Affordable Dagger

[jmflem]

I'm assuming this forum includes daggers as well?

I am looking for a dagger, mostly just because they intrigue me and I find them very cool (that's mostly the reason I buy any type of knife in the first place. Who doesn't like sharp pointy things?). Being still young and in high school with only a small job however, means I can't be throwing around two, three hundred dollars for a dagger I would barely use. I would mostly want it as a display/showpiece, but that doesn't mean I don't want it to be of high quality. I really like high quality things, I'm sure most of you can relate. Cheaply constructed pieces or pieces with obvious mess ups or blemishes really turn me off.

I really like the look of basically a "classic" dagger look: symmetrical, double sided, etc. I've been looking at the Cold Steel Italian Dagger. I really like its look, and it seems to be of sufficient quality and I know CS's fit and finish is generally quite good. It's a little bit pricey for me though, at around $150, and a tad big for a dagger at around 19".

Do you have any recommendations of companies or specific models I should look at, specifically around the $80-$150ish price range? I also really like Japanese Tantos, so any recommendations for those would be nice too. I'm completely new to swords and daggers so any information you could give me would be highly appreciated. Thanks bunches.

 

[JohnnyMayhem]

Have you checked with Museum Replicas? Chances are they might have something up your alley.

 

[BitingSarcasm]

Cold Steel stuff tends to be over-built. I have one of their old jians (chinese 2 edge sword) that looks nice but is just ridiculously heavy for what it is supposed to be. On the other hand, the CS naval dirk is quite nicely weighted and balanced and meets your other criteria except that it is long--don't know if they still make it though. Like Mr. Mayhem said, Museum Replicas, and their other company Atlanta Cutlery, have a ton of offerings that would fit your budget and tastes. Another great place is Kult of Athena, because they carry many companies' wares and they do their own pictures. Several times I thought about picking up a piece until I actually saw more than a profile picture, and KoA is very honest about what they sell. I have been happy with the customer service at both places, too.

 

[Cadillac86]

hmm, that is a varied question. You can get inexpensive blades of any type, but as far as a true high quality dagger, you'd be looking in the several hundred dollar range. Something like: http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-3482-soldiers-dagger.aspx would fit the style you are looking for, under $100, but Windlass is hit or miss. Sometimes the blades aren't solidly connected causing wiggle, other times they are good. In that price range it is often a hit or miss on swords/daggers.

 

[horseclover]

armor.com Arms&Armor

Del Tin

Windlass-Museum Replicas

Browse Kult of Athena and shop around

It is harder to screw up a dagger and both DSA and Cold Steel are capable.

DSA continues to have quality control issues, even after a couple of tries. Reputed to have great customer service and it seems like there are causes enough to fix problem DSA assemblies. Few of the DSA products really come close to history but they are continuing to vacuum what market they can while trying to improve. Pricy for what one receives. I despise them for a number of reasons but as mentioned, some adore them. Check out feedback on Sword Forum International, myArmoury and Sword Buyers Guide forums.

Cold Steel should be fine. Many of their swords and daggers a bit anachronistic, while others close to history.

Museum Replicas and Atlanta Cutlery are owned by Windlass of India. Windlass produces a lot of the Cold Steel daggers and swords. Some of the Cold Steel swords are made in China

Weapon Edge India see Windlass quality

Universal Swords India chunky monkeys, same family of shops

CAS/Hanwei China, slim pickin's for daggers

Watch out for plastic grips advertised as simulated ivory and bone (Cold Steel five ball spadroon and dirk, etc).

If I had $200 for a reproduction dagger, I would be shopping the first three mentioned. In actuality, I would spend the money on period objects but I often consider reproductions. $200 buys a lot of book(s) as well and where my last $75 went (out of print often selling for $300).

The last batch of daggers I bought were older 1990s Japan made Will&Finck fantasies (a Cold Steel supplier at the time) for about $40, to re-sell and use. As far as a modern dagger, my one Cold Steel dagger I own is a Tai Pan and I consider it an outstanding item. A Randall model 2 is timeless and stouter than the Tai Pan. Randalls are expensive. Linder, for under $100. A host of others but for the medieval vein, I would look at the comp[anies listed at the top and shop around for the best price.

Good Luck

GC

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1293626-A-little-more-understadning-of-swords

 

[gadunz]

Take up pig hunting. Go berserk.

Svord Hog Beater.
http://www.svord.com/index.php
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_category=24&controller=category