FOG HORN
October 2020 Twobirds Flying Publications
SPYDERCO NIGHTSTICK
Copyright 2020, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Spyderco’s Nightstick
SPYDERCO NIGHTSTICK By: Sal Palma
2020
transparency, I do have an affinity for dagger style blades. Why is that? The dagger has been around since man became bipedal and throughout history they’ve been made of just about any material you can think of. Its stealth and compactness has made it the preferred weapon of assassins. The 1300s saw the dagger become a parry weapon carried in conjunction with a long sword. They’ve been adorned with gold and precious gems to reflect the social standing of their owners. And, some were used as pry tools. However, in 2020 we no longer fight with swords; yet, a dagger remains one of the most lethal defensive weapons that a wellequipped operator can carry. Spyderco’s Nightstick fills that role brilliantly. The Nightstick is a Gayle Bradley design that is as sexy as it is effective. A full tang design, made from CPM S30V steel.
There are very substantive reasons why a company like Spyderco enjoys a highly regarded global reputation. Very talented human capital and extraordinary design is the milieu upon which Sal built his company. Awards and other accolades aside, Spyderco is the premier U.S. manufacturer of cutlery and every bit of that excellence is reflected in the company’s very sexy Nightstick. It was love at first sight when I first laid eyes on it at the 2020 Shot Show but in the interest of
CPM S30V is martensitic1 steel that is among the top ten knife making steels in the world. Edge retention is excellent as is its corrosion resistance. The Rockwell Hardness will vary with the heat treatment but it ranges from 58-61 HRC. Spyderco and Gayle Bradley chose to cover Nightstick’s full tang with smooth black G10 scales attached by heavy duty tubular 1
Martensite is a very hard form of steel crystalline structure. It is named after German metallurgist Adolf Martens. Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
Spyderco’s Nightstick rivets. . Upon close inspection the scales reveal a subdued “mica like” look that oozes class and great styling.
Although the knife has no hilt, Gayle included smooth but effective finger coils to enhance control in thrusting. The handle has an overall length of 4.25 inches and sits in the hand quite comfortably. Transitioning from a saber grip to an icepick is comfortable and smooth but if you are moderately insecure you’ll want a grippier feel. The blade is 4.14” in length edged only one side with a 3.75” very sharp edge. Some would call this a faux dagger, but look we still have some ridiculous knife laws on the books.
2020
The flat grind on this dagger is a work of art; calling it attractive doesn’t do it justice. The customary Spyderco hole occupies a little bit of space just below the blade’s spine but understanding its placement will save you from slicing your hand. Other than being characteristic of Spyderco, the hole’s placement identifies the blade spine which is not edged. The Nightstick ships with a very nice custom-molded Boltaron® sheath with a GClip™ mount. The knife sits in the sheath very securely and the G-Clip can be located in a variety of planes to customize your desired carry position. Spyderco and Gayle Bradley have delivered an extraordinary offering that is as gorgeous as it is functional. The Nightstick is an effective defensive tool coming in at a mere 3.8 oz. but packing a 2 ton punch. -SP Manufacturer Specifications
Overall Length: 8.37" (213mm) Blade Length: 4.14" (105mm) Steel: CPM S30V Edge Length: 3.75" (95mm) Weight: 3.8oz (108g) Blade Thickness: 0.100" (2.5mm) Handle: G-10 Dagger Sheath: Boltaron Origin: Taiwan
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved