I have been searching for informations about MISSION Knives & Tools company from their beginning, but "knifeforums" is dead and I was not able to find desired info about this great company, which have manufactured titanium knives and tools. I know that company is not the same since founder John Moore passed away in 2008 (?). I am trying to summarize data about production runs of MPK, MPT, MPF, NMS...knives and tools, i.e. timeframe when company changed their logo and blade markings, grinding etc. It is important for collectors to get an idea, how old and rare is the particular knife based on the year of production / production run / specifics of each knife like handle colour, type of serrations...
From the start, I would like to summarize all logos and markings company used during production runs of MPK / MPF knives, mainly before J. Moore died and company got new ownership. So lets start what I "remember" in my head when I jumped to collect some Mission knives. Please, correct and complete data I have written bellow. I am not an expert on Mission knives like some of you and retired employees from this company which shared great info about these knives here and on knifeforums years ago. I live in Europe, without a chance to visit Mission company back then. All of my info is based from what I have read on forums with knives, auctions, catalogues and the most of them are based on photos of these knives I have seen in my life. Also, please be lenient to my English, thank you.
MPK
199?-199? "Sterile" knives for millitary testing (Seals / EOD /...)
199?-199? "Sterile" knives available to public ???
199?- "MISSION KNIVES" on the LEFT side of ricasso ( engraved or painted black ?)
199?- "MPK MISSION KNIVES" on the LEFT side of ricasso (engraved or painted black ?)
199?- "MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (engraved or painted black ?)
199?- "MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso + "-000-" S/N on the other side (engraved or painted black ?) - I think 100 pcs were made
199?- "MPK MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (engraved or painted black ?)
199?- "P/T MPK/FS MISSION KNIVES" + "0/10" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (engraved or painted black ?) - 10 pcs were made for DSU/Seals; serrations made by hand
199?- "MPK MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (CNC engraved - silver / natural titanium colour)
199?- "MPK MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
199?- "MPK MISSION" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (CNC engraved - silver / natural titanium colour)
199?- "MPK MISSION" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
200?- "MPK12 MISSION" (titanium) and "MPK-S MISSION" (steel) both on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
200?- "MPK MISSION (Mission new oval logo) on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
200?- "MPK MISSION (Mission new oval logo) + "MAGNETIC" near the spine, both on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
There are knives with black, green and orange Hytrel handles. Early production runs have different serrations on blade and sheaths without leg lanyard holes. Some of the early knives were sold with gray paper box with bluish designation "MPK" and company name with address. Later, they came with clear white cardboard box and finally in light white paper box with new oval logo. Also early production runs have different blade colour - aka "bronze" finish. Some of them are sterile for military units and testing purposes.
MPF
199?- "MPF MISSION" on the RIGHT side of ricasso; handle made from Beta-C Ti (I were told only 100 pcs were made)
199?- "MPF MISSION" on the RIGHT side of ricasso; handle made from 6Al-4V Ti. (All knives listed bellow have 6Al-4V Ti handles)
199?- "MPF-1 MISSION" (titanium) and "MPF-1 A2 MISSION" (steel) on the RIGHT side of ricasso
200?- "MPF-3" + "MISSION" (Mission new oval logo near the spine) on the RIGHT side of ricasso
NMS
199?- DIAMOND non magnetic sharpener
199?- AL2O3 non magnetic sharpener
From the start, I would like to summarize all logos and markings company used during production runs of MPK / MPF knives, mainly before J. Moore died and company got new ownership. So lets start what I "remember" in my head when I jumped to collect some Mission knives. Please, correct and complete data I have written bellow. I am not an expert on Mission knives like some of you and retired employees from this company which shared great info about these knives here and on knifeforums years ago. I live in Europe, without a chance to visit Mission company back then. All of my info is based from what I have read on forums with knives, auctions, catalogues and the most of them are based on photos of these knives I have seen in my life. Also, please be lenient to my English, thank you.
MPK
199?-199? "Sterile" knives for millitary testing (Seals / EOD /...)
199?-199? "Sterile" knives available to public ???
199?- "MISSION KNIVES" on the LEFT side of ricasso ( engraved or painted black ?)
199?- "MPK MISSION KNIVES" on the LEFT side of ricasso (engraved or painted black ?)
199?- "MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (engraved or painted black ?)
199?- "MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso + "-000-" S/N on the other side (engraved or painted black ?) - I think 100 pcs were made
199?- "MPK MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (engraved or painted black ?)
199?- "P/T MPK/FS MISSION KNIVES" + "0/10" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (engraved or painted black ?) - 10 pcs were made for DSU/Seals; serrations made by hand
199?- "MPK MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (CNC engraved - silver / natural titanium colour)
199?- "MPK MISSION KNIVES" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
199?- "MPK MISSION" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (CNC engraved - silver / natural titanium colour)
199?- "MPK MISSION" on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
200?- "MPK12 MISSION" (titanium) and "MPK-S MISSION" (steel) both on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
200?- "MPK MISSION (Mission new oval logo) on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
200?- "MPK MISSION (Mission new oval logo) + "MAGNETIC" near the spine, both on the RIGHT side of ricasso (laser stamped)
There are knives with black, green and orange Hytrel handles. Early production runs have different serrations on blade and sheaths without leg lanyard holes. Some of the early knives were sold with gray paper box with bluish designation "MPK" and company name with address. Later, they came with clear white cardboard box and finally in light white paper box with new oval logo. Also early production runs have different blade colour - aka "bronze" finish. Some of them are sterile for military units and testing purposes.
MPF
199?- "MPF MISSION" on the RIGHT side of ricasso; handle made from Beta-C Ti (I were told only 100 pcs were made)
199?- "MPF MISSION" on the RIGHT side of ricasso; handle made from 6Al-4V Ti. (All knives listed bellow have 6Al-4V Ti handles)
199?- "MPF-1 MISSION" (titanium) and "MPF-1 A2 MISSION" (steel) on the RIGHT side of ricasso
200?- "MPF-3" + "MISSION" (Mission new oval logo near the spine) on the RIGHT side of ricasso
NMS
199?- DIAMOND non magnetic sharpener
199?- AL2O3 non magnetic sharpener
