Which dagger / double edged combat knife is a great value?

T

thor_of_asgard

Joined
Sep 11, 2007
Messages
12
Hi,

I am looking for a new dagger.

I like the look an feel of the CS Taipan but I m unsure about the company and I doubt if there isnt a different knife with better value.

The Knife should be of modern design (no stag grips) and a simple no-nonsense "KISS" construction. (No klingon daggers eg)

Stainless or not, I want the best steel I can afford.

Price: Well, no more than about 250-300 USD.

BTW: I am from germany, most handmade us-knifes are not available this side of the water.
 
Applegate-Fairbairn has always been my favourite dagger.
A-F12.jpg
 
Ähm, so sorry. Several years ago I meet Ron at Nürnberg. He was a nice person.

However I feel that this dagger is not really "german" (good) quality - the blade is easily broken.

Most "knifefriends" had one and sold or destroyed it. It´s a collectors Item.

A german army special unit was equipped with the knife. As far as I know they don´t use it any longer.

It´s the main reason why I am interested in CS Taipan. I know several pals who broke the tip of a F-A but never heard of a destroyed TP.

At the other hand the Taipan is much more expensive and most people don´t want to try destroying such an expensive thing.
 
IMHO the daggers of Kizlyar offer great value. Have a look at their KO1, KO2 and Stalker. As stated in a thread on Russian army knives they seem to be quite popular with Russian soldiers. Pictures can be found here:

http://shop.strato.de/epages/61030058.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61030058/Categories/daggers

If you are looking for a non stainless dagger perhaps the the new Swiss dagger from Boker would be an option. It is made from the same high carbon steel as their German Trench Knife: C75.

121550.jpg



Or you could go with a custom dagger of Barry Dawson. If you settle for the California Dagger (still close to your price range) you can choose between high carbon steel and 440C:

http://www.dawsonknives.com/daggers--specialty-knives.html

- Mike
 
I have a Taipan. It's a good user.If you actually carry and use it, you'll need a new sheath. The one that comes with the Taipan is poor.
 
is size an issue? if you don't mind a smaller blade, check the backup guardian by gerber. it's concealable, has a nice buttery grip, and a tension adjustable sheath. i bought one for my brother, and ended up getting my own.
 
Never heard of TOP, looks interesting.

The Swiss Dagger is a really fine knife but its too long and more the "presentation" kind.

The "Grabendolch" would be of interest but it is little to short.

The "California" Dagger looks great but I like the "Patriot" even more.
 
I would think any of the CS double edged blades from Carbon V if you can find them. They will be hair splitting sharp and you can get them in a couple of different lengths. Keepem sharp
 
Yes, I like the Peacekeeper I. But it has no "backhand strike pommel" like the Tai Pan.

I wonder why so many guys hate CS that much.

Ok, I don´t like their Folders.

But quite a large number of their Fixed Knifes seem really good to me but I am not an expert.
 
I have several Taipans and they are excellent daggers. Also make sheaths for them, if and when you get one. Sometimes have a "package deals" where you can get knife and sheath together.
 
thor_of_asgard said:
Hi,

I am looking for a new dagger.

I like the look an feel of the CS Taipan but I m unsure about the company and I doubt if there isnt a different knife with better value.

The Knife should be of modern design (no stag grips) and a simple no-nonsense "KISS" construction. (No klingon daggers eg)

Stainless or not, I want the best steel I can afford.

Price: Well, no more than about 250-300 USD.

BTW: I am from germany, most handmade us-knifes are not available this side of the water.
Click to expand...


You say you are unsure about the Cold Steel or about Tai Pan actually? Maybe you should take a look at this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnUuom1HABI

I agree Applegate Fairbarn is not good (that handle is awfully chunky), I think it's crap compared to Tai Pan.
 
As far as looks are concerned, the picture of the Mark II reminds me of the Swiss Dagger made by Hill Knives. It is basically a pimped Swiss bayonet:

http://www.hillknives.com/Hill%20Website/HOMEPAGE%20FOTO'S/Swiss%20Dagger.htm

I have an original Swiss bayonet in my tool kit (great for drilling and prying) and it is a quite a tough blade. But due to its thick stock and edge geometry it remains a lousy cutter even when sharpened. I don't know if the Hill Swiss dagger performs better in this area but wouldn't hope for much.

- Mike
 
I have the Swiss Bayonet as well and it has a date with the grinder.

The Boker Trench knife seems perfect.

I got this one a while ago.


How about the Marine Raider from Ontario?

I have a CRKT Sting but I think a dagger should be at least 5 inches long to reach the vital arteries.
 
Mike Sastre said:
I have several Taipans and they are excellent daggers. Also make sheaths for them, if and when you get one. Sometimes have a "package deals" where you can get knife and sheath together.
Click to expand...

That´s of interest but I live in germany. Most US Dealers won`t supply me or the additional cost is extremely high. Our US-Relatives died a few years ago because of their high age and their children have no interest the keep the contact. No, ordering from your side of the ocean is a problem ....
 
The Boker Trench Knife is of interest, but it is too short.

The Marine Raider is a replika of the original Fairbairn-Sykes Dagger and has several disadvantages. The round grip "rolls" and you never know where to find the edge. The tip is much to thin and will break.

The Swiss Dagger is what I love. I have two - one Bajonett and one Dagger. The steel that they used to make the blade is just great.

I supposed, when they ordered the knife they said:"We just want the very best, no matter what price!"

The knifemaker whe sharpened the blade for me told me he never saw such a kind of steel before.

But the grip is poor, it´s round and it rolls and the sheat is the worst thing.
 
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