Looking for a Good Short Dagger (about 4" blade)

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Wolfeye

Joined
Apr 26, 2015
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Hey, everyone. Haven't been on here for a while & was wondering about where I can find a good dagger? Looking for something with a blade that's about 4 or 5 inches long with a decently narrow handle (easy to conceal), has a good grip, and is solid. Hoping for something decently cheap with good steel (doesn't have to be stainless, does have to take a good edge).

I'd very much like something shaped like a butcher knife with that overhanging ledge & a dull portion on the back of the blade where my thumb would go if I were to carve something, that way it's more multi-functional. If it was unfinished steel, that'd be even better. I saw one like that on Plowshare Forged Knives, but I don't know what the price is. Going to shoot him an e-mail, but I don't think I'll be able to afford something custom forged for a while.
 
How about the Mtech M2025S?

Mtech has quite a bit of knives that fit that criteria. Give me a look.
 
Gerber Guardian Back-up is nice, apart from the horrible sheath. Solid double edged knife that can be easily used as a boot knife, if you wear some.
 
Condor Compact Dagger. 4 inch blade, 1075 carbon steel, micarta handles, runs around $45:
condor-compact-dagger-fixed-neck-knife-bhq-35990-cm.jpg
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys! A lot of nice blades- I'm thinking either the Condor Compact Dagger (is it full-tang?) or maybe one of the Cold Steels (the Hide Out & the various Spike knives look good). The thing with the folders is that you have to access them- getting a folder out of a pocket is potentially hard to do mid-fight (ex: the pocket gets flush & your thumb just slides across the fabric or you have a moment of transition where you have a bad grip & could lose it).

Something I can easily wear under a shirt or tuck into a boot (ideally, both) is important. As I understand, there aren't really any knife laws in Czechia & Poland except not to wantonly stab people & the like- but there are kind of unwritten rules about not wearing a machete into a grocery store & such. I figure a Kabar or a FS Dagger on my belt outside the shirt might be a bit much, even thought it gets the job done. I WOULD carry something like that under a coat, but then I'm wearing a knife in a "shoulder holster" in the middle of a restaurant (don't know if people do that in these places, at least outside of a warfare environment- might make a bad impression on the woman I'm with).

Maybe one of those "slanted knives" are good (like the TDIs from Kabar)? The big one seems to be a useful size, although it's somewhat less "agile" of a design than I'd like (with a dagger, I can wrap around & come at different arcs which might be very useful in a conflict). The length could also make it uncomfortable to walk around with if it's tucked in front like I'd prefer & the handle seems somewhat thick for that. I know that the small ones on the boot could be set up sideways across the laces, making for a potentially easier & more subtle draw. I figure they could be fairly comfortable in a belt, but the sheath doesn't seem good for that. Anywhere I could find another or make one that would hold it fairly well?
 
Wolfeye said:
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys! A lot of nice blades- I'm thinking either the Condor Compact Dagger (is it full-tang?)
Click to expand...

It is full tang. 4 inch 1075 carbon steel blade, 8.25 inch overall, 2.73 ounce weight, thin, micarta handle scales provide good grip, includes a kydex sheath.
 
The Gerber Guardian is a nice little blade;personally I like the older sog Pentagon (don't have one but have seen them in person before) or mini pentagon. I have the newer mini pentagon and it is decent as well. The CRKT Sting's are solid but heavy. Right and left of center are customs with 5" blades; center is a modded United Cutlery LOL!

Crummy pic but you get the idea:

21570363934_55c86d7fa8_z.jpg
 
The CRKT Shrill, Synergist and new version of the Sting look interesting FWIW... :thumbup:
 
Czechmate: Thanks, that Synergist looks good! I think I'll likely go with the Condor because of the price or maybe the Cold Steel Hide Out, but if someone has some other suggestions I'd still like to hear them- if nothing else, to see what's out there. I think the agility of a dagger is maybe a bit more my "speed" than the "pistol grip" knives (ex: Kabar TDI).

Maybe I'll put the new Fox Dart XT (supposed to be coming out June 24, I think) in a pocket & one of the daggers or little Last Ditch knives on my leg? I like the concept of the Fox Dart a lot, but I also like the idea of a full-fledged dagger in my belt under my shirt- that way, it's harder for someone to pickpocket & get a useful weapon (that'd I'd also have a hard time re-buying).

How do you guys carry your daggers? I'd be set, if I wasn't trying to conceal it- maybe a sheath in the pocket or along the belt in back? The leg's good, but I'd prefer something a bit quicker access & if I'm moving, I'd have a hard time drawing it at the same time from there. In front, it might be an issue if a woman was to be brushing up against me- know what I'm saying?
 
I ride horses, so I am legitimately allowed to wear riding boots, and it's perfect to carry a short or medium dagger.
Not simple to draw tho.
I don't carry them often anymore, as I don't go or live into places where a concealed dagger might come handy.
 
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I just got this Gerber FAST Applegate. I really like it. It is a bit on the small side but I think it would do the job....as long as I keep up my end of the bargain.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
 
Good-looking blade, but I think it would be better to have a fixed blade (then again, I could always put an open folder in a sheath).
 
Have you considered something that waves open as you pull it out of your pocket. Boot knives are a pain in the rump to pull out of a boot.
 
As i understand your looking for a last ditch high stress fighting dagger. If a dagger is the only thing your interested in for the size, ease of deployment, and security in hand i would go with a push dagger. They have a smaller profile for blade size and it would be near impossible to have it knocked out of your hand. If you would consider a push dagger Cold Steel make a few in various price ranges and blade size.

CS Safe Maker I $80 (4.5")
cold-steel-12dbsj1-safe-maker-1-jm.jpg

CS Safe Keeper II $50 (3.75")
cold-steel-safe-keeper-2-12bt.jpg

CS Urban Edge $22.50 (2.5")
cold-steel-43xl-best-pal-plain-2.jpg

Also i personally like the Boker Magnum Lima Romeo $45 (4.75")
boker-lima-romeo-02lg258-cm.jpg

All at my favorite Knife Dealer :D
Hope you have luck finding something you like.
 
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