Just like shooting, combative skills take years to develop and decades to master. So how can someone with little or no edged-weapon training use a blade successfully in a life-and-death scenario? Consider getting your Wolverine on with a push dagger.
Possibly the bastard child of the Indian katar dagger or the pata sword, this type of knife has had varying degrees of global popularity since the 1800s. It consists of a short blade attached to a T-shaped handle that's held in a fist — it's also called a punch knife. Sometimes carried as a neck or boot knife, push daggers are drawn from a belt, waistband, or thigh rig much like a handgun. This intuitive movement lets knife newbies deliver deadly blows under duress without the need for finesse. Plus, a push dagger is ambidextrous, so you can draw it with either hand when mounted more centrally.
But there are disadvantages. In a confrontation, slashing techniques will be limited. Also, it's not great for utility because the T-shaped handle makes detail work awkward as hell. And there's that whole legality issue; punch knives are restricted in some U.S. states and cities and straight-up prohibited in many nations. Do your research.
Still, if your profession requires you to go into harm's way, a push dagger could give you that little extra punch needed to win.
Model
Ghostrike Punch Knife
OAL
4.8 inches
Blade Length
2.5 inches
Blade Material
420HC stainless steel
Weight
3.2 ounces
MSRP
$53
Model
Safe Keeper III
OAL
5.13 inches
Blade Length
2.5 inches
Blade Material
AUS-8 stainless steel
Weight
3.5 ounces
MSRP
$60
Model
SCHF54
OAL
5.5 inches
Blade Length
3.24 inches
Blade Material
8Cr13MoV stainless steel
Weight
3.04 ounces
MSRP
$29
Model
175BK
OAL
5.5 inches
Blade Length
2.5 inches
Blade Material
440C stainless steel
Weight
2.32 ounces
MSRP
$105
Model
Lady Luck
OAL
5.75 inches
Blade Length
2.5 inches
Blade Material
5Cr15Mov stainless steel
Weight
2.6 ounces
MSRP
$30
URL
www.browning.com
Model
Grim Ripper
OAL
6.5 inches
Blade Length
3.75 inches
Blade Material
1095 tool steel
Weight
8.8 ounces
MSRP
$165
411
Designed as a neck knife, this little guy is a part of Gerber's Ghostrike lineup of discreet-carry fixed blades. It comes with 550 paracord lashed to a glass-filled nylon sheath, which can also be worn on a 1.75-inch belt or tied to MOLLE-compatible gear. Made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
411
Cold Steel often gets a bad rap for its over-the-top marketing and unusual offerings (Germanic-style mace, anyone?). But fans know its blades are razor sharp, smartly designed, and ridiculously strong — the Safe Keeper III is no exception. It can be worn on a belt, attached to a pack, or tucked into a boot.
Pros
Cons
411
This dual-edge spear-point blade comes with a nylon-fiber sheath with a sturdy metal clip, which can be attached to a belt or pocket and adjusted for vertical or horizontal carry. There are also grommet holes to tie paracord or a chain through for neck carry.
Pros
Cons
411
The 175BK is marketed strictly for combat, whether on the streets or a battlefield. It's a no-frills, straight-to-the-point (pun intended!) performer that comes with a plastic sheath, which has a reversible clip and holes to strap it to a pack or carry around the neck. Made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
411
There's a reason why the biggest model in our buyer's guide is made with cops and troops in mind: It's a heavy-duty stabber that can also cut or pry. Comes with a survival whistle and a Kydex sheath, which has holes (allowing it to be tied to gear) and a steel clip (that can be rotated into various positions). Made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
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