Daggers were first used as tools and weapons for hunting in the prehistoric era. In the past, daggers were crafted from stone, ivory, or bone. Most daggers feature a handle that the user holds to avoid self-inflicted wounds when wielding the weapon. For storing purposes, they need a sheath. Due to the short blade’s acutely tapered point and the middle spine’s two cutting edges, the unusual design is iconic and simple to identify.
The structure and integrity of the dagger are far superior than those of the knife. The dagger is more robust structurally, and the blade has edges that are sharp along both sides to help the user stab an adversary. The dagger was mostly used as a close-range weapon. This suggested that the dagger needed a more durable construction to withstand the stresses of close combat. The purpose of the dagger explains why it has two jagged edges. It permits the enemy or victim to suffer the greatest amount of harm.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Dagger
Daggers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Before making your choice, consider whether you’ll need a general-purpose tool for cutting or a precision instrument for piercing.
Intended Use
There are two primary applications that come to mind when selecting a new dagger: battle and hunting.
- In hunting, this kind of dagger is employed to keep animals at bay or to pursue prey. When pursuing prey, the weight of the blade helps make the point clear; nonetheless, these tools aren’t made for prolonged usage.
- Combat: Originally designed to be used in battle, these tools are now favored by both people who enjoy self-defense and those who simply enjoy a good fight knife.
Blade Material
Like many tools, daggers can be broadly divided into two groups depending on whether they feature steel blades or fiberglass blades.
- Steel blades are heavier than fiberglass blades, so they tend to sink faster during heavy rain or if water gets caught inside the handle. However, steel blades are more durable than fiberglass blades, lasting longer without having to be replaced.
- Fiberglass blades are not unbreakable, but they don’t rust like steel blades do. They may feel lighter even when carrying a full-size weapon because they weigh less than steel blades.
Handle Design
A quality grip makes a difference regardless of whether the dagger is being used for hunting or combat. Whether it’s gripping the handle with one hand or using both hands to protect against multiple attackers, a firm grip keeps things stable and prevents blisters from forming.
The most important part of the handle design is comfort. If the handle isn’t comfortable, then it won’t matter how great the rest of the dagger’s features are.
Length
It’s a mistake to select a dagger purely on appearance. While aesthetics absolutely matter, you should also take length into consideration. A shorter blade, for instance, will lessen the chance of drawing attention to yourself if you intend to carry a weapon openly. However, this does not imply that all blades must be short. The availability of long and medium-length blades, which have definite advantages over their shorter counterparts, is very common.
Weight and Balance
A lighter dagger can be a better option if you’d like not to use both hands to hold the handle. Lightweight handles typically increase control and lessen fatigue. This does come with a price, though, since lightweight handles frequently give up some robustness and durability. Therefore, even though a lighter handle feels great in your hands, it might not withstand frequent use.
Sheath Design
Another area that can affect the utility of a dagger is sheath design. A belt clip or backpack frame gives the knife a place to hang, allowing the user to take the dagger with them almost anywhere. But if the sheath includes a zipper, the user needs to be careful because zippers are notoriously unreliable. In fact, the United States military doesn’t trust them and uses sliding latches instead. Also, keep in mind that while sheaths protect the dagger, they’re not perfect. Sheaths can get caught on branches or rocks, causing damage to the dagger. And moisture exposure increases the risk of rust buildup.
Types Of Daggers
Dagger is a generic term for any sharp instrument designed to pierce something. The word dagger comes from the Old English word “gedecca” which means “to stab or cut into pieces.” Daggers come in many different forms, including knives, bayonet-types, box-cutters, and even brass knuckles.
Knives
A knife with a blade longer than four inches is considered a dagger. Knives designed as combat weapons are often referred to as battle knives or fighting knives. These blades are typically very sturdy and can be used for piercing armor or cutting limbs at close range. Due to their need to function under pressure during battle, these blades tend to have a fuller tang (the part of the blade that extends beyond the handle) so they’re stronger and sturdier.
Most knives designed for self defense use do not meet this criteria. While it’s true that most defensive knives will have some sort of locking mechanism, those mechanisms aren’t usually reliable enough to prevent someone from simply breaking them.
Bayonet-type
The bayonet was originally developed by the French military as an effective stabbing weapon against enemy soldiers who were wearing body armor. Today, there are several types of bayonet-types available on the market, but the basic design remains the same. They all feature a long thin blade with a pointed tip and a flared edge around the top third of the blade. This allows you to thrust the blade straight ahead in order to penetrate whatever your opponent has wrapped themselves in. Because of this, most bayonet-types are best suited for indoor use where there isn’t much risk of accidentally stabbing yourself or others.
However, if you live in a neighborhood with lots of young children or other rowdy teenagers, then maybe a more aggressive type of bayonet would work better for you.
Box-cutter
This type of dagger features one or multiple blades that fold up inside the handle. It’s legal to carry in every state of the USA and is fairly common among law enforcement officers because it’s extremely handy when searching for items such as wallets or keys that have been dropped somewhere. However, due to its limited functionality, this type of dagger is only really useful in controlled environments like your home or car. If you plan on using this type of dagger in public places, keep in mind that it may be viewed as offensive since it resembles a switchblade.
Also note that while technically folding kukri daggers fit the definition of a dagger, they don’t perform well in combat situations. Kukri blades are traditionally agricultural tools used for farming rice fields. Since they lack versatility, farmers just carried around the biggest ones they could find. Nowadays, people use kukri daggers as novelty gifts or collectibles. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend spending money on one unless you really want it.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
We started by searching for the best-rated and most popular models on Amazon, professional publications, and other online retailers. We limited our search to daggers that fit comfortably in a pocket or purse where they can be retrieved quickly in case of emergency. We included any dagger with a straight edge or serrated edge because we know how important it is to have both options.
The daggers were then organized according to their general worth and quality. The inexpensive daggers at the bottom of the list had no qualms about compromising quality and materials in order to lower their price. But all of the best options had good plastic handles and were made of premium stainless steel. Additionally, these daggers are durable because they are corrosion-resistant and won’t require replacement for much longer than the blade itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daggers
What is the best type of dagger for self-defense?
The one you practice with.
How sharp should a dagger be?
Sharp depends on how you utilize it. Keep it dull if you’re going to use it for work or public transportation; if not, invest in a razor-sharp blade that can remove hair off your arm while you’re sleeping (or pretend to).
Are daggers legal?
In most states, carrying concealed fixed blades without a good reason (such as self defense) is illegal; however, there are several exceptions.
Can I bring a concealed dagger onto an airplane?
Your state of residence will determine this. While some states forbid it, others permit open carry on airplanes. In addition, although some states demand that you lock up your weapons when not in use, others just demand that you put them in a closed container. Before leaving for the airport, be sure to verify your state’s regulations governing where you may and cannot carry as well as the locking requirements.
How should I care for a dagger’s blade?
No matter what material they are composed of or how they are used, blades need to be handled with varied degrees of care. After each usage, stainless steel blades could be cleaned by wiping them down with a rag or by washing them in warm water with a mild dish soap. If they get wet, wipe them dry. A paper towel can be used to absorb any extra oil that gets on the blade.