retention. (Note: the one shown is actually the very first prototype.) Blade length is 4.5 in., overall length is 9.25 in. The handle is textured black aluminum. It was designed specifically to fight with, and the 550 cord retention cable is intended to maintain your grip under sweaty, bloody or rough/impact conditions, and to allow you to perform important tasks (like conducting a reload, for instance) without losing any semblance of manual dexterity (see images in the gallery below). The 550 cord (or other suitable material) is run tightly around the spur loop and secured at the hole. By suitable material I mean something that won't slip. I tried both military paracord and some cheaper stuff and the latter not only slipped, it slowly stretched as you used it. I knotted the cord down; Darrel and Grady both used cinches from ITW Nexus. The sheath it ships with is built by FirstSpear using their 6/9 system. ( The 6/9 system is First Spear's ‘modular pocket technology' for use with those who don’t run the other FirstSpear platform, 6/12; it's fully PALS/MOLLE compatible.) HTM offers a 20% discount to military personnel (including retirees) who order direct. If you're interested, they ask that you e-mail Lacey at HTM [Lacey (at) DarrelRalph.com] to place your order, and let her know you want to use Mil/LE/Responder code MLER223. There are two styles of MP01 available; “Fixed Blade” and “Tanto”. Each of those can be purchased hone or serrated. You can also order them via Knife Works, Knife Country USA, Amazon and similar places. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
