Pocket Preps: Push Dagger Buyer’s Guide

Chances are you’ll know them underneath quite a lot of names: T-back knives, push daggers, punch knives, gimlet knives, and even palm knives. The underside line is that all of them do the identical factor. You grasp the deal with, and the blade protrudes by way of your fingers. You ship a lower or a stab as you throw a punch. The thought has been round for hundreds of years. Some Roman gladiators wore a weapon often known as a cestus (or cesti when paired). These had been leather-based gauntlets that lined the hand and had a blade, or a number of blades connected to the highest. The gladiator armed on this method would actually punch and stab for his life. One other variant was the katar of India. This was an extended dagger grasped horizontally the place the blade appeared to protrude from the fist, and it could have been the place the time period “palm dagger” originated. The trendy model of the T-handle goes again a couple of hundred years to German immigrants to america. This simply concealable design was well-liked within the Southeastern U.S. notably with riverboat gamblers, and it will definitely made its method out West following the gold and silver rushes.

What’s a Push Dagger?

Usually, the profile for this design resembles a T with the deal with as the highest bar and the blade because the stem. Traditionally, most of those blades had been in a symmetrical dagger design or perhaps a spike. The thought was that stabbing pokes holes in folks and two edges had been higher than one. As we’ll see on this lineup, the symmetrical push dagger nonetheless guidelines the roost, however that’s not at all times the case. Some makers and producers are using extra utilitarian blade shapes. This can be to work round jurisdictions that outlaw dirks or daggers.

One other noticeable development is the deal with design shifting from the normal T to a hybrid between a T and a 7. There’s advantage on this because it offers the person a greater grip for preventing in addition to if they could need to use the knife for a easy reducing activity versus being solely a fight knife. Even with that in thoughts, don’t look to one in all these as your solely knife, however consider it extra like a backup weapon. They do work properly as a preventing blade however can go away so much to be desired as an EDC knife for a lot of utilitarian duties. Though, admittedly, a couple of on this batch are higher at that than their forbears. As at all times, analysis the native and state legal guidelines earlier than you begin carrying a push dagger.

Jason Perry Blade Works Little Alien

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Blade size:
2.25 inches

General size:
4 inches

Weight:
4 ounces

Deal with materials:
G10

Blade Metal:
1095

Value:
$130

URL:
jasonperrybladeworks.com

Notes:
Jason Perry is a customized knifemaker primarily based out of Harmony, California, identified for tactical fastened blades and beautiful chef’s knives. The Little Alien is his tackle the traditional discreet push dagger. This is likely one of the smaller ones we checked out. It conceals properly, however when you have XXL-sized fingers, it could be too small for you. It’s a well-made piece of 1095 metal with G10 handles and a wickedly completed edge. This has a variety of potential as a last-ditch hideout knife. On this case, the quick stall within the deal with helps safe the blade near your fingers so that it’s going to not yaw on a punch.

Professionals:

• Extraordinarily small, however very efficient
• The perimeters on this dagger are a testomony to Perry’s expertise.
• The artistry is delicate, however obvious.

Cons:

• As eager a cutter as 1095 is, the potential for rust exists on the uncovered edge that’s uncoated. In case you don’t reside in an arid setting, be sure to preserve it.
• The sheath does a very good job of securing the knife, nevertheless it does make for a sluggish draw because it partially encompasses the deal with except worn as a neck knife.

M3 Tactical Tech Boba Fett Push Dagger

Blade size:
2 inches

General size:
4.5 inches

Weight:
3.2 ounces

Deal with materials:
4140 carbon metal

Blade metal:
4140 carbon metal

Value:
$250

URL:
m3tacticaltech.com

Notes:
M3 Tactical Tech (Fashionable Mission Mobility) is run by Kevin Moore, a customized maker of knives, instruments, and tactical gear. This trip, he took on the likeness of one in all sci-fi’s biggest antiheroes and integrated it into the design of this push dagger. This push dagger has a heft and really feel that you just simply don’t need to put down. The deal with matches the hand completely. The sheath has a steel clip and wears properly on the belt comfortably and unobtrusively. Whereas it appears to be like superb, this one isn’t an artwork knife or collectible you stash away within the secure. It’s meant for use.

Professionals:

• The looks is tactical design meets high-quality artwork.
• Razor sharp with a single bevel edge, this knife makes for an superior penetrator towards metal drums.
• The sheath is easy, however extremely efficient for each securing the blade and maintaining out of sight.

Cons:

• Carbon metal has the potential for rust except you get a coated model.
• As M3 is a customized outfit, explicit fashions could also be scarce or solely out there throughout sure instances of the yr.

Mercworx Custos

Blade size:
3 inches

General size:
5 inches

Weight:
4.8 ounces

Deal with materials:
Canvas Micarta

Blade metal:
S30VN

Value:
$325

URL:
mercworxknives.com

Notes:
Mercworx Knives has been producing high-end customized tactical knives for a couple of many years, however appears to keep away from the highlight to do good work within the shadows. The Custos is an instance of one in all their push daggers that has quite a lot of enter from real-world operators. Constructed of S30V or 154CM metal, this blade is a one-piece development, save for its canvas Micarta scales. Probably the most attention-grabbing and most helpful facet is the distinctive form of the deal with and the way it correctly indexes once you throw a punch. A variety of thought went into this design, and it exhibits. The Kydex sheath is extraordinarily properly made and retains it safe in your particular person.

Professionals:

• This knife has the most effective push dagger deal with therapies I’ve ever seen.
• The profile and grinds make this one glorious at penetration.
• The sheath retains the blade safe but doesn’t sluggish speedy deployment.

Cons:

• These customized knives normally contain a waitlist or a better worth on the secondary market.
• The sting might’ve been a bit sharper, nevertheless it nonetheless penetrated various kinds of materials.

Shivworks Black Push Dagger

Blade size:
2.75 inches

General size:
5 inches

Weight:
4.3 ounces

Deal with materials:
G10

Blade metal:
Sandvik 12c27

Value:
$130

URL:
shivworkspg.com

Notes:
Shivworks is a knife combatives coaching and edged weapons design staff primarily based within the Southeastern U.S. Their knives are meant to hide properly and be introduced into motion quick that will help you combat your method by way of a violent encounter. The Push Dagger is a testomony to the principals at Shivworks placing real-world enter from their userbase into their merchandise. That is a kind of designs with the deal with nearer in profile to a 7 than a T form. Just one edge is sharpened, which can assist those that reside in or journey to areas the place a second edge could also be a felony. It indexes properly and has extra utility use than the everyday push dagger. A coaching model is on the market as properly.

Professionals:

• Indexes not like another on account of its deal with size and low profile
• The sting is sharp and may slash in addition to it could possibly stab.
• A coaching possibility for a preventing knife is a should.

Cons:

• The only edge is wise for a variety of causes, however I nonetheless favor double edges for daggers.
• These knives are made abroad and will be topic to availability on account of world provide chain points.

Heretic Knives Sleight

Blade size:
3 inches

General size:
5.5 inches

Weight:
3.2 ounces

Deal with materials:
Aluminum

Blade metal:
CPM-20CV

Value:
$200

URL:
hereticknives.com

Notes:
Connoisseurs might discover the Heretic Knives Sleight considerably acquainted. It has its roots in an iconic design by customized knifemaker Steve Ryan when he headed up the SureFire Edged Weapons Division and unveiled the forerunner to this knife because the SureFire Bravo. It was a modular push dagger. Slightly than let the design die, Heretic Knives resurrected it with various enhancements. It’s nonetheless modular; you possibly can swap blades and handles with different fashions for modifications in shade and texture. The deal with remedy aids in retention and lends extra leverage for reducing duties.

Professionals:

• CPM-20CV affords hardness, toughness, and glorious edge retention.
• The sheath is extra like a holster, securing the blade and permitting you to hold on the belt, MOLLE, or secured to a pack.
• In testing, there was nothing that this blade wouldn’t lower.

Cons:

• Deployment from the sheath can take some getting used to for those who’re counting on it for self-defense. Observe the draw typically, and it’ll work properly.
• The sheath is a masterpiece, however it may be a bit cumbersome to hide.

T-Kell Knives Tarani Shut Quarters (TCQ) Tri-Angle (Spearpoint)

Blade size:
3 inches

General size:
6.5 inches

Weight:
5.6 ounces

Deal with materials:
G10

Blade metal:
80CRV2

Value:
$230

URL:
tkellknives.com

Notes:
Tim Kell is a former active-duty Marine who turned to knifemaking as a civilian. He has constructed a big following for his reasonable no-nonsense tactical knives, together with constructing this design for Steve Tarani. The Tri-Angle fastened blade is obtainable in a number of blade profiles. Deal with scales will be spec’d at time of buy in addition to the tightness of the Kydex sheath. This spearpoint mannequin excels as not merely a push dagger, however as a close-quarters preventing blade. It may possibly deal with most common EDC duties comfortably as properly.

Professionals:

• 80CRV2 is corrosion resistant and straightforward to keep up.
• The deal with form is sensible and exhibits what you possibly can obtain once you staff up a combatives teacher with a knifemaker.
• The sheath is likely one of the extra versatile ones I’ve seen.

Cons:

• The spearpoint design is shut in profile to a dagger however lacks that second edge. Whereas nice for authorized causes in lots of areas, it lacks the true aesthetics of a symmetrical dagger.

TOPS Knives Grim Ripper

Blade size:
3.5 inches

General size:
6.5 inches

Weight:
7.3 ounces

Deal with materials:
G10

Blade metal:
1095

Value:
$195

URL:
topsknives.com

Notes:
TOPS Knives builds severe hard-use knives for professionals, and this mannequin has been highly regarded amongst troops as a boot knife. It comes with a survival whistle must you get misplaced and want an auditory methodology of signaling. With its clip-point profile and serrations, it has the traits of an awesome EDC blade changed into a push dagger. The only edge implies that it received’t be thought-about a dagger in some jurisdictions. The Grim Ripper’s energy as a push dagger goes to the deal with. Though it’s positively a T-back model, there’s a ledge in your thumb to stop the knife from yawing in-CQB, but in addition lends help and management when utilizing it in an EDC function.

Professionals:

• The serrations are properly completed.
• The G10 handles with the integrated thumb ramp are so comfy that this may work for many mundane reducing duties.
• The included survival whistle is a pleasant bonus.

Cons:

• Despite the coated blade, 1095 will rust in a maritime and even very humid setting.
• Its dimension makes it much less concealable than most push daggers.

Written by Mike Searson