The Vosteed Nightshade LT is folder that will never go unnoticed as soon you open it. Designed by Yue Dong also known as @doctor_edc on Instagram. He is well known name in knife designing world as he is also designer of Kizer Cormorant knife.
Vosteed Nightshade is a decent version of Shilin Cutter design and is good addition to Vosteed’s products catalog. The Nightshade comes with a big wide blade, a little heavy handle but is comfortable in hand. It comes with Vosteed card, free floating zipper for storage.
Before, I begin, I must tell you that, the knife has been sent to us by Vosteed for review, last year but due to some domestic issues I won’t be able to write about it. Now, that this knife is in use for more than 6 months and it still looks like new is one the main reason of this review. I’ll be totally unbiased as you read the review.
Vosteed Knives
The Vosteed, as a company was born in January 2021 and started their first project on kick start via crowd funding by Yue Dong & Jonny. The came up with unique kitchen knife and name it Morgan Chef’s Knife which was backed by 123 and they were able to raise 8000 USD and they couldn’t reach their target of 25k USD.
Anyways, both the founders didn’t lose their hope and they begin the production and launch of their brand. As Ye Dong is also known for famous high end Cormorant knife by Kizer Knives and he knows that customer are looking for and what value does he need to provide to gain the mileage. With the vision of staying sharp and staying wild in their minds they worked over different knife designs and with no compromise upon quality their products are like by many.
Vosteed Nightshade LT Review
The Knife comes in metal case enclosed in a zipper lock. Anyone who orders it won’t be worried about ship handling of it. You will get it secure and perfectly in good condition. The zipper pouch provides extra protection and works great as storage case for later storage as well.
“Inspired by the traditional Shilin Cutter and Kukri, Vosteed Nightshade is a modern interpretation of the time-honored ethnic designs.” Vosteed
We will check this statement as well, how good is their modern interpretation and how good is it as EDC?
Just like as always, now you know, what knife is and what to expect from it the size and key specifications meant a lot. Here is quick summary of Vosteed Nightshade LT – Black version:
Vosteed Nightshade LT Prices |
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Key Specifications of Vosteed Nightshade LT
First Impression of Vosteed Nightshade LT
Vosteed Nightshade LT has been to me by Vosteed. It looks funky and different than normal EDC’s like Civivi Elementum, Kizer Mini Bulldog and others. The reason of its looks lies in the inspiration @doctor_edc has i.e. Shilin Cutter which is traditional Chinese cutter or some say its Taiwanese slip joint’s modification in their reviews. But look entirely unique and is seems it’s built to slice and cut.
Even the name Nightshade refers to nightshade vegetables like eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, and even chili peppers. You can cut them with ease while making fruit or vegetable salad apart in your office or even when you are camping. The other push & pull cuts can be used for other EDC tasks like opening a chips bag, parcel or letter.
But saying, the shape of blade is like Bamboo leaf is inappropriate to resemble. Yes it’s kind of beefy but it does not resemble from any angle with bamboo leaf at all. Yes, it does resemble the leaf in terms of its blade shape.
Currently, there are three variants of this model. The higher end limited edition has G-10 hand scales with brass bolsters and M390 steel where as the one they have sent me has black G10 hand scales and has 154CM steel. The last variant has gray handle scales. So, the LT version has 2 variants in total. Gray or black handle scales.
Just like as always, now you know, what knife is and what to expect from it the size and key specifications meant a lot. Here is quick summary of Vosteed Nightshade LT – Black version
The Blade Vosteed Nightshade LT
The Vosteed Nightshade LT comes with 3.26” of 154CM stainless blade, measuring 0.118: from blade stock and almost 1.21” wide at its thickest part. The blade is heavy in looks and it shows that is make for slicing. The edge of the blade is razor sharp and goes in one continuous curve with a negative angle to the tip meaning the edge always rests lower than its handle grip in a natural ay making it ideal for pull cuts or food preparation in office and during camping.
There’s a sharping choil at the base of blade which is intersecting the plunge line and creating the leading edge of flipper tab which also keeps the sharpened edge uniform all the way to end.
The blade material for this Nightshade LT has 154 CM with full flat grounded leaf shaped made for slicing and cutting, it cannot be as good as M390 but their heat treatment is really good and the blade remains razor sharp much longer when compared with Kizer Mini Sheepdog which also has 154CM and its around USD100 these days compared with $72 knife.
The Jimping on the blade is really nice. It won’t bite your finger or thumb at all, while giving you secure and comfortable grip.
You will also find Vosteed logo engraved on one side of blade and name of the product “Vosteed Nightshade” and blade material on opposite side.
Handle Ergonomics of Vosteed Nightshade LT
The handle of Vosteed Nightshade is 4.22” which is 3D contoured and is really comfortable in hand even wearing gloves. Even the thickness of handle is good as you will have full grip while holding it and you will find it very comfortable because it’s G-10.
Vosteed also lightly polished their handle surface which provides right amount for grip. But if you hands sweat a lot, you will find moisture clearly visible on handle scales. But it does not hamper your grip or knife performance for sure.
The deep carry pocket clip is polished and easy to put it in your jeans or even shirt. It’s not very tight that it rubs the fabric nor loose that the knife will drop out.
Quality of G10 handle scales is good, even after using it for some time, it still looks like new.
Deployment & Locking Mechanism of Vosteed Nightshade LT
Nightshade LT is a liner lock knife which uses flipper tab for deployment. The ceramic cage ball bearings in the pivot gives you smooth deployment and no jerk or extra pressure to put on flipper for its deployment.
If you open it you will feel yourself that Vosteed has really done great job. The knife opens like butter just like CIVIVI Elementum. The “thud” sound you hear when it locks is so smooth and clear that you will enjoy listening to.
It’s because of the perfectly set dent on this knife with right amount of force a smooth flip with your index finger.
Well, single handed deployment of this knife is great but closing it single handedly is little tough. You may get cuts on your thumb if you are not paying attention to it and the blade is razor sharp and the shape of little unusual as well. So, you need to practice a little before you can blindly close the knife. The inside liner is not very hard too. It’s gently on finger and with little pressure you can easily put it back to lock.
Fit & Finish of Vosteed Nightshade LT
From designing to ergonomics the Vosteed Team worked really hard. But when it comes to finish they nailed this part too. Like, handles being contoured, all liners are polished, all screws are flushed with handle scales. The spine of blade is rounded, the jimping doesn’t bit, making it smooth to touch. Then the edge of sharpening choil are beveled, no sharp spots or burrs there.
You will see yourself that all screws, pocket clip, pivot scape everything which is steel is perfectly polished and smoothed out that you won’t find any hotspot anywhere.
The blade is perfectly centered and no play when deployed.
My Experience
My Experience with Vosteed Nightshade LT has been good, As if have frequenctly used it for different EDC tasks such as opening shipping consignments, cutting packaged food, snak bags etc.
But, above all, it cuts really well in garden. I made graft for a plant and cut a whole in onion, and then placed the graft in it.
The drilling (cuts) in the onion are precise and have full control over the tip of the knife. Made a whole in Onion in precise way, I wanted and put the graft in perfect fit with ease.
The blade is still Razor sharp till date, as its among the very few knives whole hold the razor sharp edge for such long period of use.
Pros & Cons of Vosteed Nightshade LT
PRO’s
Con’s
Comparisons
While comparing Vosteed Nightshade LT with any other blade currently being sold makes it unique when it comes to its blade shape and material. You won’t find such shaped knife but there are other options available which are close contenders to this knife in terms of blade & handle material along with same price range.
Spyderco LUM Chinese Folder Vs Nightshade
The closest knife you will find is Spyderco Lum Chinese folder which is discontinued long time ago and you will see, that it’s not entirely new design of knife. Nightshade looks quite familiar with the shape and size of Spyderco LUM.
Kizer Sheepdog Vs Vosteed Nightshade
The reason of comparison between both is on blade width. One has Wharncliffe blade shape while other one is Kurki. Both knives are great at opening cartons, slicing and cutting. But the deployment & locking action of Nightshade is better when compared with Sheepdog or even mini sheep dog.
I own Kizer Vanguard Mini Sheepdog and when I compare that with Nightshade, I most talk about heat treatment which leads to better edge retention. Vosteed Nightshade clearly wins.
Both are almost of same price, same material and almost same blade width but Nightshade is little bigger overall.
Vosteed Nightshade Vs Olight Parrot
If you want to be on smaller side yet still want beefy blade then Olight Parrot can be your option with same blade & handle materials. But it’s little smaller than nightshade and little expensive too.
Bestech Knives Falko Vs Nightshade
The blade shape seems quite close to of Nightshade’s with same Martials yet double the price what this Nightshade Offers while comparing. Both are made in China. Both are almost 8.5” overall in length. But Falko by Bestech Knives offers duo color handle scales and that comes with higher price.
Conclusion
I thought, it was OEM by Kizer Cutlery but I recently found out that all Vosteed products are being manufactured in their own workshop in China which is good as you will get good persistent quality from them in coming years.
Thus, the design of Vosteed Nightshade is not entirely new but they have done their execution with right materials and good quality control. A knife which can be carried on your camping trips and in routine as well. The ergonomics are great as mentioned earlier with good finish quality.
The price being offered is reasonable, most the knives with 154CM stainless steel and G10 handle scales are being offered in 60-80$ range so as this.
I do recommend this knife for you to try out yourself. You won’t be disappointed with Vosteed Nightshade LT and do let me know in comments.
