- Joined
- Nov 20, 2006
- Messages
- 268
I was looking around these forums for a good fixed blade combat knife design and the MOD Nightwing caught my eye. Good grip which works well with hammer, saber and reverse blade-forward grips. And even with the primary blade facing forwards, there's the possibility of draw-cutting trapped limbs with the back edge. Innovative blade design with a nice reinforced point for punching through baddies in full combat gear (which I hope I never have to do, but it's still a pretty important consideration for a combat knife). I'm partial to the one with the fully serrated back edge, great for chewing through rope.
I did some looking around the MOD/Blackhawk site and found that Blackhawk Blades produces an identical knife called the Nightedge. Same Elishewitz design, both packages even include the same MOLLE type sheath.
The only main differences are blade material, finish and price.
Nightwing - CPMS30V stainless steel, super-hard TiCN coating, $200+ at the cheapest sources.
Nightedge - 1095 high carbon steel, black epoxy coating, $100+ at the cheapest sources.
Now I'm thinking that the Nightedge is by far the better deal.
From what I've gathered, 1095 compared to S30V is less brittle, more chip/break resistant and can stand up better to field use. The thick blade profile probably doesn't even come close to utilizing the full potential of S30V. 1095 should also be easier to sharpen, which is a very important consideration out in the field.
Plus the higher cost and high-tech finish of the Nightwing will probably lead me to baby the knife. The Nightedge is definitely more of a beater.
Given the intended applications of these knives, is there still any good reason for anyone to buy the MOD Nightwing? Cause I still might, if I can find myself a good excuse. I can be so indecisive.
I did some looking around the MOD/Blackhawk site and found that Blackhawk Blades produces an identical knife called the Nightedge. Same Elishewitz design, both packages even include the same MOLLE type sheath.
The only main differences are blade material, finish and price.
Nightwing - CPMS30V stainless steel, super-hard TiCN coating, $200+ at the cheapest sources.
Nightedge - 1095 high carbon steel, black epoxy coating, $100+ at the cheapest sources.
Now I'm thinking that the Nightedge is by far the better deal.
From what I've gathered, 1095 compared to S30V is less brittle, more chip/break resistant and can stand up better to field use. The thick blade profile probably doesn't even come close to utilizing the full potential of S30V. 1095 should also be easier to sharpen, which is a very important consideration out in the field.
Plus the higher cost and high-tech finish of the Nightwing will probably lead me to baby the knife. The Nightedge is definitely more of a beater.
Given the intended applications of these knives, is there still any good reason for anyone to buy the MOD Nightwing? Cause I still might, if I can find myself a good excuse. I can be so indecisive.