Is Dagger a one task knife?

keninshiro · Sep 28, 2000

Since i got myself a WarLock from Becks Cutlery(excellent folks to deal with BTW...), I might as well ask. Is dagger only meant for one task; to kill? I don't mean to use it that way but will it serve any purpose if one were to use it in the wilderness? Trops in WW were issued with Bayonets, how did they manage to survive the jungle(jungle war fares) if given the situation that no axe or bolos are available? Will it be able to perform as a camp knife? I only had experiences with a trailmaster.....
Dumb question but i need an answer if there's any....

I bought the WarLock for my collection only as i've been interested in dagger designs a long time ago. Thanks to Dungeons and dragons, fantasy movies and my freelance job that pays for it!

Thanks!

Eric.
Sometimes one must give way to reality but don't give up, the world is not so cruel after all.

[This message has been edited by keninshiro (edited 09-28-2000).]

Bobwhite · Sep 28, 2000

Daggers are useless for woodcarving but it might do in a survival situation, I never tried it. I would rather pack a bowie or kukri, maybe a machete; also all useless for carving but will chop wood better than a dagger. My 2 cents.

fudo · Sep 28, 2000

Daggers are useful primarily as fighters( my opinion only)In the utility department they come in second to a variety of shapes better suited to various tasks.

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict

kirch · Sep 28, 2000

I am an avid collector of daggers - they comprise most of my collection. But even though they are my favorite type of knife, I don't use them for any everyday tasks. The knife in my pocket at all times is a Spyerdco Delica. When I'm hunting or camping I'm carrying a Grohmann #1, #3, or a Buck Vanguard. When I'm filleting fish, I use a cheap Normark. When I'm on the ambulance I have a sheepsfoot-bladed Spyderco Mariner. Each of these knives has been designed for a specific type of activity and that design makes them better at the activity than something like a dagger. If I determined I needed to use a knife for stabbing (not slashing, BTW), I'd carry a dagger. Since I don't (at least not yet), I just like to look at them.

aflatfoot · Sep 28, 2000

I find that one of the main problems witht the dagger is the grip limitations. Sometimes it is nice to put a finger or thumb on the spine to control a cut. With a dagger you are limited to using the handle only. I would compare it to holding a pencil near the eraser and then trying to write.

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**Blazing Saddles**

aflatfoot@yahoo.com

Old Knife Guy · Sep 28, 2000

I don't even find a dagger that much good as a weapon--and neither did the British Commandos. The blades are thin and short, the handles slippery, making and the number of "quick immobilization" zones limited. It seems to me that this is more of a "death by a thousand cuts" weapon. I'm sure with some nice pearl handles, a dagger might compliment a pimp's junk jewelry. Personally, I'd be more afraid of a sharp Buck 110 and a determined aggressor...--OKG

Loki · Sep 28, 2000

Daggers have been around for a LONG time and have always been regarded as passable weapons. It's strength is in thrusting. Somehow, I see an 8" Randall #2 as a bit more challenging than that Buck 110.

Daggers have come in all sizes with many differing blade shapes - some lean and others very robust. Some are adequate for light utility purposes but other shapes are better for such work.

Jeff Clark · Sep 28, 2000

There are a lot of dagger designs out there. Let's talk about the Brittish Commando dagger, since it is familiar. People complain about its thinness, particularly the point. Actually that is what makes it the most usefull. If you sharpen this dagger well it can be used to cut and slash with some modest effectiveness. If it were thicker you couldn't do these as effectively. You could use it to clean game or fillet fish. You could use it to whittle or cut rope. The handle design is not the best, but it is workable. Reading background material on the design, Sykes and Fairbairn did expect it to be used for slashing. It is a bit short for one thrust killing, but they expected sentry takeout to be done to very selective spots.

The problems with the FS daggers are primarily not being rugged enough to serve as your ownly combat knife and the hazards of the second edge. When you need something to open crates and cans you want something heavier. When you cut clean out game you want to avoid cutting open organs while you work. You also want to avoid cutting yourself. The second edge risks cutting things accidentally.

While the FS dagger is not only a one function knife, it doesn't have broad enough functionality to be the only knife you carry in combat or survival situations. The US Kabar styles and even MK3 combat knives are much more utilitarian. The extra-thick Quartermaster variant of the Kabar design is even better. (By the way, Kabar in this context is just a common term for knives that were made by many manufacturers, Camillus even more than the Kabar company).

Ossi · Sep 28, 2000

I have Junglee Waterloo that could be called a dagger (about 6.5 inch double blade). It is not a knife I would choose for carving, and it is not the best general purpose knife, but can be used as a utility knife also. Unlike many other double-blades, Waterloo's blade is not too thick for everyday cutting duties, and it also has serrations to cut rope etc. As a defensive weapon it could be used both for stabbing and slashing. Also, Waterloo is very lively in hand (point of balance between thumb and forefinger) and handle is not slippery but stays in hand well. It would be my choice if I had to carry a knife to back up gun(s) in harms way (but I would never choose a knife as a primary weapon while guns exist).

Ossi

kirch · Sep 29, 2000

I think we might be missing one of the major advantages of the dagger, at least as far as I'm concerned -- aesthetics. No knife design is more symmetrical or bilateral than the standard dagger style. Granted, it's not the most practical style out there - certainly a bowie could be a top contender for that honor. But it sure epitomizes the essence of "knifeness."

It's looks, baby, looks!

samo · Sep 28, 2000

Limited tasks if you ask me... That's why all those Al Ma'unah loosers chose swords with islamic verses inscripted on its blade.
Daggers are meant for - you know what. I prefer blades - fixed or folded with utility edged design. There are endless possibilities with these babies!

Sam

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have spydies
will travel...
AKTI Member #A001148

Crayola · Sep 28, 2000

I have been looking at a lot of daggers on the net and in books lately. Its just something about the symmetry and purpose-builtness of them!! I have this to add:

You asked what, if anything, they could be used for besides sticking in people. Double edges do offer a couple of bonuses for utilitarian purposes: first of all, two edges mean twice as long between sharpening jobs (roughly)! Secondly, you can sharpen each edge to a different degree. With single edged knives you have to choose between a push-cutting polished edge or a rougher, slicing type edge. With a double edged blade, you can have one of each on the same knife.

A dagger obviously isn't going to be as utilitarian as a bowie style, but it can to work besides sentry removal, and soemtimes quite well. That is what you were asking I beleve

Also, I don't know why peopel say daggers are no good at slashing. get a dagger with a wide point, like a Dennehy Recon Special, CS Imperial Tai-pan, or others, and you have plenty of belly for slashing!!

Double edges also opens up more techniques for you when fighting. Take a Filipino Martial Arts class or two and ask the instructor!! You have so many more angles open to you.

Finally, they do look cool don't they!!

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"Come What May..."

keninshiro · Sep 28, 2000

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question, appreciate it!

Crayola - Very interesting point noted, Two different edges on a single knife.

Kirch - It's the looks that propels me to buy it!

Most definately!

Thanks!
Eric.
Sometimes dreams must give way to reality but don't give up! You will make it there someday....

[This message has been edited by keninshiro (edited 09-28-2000).]

not2sharp · Sep 29, 2000

The dagger

Positives:
- Light weight
- Point well centered for thrust
- Good penetration
- Two edges (twice as much edge per blade
length)
- Symetrical appearance

Negatives
- Poor grip indexing (on FS types)
- Weak blade (double edge bevel removes lots
of metal)
- Awkward cutting action - need to be
conscious of rear edge.
- Cannot drive edge by hammering spine

It can certainly be used for utility; but, folks accustomed to using single edged knives will have to adjust their techniques to get the most out of a dagger.

[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 09-29-2000).]