Need input on dagger/boot knife.

Infi-del

Infi-del

Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
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Hi folks. For the first time I am considering buying a knife for defense/offense purposes. I say first time because I carry a gun daily and so a knife has for most of my life been a tool for work and not any form of assault. But it occurs to me that guns break, jam, or run out of ammo. I seriously doubt I will ever encounter an situation where my Glock 36 and one spare mag are not enough. I simply don't live that exciting of a life. However if for no other reason than I just want it, I am looking for a knife that would tend to excel at offense/defense. For that I have decided upon a fixed blade, with a spear point. Here are some of the knives I've found that meet my needs.

Fallkniven G1
ZT 0150

I'd like to hear some input for you guys though. Here is what the knife must have. Blade thickness of at least 3/16ths, rounded butt so that I can lay my thumb over it to brace a stabbing motion, blade of about 3.5 to 4.5 inches (Anything larger I fear wouldn't get carried daily), Generous finger guard to guard against running up on the edge, no serrations, full tang construction, good steel, Solid and secure handle, quality sheath (preferably that can carry vertical or horizontal). I would most be interested in a spear point design that was not double edged leaving a thick spine to impact resistance and leverage. But double edged seems to be all I'm finding the in the dagger/boot knife style.
 
I think an AG Russell Sting 3 would be another good one for your list. There aren't a lot of great smaller daggers on the market at the moment, unfortunately. I've been looking too.
AGST-T3HBR.jpg
 
Wanting a knife to use for defense/offense and also wanting the blade to be under 4.5" seems mutually exclusive to me. Even most steak knives are longer than that. I mean really, a 3" or 4" dagger, what's the point?

Since you say you already carry a gun daily and want a dagger just to have one, why not get a longer blade. I think 5" is the absolute minimum for a fighting knife and the longer the better. The Gladius that's coming out soon from Busse seems an ideal fighting knife to me, although I guess it's really a small sword.
 
I am not sure how you feel about customs but I submit, for your consideration, 2 knives from Tom Krein. The TK8 and Mini TK8.
They are more money than the factory knives you are considering but as customs go they are fantastic value for money. Beautifully made and you choose steel and handle material..........

Steven

CIMG0908.jpg
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You may want to check out Blind Horse, Michael Morris and Bark River. You simply cannot go wrong with these makers.
 
I really like daggers and martial arts but am pretty happy with some of my single edged blades...my scrap yard weiner is just wicked and my bandicoot can ruin someones day for sure!

But...Koyote's knives...has a small scottish dagger...don't have name..scottish..Black Knife....it's a beauty with 2 sheaths! High on my buy list!

check this thread...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=662799
 
I think you need to rethink what you're looking for. Boot knives are slim, small, thin, and designed to cut/stab. They don't require thick blades; in fact they don't want them. They're designed to puncture thin skinned critters and be carried so they're concealed.

Here are some from my collection:

From Frank Dilluvio:
fdilluvio.jpg


From Steve Fecas (my favorite carry):
Fecas-Nott1.jpg


And a classic from Tommy Lee:
LeeBoot.jpg


None of these are designed for swordman style fights, cutting thru car panels, or survival type situations. If that's what you want to do get a big, long blade. But understand you'll be pretty obvious toting it around.

A 4" blade can reach every major artery on the human body, anything more than that is for distance. And any grip that puts your thumb around the butt of a knife shortens your striking distance. You want distance? Use your gun. Up close you want thin, sharp, and pointy.
 
Those are some beautiful knives eisman, but they'd be best served paring vegetables in the kitchen.

I've read countless comments saying "it only takes 3 inches to hit every major organ/artery/etc"

The thing that fails to take into account is someone is not going to be lying motionless on an operating table. People are going to be moving, what's more they're going to have weapons and knives of their own.
 
You need a 4" Cold Steel punch dagger.
 
eisman said:
None of these are designed for swordman style fights, cutting thru car panels, or survival type situations. If that's what you want to do get a big, long blade. But understand you'll be pretty obvious toting it around.

A 4" blade can reach every major artery on the human body, anything more than that is for distance. And any grip that puts your thumb around the butt of a knife shortens your striking distance. You want distance? Use your gun. Up close you want thin, sharp, and pointy.
Click to expand...

He clearly states he wants if for offense/defense. He also clearly states that in the extreme case his gun jams or runs out of ammo then he wants a knife to fall back on. Just saying that it's a knife suggestion thread, not some 'newb' looking for a tacticool boot knife that could kill a bear.
 
Last edited:
"Fallkniven G1"
-Infi-del

is a VERY NICE boot dagger indeed.

imho, a benchmade or coldsteel push dagger would fit the purely defensive/offensive role.
and so would that smaller ka-bar dog-legged thingy, the TDI LE ankle knife.
but i figure it's the cold steel Brave Heart which is probably what you've been missing all your life...
 
Not cheap but a Randall Combat Companion, Guardian or Boot Knife would fit the bill perfectly.

Otherwise I would get one made to your specs by any one of a vast number of competent knifemakers at work today.
 
James0723 said:
Wanting a knife to use for defense/offense and also wanting the blade to be under 4.5" seems mutually exclusive to me. Even most steak knives are longer than that. I mean really, a 3" or 4" dagger, what's the point?

Since you say you already carry a gun daily and want a dagger just to have one, why not get a longer blade. I think 5" is the absolute minimum for a fighting knife and the longer the better. The Gladius that's coming out soon from Busse seems an ideal fighting knife to me, although I guess it's really a small sword.
Click to expand...

There always has to be a Tactical Expert in every thread like this I guess. I didn't ask if my idea of a fighting knife was considered "Tactically Sound" or proficient for war or getting through armor or any of the other crazy things some of you prac tac fellas go on about. I just wanted suggestions on a spear shaped knife in the 4" range. I'm not about to carry some crazy 8" bladed bowie knife on me every single day. The only suggestion you gave me was a damn Busse Gladius. That thing has like a 12" blade or something. Only a moron would carry one of these EDC. I plan to get one... for the joy of having it. But I ain't gonna carry it as a serious defense tool. So... thanks for nothin.
 
Some of the custom makers here have made some which sound right up your alley.
The prices were reasonable, and YOU can specify the steel type and thickness, shape and material of handle, etc.
I'd go that route; get what you really want the first time around.:thumbup:
Check out Koyote Custom Knives sub-forum.
 
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