DaggersOne of the oldest weapons, daggers earned an evil reputation early in history as the favorite tools of assassins and thieves, a theme reflected accurately in today’s video games. Small and easily concealed, the knife’s success depended on surprise. In open combat, warriors of ancient armies carried daggers as backup weapons but depended on polearms for the main attack.

During Europe’s dueling era, daggers became the preferred offhand defense weapon. Parrying daggers with specially designed blade-catching hilts became popular among fencers, but the need faded as firearms took over both the military and dueling worlds. Today’s soldiers carry daggers for the same reasons as their predecessors — it’s a deadly knife that’s easily tucked away in a boot or pocket, something to grab for a last defense or a first strike. For collectors, daggers offer some of the most beautiful styles, since even the simplest still shows the symmetry and primal quality of this most ancient knife pattern. The look has had all of human history to evolve.

Daggers aren’t the most practical knives for ordinary work, so if combat isn’t your reason for knife shopping, consider that a dagger’s double edge provides very poor thumb leverage. If you’re shaping a piece of wood for a shelter frame or dressing out game at the edge of camp you need a knife that’s more controllable. The dagger is more weapon than tool.

Some of Our Favorites

A truly amazing functional replica of Old World technology, our choice for the best dagger is the Main Gauche Trident takes parrying to the highest possible levels.

The 1918 Trench Dagger’s brutal efficiency qualifies it as one of the finest fighting knives ever built. It’s everything you need except pretty.

From the Swords of the Ancients series, the Navros Dagger shows the imagination and technical expertise of a fine artist in engraved steel.

See All of Dagger Reviews Below


Dagger

Cold Steel Point Guard Neck Knife LDK | Last Ditch Emergency Blade w/ G-10 Pistol Grip, Fred Perrin

The Cold Steel Point Guard neck knife looks like it could even be practical for more than a last ditch threat....
JT Hats
1 min read

King Arthur Dagger by Denix | Carnwennan Medieval Fantasy Blade, Zamak 17 Inch

Nearly everyone knows the story of King Arthur’s Excalibur, but fewer have heard of his favorite dagger, the magical Carnwennan. Consider...
JT Hats
1 min read

Dual Fantasy Dragon Dagger Set | Detailed Crescent Sword w/ Table Display Stand

In a perfect size for desktop display, these Dragon Dagger Swords should please any gaming fan looking for real-world loot. Although...
JT Hats
51 sec read

Gil Hibben Immortal Knife Dagger, Autographed Limited Collectible | Fantasy Knife of the Year United Cutlery

United Cutlery sponsors a Fantasy Knife of the Year series designed by former Alaskan hunting guide Gil Hibben, and this Immortal...
JT Hats
55 sec read

Bear & Son Ninja Knife II Boot Dagger | Fixed Combat Double Edged Blade w/ Belt Clip

The Bear and Son Ninja II Boot Dagger may look like many other small combat knives, but the Ninja II carries...
JT Hats
55 sec read

Ka-Bar Besh Boga Neck Knife, Titanium Nitride | Womens Self Defense Dagger by Brent Breshara

The Ka-Bar Besh BOGA Neck Knife is the production version of a women’s self defense knife designed by Canadian Special Ops...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Puma Medici Stiletto Pocketknife | Solingen Steel Folding Dagger Knife w/ Stag Antler Handle

Made in the German knife-making center of Solingen, this stiletto-type pocket knife is functional as well as beautiful. Although it looks...
JT Hats
1 min read

Uzi Battlefield Commander Fixed Knife EK ZF52 | Combat Dagger Blade w/ Tactical G-10 Handle

The Uzi EK Battlefield Commander does have an interesting high-tech look but comes up slightly short in durability. Balance the trendy...
JT Hats
1 min read

Black Sentry Trench Knife by United Cutlery, Concealed | Knuckle Duster Spear Point WWI Fixed Blade w/ Shoulder Harness

Many cheaper versions of this knife are available, but the Black Sentry Spear Point Trench Knife is the least you should...
JT Hats
56 sec read

Lord of the Rings Witch King Fantasy Dagger by United Cutlery | Official LOTR Replica Ring Wraith Sword, Kit Rae

Considerable work went into this detailed movie replica from United Cutlery’s LOTR series. The Dagger of the Witch-King is more than...
JT Hats
1 min read

Ninja Tanto Knife w/ Caltrops, Shuriken Stars, Punch Dagger | Fantasy Master Recon Belt Sheath

Like the Ninja themselves, this Ninja Recon Tanto Knife from Fantasy Master holds secrets you won’t suspect until it’s too late....
JT Hats
56 sec read

Kershaw Zero Tolerance Ranger Knife | Fixed Dagger Tungsten Black Blade, G-10 Green Handle 0121

The Ranger 0121 Fixed Blade from Kershaw U.S.A.’s Zero Tolerance line won’t win beauty contests, but you also don’t find many...
JT Hats
1 min read

Night Stalker Fantasy Knife, Black Bat | Futuristic Punch Dagger Sword by Trademark Global w/ Display Plaque

Imported from China by Trademark Global, the Night Stalker Fantasy Knife Sword looks best on the polished hardwood wall plaque but...
JT Hats
1 min read

Lone Wolf Defender Knife Of the Year 2009 by Paul Poehlmann | Gentleman’s Tactical Folder w/ Cocobolo Handle

The Paul Defender from Lone Wolf Knives won Blade Magazine’s 2009 award for Overall Knife of the Year. Termed the Gentleman’s...
JT Hats
1 min read

British Military Commando Knife, WWII Collectible | Forged Fairbairn Sykes Dagger Replica

Designed by William Fairbairn and Eric Sykes just prior to WWII, the Fairbairn-Sykes combat dagger was first produced for the British...
JT Hats
51 sec read

Chinese Yoroidoshi Tanto Dagger, Handmade | Ryumon Functional Sword, Forged Damascus Steel

With quality similar to that of the designer’s custom blades, this double-edged Tanto Yoroidoshi Dagger is actually a production version based...
JT Hats
57 sec read

Cold Steel Scottish Naval Dirk w/ Rosewood Handle | Medieval Dagger, Spring Steel Sword

You may have to go back a few centuries to find a dirk as practical as this knife from Cold Steel...
JT Hats
1 min read

Columbia Operator Tactical Knife by Jim Hammond | Double Edged Tanto CRKT ABC 2605

Designed by Jim Hammond, the Operator’s Model A.B.C. (All Bases Covered) knife adapts Hammond’s popular fixed blade diver’s knife design to...
JT Hats
1 min read

Scorpion Fantasy Punch Dagger, Twin Blades | Death Stalker Sword Set w/ Display

Fantasy weapons like the Death Stalker Scorpion Arm Dagger reside in a world out of reach of practical concerns. Built for...
JT Hats
52 sec read

Fantasy Battle Axe Display, Alien Warrior | Dagger w/ High Carbon Stainless Steel Blade

I like this surrealistic Fantasy Battle Axe and Dagger combination, since it’s definitely one of the more unusual fantasy weapons of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Lord of the Rings Replica Fantasy Celtic Sword | Frodo Sting Dagger

First, out of respect to the height-challenged Hobbit race, I will have to point out that the Lord of the Rings...
JT Hats
56 sec read

Boker Fighting Knife Dagger, Full Tang w/ Micarta Handle | Schanz Integral Green

This heavy fighting knife — drop forged from one piece of high carbon 440C stainless steel — has good balance, although...
JT Hats
52 sec read

Scottish Regimental Dirk Sword Replica | Fork & Knife Sheath

Thanks to a reader here I now know the history behind this combination Scottish Regimental Dirk and mess kit. This replica...
JT Hats
51 sec read

Schrade Extream Survival Knife | Fixed Dagger Blade by Taylor Cutlery, 12 1/4 Inch

Survival knives usually try to do everything with one tool and wind up not being very good at any of it....
JT Hats
1 min read

Puma Stag Skinner Bowie Knife | Full Tang Solingen Stainless Steel

The knives from Puma’s Solingen, Germany, factory always look more like weapons than the average factory-made knife, and the Puma Stag...
JT Hats
55 sec read

1918 Trench Dagger Knife | World War I Army Replica Weapon | Brass Knuckle Guard

This knife was developed just a little too late for WWI and never actually saw action during that particular conflict. The...
JT Hats
1 min read

Best Dagger: German Main Gauche Trident | Paul Chen Hanwei Collectible

All right, another fancy parrying dagger, certainly not the first one I’ve ever seen — but hold on a minute, there’s...
JT Hats
52 sec read

TOPS Border Crossing Tactical Knife | Black High Carbon Dagger w/ Micarta Handle

Tactical knives come and go, some great ideas and some wanna-bes. I admit I’m skeptical when I see that knives are...
JT Hats
1 min read

Assassin’s Creed Fighting Knife | Fantasy Dagger Sword | Altair Ibn La-Ahad

If you’re a fan of the video game adventure Assassin’s Creed, take a look at this real life remake of the...
JT Hats
53 sec read

Puma IP Combat Dagger Knife | Black Military Double Edged Teflon Blade

This 10.83-inch black combat dagger from Puma IP — the international production branch begun in Spain in 2003 — sports a...
JT Hats
55 sec read