Looking for a Good Quality Fixed Blade Dagger

[KungFuFighting]

I'm a firm believer that a dagger--intended for thrusting--should have a respectable hand guard on it to prevent the hand sliding forward.

Same here, I'm much more comfortable using a dagger or knife with a hand guard.

 

[aaronu]

+1, thanks for mentioning the Joker. Looks like a great little backup.

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[Leviathan Arms]

Have the ZT0150. Best dagger I've ever had. Good chioce.

 

[Nternal]

Coldsteel oss, Coldsteel peace keeper, entrek Merc, entrek close combat

 

[Thrustus]

Maybe a bit expensive the Microtech Crosshair.

 

[Chris Pierce]

I used to own a Gerber Guardian. I would not call the knife tough. The blade is relatively thin and the handle is a sort-of hard rubber. It allows a confident grip but I think you could cut it right off with another knife. The sheath was a little weird but it worked and was comfortable to carry IWB.
Here's a picture I stole\

 

[puukkoman]

How about this one? It's got a neat history, and is just below the bottom of your price range at $120.


I'm thinking of picking up one of these myself. It's made by Plowshare Forge.

This one, from the same maker, is the same price and also pretty cool:

 

[puukkoman]

Another couple recommendations, this time based on personal experience.
I have a SOG mini-pentagon, which is a very handy little dagger. One edge is plain and the other is serrated, so it's actually really useful as a tool. The sheath rocks, too. You can carry it upside-down and it holds the knife in securely.
Not my picture, but...


Also, I recently picked one up from Gung Ho Knives (ESA-swords.com). They make a current production version of the Fairbairn-Sykes dagger, in two sizes (7" and 4.5"). I got the smaller one. This is a really hefty knife, with a handle and guard made of brass. They come in different colors, and you can mix & match; mine has a black handle & guard, and an OD green blade. These are no-nonsense blades. Not going to win a beauty contest, necessarily, but very cool and very stout. They're made of 4 parts: blade, guard, handle, and pommel nut. You can choose between several types of pommel nuts as well (they have 3 different available options).
This knife is not for the faint of heart, however. Mine came "mostly" assembled, with the parts in place but not tightened up. No biggie, it's user-serviceable.
...and for $75, it's tough to beat.
Only thing is, the sheaths are sold separately. Not a big deal for me, because I like to make my own anyway.

 

[Willieboy]

For what it's worth, double edge knives, daggers and dirks are illegal in Texas and could land one a lengthy sentence if used in a otherwise justifed self defense action. If it were me, I'd go another way and just get a nice, kind looking fixed blade utility knife. I always look to give a LEO an opportunity to give me a break rather than an excuse to jail me.

 

[puukkoman]

For what it's worth, double edge knives, daggers and dirks are illegal in Texas and could land one a lengthy sentence if used in a otherwise justifed self defense action. If it were me, I'd go another way and just get a nice, kind looking fixed blade utility knife. I always look to give a LEO an opportunity to give me a break rather than an excuse to jail me.

Yeah, this is definitely worth consideration. Daggers are illegal almost everywhere, so be careful what you carry. Mine are purely for in-the-house enjoyment; I don't wanna get locked up because of the type of knife on my belt. :barf: