doubletap
10-19-2008, 09:42 AM
Vintage Survival-Bianchi Nighthawk II
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought I would try my hand at a review. I hope it provides some interesting information to you guys.
I really like hollow handle survival knives. I have since I was a kid in the 80's. I guess the Rambo and Predator bug got me pretty good. Anyway I realize their limitations but am fascinated by them none the less.
The knife I'm reviewing today is a Bianchi Nighthawk II. I believe it was made in the mid 80's by Carl Schlieper/Eye Brand knives in Germany and imported by Bianchi under their name. It has 1330 engraved on one side of the tang and "Solingen Germany Stainless on the other side. I traded for it at a knife show around 2004 so I haven't had it all that long.
I believe that the steel is 440 C. It seems to be really well made with nice grinds and the top and bottom of the blade that isn't sharpened is rounded nicely if you put your finger around the top gaurd for precision work. The blade is a spearpoint shape with very shallow serrations on the false edge. They might be ok for rope but they aren't that sharp. I do think they might be good for getting sparks off of a ferrocium rod.
It has a really nice edge on it.
As I mentioned the handle is hollow and is made of what looks to be brass as is the guard and buttcap. The guard has a hole drilled in the top and bottom for attaching a forward lanyard or tying it to a stick for a spear I suppose.Over the handle is a hard plastic handle that creates the actual shape of the handle. I read somewhere that this plastic is the same kind used in the Remington Nylon 66 .22 rifle but can't confirm it. Whatever it is made of feels tough and has a nice texture to it that isn't too slick but not rough enough as to be uncomfortable on your hands.Inside the buttcap is a small compass that works well from what I can tell.
The sheath it has is really nice. Given that Bianchi imported it and makes some really nice holsters I guess that isnt surprising. It is made of nice thick leather with three eyelets for lashing it to your leg or gear. On the back it has the Bianchi logo along with "#855 Nighthawk" on it.
This knife is very comfortable in the hand and has a reassuring heft to it witout being overly heavy. I would like the handle to be just a tad longer but it's not a deal breaker.
Now for some pictures. I'm a newbie Photographer so forgive me if the quality is lacking.
http://i35.tinypic.com/kqlo2.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/ng7j8p.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/2n7qxsl.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/2a6m2a8.jpg
I also did a you tube video on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpsZE7a_yWQ
If anyone has any other information on this knife I'd love to hear it. Thank you very much for reading and watching
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought I would try my hand at a review. I hope it provides some interesting information to you guys.
I really like hollow handle survival knives. I have since I was a kid in the 80's. I guess the Rambo and Predator bug got me pretty good. Anyway I realize their limitations but am fascinated by them none the less.
The knife I'm reviewing today is a Bianchi Nighthawk II. I believe it was made in the mid 80's by Carl Schlieper/Eye Brand knives in Germany and imported by Bianchi under their name. It has 1330 engraved on one side of the tang and "Solingen Germany Stainless on the other side. I traded for it at a knife show around 2004 so I haven't had it all that long.
I believe that the steel is 440 C. It seems to be really well made with nice grinds and the top and bottom of the blade that isn't sharpened is rounded nicely if you put your finger around the top gaurd for precision work. The blade is a spearpoint shape with very shallow serrations on the false edge. They might be ok for rope but they aren't that sharp. I do think they might be good for getting sparks off of a ferrocium rod.
It has a really nice edge on it.
As I mentioned the handle is hollow and is made of what looks to be brass as is the guard and buttcap. The guard has a hole drilled in the top and bottom for attaching a forward lanyard or tying it to a stick for a spear I suppose.Over the handle is a hard plastic handle that creates the actual shape of the handle. I read somewhere that this plastic is the same kind used in the Remington Nylon 66 .22 rifle but can't confirm it. Whatever it is made of feels tough and has a nice texture to it that isn't too slick but not rough enough as to be uncomfortable on your hands.Inside the buttcap is a small compass that works well from what I can tell.
The sheath it has is really nice. Given that Bianchi imported it and makes some really nice holsters I guess that isnt surprising. It is made of nice thick leather with three eyelets for lashing it to your leg or gear. On the back it has the Bianchi logo along with "#855 Nighthawk" on it.
This knife is very comfortable in the hand and has a reassuring heft to it witout being overly heavy. I would like the handle to be just a tad longer but it's not a deal breaker.
Now for some pictures. I'm a newbie Photographer so forgive me if the quality is lacking.
http://i35.tinypic.com/kqlo2.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/ng7j8p.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/2n7qxsl.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/2a6m2a8.jpg
I also did a you tube video on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpsZE7a_yWQ
If anyone has any other information on this knife I'd love to hear it. Thank you very much for reading and watching