Pocket Preps: Push Dagger Purchaser’s Information

It’s possible you’ll know them beneath 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 reduce or a stab as you throw a punch. The concept has been round for hundreds of years. Some Roman gladiators wore a weapon often called 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 hooked up 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 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 the USA. This simply concealable design was common within the Southeastern U.S. significantly with riverboat gamblers, and it will definitely made its means 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 concept was that stabbing pokes holes in individuals 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 pattern is the deal with design shifting from the standard T to a hybrid between a T and a 7. There may be advantage on this because it provides the consumer a greater grip for combating in addition to if they might wish to use the knife for a easy chopping job versus being solely a fight knife. Even with that in thoughts, don’t look to certainly one of these as your solely knife, however consider it extra like a backup weapon. They do work properly as a combating blade however can go away rather a lot 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, recognized for tactical mounted blades and gorgeous 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 may be too small for you. It’s a well-made piece of 1095 metal with G10 handles and a wickedly executed edge. This has a whole lot of potential as a last-ditch hideout knife. On this case, the brief 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. For those who don’t stay in an arid surroundings, ensure you preserve it.
• The sheath does a superb job of securing the knife, however it does make for a gradual 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

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 certainly one of sci-fi’s best 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 wish to put down. The deal with matches the hand completely. The sheath has a metallic clip and wears properly on the belt comfortably and unobtrusively. Whereas it appears wonderful, this one shouldn’t be an artwork knife or collectible you stash away within the protected. It’s meant for use.

Professionals:

• The looks is tactical design meets advantageous artwork.
• Razor sharp with a single bevel edge, this knife makes for an superior penetrator towards metal drums.
• The sheath is straightforward, however extremely efficient for each securing the blade and maintaining 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 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 a long time, however appears to keep away from the highlight to do good work within the shadows. The Custos is an instance of certainly one of 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. Probably the most attention-grabbing and most helpful side is the distinctive form of the deal with and the way it correctly indexes if you throw a punch. Plenty of thought went into this design, and it reveals. The Kydex sheath is extraordinarily properly made and retains it safe in your particular person.

Professionals:

• This knife has top-of-the-line 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 gradual speedy deployment.

Cons:

• These customized knives normally contain a waitlist or a better value on the secondary market.
• The sting may’ve been a little bit sharper, however it nonetheless penetrated several types 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 crew primarily based within the Southeastern U.S. Their knives are meant to hide properly and be introduced into motion quick that will help you battle your means 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 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 stay 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 standard push dagger. A coaching model is out there as properly.

Professionals:

• Indexes in contrast to every other resulting from its deal with size and low profile
• The sting is sharp and might slash in addition to it may stab.
• A coaching possibility for a combating knife is a should.

Cons:

• The only edge is sensible for a variety of causes, however I nonetheless want double edges for daggers.
• These knives are made abroad and could be topic to availability resulting from international 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 could 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. Quite than let the design die, Heretic Knives resurrected it with quite a lot of enhancements. It’s nonetheless modular; you’ll be able to swap blades and handles with different fashions for modifications in coloration and texture. The deal with therapy aids in retention and lends extra leverage for chopping 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 reduce.

Cons:

• Deployment from the sheath can take some getting used to in case you’re counting on it for self-defense. Apply 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 sensible no-nonsense tactical knives, together with constructing this design for Steve Tarani. The Tri-Angle mounted 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 combating blade. It might probably deal with most common EDC duties comfortably as properly.

Professionals:

• 80CRV2 is corrosion resistant and simple to take care of.
• The deal with form is sensible and reveals what you’ll be able to obtain if you crew 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 extremely popular amongst troops as a boot knife. It comes with a survival whistle do you have to get misplaced and wish an auditory methodology of signaling. With its clip-point profile and serrations, it has the traits of an important EDC blade become a push dagger. The only edge implies that it gained’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 fashion, there’s a ledge to your thumb to stop the knife from yawing in-CQB, but in addition lends assist and management when utilizing it in an EDC position.

Professionals:

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

Cons:

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

Written by Mike Searson