Pocket Preps: Push Dagger Purchaser’s Information

Chances are you’ll know them beneath a wide range 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 means 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 called a cestus (or cesti when paired). These have 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 a protracted dagger grasped horizontally the place the blade appeared to protrude from the fist, and it might have been the place the time period “palm dagger” originated. The trendy model of the T-handle goes again just a few hundred years to German immigrants to the US. This simply concealable design was widespread within the Southeastern U.S. significantly with riverboat gamblers, and it will definitely made its manner out West following the gold and silver rushes.

What’s a Push Dagger?

Sometimes, 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 have been in a symmetrical dagger design or perhaps a spike. The thought was that stabbing pokes holes in individuals and two edges have 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 pattern is the deal with design shifting from the normal T to a hybrid between a T and a 7. There may be advantage on this because it offers the consumer a greater grip for preventing in addition to if they could wish to use the knife for a easy slicing 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 effectively as a preventing blade however can depart quite a bit to be desired as an EDC knife for a lot of utilitarian duties. Though, admittedly, just a few 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

Total size:
4 inches

Weight:
4 ounces

Deal with materials:
G10

Blade Metal:
1095

Worth:
$130

URL:
jasonperrybladeworks.com

Notes:
Jason Perry is a customized knifemaker based mostly out of Harmony, California, recognized for tactical fastened blades and beautiful chef’s knives. The Little Alien is his tackle the traditional discreet push dagger. This is among the smaller ones we checked out. It conceals effectively, however when you’ve got XXL-sized fingers, it is likely to be too small for you. It’s a well-made piece of 1095 metal with G10 handles and a wickedly accomplished edge. This has plenty 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’ll not yaw on a punch.

Professionals:

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

Cons:

• As eager a cutter as 1095 is, the potential for rust exists on the uncovered edge that’s uncoated. If you happen to don’t reside in an arid surroundings, be sure to keep it.
• The sheath does a superb job of securing the knife, nevertheless it does make for a sluggish draw because it partially encompasses the deal with until worn as a neck knife.

M3 Tactical Tech Boba Fett Push Dagger

Blade size:
2 inches

Total size:
4.5 inches

Weight:
3.2 ounces

Deal with materials:
4140 carbon metal

Blade metal:
4140 carbon metal

Worth:
$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 simply simply don’t wish to put down. The deal with suits the hand completely. The sheath has a metallic clip and wears effectively on the belt comfortably and unobtrusively. Whereas it seems wonderful, this one just isn’t an artwork knife or collectible you stash away within the protected. It’s meant for use.

Professionals:

• The looks is tactical design meets fantastic artwork.
• Razor sharp with a single bevel edge, this knife makes for an superior penetrator in opposition to metal drums.
• The sheath is easy, however extremely efficient for each securing the blade and retaining out of sight.

Cons:

• Carbon metal has the potential for rust until you get a coated model.
• As M3 is a customized outfit, specific fashions could also be scarce or solely obtainable throughout sure instances of the 12 months.

Mercworx Custos

Blade size:
3 inches

Total size:
5 inches

Weight:
4.8 ounces

Deal with materials:
Canvas Micarta

Blade metal:
S30VN

Worth:
$325

URL:
mercworxknives.com

Notes:
Mercworx Knives has been producing high-end customized tactical knives for just a few 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 a substantial amount of enter from real-world operators. Constructed of S30V or 154CM metal, this blade is a one-piece building, save for its canvas Micarta scales. Essentially the most attention-grabbing and most helpful facet is the distinctive form of the deal with and the way it correctly indexes while you throw a punch. Quite a lot of thought went into this design, and it reveals. The Kydex sheath is extraordinarily effectively made and retains it safe in your particular person.

Professionals:

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

Cons:

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

Shivworks Black Push Dagger

Blade size:
2.75 inches

Total size:
5 inches

Weight:
4.3 ounces

Deal with materials:
G10

Blade metal:
Sandvik 12c27

Worth:
$130

URL:
shivworkspg.com

Notes:
Shivworks is a knife combatives coaching and edged weapons design crew based mostly within the Southeastern U.S. Their knives are supposed to hide effectively and be introduced into motion quick that can assist you battle your manner by means 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 type 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 effectively and has extra utility use than the everyday push dagger. A coaching model is accessible as effectively.

Professionals:

• Indexes in contrast to another because of its deal with size and low profile
• The sting is sharp and may slash in addition to it might stab.
• A coaching choice for a preventing knife is a should.

Cons:

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

Heretic Knives Sleight

Blade size:
3 inches

Total size:
5.5 inches

Weight:
3.2 ounces

Deal with materials:
Aluminum

Blade metal:
CPM-20CV

Worth:
$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. Relatively than let the design die, Heretic Knives resurrected it with various enhancements. It’s nonetheless modular; you may swap blades and handles with different fashions for modifications in colour and texture. The deal with therapy aids in retention and lends extra leverage for slicing duties.

Professionals:

• CPM-20CV gives 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 in case you’re counting on it for self-defense. Follow the draw typically, and it’ll work effectively.
• 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

Total size:
6.5 inches

Weight:
5.6 ounces

Deal with materials:
G10

Blade metal:
80CRV2

Worth:
$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 life like 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 could 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 might deal with most common EDC duties comfortably as effectively.

Professionals:

• 80CRV2 is corrosion resistant and straightforward to take care of.
• The deal with form is good and reveals what you may obtain while you crew up a combatives teacher with a knifemaker.
• The sheath is among 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

Total size:
6.5 inches

Weight:
7.3 ounces

Deal with materials:
G10

Blade metal:
1095

Worth:
$195

URL:
topsknives.com

Notes:
TOPS Knives builds severe hard-use knives for professionals, and this mannequin has been extremely popular amongst troops as a boot knife. It comes with a survival whistle do you have to get misplaced and want an auditory technique of signaling. With its clip-point profile and serrations, it has the traits of an ideal EDC blade become a push dagger. The only edge implies that it received’t be thought of a dagger in some jurisdictions. The Grim Ripper’s power as a push dagger goes to the deal with. Though it’s undoubtedly a T-back type, there’s a ledge on 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 effectively accomplished.
• The G10 handles with the integrated thumb ramp are so snug that this may work for many mundane slicing duties.
• The included survival whistle is a pleasant bonus.

Cons:

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

Written by Mike Searson