MarkK
02-18-2009, 11:29 PM
For the third installment of the Dalton of the Week, we'll cover the model that is commonly called the Titanium Spike. I have always thought that this model had a very classy shape. You might consider that the Ti Spike actually encompasses two different models as there were two different sizes made. The large version is 8" OAL with a 3 - 1/4" blade and the small version is 6 - 3/8" OAL with a 2 - 5/8" blade. This model was not named by the Daltons as was the case with many of the older models, so the "Titanium Spike" name probably came from a dealer. These knives were made in 1995 and there were a total of only about 36. Most appear to have been made with ATS-34 blades, marked with the etched Dalton logo and "TITANIUM" etched into the blade. There were some of each size made with damascus blades (1 large damascus and two small damascus verified). These were marked with the "D" stamp on the tang.
Small versions:
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/spike3.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/damspike.jpg
Large versions:
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/spike.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/spike4.jpg
I have noticed some minor variations in construction between the four I have. My small plain bladed one has what I would call a "normal" pivot pin and screw, except that the screw is dome-headed instead of being a flat-head. The small damascus has dome-headed Allen screws on both sides of the pivot. The large/plain has a more or less pan headed Allen pivot screw on the side opposite the button and a dome-headed Allen screw on the button side. The titanium handles for these were all handmade on a manual milling machine. The blades, like all pre-99 Daltons were hand ground. There were no serrated blades, no pocket clips, no satin or two-tone blades, and rainbow anodized handles. There's at least one Ti Spike out there with an aftermarket pocket clip. Two unusual variations that we have seen were:
1. One small Spike with a mirror polished blade.
2. One large Spike with a skullcrusher.
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/gabe6.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/crusherspike.jpg
Small versions:
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/spike3.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/damspike.jpg
Large versions:
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/spike.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/spike4.jpg
I have noticed some minor variations in construction between the four I have. My small plain bladed one has what I would call a "normal" pivot pin and screw, except that the screw is dome-headed instead of being a flat-head. The small damascus has dome-headed Allen screws on both sides of the pivot. The large/plain has a more or less pan headed Allen pivot screw on the side opposite the button and a dome-headed Allen screw on the button side. The titanium handles for these were all handmade on a manual milling machine. The blades, like all pre-99 Daltons were hand ground. There were no serrated blades, no pocket clips, no satin or two-tone blades, and rainbow anodized handles. There's at least one Ti Spike out there with an aftermarket pocket clip. Two unusual variations that we have seen were:
1. One small Spike with a mirror polished blade.
2. One large Spike with a skullcrusher.
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/gabe6.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~km4yk/crusherspike.jpg